“What?” I ask, “He’s pissed at me, so he purposefully went and got his face smashed in?”
“Well,” Imogen says, “it might not have been so bad, but your other boyfriend was there.”
I’m usually all for women supporting women, but the smug expression on her face is making me really want to punch her.
“Who are you talking about? I don’t have another boyfriend.”
“We know,” Destiny says, “Imogen’s just letting her jealousy out because not only did Diablo choose you, but Alejandro did too.”
“Wait, he fought Alejandro?”
I feel sick. Alejandro is both taller and bigger than Angel, definitely not a fair fight.
“Diablo won,” Destiny says, “and there’s no permanent damage, but… he did take a pretty good beating.”
“Shit,” I say, “but if they fought, why are they going to see them tonight? What if Alejandro wants to take revenge?”
“It’s okay,” Destiny says, “it’s all arranged; it’s a friendly visit so that they can patch things up.”
“Yeah,” Imogen says with a smile, but it’s definitely not kind. “Diablos Rojos are known for their hospitality. They’re just going to drink with the guys and fuck all the girls… until they’re friends again.”
The tightness in my chest turns to stone, I know what goes on when clubs visit other clubs, the hospitality from the girls is all part of it. But the thought of Angel being with someone else is too much. We’re not together anymore, he doesn’t owe me anything, he has no reason to say no. There’s no hiding it on my face, tears are already forming in my eyes.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Imogen says, the sweetness in her voice so fake it makes even Destiny’s features flash with anger. “I shouldn’t have even mentioned it; I’m sure Diablo will just say no.”
Destiny doesn’t meet my eyes, we both know that’s not likely, and that Imogen is just rubbing salt in my already sore wounds.
Diablo
The ride to see Diablos Rojos is just what I needed; after the fight last night, and with the open road ahead of me, I’m already starting to feel more like myself. Well, the self I used to be, before Elizabeth.
Their clubhouse is far enough away that we’ll either stay the night there or get a motel. Slim and Walrus stayed behind to look after the clubhouse and garage… and Elizabeth. So at least I don’t have to worry about her, wondering if she’s safe, and how she’s doing without me…
I mean, I already know how she’s doing without me; Imogen messaged and told me she’s doing just fine, she was even studying at the clubhouse like she did before all this happened. It sounds like the last couple of months haven’t meant anywhere near as much to her as they did to me. Fuck. I’m thinking about her again; it’s like I need to install an alarmin my brain that goes off every time she enters my thoughts, try to train myself out of it.
When we arrive at the Diablos Rojos clubhouse, we’re met by the entire club, which is huge compared to ours. They’re based in a city bar so it’s easy for people to get there, and members from smaller factions often spend time there too. I know I need to be on my best behavior; El Jefe has told me what’s expected of me; I need to swallow my pride and deal with it. And for the club, I’ll do that.
Alejandro is their Vice President, so he’s sitting at a table with their President, Pedro, and a couple of other guys, who Pedro waves off as we arrive. El Jefe and I take their seats.
“Thank you for having us,” El Jefe says, shaking both of their hands.
I take a moment to look over Alejandro; he looks like shit, but then so do I, we really did a number on each other.
“I appreciate the chance to come here and resolve things,” I say, also shaking their hands.
Pedro speaks first. “We’re happy to have you, we want this relationship to be beneficial to all of us, and I don’t plan on letting a stupid underground fight get in the way of that.” His eyes flicker to Alejandro and I get the sense that he received the same talk I did.
Time to take one for the team… or club…
“Pedro, Alejandro, I accept full responsibility for what’s happened,” I say.
An expression of shock crosses over Alejandro’s face but quickly returns to his stoic one.
“The truth is, I was in a relationship with Elizabeth, but it was a secret, I wasn’t publicly claiming her as mine. Alejandro had no way of knowing she was spoken for; I can’t be angry with him for flirting with her.” I take a moment to pause. “Besides, we’re not together anymore, so I definitely had no right going that hard during the fight.”
“Thank you for saying that,” Pedro says, “I hope Alejandro will also assume some responsibility, let’s just say that he’s not used to women saying no to him.”
Alejandro looks at me, and nods. “You’re right, I didn’t know she was spoken for, but I should have backed off when she asked me to. If I had known she was with you, I wouldn’t have let it get as far as it did. And I apologize for what I said to you during the fight, I didn’t mean it, and I was wrong to disrespect her like that. It was my pride talking, no one has ever gone more than two rounds with me before, and you just weren’t staying down.”
