Page 149 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

But nothing lasts forever.

And that’s why Nate sent me in here.

The Italians and the Russians are laying pipe all over this city, trying to grab whatever power they can. It only makes sense that the Mexicans would want to get in on the action so they can take advantage of new distribution lines for their drugs.

And once they show up on the scene, it won’t be long before they find us…if they haven’t already. That’s what Nate is afraid of. What we did on the night of the verdict, ambushing the Bowman brothers to get our own justice, was devastating to the Becerra Cartel. And they’re an unforgiving bunch of assholes.

Go big or go home.

A chill crawls down my spine.

Well, we can’t go home. They made sure of that. We lost everything when we fled Miami three years ago, and there isn’t enough money in the world that can replace what’s long gone.

What the Becerra Cartel stole from us.

My throat tightens, and I grip my shot glass tight, coaxing the disturbing memories back into the recesses of my mind.

I can’t fall prey to that kind of destructive emotion right now.

Emotion equates to weakness.

And weakness makes you vulnerable…to a lot of bad things.

Like death.

And if the Becerras are in with the Italians, it won’t be quick and painless.

It will be the exact opposite.

“Jae,” Ashleigh nudges me. “What are you staring at? You’re, like, in a trance.”

I give my head a quick shake and turn back to my assistant, the only girl at the club I’d actually call my friend. And even then, I keep her at arm’s length because everyone can be bought.

I’ve learned that harsh lesson.

I scoff. “Can you believe that guy I pummeled before is still hanging around? I mean, how did they not kick him out?” With a roll of my eyes, I turn back to the girls, the dancers who aren’t on schedule to perform at Sapphire, and force a fake bright smile. Nate says if I smile more, the girls won’t be so intimidated by me.

But I prefer it that way.

I don’t need to be their friend.

I’m better on my own, just like I have been since we left Miami.

A heavy weight settles over me.

Dammit! I don’t want to think of Miami!

It haunts me enough when I sleep at night, more so now that the threat is looming again.

Nate’s the one who heard about the Becerras working their way west toward Vegas. One of the guys in his inner circle caught wind of it from a neighboring motorcycle club.

Some might say we’re stupid for not leaving Vegas before the threat becomes a reality.

We say we’re not gonna let the Becerra Cartel strip another fucking thing from us.

And if this buyout meeting turns out to be a ruse for some grand-scale attack on our place, we’ll be ready for it.

Getting that information may prove to be a little bit tricky, though.

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