Page 20 of Tangled in Red

Outside, motorcycles rumbled as more pack members arrived. Santiago tracked each face, clocking their expressions, noticing they all seemed pretty chill.

A crash from the pool table area drew Santiago’s attention. Two men squared off, their argument escalating as people stepped back to give them space. One of them grabbed a pool cue.

Santiago passed his drink to Percy. “Hold my beer.”

“Famous last words,” Percy muttered then took a sip. He immediately coughed and stuck out his tongue like a cat with a hairball. “How can anyone drink this crap?”

Santiago crossed the room in seconds, inserting himself between the men before the first punch flew. They paused, eyes flickering to Santiago as if they’d suddenly woken up to reality.

“Problem?” he asked, voice deceptively casual.

“This asshole cheated,” the taller one spat.

“Liar!” The shorter one clutched his pool cue like a lifeline.

Santiago snatched the cue from his grasp, spinning it effortlessly before laying it down on the table. “Don’t recall asking for details.” He looked between them, feeling his canines itching to make an appearance. “Take it outside before I start cracking skulls.”

Glancing at his watch, Santiago grunted. Only two more hours until Tomas took his place as a doorstop.

Returning to his post, Santiago caught sight of Diablo on his motorcycle, a fiery redhead clinging to his back. Since when did Diablo allow anyone to ride with him? And why did he look like he was about to rain hell down on anyone in his way?

Not good.

Santiago pulled out his phone, firing off a text to Matias. Devil riding hot. Gremlin in tow. Feels like a storm rolling in.

Percy wandered back to the bar where Elijah and Kia were locked in a lively, animated discussion.

Whatever was going on with Diablo, Santiago hoped it wasn’t anything serious. The brother had been through enough already. He doubted Diablo had taken the twink to the warehouse, especially after what was discovered the last time he was there.

Rolling his shoulders, Santiago went back to watching over everyone, hoping the next two hours flew by.

* * * *

This...wasn’t exactly what Brett had in mind when Diablo suggested grabbing some drinks.

The parking lot was jam-packed with cars, trucks, and a couple of SUVs. Out front, there was a line of motorcycles stretching on forever, people constantly coming and going.

Rock music was blasting from inside the bar, and the bikes were revving as if there was some unofficial contest to see whose was the loudest.

Brett clutched Diablo’s soft T-shirt, his heart pounding as he tried to take it all in.

It was the noisiest, most bustling bar he’d ever seen. The tinge of exhaust fumes and gasoline permeated the air as Diablo’s motorcycle rumbled beneath them.

And the men? Muscled, tattooed giants clad in leather jackets or vests. The kind of people society often sneered at.

Diablo seemed to be with the biggest guy there, who blended right in with the crowd.

More than once his uncle had called the guys at Sin’s hooligans and trash, and now here Brett was, staring at the Sin & Steel sign.

Oh boy.

Diablo kept moving through the bustling parking lot, barely stopping to let people pass. He didn’t come to a halt until they reached the alley behind the brick building.

Even after Diablo shut off his motorcycle, Brett’s ears were ringing. He wasn’t used to this much… energy.

Holding on to Diablo’s broad shoulders, Brett climbed off the bike, his legs wobbly and tingling from the ride.

“I got you.” Diablo reached out and steadied Brett without getting off the bike. “Let me know when you’re good, elegido.”

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