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“Sí.”
“Why not just get that information out of the rat?” he asked as they pulled up behind Michelle’s.
“Because you can make anyone say what you want them to say with the right motivation. This way, there will be irrefutable proof.”
“And you’ve called a meeting at the same time as the drop so that this fucker won’t have a clue what’s going on until it’s too late and he’s trapped.”
“Exactly.”
“And this is why I like you,” Reuben told him. “You’ve got an evil mind, De Leon.”
Alejandro found himself wondering if she’d be here tonight.
Cat.
It didn’t matter. He’d put her out of his mind weeks ago. She was nothing. Meant nothing.
He’d told Martin that he wanted Starla serving them.
Sure enough, Starla was waiting for them when they walked into the back of Michelle’s. She had a coy smile on her face as she sidled up to Reuben.
“Reuben, I’ve missed you.” She ran her fingers up his shirt.
Reuben stared down at her in disgust. “Get your dirty hands off me.”
She snatched them back. “What? They’re clean.”
“Right. Sure.” Reuben gave her a cold look. “Do not touch me again without permission.”
Starla huffed but walked over to the bar. Cairn had just checked the room for bugs. He gave Alejandro a nod.
He settled into his chair, wondering why he felt so antsy. Was he worried that tonight wouldn’t go smoothly?
Of course it would. The Scot was there, overseeing the operation. As soon as this fucker’s men showed up, he’d know who was working against him.
And The Scot would move in with his men to contain them.
Nothing would go wrong.
Maybe he should go and see if the girl was around. Make sure she knew to stay far away from the back room.
No. Fuck. This was why he didn’t get involved with anyone. Because they would be a distraction. A weakness.
He’d managed to forget about her just fine for the last five weeks.
Sure. That’s why you told Martin to change the policy for staff, so they were now entitled to a free meal. Because you put her completely out of your mind. Not because you were worried that she didn’t have enough to eat.
Fuck.
He had to stop this.
“Relájate, hermano, or as soon as they all walk in, they’re going to know that something is wrong,” Reuben told him quietly.
He nodded. He’d had Cairn tape a gun underneath the table, so it was ready if he needed it. No one was supposed to have a weapon in this room. No weapons. No phones. No transmitting devices.
So it was there to be used as a last resort.
He forced himself to relax as Starla gave them both their usual drinks. She glared at Reuben darkly and Alejandro frowned at her.
When she saw his frown, she grew pale and turned away. Good. Maybe she’d do a better job now. He didn’t actually enjoy scaring women. But he hated incompetence in the people he employed even more.
Tariq was the first to arrive. He had that cheesy smile on his face that Alejandro hated.
“Why do I feel like tonight is going to be interesting?” Tariq drawled.
“I have no idea,” Alejandro replied calmly. “Who knows how your brain works.”
The others all made their way into the room.
“What the fuck is going on, De Leon?” Vince grumbled. “We’re not meant to meet for another three weeks.”
“Got other places to be?” Reuben drawled.
“Yeah, balls deep in some pussy,” Vince replied, eyeing Starla. “Not that the sights here are bad.”
Fucker.
Lord, he hoped that this was the bastard he got to take out tonight.
“Really? I heard some rumors that you needed a little blue pill to get it up,” Tariq drawled. “I’m sure Starla could do better than the two-pump limp dick you’ve got in your pants.”
There was a beat of silence as everyone took a breath.
Motherfucker.
Vince jumped to his feet, his face purple. “You fucking bastard!”
Thank God there weren’t any guns allowed in here or Tariq would be dead. As it was, Gavin and Hudson had hold Vince back as he yelled expletives at Tariq.
“Was that necessary?” Alejandro asked Tariq. He was getting a headache. Sometimes he felt like a kindergarten teacher.
“It was.” There was something in Tariq’s gaze. There was some reason he was prodding at Vince, but Alejandro wouldn’t figure it out.
“Vince, shut up. You know that Tariq is just trying to get you to fly off. And you’re giving him exactly what he wants.”
“Bastard can’t talk about me like that.”
Fucking hell. He sighed while Reuben grinned.
“Let’s get started,” Gavin rumbled. “Some of us have places to be.”
They all got a round of drinks, then Alejandro nodded at Starla. “Go. We don’t need you.”
All the bullshit started again once the poker began. It was twenty minutes before there was a knock on the door. Finally. Thank fuck.
“What the hell is going on?” Gavin demanded as the door unlocked and Cairn walked in with his phone.
