Page 41 of Outcast

He searched the Dirty Dogs before his gaze landed on Esteban.

Did they know each other?

Then it clicked. This was the troublePapámentioned. I wanted to slap my forehead. How had I forgotten about this?

"I tried to do this the nice way. But if he dies…" He pointed back at the man now cradled in his friend's arms. "All bets are off. This won't be a friendly negotiation for business you no longer do. This will be war."

The Dirty Dogs called out obscenities and insults. Most were too drunk to realize what kind of situation this was.

The bikers ignored it, maybe realizing that tonight wasn't the time, or maybe just afraid for their friend. In seconds, they were gone.

I wasn't a doctor, but I'd seen enough gunshot wounds. There was next to zero chance his friend would make it.

The Dirty Dogs didn't even have a president to lead us and we already had a war on our doorstep.

10

ESTEBAN

The roar of the bikers’ motorcycles faded into the background, leaving us surrounded only by the sounds of music from the jacked up speakers and the crackling of the fire still burning in the barrels.

I could barely see straight after what I just saw. And I wasn’t talking about this fucked up mess in front of me.

Some of the seriousness seemed to sink in as no one said a word.

Except for Leo. Fucking, idiot Leo.

He bounced on his heels. "We gotta hit them hard so they don't–"

I snatched him up by his T-Shirt and shook him, using every bit of strength I had to give him whiplash. "Do you know what you just did?" I shouted in his face.

Leo blinked, his eyes glassy from a night of binging liquor. "They're trying to take our territory." He raised his chin with mutiny in his eyes. Thispendejodidn't understand anything about club life. Damen never should have brought him in.

"Who gave you the authority to make a kill in the nameof the gang?" I seethed. Even on the worst days, the Dirty Dogs did not kill without leadership's approval. Fights? Couldn't help it, but no outright murders.

"Who are you?" He spat to the side. "Just some mid-level Dog. Your word don't mean shit."

I wanted to squeeze his neck, to rip his head off, but I couldn't even fucking argue.

Shoving him away from me, I kept hold of his Dirty Dog vest, yanking it from his body.

"What the fuck!" He started to charge me.

The Dirty Dogs were crowded around us now. Ricco stepped up next to me and Damen pushed through and caught Leo’s arm.

"You're right. I'm mid-level. I earned my place by being smart. Thinking with my head instead of my ego." I held his jacket up. "You're the low-man. After what you just did, you shouldn't even be here."

Matías pushed through the crowd and I gritted my teeth as my entire body became one giant muscle spasm.

He wasn't even back ten minutes and Rita jumped on his dick. Grey and Andre were at his back. The rest of the brothers took their girl and baby home hours earlier.

I pointed at him with the hand that held Leo’s vest. "It was great to have you here to celebrate Javier with us, but I think it's time you go. This is Dirty Dog business." I glared at Matías.

I wanted him to know exactly how much I hated his ass.

His brow furrowed. "Rita–" Matías started to turn toward Rita standing across the circle, watching Leo and me with round eyes.

"Rita has not one goddamned thing to do with you. Call her tomorrow."

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