Page 104 of Outcast

I continued, "Your vendetta isn't with the Dirty Dogs. Not really. It's with thecabrónswho are trying to flip their shit. If something happens to any of us three, that's different. For us, it will be personal, and I will hold you responsible."

"Just you three, not the Dirty Dogs?"

"I will fight for the Dirty Dogs. But if Esteban or Rita are harmed and you could have prevented it, you'll die. That's a promise."

Esteban and I let ourselves out.

As we headed down the street, Esteban shifted closer. "That was a bust."

"Yes and no. I assumed he wouldn't tell us anything. I mainly wanted to deliver my own threat."

"He doesn't seem to care about that." He scratched his temple as we reached the SUV.

"It was a lot of posturing, wasn't it?"

"Hell yeah, it was. And repetitive too."

"Good. I want him to remember my words. Something bad is coming. I feel it. Maybe this repeated reminder that we're bigger than they are will loosen their tongues and they'll find us later."

Esteban rolled his eyes. "Like that will happen."

"You never know, kid."

"I'm not a fucking kid," he griped.

I grinned as I drove us back to Rita. We should even have thirty minutes to spare.

26

RITA

Esteban: We're on our way back. With all ten fingers and toes.

I snorted and stopped pacing my kitchen.

“They’re done and on their way.” I sighed in relief as I turned to Amorette sitting at the table.

Joel and Ricco had both tried calling me, and when that hadn't worked, they banged on the door. They both knew better than to break down my door or pick the lock. They both had the skill. Everyone in the Dirty Dogs did.

But the lack of peace was enough to have me calling Amorette to come save me. And she came with Grey and Parker in tow, who were so gracious as to sit outside in their bullet-proof SUV and watch the street.

Me: Fingers and toes, but what about your pretty faces? And come to my house. I couldn’t stay at the club with everyone pounding on my door. Amorette and two of her guys are here with me.

Esteban: Got it. You think my face is pretty?

I rolled my eyes as some of the fear that had gripped my chest lightened, giving way to tingles deep in my stomach.That was what he got stuck on. Now that they were mostly out of danger, I felt like a schoolgirl with a crush, not the twenty-seven year old gang princess, soon to be Dirty Dog leader.

Me: You're every girl's wet dream. I've seen plenty of them with you over the years.

“That’s great. I’ll text the guys. We’ll head out as soon as they get here.” She picked up her phone and tapped away.

Esteban’s dots started bouncing but his response didn't come immediately like before. Shit, maybe he was offended I brought that up like some kind of faux pas.

But come on, we were a gang. I'd had as many hookups in our clubs as the rest of them. I just tended to stay away from Dirty Dogs. Why shit where I eat?

Matías had only been so easy to want because he had been accepted byPapábut not a Dirty Dog.

I should be chatting with Amorette, being a good host and friend. But all of my focus was on the text chain. I was so fucking relieved there wasn’t a repeat of our last meeting.

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