Page 116 of Kings Fear No One
The others laugh at Ozzie’s comment, even Mace. The moment changes from the severe edge it’s held to something lighter, more like solidarity. We’ve established we’ll fight the threat the Chosen Saints and the Barreras pose, and we’ll come out on top like we always do.
We’ll find a way to make it happen.
The meeting ends with us going our separate ways. Cash and Ozzie return to the Chop Shop. Silver announces he’s got to go pick up his kids; it’s his weekend for custody. Tito leaves a few steps behind him with a similar obligation—his missus demands he go to some family function with her.
The next thing I know, it’s me and Mace on the barroom floor. For being brothers, the two of us haven’t spent much time alone since I’ve returned. I stop him halfway across the bar, clamping my hand down on his shoulder.
“They had a point. You know that, right?”
“About what? The Barreras and Madrigal being connected to the Saints?”
The left side of my mouth cants upward. “About your bachelor party. We’re throwing you one.”
“We never threw you one.”
“That’s ’cuz I got married under different circumstances. But you… we’re gonna make that night a damn good night.”
“How? Invite the Tits on Heels? I’ve got Syd for that.”
I rasp out a laugh. “You’re really in love, ain’t you?”
“Why’re you asking?”
“’Cuz I know my baby brother. And he’s fucked his share of club girls.”
“So have you.”
“Point is,” I go on, “you’re committed. You’ve got eyes for nobody else.”
“You don’t see how the same applies, do you?”
I’d be lying if I said a flicker of shock doesn’t strike me. My own words easily being used against me. I scrub my hand to my jaw, the realization trickling in. Every accusation—as joking as I was—applies to myself.
No other woman holds my attention like Teysha does. No other woman’s on my mind.
I can’t even imagine anybody else. There’s nobody else that comes close.
Mace’s grin spreads slowly. His laugh sounds like mine only seconds ago. “It’s a mindfuck, right? When you first realize you’ve got ’em? Those things called feelings.”
“I’m not… I don’t… I ain’t ever…”
“Yeah, yeah. I said the same thing. Look at me now. About to get married. And I want to.” Mace throws a fist at my arm, the jab a brotherly tap more than anything. “It might as well be our bachelor party.”
I don’t get the chance to answer him. Natural light pours in by way of the saloon doors opening. We both glance over at the same time to find we’ve got company. Two of the dressiest people to ever enter our territory—a man and a woman in tailored slacks and crisp white shirts. They walk through like they’re aware of what they’re getting themselves into.
They’ve been plotting this visit for a while.
The man’s a couple inches under six feet with hair spiky and gelled. The woman’s a dark brown complexion with huge sunglasses blocking her eyes from view. Both look like official business. More like they belong in some fucking office somewhere.
I jut my chin at them. “Can we help you?”
“Yes, we’re here to collect some pertinent information,” answers the woman. She flashes a badge at us. “Zoe Strauss. This is my partner, Eduardo Rodriguez. FBI.”
27
TEYSHA
Sydney groans when she finds out what we have planned. Honestly, Korine’s the brains behind the operation. Hope and I are more so her accomplices.
