Page 38 of Filthy Liar

“Why shouldn’t I fucking panic about that?” I snapped, Reid’s eyes darting to me in question.

“They’re okay. They were being followed, and I had eyes on them. Zavier was dragged out of the car, but Lavaro was already on the way and got there in time to handle it.”

“Why didn’t they call me?” I growled, hearing him sigh impatiently.

“It literally just happened. I’m watching them on the cameras as we speak. They’re just leaving the scene now. Lavaro’s guys showed up to deal with the mess, and Knox is on the phone to Lopez so we can guide them home if they run into more trouble. Logan asked me to call you.”

“They’re okay? They didn’t hurt Zav?” My voice was tight, and Reid scowled.

“What’s going on? What happened to the guys?”

I put the phone on speaker as Cruz answered my question so Reid could listen too.

“They didn’t crash, but they jerked the car off the road and into a field to avoid a collision. They’d been followed for a while and were boxed in. They’re both likely to bruise a little from the seat belt since they braked abruptly. Lopez was dragged out and punched in the scuffle, but that’s it. They’re both okay.”

“Ander?”

“Your mafia prince is unscathed, as usual,” he grunted, clicking away at his keyboard before adding, “He’s kind of impressive when he’s in alpha protective mode. There were three guys involved in the attack, and he took them all out in seconds with headshots. Man didn’t even blink.”

Ander was hardly unscathed, he was black and blue from Skeeter’s beating.

“They’re driving home now?” Reid asked, putting his foot down a little harder.

“Yep. They were in Blackwater, so it won’t take them long. I’ll watch them until they get to the house to make sure they don’t pick up another tail. Tracking you guys too just in case. I don’t get it though. Usually, mafia wars are more explosive.”

“Don’t fucking jinx it, dude,” Reid huffed, seeming to relax a little at knowing we had eyes on us. An alarm went off at the compound, and Reid motioned to the phone as if Cruz could see him. “See?!”

“It’s nothing serious,” he replied lightly.

“How do you know?”

“I don’t. I’m manifesting it,” Cruz deadpanned, typing away again. “Totally a false alarm. Looks like the Kings wanted to visit via the back door and didn’t tell us.”

There were muffled voices for a second before Penn’s voice came through the line.

“Hey, Raven. Sorry, Cruz had to go deal with that.”

“They’re letting you man the computers now?” I asked slowly, unsure if I liked that idea. She was still pretty new at thieving, let alone hacking and security.

“Yep! Cruz has been working with me for months. They figured since my shooting isn’t the best that maybe I’d be better at the desk. Knox took over watching the others, so I only have to keep an eye out for you and Reid.”

That made me feel a little bit better. Cruz wouldn’t leave her in charge if he thought she couldn’t handle it either, I needed to remember that.

Penn made small talk for the rest of the trip, filling me in on her job at Harley’s Bar. I was surprised she still worked there now that she was thieving regularly.

We beat the others home, and I didn’t hang up from Penn until Logan’s car came into view so she could update me if things had gone south.

Zavier’s cheek was red from what I assumed was a punch, but he was grinning at something Logan said as they got out of the car.

“Was it the mafia?” I asked instantly, hugging him tightly before hugging Logan too.

“Lavaro didn’t recognize them, but that doesn’t mean Stefano hasn’t hired more people,” Zavier replied just as Ander’s Supra pulled in. “We’re fine. Logan needs new pants though. He soiled his.”

“I did not,” Logan grumbled, giving me a kiss. “How was your day?”

“This isn’t a casual conversation you can divert from,” I scolded, smacking his chest.

“If you want us to strip naked so you can inspect us, I’m down for that,” he offered playfully, clearing his throat when I glared at him. “Sorry. You know my coping mechanism is to make a joke out of everything.”

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