Page 51 of Saving Blood

Diesel shakes his head. “Nah, I don’t think so.”

I heave out a sigh. “Let me check it out.” So much for my plan to avoid her. I open the office door, and Javi steps in my path.

“I got something.” Javi’s eyes widen.

“Not now.” I step around him, and he grabs my arm.

“You’re gonna want to hear this.”

“All right.” I open the door wider, and Javi enters the office, ignoring the looks from Smoke, Diesel and Bolt.

I slam the door behind us to block out the noise. “What’s up?”

“You’re not gonna like it.” Javi’s eyes dart between me and the other brothers.

“Right now, I’m not liking you stalling, so spit out whatever the fuck you got.”

“I was hanging out across the street from Maxine’s apartment this morning, like you said, and I saw her with Hector.”

My stomach rolls. “They came out of her place together?”

“No, he was waiting for her. Like he ambushed her.”

“What?”

“Yeah, he pulled her in the alley, so I crossed the street for a better look.”

“And?”

“They were fighting for sure,” Javi says. “Then he was choking her, but she broke free.”

My heart slams against my ribs, but I force myself to stay cool.

Javi smiles. “Fuckin’ amazing, she used moves on him just like she does in the cage.”

“What else?” I ask.

Javi shuffles his feet. “Then they did more fighting, and he smacked her hard.”

I slam my hand on the desk. “Fuuucck!”

“But, shit, you should’ve seen her,” Javi continues. “She didn’t back down or nothing.”

“Could you hear what they were saying?” Smoke asks.

Javi shakes his head. “Nah, I stayed at the edge of the alley. Close enough to see, but not close enough to hear.”

I pound my fist on the desk, then scrape my hand through my hair. “That fuckin’ bastard. Somehow he’s using her.”

“You want me to keep watching her place?” Javi asks.

I shoot a look to Smoke, and he nods.

“Yeah. Keep your ears and eyes open.” I dig my hand in my pocket, peel off some cash and press it into Javi’s palm. “And make sure you stay outta sight.”

“Don’t worry about me, Blood.” Javi puffs out his skinny chest. “I stay in the shadows, ‘cause I’m practicing to be a Royal Bastard.”

Bolt laughs, but Javi ignores him.

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