Page 112 of Outcast

Smiling, she faced the men.

"Like I said, there's not going to be a vote. We will not be going back to the old ways. We've progressed. Now, there are plenty of things we could vote on, but not who's going to lead, and not about picking businesses back up that hurt women and children." Her smile dropped and her expression was chilling. "Clear?"

No one answered.

"Is that clear?" Esteban boomed.

A couple men chorused agreement but most men remained quiet with their jaws open.

"Now, here's your one out. You don’t like where we're at? You get a one time pass to leave. You don't have to stay in the Dirty Dogs, but you can't stayhere. You want out? Fine. Leave. But you better leave this country. Because if I find out you've restarted businesses, I won't be the only one on your asses."

Rita pointed out the two men who had raised their hands. "Are you staying or going?"

"Staying."

"Good. Glad to have you still be Dirty Dogs." She walkedover to Ricco, touching his shoulder as if in consolation of the harsh way she'd snapped at him. "I know you're on my side, as much as you can be while thinking there's a better leader for the gang. Fine. You don't have to like me at the top to respect me. Because I will do what's right for all of us. But I need you to do something for me."

"What's that?" he asked gruffly. He seemed so confused.

"Lock up Joel and those two men. Joel, because he's been conspiring against the Dirty Dogs, and we need to make sure those two aren't involved before they're allowed to be let go."

"What the fuck?" One of the men started running as Joel started yelling expletives, but his voice was a rasp.

She reached her hand back and I placed the picture in her hand. Without missing a beat she slapped it against Joel’s chest. “Here’s your proof. This piece of shit tried to execute me in my own house. Maybe he would have if Matías hadn’t been there.”

There was a moment of silence as Joel’s eyes widened. The photo fluttered to the ground and landed face up.

As soon as it settled, chaos reigned as shouts went up and several men raced forward and started punching and kicking Joel. He didn’t even try to defend himself.

Shaking his head, Ricco moved forward, lifting a bloody Joel off the ground. Ricco grunted but Joel didn't seem to be putting up a fight.

The runner was caught as the other man held his hands up.

"I'm going to go easily because I have nothing to hide." He made sure to make eye contact with all three of us. "I may have liked the way we were, but that does not mean I wanted any of my brothers to die."

"Fair enough." Rita motioned for them to be taken away.

Once the three men were gone, the remaining Dirty Dogs came up and spoke to Rita, letting her know they had her support but expected a full detailed report once she knew exactly what had been going on.

"I'll deliver it. There will be no secrets like this in the Dirty Dogs anymore. But I have a job for the rest of you. If you're up for it."

They didn't even need to think about it. Every single one was in.

Rita glanced over at us with a smile painted on those gorgeous lips.

"Make the calls, boys."

28

ESTEBAN

We reached the outside of one of our clubs. The rain had just let up and the orange glow of street lights glistened off of the broken pavement and concrete of the buildings. A fair amount of graffiti also littered the walls. Ours and some punk kids.

We liked their art, so we'd left it.

Javier hadn't been torn up over ego things like that. If he liked it, it stayed.

Rita rode on the passenger side this time, and Matías drove. He parked on the side of the street just far enough back to be out of the way of the people coming and going.

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