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Diaz laughed. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”
It was ironic really, because it was Diaz who had no idea what was going on here.
Four men came out of the bar, stepping up behind Diaz like a wall of security—actually more like a group of hounds surrounding their pup.
“Diaz, I need to leave. Now,” she said from behind them. “Let’s go.”
Jackson knew it was Anna without diverting his eyes from Diaz. He knew her voice now.
Diaz stayed still, his eyes burning, his body ready for a fight.
“Ryley called,” Anna said, her voice farther away now, but Jackson didn’t dare take his eyes off the man in front of him.
A moment passed.
And then another.
“You’re safe for today. Do not come back here,” Diaz growled.
Diaz took a step backward, his eyes on Jackson.
When he was far enough away that Jackson couldn’t lunge for him, and he could see his men were watching, he turned and left.
Jackson looked to the men who stayed, seemingly undecided if they should teach Jackson the lesson their boss didn’t—but what these beefheads didn’t realize was four undercover FBI agents were standing behind them, ready to react.
“The show is over,” Jackson said with a sigh to indicate he was tired even though he was anything but. He felt like he had enough adrenaline spiking through his veins to power Manhattan.
The corner of one man’s lips turned up. “Come back tomorrow, I’ll buy you a drink,” one said, laughing at his own stupidity.
Jackson nodded. “I’ll be here at four,” he said.
Another laughed and Jackson gestured toward the door with his head.
The men took one last look at him then went inside.
Jackson lit another cigarette, pretending to look over the parking lot.
“You might be right about her,” the agent said quietly.
Jackson’s eyebrows lifted. “What makes you say that?”
The agent looked at the front door then back at him.
“BecauseRyleydidn’t call. No one called, and she didn’t look at her phone. She knew all his men were distracted, watching you.”
Jackson nodded, keeping his face impressive. But this was good. Nearly getting his head kicked in had been worth it.
He wondered about thisRyley.
Was that a code name, a given name, or a safe word? He needed to ask Will.
If it was a safe word, it explained why she didn’t check her phone, but she couldn’t have truly thought Diaz and his men were in danger tonight... unless she’d noticed the undercover agents, but Jackson seriously doubted it. They were experienced undercover agents and they’d been living here for years as locals. They were totally infiltrated into Oradale’s scene and that wasn’t their first night at Sloan’s.
Ryley—who are you?
ANNA
She let the warm cool air rush at her face as she ignored the tension bristling off Diaz. This was her favorite time of day; the sky was painted in orange ribbons as the sun faded into the horizon. Some people lived for the morning, but Anna was a sunset kind of girl.
