Page 38 of Beautiful Dangerous

“Because out there they are trying their fucking hardest to put you away; to bring the cartel down, you and the bikers, and you know that, Olivia. You know that, and yet, you still walk in here like you aren’t the crazy bitch you absolutely are.”

I take a breath at that point, and watch as Olivia’s expression changes, but she doesn’t get angry. She’s cleverer than that, she knows she has to keep her cool, no matter how hard Jimmy pushes her. And he’s pushing, but he won’t win this. I have no idea what makes him think he can.

“And you really don’t want to get on the wrong side of this crazy bitch, Jimmy, I promise you that.”

“I want out.”

Olivia laughs and shakes her head, casting a quick glance in my direction. I just shrug.

“You want out?” Her eyes are back on Jimmy now, and I actually pity the poor fucker. He’s got no idea what the hell he’s doing here, I honestly thought he was smarter than this.

“Yes. I want out. I should never have said yes in the first place.”

“So, you stay with us long enough to make sure the bulk of your debts are paid off, your house is safe, and your wife knows nothing of the shit you got yourself into, or who you’ve aligned yourself with, and now you think you can just walk away?”

He sits back and crosses his arms, a slight smirk crossing his face, and if I were him I’d wipe that smug look away. Quickly.

“What’s stopping me? The shit I have on you, Olivia – on all of you, what’s stopping me from walking out of this room and telling Hawkins everything?”

“Nothing. There’s nothing stopping you. You want out? Okay. You’re out.”

He frowns. “Just like that?”

“Just like that.” She pushes her chair back and stands up. “Thank you for everything you’ve done, Jimmy. I’m sorry to see you go.”

He looks confused, and I just smile at him as I open the door and follow Olivia out. Every eye in the room is on us, of course, the frustration that they have no reason to stop us is palpable, I can feel it. So much so that once we’re outside I can’t help laughing. We’re always a few steps ahead of them, and that’s what pisses them off.

“You called his bluff.” I lean back against the car and light up a cigarette, taking a drag before I hand it to Olivia.

“He chose his own fate.”

“You don’t think he’ll carry out his threat?”

“Do you?” She opens the passenger door and climbs inside.

“If he tells them anything, he also implicates himself.”

“Exactly.” She turns her head to look at me. “You know what we have to do now.”

I nod and start the engine.

“Unfinished business, Lucca. I’ve had enough of it.”

“I’ll deal with this.”

“Good.”

She turns her head away and stares out of the window. “We’ll need someone else in place. Soon.”

“Leave that to me.”

“Thank you.”

She still doesn’t look at me, and there’s a tension in the air that hasn’t been there before, not between us. Never between us. Until now.

“Do you want to go somewhere for lunch?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood. “I’m sure Gil’s will open up a table if we let them know we’re coming. Or, we could go to The Garden. We’ll definitely get a table at one of our own restaurants.”

I was hoping for a smile, but I don’t get one.

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