Page 85 of Enforcing the Rules

Rock lifted a brow. “You tellin’ me you don’t have him?”

“He’s in County lockup,” Memphis replied.

Rock shifted his gaze to him. “What the fuck’s he doing there? I want him dead.”

I held up a hand. “It’s a long story, but I’ve got a plan, so you get what you want.”

Rock dropped into his chair and looked up at me. “I’m listening.”

***

By 9 pm, Memphis and I stood staring at the guy with the bag over his head we’d cuffed to a chair in a deserted warehouse.

I pulled the bag off his head. “Do you know who we are?”

He took in our cuts and nodded.

“Do you know why you’re here?” Memphis asked.

The guy shook his head.

I got in his face. “You’re Juan Ortiz, the number one courier for Ruiz. Ain’t that right?”

“Yeah.” His eyes moved between us.

“Good. Well, now that we all know each other, I want you to tell me and my brother here about Ruiz’s stash houses—the ones in Colorado Springs.”

“Oh, man. You know I can’t do that.” He rolled his head.

I smacked his face. “Juan. I thought you said you knew who we were.”

“Look, I know you guys is for real, but if I tell you about them stash houses, I’m a dead man. My own people will kill me.”

“Ain’t nobody gotta know it was you. Come on, now, look.” I put an arm around Memphis and patted his chest. “See my brother here? He don’t talk much.” I slapped my palm on my own chest. “And I ain’t gonna tell nobody. Juan, come on now. You know you’re not leavin’ here until you tell us everything we want to know, right?”

Memphis walked over to a table and picked up a blowtorch.

I grinned in Juan’s face. “Man, I really hate the smell of burnin’ flesh, don’t you?”

His eyes bugged, and his face paled. “Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait.”

I picked up a roll of duct tape and ripped a piece off. “Once this tape goes over your mouth, there ain’t no stoppin’ this.” I quirked a brow, moving toward him. “Last chance.”

Memphis held up the torch and flicked his lighter. “Now, Juan. I’m gonna see just how long you can hold out.” The flame shot out a foot.

“Okay. I’ll tell you everything. I swear. I’ll even show you them places. Just, for the love of God, turn that thing off.”

I grinned over at Memphis, and he flipped the flame out.

Two nights later, Memphis and I returned to his place, where I’d left Lola in charge of keeping Kate occupied while we made the trip to Colorado Springs. We’d burned Ruiz’s stash-houses to the ground, but we hadn’t been able to catch Ruiz. We knew he’d probably be one pissed-off motherfucker when we caught up to him.

Memphis believed he’d get word it was the Royal Bastards, and he’d come lookin’ for us. Save us the damn trouble. I wasn’t so sure.

We walked in and found the girls curled up on the couch, both asleep, the television on.

Memphis scooped Lola up in his arms and carried her toward the hall to their bedroom. “Lock up, will ya?”

“Sure thing,” I replied and shook Kate’s shoulder. “Babe. Time to go.”

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