Page 24 of Savage Hero

Hisrestaurant? I had no idea. But it makes sense—he probably uses it to launder his drug money.

I nod. Shrug. “What can I say? I’m a sucker for their quesadillas.”

Bryan scans my face. Is he looking for a lie, or trying to see through my disguise? I’m starting to regret ever thinking passing as a guy was a good idea. But instead of yanking off my mustache and putting a bullet in my belly, Bryan rests his head back on his pillow and lets out a sigh.

“You saved my life today,” he says. “Not many men would do that.”

He was making a statement, but I’m compelled to say, “Any life is worth saving.”

Savage shifts at the edge of my vision, and I suddenly realize there’s a double meaning in my words. I try to recover, but end up making it worse. “I mean, even someone like—”

“Father, you have to rest.” Savage steps so close, I can feel the warmth of his body. “And Nick needs to get back to his family.”

“It’s a long trip back to Kansas,” Bryan says, his eyes on me, but his words directed at Savage. “He can stay the night.”

I have no choice in the matter, but I’m assuming good ole Nick from Kansas wouldn’t be bright enough to realize this. “Oh, Sir, that’s too kind of you, but I couldn’t impose—”

“I’ve been thinking,” Bryan announces, tapping at his temple with a long, thin finger. “The drugs they gave me are strong, but I thought of a way to repay you for what you’ve done.”

Nowhiswords are the ones with hidden meaning. I have the strongest urge to glance back at Savage and see if what I’m picking up is just my imagination, or if Bryan is spelling out that he’s seen through me.

“There’s no need—”

“You will stay.” Bryan nods once and keeps his chin down, black eyes boring into me until I shift my weight. “You will work for me.”

I blink at him. “I’m…sorry…what?” My accent slips a little, and it’s all I can do not to turn and bolt out of the room and see how far I can get before they gun me down.

Bryan smiles. “You were there. You saw my men slaughtered. I have no one.” A wave of his hand takes in the empty room. “You just said you were looking for work. Is this not true?”

My mouth works. “Uh…yeah…”

“Well? I’m offering you a job. It pays better than anything else you’d find out there.”

“A job doing what?”

“Whatever I say, Nick from Kansas.” Bryan smiles. “Whatever Ifuckingsay.”

Chapter Twelve

Nyx

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I pace my room like a caged tiger, worrying a thumbnail that’s already down to the quick. My bare feet sink into thick carpet, but I can’t appreciate the opulence.

Trapped.

There’s a window, but I’m on the second floor. Even if I could climb out, I’ve already seen more than one guard patrolling down below.I’d be dead in a second.

Fuck!

Savage was kind enough to rip the phone off the wall before he left. By that time, Princess was howling at the top of her lungs. I can’t blame her—Savage looked so furious when he slammed the door behind him after dragging me inside, I thought he was going to slit my throat.

I’m half-convinced it would have been an easier death than whatever is waiting for me.

I’m employed by the fucking DomingoCartel?

I’m sweating bullets—ha ha ha—and my insides twisted up like licorice. It’s not me I’m worried about, not really. What the hell will happen to my sisters? I was supposed to be home tonight, cooking for them. Athena can make food, sure, but the extent of her culinary skills is mac ’n cheese. Not just that—they’re bound to be worried about me.

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