Chico sat looking over the menu, trying to decide what he wanted to order. The restaurant was in downtown San Antonio, and it was known for its authentic Mexican food. He’d flown up from Monterey last night specifically for this meeting, and he was currently waiting for his employee to join him.
The waitress stopped at his table. “Here’s your tea, sir. Can I get you anything?”
“Si. The Queso Flameado, please.”
She made a note on her order pad, and smiled at him. “Yes sir.”
“Gracias,” he said, and admired her backside as she walked away. Then he saw his employee finally approaching, and his smile disappeared.
“You’re late,” he growled, then motioned for him to sit.
“I’m sorry, Chico,” the man said respectfully. “I would have been here earlier, but I was just informed you were in San Antonio.”
“Carlos, you know the reason why you were not told earlier.”
“Si, and I agree. It’s just that I was not in town when I received the call. That is why I’m late. I apologize…it won’t happen again.”
“Why were you out of town?”
Carlos lowered his voice. “I was meeting with some of our people. They had information about the Blades.”
The waitress returned and offered Carlos a menu, but since he already knew what he wanted, he placed his order along with Chico. Then he steeled himself against his employer’s angry gaze.
“No one asked you to look into the Blades, Carlos.”
That was true enough…but a smart man protected his back even without being told. “You assigned me this territory,” he said quietly. “It’s my job to keep an eye on our customers, the competition, and anyone who could be a threat. The Blades fall into two of those categories.” Then he took a deep breath, and continued, “I have not forgotten what happened to your nephew…my best friend. I have not forgotten the biker Rowdy.”
Chico sat back and studied him. Carlos had been born to wealthy parents in Monterey, Mexico. His father was Chico’s close friend and business associate. He’d been an unruly, wild child, constantly getting into trouble. His parents had sent him to the States to be educated, and he spoke English and Spanish fluently.
He’d continued to get in trouble in the States, and Chico was the only person he’d seemed to respect. When he’d graduated from Harvard, Chico had approached his father and offered the boy work in his own organization. Carlos wouldn’t have dared to refuse even if he’d wanted to; and in truth, he’d been delighted by the opportunity. ‘Uncle Chico’ had been a fixture in his home, and he knew exactly what he did for a living.
Carlos was smart and, despite his troublemaking background, had quickly risen through Chico’s organization. He’d worked the streets, then the clubs, and then the manufacturing operation. When he’d made mistakes, he’d learned quickly to correct them, and he’d gained control of his temper.
Finally Chico had assigned him to the organization’s financial arm, and he’d done extremely well there. Chico was proud of his adopted son, and had assigned him the central and west Texas territory. That was their major drug route north through Texas. Houston was a key hub, but they ran more drugs through Carlos’ territory than anywhere else. He was smart, he was ruthless, and he was always thinking ahead.
“Thank you,” Chico said quietly. “I spoke to my sister before I left, and the news isn’t good. My nephew’s condition hasn’t changed. He is still in a wheelchair, and the damage to his brain has not improved.”
Carlos swore under his breath, then looked imploringly at the older man. “Chico, please…let me take action against the Blades. It’s time we struck back, and sent a message. Their chief, Lobo, offered us a percentage of his business, and thinks everything is settled. Nothing is settled!” he snapped. “Your nephew—my best friend—sits in a wheelchair, paralyzed and suffering from brain damage. A fucking percentage settles nothing!”
Carlos and Lalo had grown up together, and had been best friends since playing together on the junior soccer team. They’d stayed close over the years even though Lalo had stayed in Mexico and worked for his father when Carlos had left for college. He’d earned a mid-level position in the States, and had been assigned the San Antonio and Austin areas, working with the suppliers and distributors. Then the Lone Star Blades biker, Rowdy, had attacked him with a baseball bat, and smashed the side of his head. Now he was little more than a child confined to a wheelchair, and he barely recognized his friends and family.
Chico’s answering smile was cold. “That is why I’m here. I want you to prepare to move against the Blades.”
“Finally! Thank you, Chico.”
“I don’t want you to send a message, though.”
“What?” Baffled, he cocked his head. “I don’t understand.”
“I’m not interested in just sending a message,” Chico grinned. “We are going to eliminate the Blades completely. When we are finished, they will cease to exist, and the biker Rowdy will be the last to die.”
Even better…and the biker would suffer the added torment of watching his friends perish. “Si, Chico,” he murmured, and his own smile grew. “I will see it done.”
“I know you will. You may have as many men as you want.” Then he fixed Carlos with a steely gaze. “No one survives.”
“I will need more than men, Chico,” the younger man cautioned.
“You have weapons.” Chico waved a dismissive hand. “If you need more, get them.”
“I need more than weapons,” Carlos clarified, leaning closer. “I need women.”
He explained his idea to Chico, and received his hearty approval. Since his employer was returning to Mexico later that day, he quickly arranged transportation and security for him.
Then he called his people together, and gave them instructions. They listened intently as he outlined their operation, then exchanged broad smiles. None of them had been satisfied with their arrangement with the Lone Star Blades.
“First we watch,” he said firmly. “We need to know everything about them. That is critical to making sure we get them all.” He waited until each one had nodded their understanding, then braced both hands on the long table. “We start immediately.”
It was a truly magical night. The evening was cool, with a light breeze, and the restaurant was utterly romantic with its soft lights, low music, and private booths. Raven looked across the table at Shane, and her heart leapt. He looked so handsome in a real suit, with a tie and everything, and she loved the way it looked on him.
He’d completely surprised her with this impromptu date; it was completely mundane, and millions of people did it all the time, but she hadn’t enjoyed an actual date in…years? Especially with a man she’d fallen in love with, and desperately wanted to marry.
He was studying the menu, trying to decide between fish and a steak. When he finally realized she’d been watching him, he raised a teasing eyebrow. “Like what you see?”
She winked back at him. “Definitely!”
He flashed her a brilliant smile, and held out his hand. “I’m glad,” he murmured when she curled her fingers around his, “because I really like what I see, too.” Then he added, with an impish chuckle, “And I’m starving.”
She laughed, and motioned to the menu. “Well, order already.”
“You know what you want?”
“Oh, yes.”
He laughed, signaled their waiter, and ordered for both of them. She liked how he consulted her, but took charge of the situation. Actually, she loved everything about him. Their relationship had deepened over the past several months, and he’d even stopped hanging out as much with Rowdy, which she knew was a huge concession. The two men were closer than brothers, and he was the only person Shane regarded as family.
He’d also asked her to cut back on stripping, which had delighted her. Finally! God, I don’t miss that at all! I don’t miss the club, I don’t miss Joe, and I definitely don’t miss that little bitch! Then her lips curved in a vindictive smile. Poor little Crystal! Her party-girl Meth habit has developed from just once in a while to almost a daily habit. It won’t be long before she’s just another Meth-whore.
It was easy to despise a woman she envied for having a doting husband who would probably be successful in life, and who didn’t appreciate him at all.
She still pretended that they were friends, of course, because it was important to Shane…but she’d happily pulled back from Crystal and from stripping.
Although I wonder how long her husband will want her after he realizes she’s a Meth addict. He’ll probably cut the unfaithful, selfish little bitch loose.
Not her problem. Firmly she fixed her attention on Shane again. He was her future, and she’d do anything to make her own dreams come true. They might be close, she mused, since he’d already hinted several times that he’d like her to stop stripping entirely. She’d hinted right back that she only danced to pay her bills. Her meaning had been clear, and he’d understood it: If you want me to stop dancing, make me a better offer.
“How are things at the club?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been back in a while, and it’s been several months now since I danced there,” she quietly reminded him.
Suddenly he seemed really nervous, and grabbed his wine glass. She watched in confusion as he took a deep swallow, then set it down again. “Is everything okay, honey?”
“Yeah,” he quickly nodded. “Yeah, everything’s good.”
“Are you sure? We can go somewhere else if you want.”
“No!” The word exploded out of him, and he sucked in a deep breath. “I made reservations,” he added in a quieter, more controlled voice, “and I’ve heard great things about this restaurant.”
It was obviously a bogus excuse, but she nodded anyway, then idly glanced around the restaurant. Their waiter was talking quietly with a man in a suit…the manager, probably…and they both quickly disappeared when they saw her watching them. Weird, she thought, and turned back to Shane.
Only Shane was gone; he wasn’t sitting across from her anymore. He was down on one knee, looking up at her, and grinning like an idiot. A small black box was clutched in his outstretched hand.
Raven’s mouth fell open, and her heart lurched into overdrive. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly blinked them away.
“Rebecca…” She jolted a little when he said her real name, and her breathing quickened. Instinctively she pressed both hands against her chest, trying to keep her heart from exploding right through her ribcage. “You’re an amazing woman, and I’ve never been happier in all my life than when I’m with you. I love you with all my heart.” He took a nervous breath, then finished, “Will you marry me?”
Tears streamed down her face as she launched into his arms. “Yes, I’ll marry you!” she exclaimed loudly enough for the adjoining tables to hear.
The restaurant erupted in noisy whistles and applause as he hugged her back. They only eased apart when the manager approached with a bottle of champagne. She carefully dabbed at her eyes, careful not to smear her makeup, while the bottle was opened, and glasses were poured. Several other patrons congratulated them, and watched with delight while they toasted each other with the bubbling wine.
Finally Shane remembered to open the jeweler’s box and show her the engagement ring he’d selected. It was beautiful, and surprisingly big. He slipped it on her finger, then leaned over and kissed her. “I love you.”
She wiped her eyes again. “I love you, too.”
Dinner was excellent, and the chef even came out and congratulated them. Raven beamed at her new fiancé, amazed at how carefully he’d planned his proposal. Her big tough biker clearly had a soft and tender side, and she couldn’t decide whether she wanted to look at him or the amazing ring on her finger.
Another round of applause echoed through the restaurant when they finally rose to leave. She clung to him, and kissed his cheek repeatedly.
When they reached his Camaro, she hesitated. “Let’s go home,” she implored. “I just want to get you naked.”
He laughed, and winked at her. “What makes you think we’re going to a movie?”
She narrowed her eyes when he held the car door open for her. “Well, what did you have in mind?”
“You’ll see,” he said mysteriously, and helped her inside. Then he drove to a beautiful hotel overlooking the San Antonio River. Since they didn’t have any luggage, they went directly up to their room.
Her mouth fell open when she realized he’d reserved the opulent penthouse suite. “God, this is beautiful!” she murmured, gazing out at the window at the spectacular view.
Then she turned and smiled at him. “This has to be expensive! You didn’t…”
“Shhh,” he said softly, and pressed his finger against her lips. “Don’t worry about it. Business is excellent, and I can easily afford this. More importantly,” he added, “you deserve it, and I’ll always provide for you.”
Her eyes glowed with love as she nodded. A second later, her dress hit the marble floor, followed quickly by Shane’s clothes, and then they were too busy for further conversation.