Page 36 of Outcast

Did he not think that was a possibility? That he would come here and I wouldn't want to see the face that broke myheart over and over again? That everything would magically go back to the way it had been years ago?

Like fucking hell.

"You don't have to leave," Esteban started and I stiffened. Who was he to say that? "But you need to let Rita have her space."

We had a crowd now. Outside of us, the music was the only thing in the background. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen with Matías.

Matías didn't even give Esteban the courtesy of a glance. He kept his gaze glued to my face, his eyes constantly flicking back and forth between my eyes.

Gritting my teeth, I wrapped my fingers around Esteban's forearms, being careful not to get him with my nails. He just pulled me tighter against his body.

A curl of guilt rose in my stomach but I forced it away. I'd done nothing wrong and I refused to let my fucked up emotions make me feel otherwise.

"Is that what you want?" Matías was always so fucking cool.

Even when he walked into his neighbor's apartment, I wanted the satisfaction of catching him off guard. Of throwing him for a loop. But the man had acted as if he expected me there every single fucking day.

Then in his apartment when I'd found out aboutPapá...

In his apartment, he'd caught me when I fell, but that was it. He didn't care enough to leave with me. He hadn't shown any reaction at all.

So what was this? A bout of guilt that made him come running? A weak-ass excuse.

Tears swam in my eyes as I directed all my hate his way. I wanted him to feel how much I didn't want him anymore.

"Stay, go, I don't fucking care, but don't come near me." Ipulled myself from Esteban's arms. He reluctantly let me go, trailing his fingers across my stomach before letting his hand fall away. It was intimate. Something a lover would do.

That was the exact moment Matías seemed to realize Esteban was even here. His gaze snapped to Esteban, and for a few moments, they were locked in a deadly stare down.

A dark smirk curled Esteban's mouth, so different from the carefree smile he usually showed the world.

"What? You thought your toys would stay yours when you weren't here to play with them?"

"You fucking–" Matías dove for Esteban, but Andre caught him around the stomach. Swinging him around, Andre and Grey pushed Matías back. "She's not a fucking toy."

Esteban hadn't even flinched. He had been ready, as if he expected Matías to attack. Loosening his shoulders, he nodded. "You're right. She's not. Rita isn't a toy. She's not disposable, and she damn sure isn't forgettable. All thingsyouseem to forget. Don't worry, the Dirty Dogs know exactly what she's worth."

Some of the crowd whooped. Some boo'd. There was a divide between who was happy with Matías' presence and who wasn't.

Stepping back from his brothers, Matías yanked his suit jacket down in quick, harsh motions. "Not for a second did I ever think any of those things about Rita." He met my gaze with a steely look. "Never."

Then he spun and sauntered toward the wall. Parker kissed Amorette on the head and followed Andre to the spot Matías claimed.

Grey and Lafe lingered.

Releasing a breath, I smiled at Cossette. She frowned, her little brain understanding this wasn't a happy place.When I touched her foot, some of her sunny exuberance returned and she gave me a toothy grin.

"It's a good thing he's back," Amorette said out of the corner of her mouth.

"Mmhm."

"Leave it alone," Grey warned Amorette.

She tipped her chin up, but didn't say anything else.

It was time to start the funeral.

The way Dirty Dogs celebrated life was probably different from the rest of society. We partied hard and told stories around the fire.

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