Page 47 of Darlin'

"Umm..." I swallow. "I'm actually going to be spending the rest of summer here."

Miguel's lips curl into a faint smile. "Is that so? Hmm...good to know. Perhaps then you'd allow me to take you out sometime. What do you say?"

"She's busy," Beau pipes up. "We got loads to catch up on and?—"

"And there's the fundraiser," Marlow adds, coming to mine and Beau's rescue. "She's going to have her hands full with that. Lots to do, Miguel. Lots."

"Fundraiser?" Miguel raises a brow. "For?"

"Toys for Tots," Marlow explains, glancing over at me. "The Sons do it every summer in for the Children's Hospital. You should come. It's in a few weeks, just outside the data station on Highway 9."

"I'll be there," Miguel says, concealing an irked response. He smiles down at me. "I'll be seeing you around, Savannah. Don't be afraid to say hi."

"Afraid?" I ask, giggling as I anxiously play with my hair. "I ain't afraid of you."

"Good." He smiles, shooting Beau and Marlow a stern look. "I would hate for you to judge me based on other people's experiences." He knocks on our table two times as he sighs. "Enjoy your meal."

"What was that?" Beau whispers as Miguel exits the diner. "How do you know Miguel?"

"I don't," I reply. "He's just a regular at the bar."

"Since when?" Beau asks Marlow. "How often does he come in?"

Marlow shrugs. "Mostly when Sav's working. Clearly, he's got a thing for her."

Beau purses his lips. "I don't like that. You need to stay away from Miguel, okay? He's bad news."

"I know that," I state. "Jesse's already given me the whole spiel."

Beau frowns. "He has?"

"Yes." I roll my eyes, sighing. "I know he's a big bad cartel man, okay? I'm not an idiot, Beau. A free dinner isn't worth being a known associate of the FBI's Most Wanted."

"Right." Beau swallows, nodding. "Well, just be careful. We don't need any more problems right now."

"It's going to be fine," Marlow says reassuringly to Beau. "Those Vipers are pussies. They won't do shit across state lines."

"Here's hoping," Beau says as his phone vibrates. "Shit, Billy's calling a meeting. I'm going to have to go."

"What happened with the, uh— the Vipers?" I ask, gaze shifting to Beau's bullet wound. "They're the ones that did that, right?"

"I'm not supposed to?—"

"Give her something, baby," Marlow cuts in, stroking his forearm. "You don't want her worrying, do you?" She nods in my direction. "Tell her what's going on. She's your sister. She has a right to know why you're getting shot at."

Beau contemplates for a couple of beats before he sighs with defeat. "Vipers run Nevada, plus parts of a few other neighboring states," he explains begrudgingly. "They're trying to move into our territory by blocking our hauls. We've been dealing with 'em as they come, butBilly thinks we gotta cut the head off the snake, if you know what I mean." He clears his throat. "JP's not in agreement, so the motion's been tabled for a while now, but after what happened in Kippens, Billy might get his way after all." He taps his phone. "Guess we'll find out soon."

"That sounds dangerous," I whisper, goosebumps popping up on my arms. "What if they retaliate?"

"Then we'll be ready," Beau says with a casual shrug. "I know Jo's got a couple of other ideas up that scheming sleeve of hers, so maybe we'll be able to avoid a bloodbath. Too early to say." Beau catches my concerned gaze. "Stop that. I already have one woman I need to reassure that I won't die on a daily basis. I don't need another, okay?" Beau winces, pulling his wallet from his pocket. He places a twenty on the table and hands Marlow a couple of hundreds. "Here, take this and go enjoy the rest of the day." His lip twitches as he adds, "Y'all can go shopping for thatbathing suit."

"Thanks, baby," Marlow says in a soft tone as she kisses my brother. "You need a ride back?"

"Nah," Beau says as we pile out of the booth. He nods at a biker seated at the bar. "I'll catch a ride with Zee. You ladies have fun, okay?" He smirks at Marlow, feathering his fingers along her arm as he whispers, "Maybe buy that little red number you showed me last week? You know, the one with the?—"

Marlow blushes, giggling. "Oh, you liked that, huh?"

"Guys." I clear my throat, uncomfortable. "I'm right here."

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