Page 93 of August

It had to be Val Alvarez. His eyes swam with scrutiny as he raked his gaze over her face and body. His ebony hair was streaked with gray, and wrinkles surrounded his eyes.

His thick eyebrows drew low as he took in the bloodstained mattress. “What’d you do?” He wheeled on Marko, who held up his hands and took a step in retreat.

“Wasn’t me. Alec started to, um, touch her. Micha got scared and attacked.”

Alvarez’s eyes widened and became sharp. “Where is she hurt?”

“Not her.” He nodded toward the door. “Alec.”

The older man’s eyebrow rose. Then he let out a sneer of laughter and rambled something in Spanish. Marko smiled, seemingly amused by whatever Alvarez had said.

“Alec!” Alvarez screamed.

A minute later the door across the hall creaked open, and then Alec entered the room. He’d tied a white shirt around the worst of the wounds on his arm, but blood still stained his skin. His face held a little more energy than it had before, but the red cracks in the whites of his eyes revealed he’d been sleeping.

“Hey, boss.” Alec cleared his throat and dragged his eyes Gigi’s way. Sparks of hate lit up his haggard face.

She had no doubt that if they were alone, he’d pounce.

Alvarez tipped his head to the side and looked at Alec’s arm. “Son, what happened?” His English was good. This was something they wanted her to hear.

Alec shifted awkwardly. “Micha bit me.”

Gigi almost smirked at the meekness in her attacker’s tone. But she hid her smile because the last thing she needed was the attention on her when something was going down with Alvarez and one of his men.

“That looks like more than a bite.” Disdain dripped from Alvarez’s comment.

For a moment there was silence.

“She attacked me,” Alec said, his tone tense.

“Ah, I see.” Alvarez circled Alec. “Why would she do that? Micha is a good girl, yes?”

“She’s fucking dumb,” Alec spat.

The tension in the air amplified. “Dumb? Mmm. Let’s see.” He whistled. “Micha!”

The pit bull padded into the room, greeted Alvarez with a snuffle in his palm, and then sat when instructed.

“Micha, watch him.” Alvarez’s voice boomed with authority as he pointed at Alec.

Micha stood straight, her back rippling with muscle. The fur around her spine stiffened, and she let out a menacing growl. Alec stumbled back until he hit the wall. Gigi jumped at the sharp shift in energy.

“Looks pretty smart to me,” Alvarez commented.

“All right,” Alec blurted. “She’s smart. I just meant she—She attacked me instead of her.” He threw the accusation in Gigi’s direction.

Alvarez brought his attention back to Gigi. He rubbed his fingers and took a step closer. “I see why your boyfriend wants you back so badly.”

Gigi bit the retort on her tongue.

“You going to keep her?” Marko asked.

Alvarez turned. “Why? Do you think she could make me a lot of money? Did you two try her out?”

Gigi’s eyes widened. Her stomach clenched, and every instinct told her to bolt. Sweat collected at the nape of her neck, the fine hairs there attuned to the continually shifting tension in the room.

Marko looked at him blankly. “No.”

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