Black Hills Desperado (Black Hills Wolves, #3)(15)

Xio peeked around the corner to see Diego plop down in a chair and throw his feet up on the table. She slammed back against the wall and out of sight. How many had he brought here with him?

“I know you’re here. Come out before this gets real messy and I have to hurt some of your new friends, starting with this big fellow.” A revolver cocked. She’d know that sound anywhere. That would be a forty-five. Diego carried it everywhere with him. “I assure you, I’m serious. I asked the fine citizens of this town if they’ve seen you, doll. People say an Asian girl works here. That would be you, the only one in Los Lobos.”

Xio’s heart thumped harder. She peeked out to see several men with weapons pointed at the were-bear, who leaned casually against the bar, his arms crossed over his chest, not looking the least bit intimidated.

What did he know that she didn’t?

“Come out, Lena. Or should I call you Xio? Last warning. I’m going to make a big mess if you don’t. I have fifteen more men outside with automatic weapons and enough lead to shred every building in Los Lobos to pieces. I’m giving you ten seconds. One. Two. Three.”

“Wait.”

“Step into the open. Four. Five.”

That, she could do. Surrender. He’d probably torture her and cut her into pieces while she was alive. It was a special treatment Diego reserved for those who’d betrayed him. She’d seen it once, and knew the price she’d pay when she testified against him, but if it would save Gee and the others from Diego’s vengeance, she’d gladly sacrifice herself. If she didn’t, her ex would kill everyone. She raised her hands and stepped into the doorway.

Xio turned to look in Gee’s eyes. “Tell Marcus I’m sorry, and that…I love him.” Gee shook his head and smiled, as though it were all a joke.

Diego swiped a match across the rough surface of the table and lit his cigar, taking a puff. “Long time no see.”

“Let him go.”

“Where’s my money?”

“I don’t have it. The Feds took it.”

“I think we both know that.” He dropped his boots off the table and rose to his feet. “Tell me where you hid your money.”

Her pulse jumped. He knew?

“You thought I didn’t know what you were doing? I know everything my people are doing, every moment of the day. Come here now.”

Xio walked across the bar to Diego, who grabbed her by the arm and brought her to her toes. “I’m very disappointed in you, China Doll.”

Outside, a flurry of movement and a grunt as the pack took out the men standing outside, and did it so silently Diego didn’t even look. Gee must have gotten through to them somehow. Xio glanced over at the bear, who nodded this time. Green light. “I told you to never call me that again.”

“Or you’ll what? Stick me with that knife you can’t carry anymore because you’re a reformed felon?”

“No, that would be too easy.” Xio spun and threw Diego over her shoulder, slamming him to the floor. From that point forward, everything moved at a blur. Gee decked the man on his right, dropping him to the floor and then hopping up on the bar, swinging his legs over. He reached down and came back up with a wooden bat. “First mistake. You shouldn’t have brought trouble to my bar,” he said to man on his left as the thug squeezed off a round and missed. “Second mistake. If you’re going to shoot a man, you better not miss.” Gee didn’t. There was a loud crack as the bat connected with the man’s head. He collapsed into a heap.

So busy watching the drama at the bar unfold, Xio took her eyes off Diego. It turned out to be a big mistake. Her former lover took the opportunity to sweep her feet out from under her and throw his body over hers, pinning her to the floor. Her skull bounced off the hardwood and right into the end of a revolver pressed against the side of her face. Diego stared at her.

“You, over there by the bar, the big bruiser. You don’t want to make this your battle. Drop that bat and put your hands in the air. Do as I say and I won’t kill you. Don’t, and you’re going to end up like your friend here.”

Gee hesitated and Diego pushed the barrel harder into her jaw. “I haven’t got all day.”

“Do it, Gee. He doesn’t have a problem with you. It’s me. Diego won’t kill you if you do as he says. He keeps his word.” Xio’s eyes watered, but she didn’t gasp or whimper. Diego respected strength and would make it quick if she didn’t wimp out. Which brought her full circle to why she still breathed and had a face to breathe from. He wanted the money first. “Kill me. Do it already. That’s what you’ve come here for, isn’t it?”

“Among other things. I was going to kill you quick, China Doll, but I’ve changed my mind.”

“Changing one’s mind is a woman’s prerogative. Just come out and say it. You need me if you want your money back.”

“You’ve always been a clever bitch—knew how to read people. You could have made a killing in poker instead of stealing from me. I want my money, and I want it now.”

“I can’t get your money from here. You might as well get this over with and kill me, because wanting isn’t going to get you shit.”

“A liar as well as a traitor. The sex with that Fed had better been worth it. Where’s the money?”