Page 105 of Beautiful Dangerous

“That’s something we’re gonna need to think about.”

“We don’t have that much time. They’re leaving next week.”

“Next week?” Angel raises a brow. “He must want her out of here pretty fast.”

“He wants her away fromme.” I take another draft of beer, but it’s not working, the alcohol, it’s not hitting any spot. Because I’m too fucking numb.

Angel leans over the counter and pours a couple of whiskey shots, nudging one in my direction. “You spoken to her yet?”

I shake my head, pick up the whiskey, and sink it in one. “He won’t let her anywhere near me now.” I put the empty glass down and drop my head into my hands, dragging my fingers through my hair as a wave of utter hopelessness washes over me. “I don’t know what to do, Angel.”

I look back up as Eddie joins us at the bar. “You okay?” he asks, pouring himself a drink.

“Not really,” I sigh. “This is the fucking end for me, Eddie.”

Eddie lights up a cigarette and offers me the packet. I take it, sliding a cigarette between my teeth and lighting up.

“I’ve never once heard you this close to drowning in self-pity, Lucca.”

I throw him the side-eye, but he’s right. What the fuck is wrong with me?

I take a long drag on the cigarette before stubbing it out, sliding down from the stool and grabbing the car keys from the counter.

“Hey, where you going?” Eddie shouts after me.

“To see Olivia,” I shout back, but before I reach the door Angel grabs my arm, stopping me from leaving. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Just sit down. Get your head straight, bro. Come on.”

Eddie kicks the stool I’ve only just vacated toward me, and I reluctantly sit back down.

“Javier’s not a stupid man, Lucca. If he knows the truth, then he knows it all. Which means he’ll also know about us wanting to help you, and that puts us in a precarious position.”

I shake my head and reach for the whiskey. “He may assume, but I doubt he’ll have any proof that you’re involved, in any way. And he doesn’t do shit without proof.” I down another shot. “You’ll be good. He’s already told me he values the cartel’s relationship with the club too much, he needs you.” I look at Eddie. “Besides, he’s known you a long time.”

“And you’re like a brother to him. You assume he won’t think I could betray him, just because we’ve known each other for decades? That’s exactly what I was willing to do. And you know as well as I do that he could find another club to work with in a heartbeat, we’re disposable. As are so many people in this world, and right now, we’re all looking over our shoulders.”

I sigh, once more dropping my head into my hands. “I’m so fucking sorry for dragging you guys into this.”

“It was our choice to get involved, Lucca. We could’ve left it alone.”

I look up, and my head’s spinning, the effects of the alcohol finally kicking in. “I need to lie down. You got a room I can crash in?”

Angel jerks his head toward the back of the clubhouse. “They’re all empty at the minute.”

I grab the whiskey bottle, steadying myself as my feet hit the floor.

“You gonna be okay?” Eddie asks, placing a friendly hand on my shoulder as the room finally stops spinning.

“I’ve got no other choice but to be.”

And when I look at him, at Eddie, his eyes tell me everything I already know.

We’re all on shaky ground now. All of us. We’re so close to being fucked, and yet, right now, all I want to do is sleep. But I’m doubtful anything’s going to look better in the morning…

Twenty-One

Olivia

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