“Miller gave me the C Crue intel that I need,” C says.
“Which is? Come on, C, don’t be cagey! I will lose my mind.”
“I heard Hornsby needs stitches, and Miller burned a gun because he had to fire a warning shot. They say you ditched your bodyguard and ended up in the territory of a Colombian gang.”
Those are more or less the facts, but not all of them. “Our ending up in the wrong area was an honest mistake. Trick’s youngest sister Ash was with us, and one of her friends hooked us up with a fantastic trunk show. When we dropped her off, some guys from her neighborhood boxed our car in.”
“Number one, you don’t need to be hooked up. You can afford to buy whatever the hell you want, so buying knock-offs in a back alley?—”
“It wasn’t a back alley! And they weren’t knock-offs!”
“Do not raise your voice to me, Z. Was ditching your bodyguard an honest mistake?”
Do I tell Connor the truth? That Hornsby was rattled by the fact that Trick’s sisters were with me? And that he seemed overwhelmed by the pressure of having so much precious cargo to protect? Even though it wasn’t his responsibility to worry about Trick’s sisters, who don’t normally need or have bodyguards.
Do I tell C that Hornsby, the little shit, was trying to order us around, including Kathleen who’s almost thirty? I ditched him because I wanted to continue hanging out with Kathleen who had had enough of him. Considering the bad situation we ended up in, C will probably side with his guy. And that will become a big fight, which is the last thing I need on top of the already horrible experience I had today.
“You’re lucky that Hornsby saw Kathleen’s car go by and managed to tail you guys. And you’re lucky Hornsby got that text off to Miller when things went sideways and that Miller was nearby. I doubt it’s an accident that Ash’s so-called friend got you guys into that neighborhood. There are pictures all over the internet right now from Trick’s wedding. If gang members get Trick’s sisters or you, they can name their fucking price. Trick would pay anything to get them back safe. And the sky’s the limit on what I would do. Money, territory, whatever. There is nothing I wouldn’t trade. That’s why Trick says no pictures of him, especially with his sisters. That’s why you have a bodyguard. The Sosa gang that tried to grab you is particularly brutal. From what I hear, abduction and gang-rape is a common form of intimidation they’ve used against the Rio Lobos. If they’d gotten you locked down, I doubt they’d have restrained themselves. All three of you girls are fucking temptation on two legs.”
I freeze. “But Boston has the Irish Mafia…and some of them are Trick’s friends and C Crue’s allies. And even without them, if those Colombians had hurt us, you’d retaliate. They must know that. Why would they risk it? How could that be good for them?”
“The leader isn’t here, Z. To him, the guys he’s got in Boston are tough, armed, and, most importantly, expendable. If we kill all of his guys in Massachusetts on a Monday, there will be another twenty to replace them by Wednesday. I’m not saying we’d stop with his men in Boston, or even in the US. Trick is worse than the Italians when it comes to vendettas. But I do not want to spend the next year or more hunting some lowlife asshole through Colombian jungles. And I really don’t want you to need years of trauma therapy and support groups because of some violent attack.” His voice gets lower, and his dark expression turns even more somber. “I might lose my own mind if that happened. I swear to God, baby. You’re so reckless lately that you’re leaving me no choice. If you don’t settle down, I’ll exert more control than you can handle.”
I have been pushing back against his control, and apparently that’s more dangerous than I realized. With C’s main enemy Frank Palermo and his organization gone, I thought we were safe in Coynston and Boston. How was I supposed to know I need to worry about Colombian drug lords trying to kidnap me when I go shopping?
“It was an error in judgement that won’t happen again, C. But if I’m going to have someone with me any time I’m not in Coynston, I want a say in who that is.”
C grinds his teeth together. He’s used to being the boss of everyone and everything around him. “I saw the look you gave Miller when you got out of the car. What’s that about? He saved you today.”
I press my lips together and shake my head. “I already thanked Miller for his help, but he’s a jerk for not talking to meon the drive back and for rapid fire texting you so you’d be pissed before I even had a chance to talk to you.”
“Miller did exactly what he’s paid to do. More in fact, since he wasn’t even supposed to be covering you or anyone today. He was in Boston for a family thing.”
“Sure,” I say, my body stiff with frustration. “He’s a regular hero.” I turn and start to walk away, but C grabs my arm.
“Are you saying he’s not? Spit it out, Z. If there’s a problem with Miller, I need to know about it.”
“There’s no problem with Derrick Miller. I was upset and really wanted him to be nice enough to let me chat with him to calm my nerves, but he wouldn’t. That’s all right. You don’t pay him to be my friend. But for your information, the only reason Miller was able to quote, save us, unquote is because of Trick’s sisters.” I shake out my hands because anger and nerves has them trembling.
“Explain that.” Connor’s voice is measured, and his gaze has its laser focus on my features.
“Did Derrick Miller say anything else about Hornsby? Other than his needing stitches?”
“No, but we haven’t had the chance to talk yet. Why? What do I need to know about Hornsby?”
I shake my head, causing my hair to fall into my face. I push it back impatiently. “I’m not looking to start trouble. I would just rather not have him as a bodyguard again.”
“Zoe,” C says carefully, beckoning me with a hand gesture to keep talking. “You used to like Hornsby. I want every detail about why that’s changed.”
“I’d rather not go there. Really. I can’t be responsible, C. You’ll probably take his side, but if you get mad at him instead…I can’t have whatever you do on my conscience. I also don’t want Miller pissed at me and looking to get even.”
“What the fuck?” C explodes. “Looking to get even? The day anyone in my crue does something to hurt you is his last fucking day on earth. And it will not be a peaceful death.”
My body jerks from the force of his reaction. “Maybe Miller wouldn’t! I didn’t mean to accuse him of anything! I just meant I think he’s friends with Hornsby, and he might get mad if I say something negative that gets Hornsby in trouble with you. Like the wayyoumight get mad if someone crossed Trick or Anvil. Just never mind. Forget I said anything.”
“Hey,” C says, lowering his voice and catching my arms in his hands. He rubs them in an attempt to soothe me. “We’re not forgetting anything until I know exactly what happened. Come with me.” He tugs me into the game room and sits me on the couch. Then he makes me a gin and tonic and sits next to me while I drink it.
“Miller and Hornsby started at the same time, but they’re not tight friends, Z. Miller backed Hornsby up today the way he would’ve backed up any C Crue guy, especially when you and Trick’s sisters were in danger. He’s loyal to C Crue, not Hornsby. Now I need the details about what went down today.”
