Page 33 of Always Been Mine

“We don’t have much time,” Beatrice said. “I think we’re about to have company soon.”

“I know,” Gabe muttered.

When they reached apartment 405, Gabe rapped on the door. They heard shuffling in the room.

“What do you want?” A voice asked from inside.

“Luisa owes me money—” Beatrice started to say.

“She’s not here. Go away.”

“I’m not leaving until I get my money,” Beatrice fired back. She threw Gabe a dirty look, warning him to wipe the smirk off his face. Didn’t he know how to do undercover work? Jeez.

The door cracked open. A woman peered through the small opening. “You will get us killed. We have nowhere else to go. Go away.”

A rush of footsteps pounded up the stairs. The door was slammed shut. Gabe tensed beside her.

“Now that was productive,” Beatrice grumbled, trying to make light of the situation, but her heart thudded against her chest with anxiety.

“Babe, I think things are about to get interesting,” Gabe said grimly.

Sure enough, three Latino guys armed with metal pipes and guns appeared in the hallway.

Shit.

6

“Let me do the talking.”

Beatrice whispered to Gabe as she stepped in front of him. He cursed softly beside her. She was certain he was ready to throw her over his shoulder and run away with her.

“Lost?” the Latino man with the nose ring sneered.

“Not at all,” Beatrice said with false bravado. “I’m looking for Luisa. You know where she is? Bitch told me this was her address.” She mentally begged forgiveness for speaking ill of the dead.

“Haven’t you read the news? She’s dead.”

Beatrice feigned shock. “No! Damn it. Well, hell, how can I get back my three hundred dollars?”

The Latino guys laughed. “We can give you three hundred dollars, but you’ll have to spread those long legs and let us fuck you.” More laughter.

This wasn’t going well at all. She could feel Gabe ready to come out of his skin. Growly noises were coming from her man. Her man? When did he become her man?

Focus, Bee!

Beatrice shifted her attention back to the problem at hand.

Walking forward with all the sass she could muster andpretending she didn’t hear Gabe call out her name in frustration, she stopped in front of Nose Ring guy.

“Hmm . . . she also promised me qualitycabello.” Beatrice hoped she pronounced the Spanish street name for cocaine correctly.

“You better not be a cop, chica.” Nose Ring scowled at her.

“Do I look like a cop to you?” Beatrice swore she could hear her pulse in her ears. Her voice wavered.

Shit.

Nose Ring’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, his mouth curled in a snarl as he reached for the gun tucked in the waistband of his jeans. “Yes.”

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