Page 74 of Diamonds in the Mud

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Not unless you were obvious. Knowing you, you weren’t,” I added.

Ryan nodded. “So, what’s new?”

I shrugged. “I’m thinking of taking a break after this gig.”

Ryan’s eyebrows rose. “Washing out so soon?”

I laughed. “I found someone worth the break. I’d like to explore what’s there. This”—I motioned around me—“is hindering it.”

Ryan’s smile grew. “Yeah? Does she know what you do?”

I nodded. “She’s local PD. A detective.” I thought about Rayne. Of how ballsy she’d been facing off with Felix earlier. “What about you?” I asked.

Ryan laughed but his eyebrows were furrowed. “You don’t find too many women willing to put up with what we do. Besides, I’m still young.” He laughed. “And I’m currently married to my job.”

“Ever get back to Texas?” I asked, remembering he’d left his family, a twin brother, just before I’d met him.

He shook his head and I saw sadness flash behind his green eyes. “Not yet. Next gig has me heading back to Houston.” He shrugged, then he paused, his eyebrows shooting up. He smiled. “Looks like you get to take the prize home tonight.” He motioned to the bag of drugs on the bed.

I nodded and stood up, holding out my hand again to him. “After this, we should meet up for a beer and swap stories.”

“I’d like to hear all about Vegas. I heard you had to ride a horse?” Ryan asked as he shook my hand. “It’s been years since I got on the back of one. Sure do miss it.”

I laughed. “It was a camel.”

Ryan laughed as he shook his head. “Damn, I bet that was crazy. Good luck out there.”

“Thanks.” I took out the envelope of cash Felix had given me. “Gotta cover our tracks.” I handed him the cash. “I’m sure Jasmine has told your SSA to clear out of these parts,” I added. “I guess I’ll be seeing you sometime.” I shook his hand again. “Stay safe.”

Ryan nodded and tossed the envelope of cash on the bed as I took the bag of drugs and threw it over my shoulder.

“Later,” I said and walked out. The ride back to the bar was pleasant until the rain started. By the time I parked next to Felix’s truck and tossed the bag in the back, I could barely see a foot in front of me. There was no way I wanted to ride the bike the few blocks in this mess to my place, nor did I want to head inside soaking wet.

Most of the bikes were gone, which signaled that everyone who had ridden there had left before the rain started. I was pulling my bike under the stairs that led up to the apartment above the bar and was just about to step out of the shadows when Henry Taylor stumbled out the back door with Faye.

“I told you,” Henry said as Faye opened an umbrella and held it over them. “All my money is tied up in this deal.”

“But rent is due,” Faye whined.

“Once things settle, you can move in with me,” Henry promised as they started up the stairs.

“Promise?” Faye asked.

“This is the big one. The last time. After what happened to Sharon, I’m through being indebted to anyone,” Henry said. “Once I pay him back, no one can touch me or anyone I care about ever again,” Henry added as they disappeared into Faye’s apartment above my head.

Henry Taylor owed someone. Someone powerful enough that he believed they killed his wife and were now threatening his livelihood.

Once the couple had disappeared up the stairs and into the apartment above, I glanced around and figured the rain wasn’t that bad. There was no way in hell anyone knew I was here. I rolled my bike two blocks and parked it in the garage next to my car. Then I pulled the car out and headed towards Rayne’s place as the rain continued to flood the streets.

I made sure to check the mirrors several times to make sure I wasn’t being followed. I pulled up into the dirt lane a few yards from her place and slid my car into the bushes. Then I hiked through the rain once more. When I stepped onto her front porch, soaking wet, I wasn’t surprised that she jerked open the front door, a gun pointed at my chest.

“Jesus!” she gasped. “What in the hell?”

I smiled at her. “Hi.”

She frowned and glanced around, then gripped my jacket and shirt and yanked me into the house.

When I stepped inside, I almost slipped on the tile floor as she turned off the lights in the hallway.