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”And you're happy doing this?” I asked finally.
He shrugged. ”It's what I know,” he said. ”And besides, it's not all bad. We help people sometimes. We protect our own. It's not always just about violence and crime.”
”Do you regret it?” I asked.
He chuckled. ”I'm not sure I ever had a choice,” he said. ”But no, I don't regret it. It's given me a lot of power and influence. And that's not something I take lightly. I try to use it for good, whenever I can.”
”You try to use being in a gang for good?”
He shook his head. ”You have no idea what it’s like for people on the street,” he said. ”I’m sure you’re aware, but gangs exist because people are hurting and the people in power don’t give a damn. What we do might be brutal, but we get to give back to the community on the other side of it…and to me, that makes it all worth it.”
He tapped on the steering wheel before he took a sharp left into a small alleyway. This place didn’t look like it got a lot of traffic, and I wondered how far away we were from HQ, which was where I thought he was going to take me. ”This person…whoever is killing people,” he said. ”They’re not just trying to frame me, Sofia. They’re mocking me. They’re taking out the people it’s my job to protect.”
I looked at him, at the way his jaw set, at his long fingers on the rich leather of the wheel. ”So you’re invested because of your ego.”
He turned his head to look at me, his dark eyes hardening as he did. ”I’m invested because our reputation is incredibly important to these people,” he said, gesturing around. I didn’t see anyone, but I could tell this was a well used spot at night. ”The police couldn’t care less. They throw them in jail, they want them to rot. They don’t want to help. No one wants to help. Yes, sure, we use them; they’re informants or lookouts, but they’re never just a problem to get rid of. They’re people. We see them as people. By making sure that we look like fools, he’s sending the message that they aren’t safe.”
”But how are they safe with you?”
He glared at me. ”We don’t kill them for sport,” he said finally. ”We don’t kill anyone unless we have to.”
I wanted to tell him that there was no reason to kill anyone, ever, but I quieted down instead as we approached HQ and my mouth dried.
What did it mean when he said some killing was necessary?
And what could I possibly do to avoid being a necessary kill?
Chapter Fourteen: Sofia
Teoparkedthecarin front of a large, windowless warehouse. It was made of concrete and steel and looked like a fortress–the kind of place you didn’t walk out of unless someoneletyou out. He turned off the engine and turned to me, his dark eyes locking onto mine.
”Are you okay?” Teo asked.
I rubbed my aching temple. ”I mean, I've been better,” I said. ”Thank you for letting me go back to my apartment to get my things.”
He cocked his head. ”I'm choosing to trust you, but I need you to understand something,” he said, his voice low and intense. ”You’re safe here. No one will hurt you. But if you try to run, or if you betray me in any way, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
Okay…so ‘trying to run’ was one of the things that could make me a necessary kill.
Good to know.
I swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. ”I won’t betray you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
He nodded, then opened his door and got out of the car. I followed him, knowing I was walking right into the lion’s den and unable to do a damn thing about it.
As we approached the building, I saw Victor standing guard outside. He was dressed in all black and, despite his amiable grin, looked like he could snap me in half with one hand.Teo nodded at him. Victor stood up straight, flashing me a lopsided smile. I felt his gaze slowly slide down my body, taking in my curves, the way I looked when I wasn't a fucking mess.
I thought Teo might tell him to cut it out, but he didn't. He smirked, instead, his muscular arms crossed over his chest.
”All good, boss?” Victor asked when he finally focused his gaze on my face, our eyes locking.
”All good,” Teo said. ”I'll let you know if we need you. And you don't have to stay out here.”
”I wanted to wait for you,” Victor said, his voice low, gravelly. It sent a shiver down my spine. I looked at his body slowly, at the way his shoulders filled his black shirt, at his long legs. He was tall and he had perfect posture, which made him look even more striking than he naturally was.
And he was incredibly striking just at first glance.
When we'd walked up to him, he'd had his legs slightly open, his hands behind his back, his shoulders straightened. Even his posture made him look scary...and hot.
