Page 37 of Working Out West

Kylo waved his friend off and also stood, grabbing his cane. “Later.” We moved off toward the front door. “Let them keep doin’ what they’re doin’ because they might find somethin’, and if we tell them where we’re goin’, Wreck will hunt us down to protect you. It’ll waste their time.”

Lucas nodded. “You’re right. Besides, I doubt anything will happen, and I don’t need protecting.”

I snorted, and Lucas looked up at me as he locked the front door. “You are small, cute, and thin. You need protecting.”

He glared. “You make me sound like a darn bunny or something. I can be tough when I want to be.”

“It’s true,” Kylo said. “He took down a brother after the guy punched Wreck. Learnin’ things about the body gives him the ability to know weaknesses.”

I stared at Lucas some more. He looked like a preteen little boy, but I knew he was as old as West and in some of the same classes as him. I nodded, believing Kylo’s words. He had no reason to lie.

Turning, I strode to the cars. Leonid folded out of one. “Sir?”

“We are making a trip, and you will follow. I want the others to stay behind.”

“Yes, sir.”

Moving over to my vehicle, I unlocked it, knowing Leonid would relay my message to the others.

“Do you need a stepping stool to climb in?” I taunted Lucas, since it seemed easy to do. I also hoped it would get back to his partner. I could use a fight to get the energy under my skin out.

He growled under his breath like a little kitten. “Oh ha, ha, ha. Very funny.” He climbed up into the back seat and put his belt on, crossing his arms over his chest.

Once I was in the driver seat, I glanced at him in the rearview mirror as I started the car. “You are no bunny, but a kitten, da?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll let you have your fun since I know it’s you only trying to take your mind off West and also to goad me. You probably want me to tell Wade so he can beat you.”

He read me well. I did not like it. “I would win.”

He laughed. “No, you wouldn’t.”

It was my turn to roll my eyes. “Maybe one day we will see.”

“If you’re gonna stick around in West’s life, I wouldn’t pick a fight with Wreck. He’s a fuckin’ powerhouse,” Kylo said.

“Give me address,” I ordered, and once Kylo uploaded it into the device, I added, “Do you not think coming from a mafia family I know how to fight? I killed a man when I was twelve for hurting my mother.”

Kylo nodded. “Didn’t say you couldn’t fight and kill. Just know we can also.”

I grunted, presuming as much. I was just agitated and ready to take it out on others because we were running around like headless chickens. We had better get a lead going to see these people.

“Even if this doesn’t pan out, we’ll find him,” Lucas said softly.

After a few moments of silence, I told them, “I do plan to be in West’s life.”

Kylo smiled. “Good.” And I caught Lucas’s small grin in the mirror before he turned to look out the window. The rest of the ride was silent, each of us in our own thoughts. Mine consisted of West, and I knew the others were probably thinking the same.

I pulled up at the small house, stopped the car, and took in what was around. The place was run-down, as were the others around it. The house on the right looked to be unoccupied.

“Do we have a plan?” Lucas asked.

“Da, we go in and find out what their problem is.”

“We already know. They’re religious, strict, and unloving fuckers,” Kylo commented. “But let’s hope West has been in contact with them.” We climbed out of the car.

“Are you taking your cane?” Lucas asked Kylo, who limped heavily along.

“No, and don’t fuckin’ tell Saint.”

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