Benito nods to Eduardo. “It was the deal we made, then that bitch ran off and found shelter with your club.”
“We didn’t know her connection to you until last night, but even if we did, we’re not in the business of slave trade.”
“Big talk from an outlaw biker.”
“You realize you’re not gonna get away with this shit. My club will come for me, and then you’re gonna wish you never started this shit.”
“There’s no need for violence.” Benito’s softens his tone. “I’ll be happy to make a trade. Exchange you for Martina.”
“No fuckin’ way.”
“Maybe that’s not a decision you have the power to make. Maybe I should see what Smoke has to say. See just how valuable his Enforcer is to him.”
I huff out a harsh laugh. “It has nothing to do with my value. The Bastards don’t deal in flesh trade.”
“High and mighty talk for someone strapped to a chair.” Benito steps closer and pulls the gun out of his waistband. “By the time I’m done with you, you’ll be willing to sell your mother for a ticket out of here.”
He raises the gun and cold-cocks me with the butt. My ears ring, then sparks of light flash in front of my eyes. I fight to stay conscious, and through the fog, I hear Benito laughing.
MARTINA
We get back to The Tropics, and I promise Maxie and Marisol I’ll talk to Diesel and hear him out, but I’ve already made up my mind. Even if what they said is true, and Dieselwas just placating Smoke, what does that say about him or about us? If he couldn’t stand up for us to his president, then what chance did we have for a future?
I didn’t have the strength to deal with any more deception in my life. From now on, I would only accept the truth, which includes no more lying to myself about others. I tried for too long to save Eduardo from himself, and no matter what my feelings are for Diesel, I won’t fool myself into believing he feels the same way.
By tonight, I plan on being back in California, actively putting the last six months behind me. It would be hard leaving Maxie and Marisol, but I have no other choice. I’d never forget Diesel, or the emotions he unearthed, but I have to put him in my past too. I’d even leave Eduardo behind if it meant survival. The cost is too high.
We enter The Tropics through the back door, then Marisol knocks on Smoke’s office door, and we enter. I’m not looking forward to confronting Smoke again, but closure with Diesel, although right, would be painful.
Smoke, Blood and Bolt shift their gaze to stare at us.
“Where’s Diesel?” we all ask in unison.
“We thought he was here with you guys,” Marisol says.
“He went out looking for you.” Blood jerks his chin in my direction.
“Where did he go?” I ask all three men.
“My guess is he was gonna start with your brother,” Smoke adds.
“I was just with my brother a half hour ago, and I didn’t see Diesel.” My heart pumps hard against my ribs. “You haven’t heard from him?”
“He left here forty minutes ago saying he was gonna find you and bring you back,” Blood says. “Then he jetted outta here.”
“We must’ve just missed each other,” Maxie says. “The streets are so crowded, we could’ve walked right past him.”
“He said that?” I’m not truly believing Blood’s words.
“Yup, then he flew outta here like the whole damn place was on fire.”
They all start to talk at once until Smoke puts up his hand, then pulls his buzzing phone out of his pocket. He swipes at the screen. “Yeah?”
Silence as he listens to whoever’s on the other end, then, “You’re fuckin’ dead.”
My eyes widen as Smoke swipes away the call, then turns to Blood. “Benito’s got Diesel. At your brother’s place.” He flicks his hand at me. “Says he’s keeping him till he gets you back.”
I swallow hard. When given the choice, I know exactly who Smoke will save.
