“Ran into three Devil Kings. They jumped us at the gas station just north of El Paso,” Bandit says.
Rio’s eyes shift between us, and he sighs. “Goddamn it. Where are they now?”
“Gas station owner ran ‘em off with a shotgun. They headed toward El Paso, and we headed north,” I reply.
“Did they know about the drop? Were they following you?” Zig asks.
“I don’t think so. I think they were as surprised to see us as we were them. We picked ‘em up in our rearview just before we hit The Oasis. You know the place?”
“Yeah,” Rio replies. “I remember it. Last place before there’s nothin’.”
“Exactly.”
Rio lifts his chin. “There’s a first aid kit in the bathroom.”
“Nah,” I say. “Got someplace to be.”
He nods. “Okay. I’ll settle your cut of the deal later at the clubhouse.”
“Thanks.” Climbing on my bike, I feel the eyes of my brothers as I pull out. Zig and Bandit may suspect who I’m going to meet, but I don’t think Rio does.
Heading across town, I aim for the little house two blocks from the Basilica in Mesilla.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Luisa—
Blue’s motorcycle is parked in the drive when I pull in.
It’s late, and the only reason I was able to get away was because I was already at Carmen’s when he texted. Excitement to see him floods me as I climb from my car and head inside.
He’s on the phone and holds up a finger, then walks to the back of the house to finish his business.
I drop my bag on the small table and go to the bathroom to check my hair.
Looking in the mirror, I’m reminded of the last time I was here, and Blue was pressed behind me, fucking me, his eyes filled with heat. It’s a sweet memory, and I smile.
Reaching for the faucet, I freeze. What I see in the sink stops me cold. There’s blood. Not a lot, but enough drips of it to know something is wrong.
Blue’s hurt. Did he cut himself?
The back door opens and closes, and I step out of the bathroom and walk to him. When I get close, I see the cut above his eye, the swollen cheekbone and the split lip. He dabs at it with a towel, and I see his knuckles.
“Oh, my God, baby. What happened?”
“Got in a fight with a couple of guys. It’s not a big deal.”
“A fight? With who?”
He shakes his head.
“Tell me.”
“It’s fine, Luisa.”
“It’s not fine. Did this happen on that trip out of town you made?”
He won’t reply, and I know there are things he can’t or won’t talk to me about. I get that. I’m not totally naïve, but seeing the blood… that’s bringing home to me just how dangerous his life really is, and the realization is hitting me hard.
