Chapter Thirty-Eight
Axe wandered around the poolside and kept watch over Soledad. She splashed in the pool while Carmelita flirted with a group of country club teenagers whose parents were big donors to the Bumblebee charities.
He knew Leanna wanted to win and that the scholarship she set up in Ana and Eduardo Bandera’s name was near and dear to her heart, so he’d been campaigning for her.
Although every Bad Boy had his own favorite.
Rex Carter swaggered across the pool deck with his lackey carrying a portable amplifier. “Hey, Salvadori, take off the shades and leather and jump in the pool. You’re not the bodyguard anymore.”
“I prefer to stand in the shade,” he said, ducking under the large date palm next to the pool house. “Make sure to vote for Leanna Rivera.”
“Did she ever hire you, or did you give her a freebie?” Rex rubbed his fingers over his thumb. “I’m thinking you owe me a commission. You wouldn’t have known a thing about her Mexican trip if you hadn’t been eavesdropping.”
“You owe me for all the hits you’re getting on your website because of me.” Axe tugged the pockets of his jacket.
“That Veronica bitch is cray-cray.” Rex rolled his eyes. “Can’t keep up with her and her parties.”
“Good for business. Like I said, a big donation to Leanna’s charity is called for.”
“Her father’s loaded with Cano cash,” Rex whispered, earning him a dagger glare from Axe.
“Just remember, I can steer Veronica and all of her parties to Jazzy Gems Escort Services with a snap.” Axe raised his hand and did a snap salute.
Rex laughed. “Veronica’s appetites are too big to snap out. Don’t let your eyes bug out when you see what she’s wearing—or not wearing.”
Axe shook his head and walked back under the shade of the palm tree where he resumed scanning for trouble.
Veronica had capitalized on her embarrassing moment when she and Adolfo were discovered by partygoers tied up together and naked in bed. She’d shared all on social media. While Adolfo went into hiding, owing allegiance to the cartel, Veronica became a FacePlant sensation as a former capo’s plaything. Tomas paid her off and set her up with a trust fund so she could hang out with the likes of Hollywood celebrities and the lowlife who’d paid for their entitled children to attend elite colleges.
Her MeTube channel was garnering millions of views, and she glamorized thug life to the wazoo, giving her followers insider tips on everything from sex with the capo to party chips and dip recipes made to look like ladyfingers in blood.
If Veronica and hercholos locoswere crashing the party, then Axe had to be even more vigilant. He patted his back to reassure himself of the Glock. Leather jackets were key to concealed carry.
Rex’s voice over the amplifier, as well as a change in music to sexy and sultry, announced the start of the Sundress and Swimsuit competition.
Axe waved for Soledad to come out of the pool. He wrapped a towel around her shoulders and helped her get a plate of food and a place on a chaise lounge next to Carmelita.
“Remember not to stare if things get too exposed,” he warned the two youngsters. “Otherwise, you two should go with the other children to the clubhouse for story time.”
“No way am I missing my mom’s big surprise,” Carmelita said, stuffing her face with Peking duck.
“Surprise? How so?” Axe raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t she going to wear red, white, and blue to commemorate American freedom, liberty, and justice for all?”
“How dorky do you think she is?” Carmelita scoffed, and Soledad giggled like she was in on it.
“You two know something I should be aware of?” He tapped his daughter’s shoulders.
“Just relax, Dad,” Soledad said. “You’re not wearing socks to get knocked off.”
Axe glanced at his bare feet encased in black canvas skate shoes. They would come in handy in case he had to run across wet and slippery surfaces.
“Da, dum!” Rex announced. “Prepare to get your eyeballs blown away by our busy Bumblebees and the annual Splash into Summer Sundress and Swimsuit Competition. Remember to vote with your dollars. Download the app and log in now.”
Nick changed the music to stripper music, and several workers rolled out portable stripper poles with weighted bases around the pool.
Axe couldn’t sit still. Instead, he wandered around the periphery of the pool house and noted everyone coming and going. The country club had their security, but they were older rent-a-cops more interested in chatting and being friendly than watching.
He wasn’t interested in the women parading out or hearing their biographies read. They were all beautiful and eye-catching, and some of them belonged to his buddies.
