Page 26 of Rattlin' Bones

“Um, I, uh,” she stammered.

“Breathe, Baby. I’m right here.”

She listened, calming enough to speak. “I didn’t start out trying to help the police. It happened after I saw a story on the local news. Girls being trafficked, a burned truck with bodies, and a man wanted for connection to the murders.”

“Luis Diego,” I guessed.

“Yes. I swore vengeance on that asshole after he kidnapped me. I wanted him behind bars and went to the police precinct to speak to the detective in charge of the case.”

“Damn. Your dad knows about this?”

She smirked. “Hell no. He would have lost his shit.”

I bet.

“A case is being built against Luis, but they don’t have enough to charge him yet. That’s why I’m working at the strip club. They think I’m playing at being a rebel to piss off my father, but I’m there to learn anything I can about Luis and his operation, including information about his partner, Angel Mackenzie.”

Well, fuck. The club had a problem with Angel and Luis, too, primarily because of their connection to Ratchet, the president of the Bladed Serpents. But this put Lacey right in the middle of a war between clubs, a dangerous cartel, and a trafficking ring.

“You can’t go back.”

“Skel.”

“No, you can’t. It’s too risky.”

“But I’m the only one who can get close. Angel and Luis are supposed to arrive for a private party Friday night. There was a chance they’d show tonight. That’s why I was working.”

She didn’t understand. I wasn’t allowing this.

“Baby, you’re not going back to that club. Don’t you get it? Diego is back in town, and if he sees you at that club, he’ll hurt you.”

“But—”

“We’ll find another way.”

Her shoulders slumped. “How?”

“The club bought the strip club. We’re going to remodel and clean it up, turn a profit, and keep the business legit.”

She arched a brow. “Legit?”

“Fine. As legit as we can. It’s fucking Vegas, Baby.”

Her lips curled into a smile, but it quickly vanished. “I know.”

“So you need to stick close to home. Stay there and outta trouble.” I sure hoped she would listen.

“This sucks, Skel. I’ve waited so long for revenge. This was my chance.”

“We’ll get him. I promise.”

I never should have left the night I saved her life without telling Lacey what she meant to me. We ended up burning hot and fast, but that didn’t mean what we shared was a fling. Far from it. I didn’t stop thinking about her for three long years.

“Luis Diego won’t stop until I’m dead, will he?”

“No. So that means we make the next move, keep you safe, and I handle Diego.”

She swallowed hard. “My dad. He’s in danger, too.”

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