“Sheriff Black will round up any of my people who show up in town. Besides, we have territorial concerns.”
Rafael leans over to explain. “The surrounding towns are controlled by other factions. One of them is a club run by the Reapers’ friendly adversaries. The Rutgers would love to find a reason to snatch up Common Bend and push the Reapers out of Tennessee. Cooper figures you two will make less noise than his people.”
“I might, but Dino isn’t exactly subtle.”
The Italian Sausage shrugs. “No one likes the shy type back in Jersey.”
“You’re not in Jersey anymore,” Cooper growls.
For a few seconds, I get my hopes up that Cooper will kick Dino’s ass. Once Rafael sighs, the men’s tension fades. The big man to my left won’t allow the other big men to fight. What a shame.
Cooper forces his angry gaze off of Dino and looks at Rafael. “I have a contact who will give you safe harbor. He runs the town next door to Common Bend.”
“Can we trust him?”
“No. Hayes doesn’t play well with others, but he wants the sheriff gone. He’ll help until he decides he doesn’t want to help anymore. No telling with the guy.”
I wish Troy were my partner on this job. Instead, I’m stuck with Dino, who plays with his phone rather than pay attention. Rafael ignores Sausage, again focusing on me.
“Cooper has cars, cash, and weapons for you. If things get dicey, he’ll send his enforcers. If it gets really dicey, I’ll call in the rest of the Houston team.”
“For a recon mission, huh?” I say, standing up. “You boys are full of shit, but I’m a big believer in being a team player.”
“And you?” Cooper asks Dino.
“I go wherever Apples goes.”
Cooper rolls his eyes and gives Tawny a grumpy look. They share a silent conversation I don’t care about.
“Well, nice meeting you, Cooper,” I announce. “I’m meeting Harlow for dinner.”
“I’ll go with you,” Tawny says.
I narrow my dark eyes at her. Not knowing any better, she narrows her dark eyes at me. Normally, I’d do a little ovary measuring, but I really want away from Dino, who is staring at my ass again. I can feel his gaze burning through my jeans.
“Let’s go,” I say, walking out of the back office with her close behind me.
Tawny pauses when we get outside. “I only have my Harley. Did Vaughn take your bags to the apartment?”
“Yes, but I’m not riding bitch on your hog.”
“Why not?” she asks, climbing onto the Harley. “I’ll ride real slow for you.” I’m ready to complain until she says all I need to hear to change my mind. “Dino’s on his way out.”
Climbing on behind her, I sigh. “What was the point of having you at this meeting?”
“I’m good at reading people, and Cooper wanted to know if he could trust you and Dino.”
“Well?”
“I’ve got a good feeling about you both.”
“Even Sausage?” I balk while the Harley roars to life.
Tawny glances back at me and smiles. “He pays more attention than he lets on. Don’t let his bullshit fool you.”
I tighten my grip on her as we race away from the office and Dino. Tawny’s words give me hope that this assignment might not be so bad. In fact, Dino might even be a fun partner if he stopped trying to hump me constantly.
4
Minka
Stuck Between a Fucking Rock and a Fucking Hard Place
I manage to dodge Dino all evening in Ellsberg, and we take separate cars the next day. Even with him following me on the road, I still somehow feel him looking at my ass the entire two-hour drive. Before we check into the first of the hotels we have reservations at, I decide to drop in on our helpful host.
Angus Hayes’s office is a small building in the middle of an industrial area of White Horse, Tennessee. The parking lot is empty except for two cars. One is a monster truck horror show. The other is a tiny blue compact with flower decals in the back window. I sense the latter doesn’t belong to Hayes.
“Let me do all the talking,” Dino says while we walk to the front door.
“No fucking way. Just shut up and let me handle everything.”
“We’ll see who wins this round.”
Inside the office, we find a woman crying behind messy brown hair. She’s sitting at the front desk, and her name plate says “Donna.” Not great with crying women, I awkwardly wait for her to pull her shit together.
“Hey, doll, why the tears?” Dino asks in a sexy, smooth voice. “Is someone giving you trouble?”
Donna looks back at the office door belonging to the boss.
“He yells,” she whispers. “I don’t like yelling.”
On cue, a booming voice yells, “Donna, send in the fucking outsiders!”
Crying, Donna hides behind her hair again. Dino hands her a tissue and whispers something reassuring. She nods but seems unconvinced.
“Save it, Romeo,” I mutter, walking away.