Page 64 of Saving Blood

“We’re probably all wrong for each other too.”

“Probably. Your sass would end up driving me batshit crazy.”

“And your alpha, obtuse attitude would get on my last nerve.”

“I have a feeling ‘obtuse’ isn’t a compliment.”

She waggles her eyebrows, and all the reasons we’re bad for each other vanish in a poof of a dream that just might work.

I gather her in my arms, holding her tight to me. “All I know is when I wanted to blow my life to hell before, you were the only one I wanted to see on the other side of my door.” I kiss the top of her head. “You can crank me up and push my buttons, but in the end, it’s you I want in my arms.”

26

BLOOD

The next day I called an emergency unscheduled church meeting. Lousy timing with getting ready for the big fight later, but I had to get shit ironed out, and I needed Smoke and the other brothers in on it—or at least have my back, ‘cause shit was about to get crazy real fuckin’ fast.

I head for the back room, barely putting one foot in front of the other, since I spent the rest of last night tearing up the sheets exploring Maxine’s exceptional body. I’ve been freebasing black coffee for the last hour, hoping the caffeine would kick in and wake me up, or at least make me look like I’m awake. I took the lack of sleep as a win since Maxine agreed to accept my help getting Hector out of her life for good. Now, I just have to come up with a plan that wouldn’t get us all iced in the process.

Smoke takes his seat at the head of the table, and the brothers take turns offering their condolences for Javi. It’s no secret what the kid meant around the gym and to me, so the brothers acknowledging it means a lot.

When we all file into our usual seats, Smoke slams the gavel against the polished wood, then turns his gaze on me. “Blood’s got some shit he wants to discuss. I’m not even totally sure what, so I’m gonna hand it over to him.”

All eyes settle on me, and my brain races to find the right words to make what I have in mind sound less fucked-up. “As most of you know, Maxine’s been bringing in some big bucks for the club. Her fighting skills are off the charts.”

Nods and “fuck yeahs” filter around the table.

“What some of you may not know is she’s tied to Hector Rodriquez.”

A few looks are exchanged, then Diesel leans his elbows on the table. “Shit, so she was spying for him all this time to get intel.”

“Not exactly. She didn’t have a choice since she’s been living as his fight slave for almost five years.”

“Fight slave?” Bolt narrows his eyes. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“It’s not my story to tell, but the bottom line is she didn’t have a choice.”

“That’s all kinds of fucked-up,” Ricky says.

“Not only is she tied to him, but he wants her to take a dive at tonight’s fight. Since she’s the favorite, he’s gonna bet big on her opponent, beat the odds, and rake it in when Maxine loses.”

The angry mumbling gets louder until Bolt speaks up, “She told you this?”

“Yeah. She’d laid it all out for me last night.”

“I don’t get it,” Ricky says. “She’s working for him, but she ratted him out to you?”

“Sounds risky with a fucker like Rodriquez,” Bolt adds. “You sure she’s not playing you for the cartel?”

“Nah, I mean, she tried, but the thing is she wants to get away from Hector too.”

“And you trust her?” Manny’s sharp mind and coming from a cartel family make my words hard to believe.

“I do.” I lock eyes with Manny. “And that should be all you need to know from your VP.”

“So, she’s bargaining with you, hoping you’ll help her?” Ricky asks. “That’s what the passport was about?”

“She planned on escaping after the fight with the passport, but I’ve convinced her to stick around and play it out ‘cause she doesn’t wanna throw the fight. She’s worked too hard, and she wants to win.”

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