Page 7 of Saving Blood

I hover over Juan. “What about him?”

“He’s one of the men who come in the cantina where I work. He’s?—”

“I know who the fuck he is.” A prickle of sweat surrounds my neck in the air-conditioned room.

“Then you know he’s dangerous, and you don’t want him for an enemy.”

I huff out a dry laugh. Reason why Smoke and I have eyes on him. He began his reign of fear and intimidation six months ago in Rosarito. They tried to arrest him multiple times in the past, but cash pressed into the right hands insured his release. Even his closest capos fear him because the man has no boundaries. Women, children, it doesn’t matter. If they get in his way, he annihilates them. Not even his family is exempt. Word is, last year he offed his own sister in cold blood when he suspected she’d leaked information to the DEA.

“Then you know he’s a ruthless bandito.”

I jerk my chin at Bolt. “Go through his pockets.”

Bolt rifles through Juan’s pants and comes up with a wad of bills. “Stupid fucker is trying to jerk us off.”

I snatch the money and fan through it. “You got about two grand here.” I hold it up. “I’m taking this, and I’ll leave your kneecaps in place for now. Then tomorrow you come back here with something more than names. You find out how and where Hector’s setting up in Tijuana. If I think the information is worth it, I’ll reconsider your debt.”

Juan’s eyes widen. “Yes, yes, I can do it.”

“And don’t even think about not showing up here tomorrow with some useful information, ‘cause I will find you.” I turn to Bolt. “Tune him up. Just enough to let him know I’m serious, but not enough he can’t walk outta here.”

Bolt nods. “You got it, Boss.”

“But you said you’d let me go,” Juan whines.

“No, fucker, I said I wouldn’t smash your kneecaps.”

The sound of flesh hitting flesh follows me as the metal door whooshes closed behind me. I storm through the garage, then outside with an uneasy feeling. We experienced some blowback after we took over Sandoval’s territory, but that was months ago.

The few of Sandoval’s flunkies who stuck around Tijuana were rumbling about starting shit, but Juan throwing around Hector’s name confirmed our suspicions. The idea he might be setting up shop in Tijuana brings it to another level. We have our weekly church meeting tonight, and I’d make sure doing a deeper dive on Hector Rodriquez is the first order of business.

The roar of the crowd around the cage grows louder as I cut across the perimeter of the lot. Money exchanges hands in a frenzy as Maxine waves her fists over her head, enjoying her win. I calculate our take and smile, although I’m still pissed I missed her first fight because of that deadbeat, Juan.

Maxine slams out of the cage door, sprints down the three metal steps, and her fans surround her. At first, she seems to enjoy the attention, but the mob tightens, and her eyes widen. I elbow my way through the crush of sweaty fuckers, push her behind me, then navigate us away from the cage.

The minute we’re passed the crowd, she rears away from me and glares. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

I reach out to steady her, but she bats away my hands. Then she squares her shoulders, and I smile at her sass.

“Instead of smiling like a fool, why don’t you say you’re sorry?”

“Sorry? It should be you thanking me for saving you from that mob of assholes.”

“Right, I just fought a fuckin’ beast in the cage and won, but I need your help fending off some drunk, out-of-shape men.”

When she cocks her hip, my smile grows wider.

“Why do you keep smiling at me?”

“’Cause right now I’m enjoying the show.” I give her a slow, very slow, once-over, and she hisses in a breath. Yup, I’m the fucker who likes to rev up women and piss them off. Kinda like foreplay.

Her face screws up, and I can see all the attitude that makes her a winner in the cage. I might’ve missed her fight, but I’m getting my own up close and personal performance now.

“So?” I cross my arms over my chest. “You were the big winner.”

“How would you know? You weren’t there.”

“And how did you know I wasn’t there? Keeping tabs on me?”

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