MARTINA
“What are you two doing here?” I ask Marisol and Maxie.
“Looking for you.” Marisol looks over her shoulder. “I can’t believe you came here alone.”
“Don’t you know this is the worst part of Tijuana?” Maxie adds. “More murders here than anywhere else in Mexico.”
“How did you know where to find me?” I ask.
“We went to see Chantel,” Marisol said. “I saw Eduardo with her that first night. Of course, at the time, I didn’t know he was your brother, but after Diesel told us, we figured she might know where he lived.”
“Apparently, she’s been here to visit him.” Maxie laughs around her words. “But that’s a story for another time.”
“And she helped you, knowing it was for me?” I clearly remember Chantel’s bitchy attitude.
“After some persuasion.” Maxie grins. “I can be very convincing.”
“You guys are too much. And I appreciate you worrying about me, but . . .”
I pull my passport out of my pocket. “I got my passport, so I can leave Tijuana.”
Their faces still. “You’re leaving?”
I hadn’t expected to run into them. I thought my getaway could be clean and stress-free. I also hadn’t planned on their disappointed faces or the tugging sensation in my chest.
“It’s for the best,” I say without conviction.
“For who?” Marisol asks.
“You have your big fight this weekend,” Maxie says. “You can’t leave.”
“I have to.”
“Because of Diesel?” Maxie asks.
“He’s only part of it.” I wave my hand toward Eduardo’s building. “I can’t stick around and be involved in my brother’s messes anymore. He’s too close to Benito, and I can’t take the chance of him finding me. This city is smaller than you think, and I’m starting to realize everyone knows everyone else.”
“True,” Marisol admits. “But you’re a Harlot now, and we take care of our own.”
“I would never want to put you or any of the other Harlots in danger because of me.”
“We have the backing of Smoke and the Bastards, so they’ll also make sure Benito doesn’t get near you.”
“I don’t think so.” I draw in a deep breath. “Smoke made it very clear this morning how he felt about me, and about me with Diesel.” I look at Marisol. “He can be very intimidating.”
“I know all about it, and it was just a misunderstanding.”
“No, I actually heard Diesel this morning in his apartment talking to Smoke. He doesn’t feel the way I do, and that’s fine, but I can’t stay around and watch him every day in the gym, even if Benito wasn’t a threat.”
“So, you’re just giving up?” Marisol shoots a look at Maxie. “I guess she isn’t as tough as you thought.”
“I’m not giving up; I’m just . . .” A group of guys jostle into us.
“It’s impossible to talk here.” Maxie points across the street. “We parked our bikes in the private lot. Let’s head back to The Tropics and get this all straightened out.”
“Diesel and the rest of them are probably still arguing about the best way to find you.” Maxie rolls her eyes.
“I can’t wait to see their faces when we walk in with you.”
