I rub my lips together and ruffle my fingers through my hair. “Good. I’m fucking exhausted, so whatever it is you found out about the guy who drugged me can wait until morning, Talon. I don’t want you discussing things without me.”
“Stacia,” he argues, straightening his shoulders.
I poke his chest. “No. That’s how things are going to be. For all of you.” I glance around even though I know everyone is listening. “Also, I don’t want to see anyone throwing punches or getting jealous. None of you have a damn claim on me. Do you understand?”
I don’t wait for them to answer and stroll out of the kitchen, leaving them in silence behind me.
I just hope we can figure things out and I can go home and return to a life of normalcy.
Who knew I would miss such a thing?
I just want it all to be over.
13
Psycho
“Estaloco,”Imumbleunder my breath. “There’s no fucking way he’s getting away with coming into my damn territory and making my product look bad.”
I rewind the video for the hundredth time, zooming in on a man in a barely club-passable suit slipping a bright red square of paper into a woman’s drink. For one, I wouldn’t sell such a shitty substance. I can tell from the square shape that it doesn’t come from my employees. My product comes in a diamond, heart, spade, and clover shape, depending on where it’s made and how pure the quality is.
“Kitty found the receipts with the time stamp of when he bought the victim the drink,” Talon says, setting his phone in front of me. “The ID ties to a man in Culver City.”
“There’s no damn way that’s our dude. Just look at him.” Christos taps his finger on the screen, enlarging the picture of the ID. The bouncers scan and save every ID that passes through their verification machines. It’s the best way to track patrons.
As for the man? Christos is right. He’s not the one we want, but he can lead us to whoever sold him the shit.
No smart dealer would risk it in an establishment owned by a St. Germaine. This pinche cabrón probably couldn’t get any pussy so he thought he could just take it. I can’t wait to get my knife in him.
“I can have him located within the hour.” I crack my knuckles, the idea of putting some pendejo in his place making my adrenaline pump.
Talon whacks me between the shoulders. I haven’t seen him grin since we arrived, and having a lead helps with the situation. “Good. We’ll head out in fifteen to be—”
“Head out where? What are you guys doing? I thought we were supposed to go over everything together.” Stacia stands akimbo in the doorway with Leandro behind her like a silent shadow. I love how sexy she looks, wearing short-shorts and a tank top, her dark hair extra pullable in her high ponytail.
“That was the plan until you decided to take your sweet time this morning. I figured I’d give you the fucking bullet points before we head out. Anything you need while we’re gone?” Talon cracks his knuckles, standing tall, looming over Stacia’s five and a half feet.
“Watch out, Executioner. She’s going to take your cojones if you don’t step back. I know her type. Más loca que una cabra.” And I love it. Stacia looks sweet and innocent but I knew she had it in her to be crazy.
“Did you just call me a goat?” Stacia frowns, scrunching her nose.
I smirk at her. “It’s something mi abuela used to say to me. It’s not a bad thing, mamacita. Not in my eyes. I’d love to see you a little crazy, especially with the Executioner.”
Talon takes advantage of her distraction. Grabbing his keys from his desk, he shoves them in his pocket and then shrugs into his suit jacket.
“Careful, Esteban. Don’t egg her on,” Christos warns, tapping a few keys on his laptop, sending the printer whirring to life.
“Oh, shut up. All of you. You’re all going to be in trouble...except Leandro.” Stacia smiles at her bodyguard.
In the corner of my eye, I watch as Talon opens his safe and pulls out a gun and a knife. He tucks them away in his holsters. “At least not from you.” Talon eyes Leandro. “You should’ve kept her away until we were ready. Now you’re going to have to restrain her so we can leave.”
“Oh, fucking no you don’t. I’m tired of sitting around here. I want to go. I’ll stay in the car.” Stacia saunters closer to Talon, resting her hands on his hips. “Please, birdie. You can update me in the car.”
Talon sighs and shakes his head. “Absolutely not. We can’t risk it.”
Stacia pouts, her full lips completely kissable. Talon doesn’t notice her hand sliding into his pocket until it’s too late. Yanking out his key fob, she squeals and spins away, dodging past Leandro. Talon yells at him to grab her, but he only reaches out, brushing her arm. Talon shoves him into the wall and charges past him, running behind Stacia.
I meet Christos’s gaze and howl a laugh. “Creo que estoy enamorado de ella. I know you think she’s yours, pendejo, but goddamn. You have some competition.”