Page 43 of Boulder's Weight

"Which idiot are we talking about?" I ask, leaning against the sun-baked wall beside Razor.

Axel stops pacing and claps me on the shoulder, his grip firm enough to show he's not in a playful mood. "The one Razor’s planning anatomically impossible surgeries for," he says with a smirk. "That fucker Andrés."

Andrés, the one screwing with the businesses under club protection.

Python’s eyes scan the street as he talks, always on alert.

That's why he's the Enforcer—never lets his guard down. "Been making noise about businesses under our protection. Specifically, my woman's café."

My stomach drops. "CatsAndJava? Astra's place?"

"Yeah," Python confirms, pulling out another cigarette. His hands are steady as he lights it, but I can see the tension in the set of his jaw. "Pendejothinks he can walk in and demand protection money when they're already paying us."

"Just to clarify," Axel chimes in, a dangerous glint in his eye, "they're not really 'paying us' like we're the mafia or some shit. They're legitimate businesses, we have legitimate partnerships with."

"Semantics," Python grunts, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "Point is, this fucker's threatening my woman's place. That's crossing a line."

I think about Kelsey and even though I’m pissed at her right now, I don’t want anything bad happening to her.

She works at that café alongside Astra, and the sudden need to protect her comes rushing back through me.

Sure, we've only fucked a few times, but the thought of her in danger makes my blood boil.

It was this morning I stormed out of there, pissed beyond belief that she'd lied about being "on vacation" when she's apparently moved here permanently.

"She just hired that new girl too," I say, trying to keep my tone casual. "Kelsey."

Razor’s eyebrow raises slightly. "I heard you were arguing with her earlier. The fuck was that about?"

I glance over at Python and Axel, but figure Axel’s the one with loose lips.

I run a hand through my hair, uncomfortable with the memory of our argument.

The way her eyes had flashed when I called her out on her lie, the slight tremble in her voice when she tried to explain.

I lie straight through my teeth. "Nothing. Just a misunderstanding."

"Didn't look like nothing," Python presses. "Looked like you were pretty fuckin’ pissed, brother."

"Drop it," I growl, not wanting to get into the details of how Kelsey's been playing me.

Python takes a step closer to me, eyes boring into my own. "Watch your tongue before I cut it out, prospect."

Axel laughs, the sound echoing off the brick walls around us. "Ooh, spicy over the lady. You banging her or something?"

I shoot him a look that would shut up most men, but Axel just grins wider.

Before I can tell him to go fuck himself, the rumble of a motorcycle interrupts our conversation.

We turn to see Amara pull up, her sleek black bike gleaming in the sunlight.

Our president has a presence that commands attention, and we all straighten up as she approaches.

"Razor." She nods. "You brief Boulder on the situation?"

"Just getting to it," he replies, flicking ash from his cigarette.

Amara turns to me, her gaze piercing.

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