Page 83 of Outcast

As we waited, the people at the tables eyed our guns, but we weren't in a tourist district, so they didn't freak out. Instead, they pretended not to see us.

The swinging doors to the kitchen popped open and Matthews strolled through. He wasn't even trying to hide his patronage with his US flag shirt.Americans.

"This is a surprise." He held his hand out to Rita.

She looked down her nose at the offer. I didn't think she was going to take it, but she slid her hand in his.

Raising it to his lips, Matthews started to smirk. Then Matías aimed at his head.

"You can shake her hand, but keep your lips to yourself."

Matthews dropped it and held his own hands up. "Got it. She's off limits." He glanced around and motioned for us to follow him. "We'll take this somewhere more private."

He led us through a different door. This one went to a staircase and we went up to the second floor. Oriental paintings and murals decorated the wall as traditional music played from old, static filled speakers.

Opening the first door at the top, he guided us into an office. An empty one. I wasn't a strategist, but I would have had a few buddies attend for backup. Matthews didn't grow up here, didn't understand the ways of the crime organizations.

A sun faded American flag hung up behind the desk and there were several pictures of men in service. So they were a unit when they served? Not surprising they'd want to stick together after they got out. What was surprising was that they wanted to turn to crime in South America.

Rita took her seat opposite Matthews and Matías took the extra chair. I stood directly behind Rita.

Matías could come and go, but my place was at her back.Always.

"So what do I owe the pleasure of this business?" Matthews threaded his fingers on the desk. His red hair fell in his eyes and he gave Rita a small grin. He wasn't completely at ease from the way his hands clenched and relaxed, but he wasn't high strung either.

"Let's cut the shit. Since you came to town, you've been nothing but a thorn in our side."

Matthews tutted. "That's not fair. We tried to be neighborly. From where I'm standing, the Dirty Dogs are the ones causing problems. Threatening us when we tried to make friendly contact." His gaze flitted to me briefly. "Killing our man when we were delivering our respect and condolences for your father. And then kicking out my men from one of the clubs."

Rita inclined her head as she crossed her legs. The motion was subtle, but it still drew his eye. I figured she wanted him under her spell, but I still wanted to pluck his eyes out.

On this, Matías and I were on the same page.

"I admit, we had a bad apple, which we dealt with and delivered his head directly to you. Surely, you can't hold the actions of one man against our entire club." She gave him a sultry smile. "And be honest. Do you expect rival clubs to mingle together when there's trouble brewing under the surface? That's asking for trouble."

She paused as Matthews mimicked her by inclining his head.

"But that's not the issue I'm here about today. It seems your club has killed one of our own, unwarranted."

Matthews' brows kissed in confusion. "We haven't killed any Dirty Dogs."

Funny how he didn't sayanyone.

"Once your man died, you didn't declare war on the Dirty Dogs?" Rita's tone made it out like she wouldn't believe shit that came out of his mouth.

"I didn't say that." He smirked as he leaned back. "But I didn't get me and my boys where we are today by rushing off with my ass on fire. I prefer to observe and see where theweakest link is." Like a smug fuck, he laced his hands over his stomach and started twisting back and forth in his seat. "And it seems the Dirty Dogs aren't so stable with your father gone. From what I hear, it sounds like you have a bit of a leadership issue on your hands."

All of my senses snapped alert and Rita lifted herself to her full, rigid height. Even Matías twitched in surprise.

"And where did you hear that?" Her words trembled.

Fuck, Rita. Don't let your voice show your hand.

He shrugged. "Doesn't matter. What does is that your house isn't as locked up tight as you might think." He glanced at Matías and twisted his mouth to the side. "Although, I do think you have the upper hand just because of your connections. Matías, right?"

Matías nodded, staring him down with psycho eyes he'd inherited from his father. I'd never seen a man with such dead control over his eyes like that.

But with Matías, it wasn't a constant. The other night right before Rita walked out on us proved that.

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