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“Are there others?” I ask, amused. I know everyone in our community.
“Not if I can help,” he says, a smug smile on his face.
“I’m…confused.”
“My father has a way of doing that,” Ignacio says, glaring at him.
“Ah. I asked Isla about Zayn’s dad earlier this summer. She said he didn’t know about Zayn. Is he going to be a problem? Is he dangerous?”
“Ese pendejo,” Emil curses. “I don’t believe he’s currently a problem. We keep tabs on him.”
I bob my head as if I know what that means, but I am way over my head.
“Zayn’s dad isn’t good for her, which is why she disappeared on him,” Jared murmurs. “Hi, Lili.”
“Do not ‘hi, me’,” she says, walking outside. Her arms cross over her chest as she glares at us. “Quite the little boys’ club we have here, don’t we? What are you all doing?”
“I’m here because I didn’t know how to say no,” I say, raising my hands in the air.
“Hmm. The jury is out on whether or not I like you,” she mutters. “Mr. Emil, are you the head of this committee?”
“I think he’s a perfectly lovely young man,” he says, showing off very white teeth as she snorts.
“I can’t tase you because you’re my boss and you’d make me cry,” she sighs.
“Excuse me?” I ask, blinking slowly.
Her long hair tumbles down her back, shining in the patio lights as she shrugs a shoulder. “I didn’t stutter, Arran. Keep up. Isla is fast asleep on the couch. I have a feeling she knew she wouldn’t last beyond cake. I think she should stay here tonight.”
“She has medicine here in case she needs it?” I ask.
“Mmhmm.”
While the shop was open, I didn’t schedule any clients today. I knew my day was full.
“Okay. Is there anything else I can do?”
“Oh, we aren’t done yet,” she laughs, the sound tinkling. “Rachelle is putting the kids to bed, and then we’re all getting drunk together.”
“Ah, are we leaving Isla on the couch?” I ask, confused as we all stand.
“If we move her, she’ll wake up,” Elijah explains. “There’s something about being in a busy room that puts her right to sleep. I’ll make sure she’s comfortable, and we’re all going to get to know you better.”
“Ah, I’m a pretty boring person,” I promise as we walk inside.
“Your ink tells me you have some stories,” Jared says, pursing his lips.
“Are you trying to say you aren’t a fan?” I ask.
“I’ve had ink since I was in high school,” he chuckles, yanking up his long sleeves to show them off. The air is getting much cooler now that the sun is down, and I’m glad I have a jacket in my car. “I only went to law school to be able to protect my family. The law is only on the side of those who understand how to yield it.”
“Ah. Spoken like a criminal,” I breathe before I can think better of it.
“Now you’re getting it,” Emil says, going into the kitchen to get drinks. “What’s your poison?”
“If we’re getting fucked up, I’m spending the night,” I decide, glad my first appointment isn’t until noon tomorrow. Fuck me. “What do you have?”
“Tequila or whiskey?” Ignacio asks, grinning.
