Page 2 of Tesoro: Mayhem Makers

Reaching into her lab coat, Andi pulled out a folded piece of paper. “I want you to go with me to this.”

Taking the page from her hand, I spin the paper around to find Motorcycles, Mafia and Mayhem written across the top. “What is this?”

“A book signing,” she answers excitedly. “It’s this weekend, and I already know you're free.”

I hadn’t told her I was off this weekend, hadn’t shared it with anyone to be honest. My free time wasn’t the only thing I’d kept from my best friend. Sadly, I was as big a liar as Adam.

“I also have boards I need to study for,” I remind her, handing back the flier. Passing the boards would be the key to opening so many doors, some I looked forward to, while many others I did not.

“One turn around the room,” she shoves the paper away. “I’ll even buy you lunch and a copy of the new book by Cayce Poponea.”

Andi knew my ultimate pleasure was reading romance novels, particularly romantic suspense. She also knew of my secret wish to meet one of my favorite authors. I felt guilty for not being honest with the woman I considered family, it was this guilt which made the decision for me.

“Fine, one pass around the room, and you will buy me an entire series.” I added, half teasing. I had her first book on my e-reader, but something about owning the physical book made me smile.

“Deal.” She gripped my hand, twisting her pinky with mine, something we’d done to seal an agreement since freshman year. “I’ll pick you up at ten. Wear comfortable shoes.”

Spinning on my heels I took a step toward the hall. “Oh, and Kate.” Glancing over my shoulder, I found Andi with her hand over her heart.

“She would be proud of you.”

Chapter

Two

DANTE

“We have a problem.”

Keeping my focus on the naked girl spinning on the pole in front of me, I half listen to Frank as I drain my glass, allowing the burn of the alcohol to trail down my throat.

“What kind of problem?” Angelo, my brother questioned beside me, adjusting in his chair as one of the dancers silently crawled under the table between his parted knees.

“Manny’s payment was half of last weeks. I tried to speak with him, but all my calls have gone ignored.”

Manny was a liaison of sorts, he had connections deep within the cartel, a cousin or some shit. We hired him to oversee our Dallas interests and collect payment from the business the cartel does for us.

“You still have contact with that cop?”

Snapping my attention to Angelo, his deep soulful eyes survey mine. Once we struck an agreement with the cartel, I’d taken a day to myself, toured around Dallas and found several properties I purchased, including an apartment building and a hotel. When I was about to leave, I met with a property manager who mentioned her brother was a police officer and did privatesecurity on the side. We struck a deal for him to live rent free in one of the units in exchange for keeping an eye on things.

“I’ll give him a call,” I offer, pulling my phone from my pocket, needing to check in with him anyway. If shit was headed in the direction I thought, I’d need to let him know I would be dropping in.

“Tell him to drive by our warehouse, see if there is any activity.”

I didn’t need anyone to drive by anything. Angelo knew damned well I have security cameras on everything I own, including the Dallas properties. Tapping on the screen of my phone, I locate the icon and log into the system.

“Empty as a fucking church on Monday.” Moving to show Angelo my screen, his elbow collides with my arm, knocking the phone from my hand and crashing to the floor.

“Who taught you how to suck dick?” Angelo shouts as he pushes the girl from between his knees. “If I wanted to have my balls chewed on I’d find a fucking wife.”

Snatching my phone from the floor, I hold back a snicker as Angelo tucks himself into his pants.

“Hey, it ain't her fault your nuts hang lower than your dick.” I tease, dodging to the left when he throws a quick back-handed slap.

“Screw calling your cop friend, we’re going to Dallas.” Sliding into his seat, I mimic him as new drinks appear on the table. “Find out if those Texas girls know how to suck cock any better than these bitches.”

Snapping my gaze toward Frankie, I find him typing away on his phone, no doubt arranging the trip to the last detail. Where Angelo is a born leader, Frankie is the king of logistics. There isn’t anything the bastard can’t find and, for the right price, lay in your lap. Frankie has been the street boss for this Family aslong as I’ve known him. If it hadn’t been for him, no telling where Angelo and I would be today.

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