Page 42 of High

“Lucky us,” I sneered, turning my attention back on Killough. I wasn’t stupid enough to think Odin wasn’t doing business with other underground bosses. He’d be an idiot not to get money where he could, and as much as I fucking hated Killough, he brought in good business. He didn’t only play in drugs, but also had a hand in gun running and other illegal imports. He was smart and well-organized, using his business front to clean his money. If I didn’t hate him so fucking much, I might respect him.

My gaze focused on Morrissey. I could see why Killough liked him. Handsome, with dark hair that he’d tied up at the back of his head, he had a young face. He couldn’t have been more than twenty-five or six. The most interesting part about him was the collar around his neck, red and bright against the pale column of flesh. I’d heard the rumors about the collar, of course, how Killough had inserted a tracker in it, and anyone with a brain knew that it meant Morrissey belonged to Killough.

I wondered if Manny would like a collar, but then pushed aside the thought. I was definitely not going to copy the Irish bastardo. Besides, Manny was classy, and I could probably do the same thing with a nice ring, and that would say clearly enough that he belonged to me. Because he did. Manny was mine.

As though he didn’t like me watching his boyfriend, Killough turned to Morrissey. “Pet, go with Ronan to the barroom.”

Before Morrissey could go anywhere, though, Killough grabbed him and dragged him against his body. He slid his hands down Morrissey’s back until he reached the board shorts his pet wore, and without an ounce of shame, Killough slipped his hands past the waistband and grabbed Morrissey’s ass. He smashed his lips against his pet’s and ate at his mouth like he would die if he didn’t. As much as I knew this was a display of ownership, I couldn’t help but feel the niggling sense of desire growing in my belly. It was a hot display, even if it was the Irish bastard putting on the show, and my cock twitched in my pants. I tugged Manny closer and held onto him.

Morrissey moaned loudly. Killough’s hands moved in those pants, and while I couldn’t see what he was doing, I could hazard a guess that his fingers were touching a very sensitive part of his pet between his asscheeks. When he was done, Killough pulled back with a final kiss.

Morrissey gave me a once-over after his boss backed off, and I did the same to him. He grinned stupidly before he and a big man with a glare full of hatred sent my way—obviously his bodyguard—strode past us deeper into the house.

I turned to Manny, tugging him closer and kissing his cheek. “Go to the barroom too.”

He squinted at me and then smiled, and I knew he got my message loud and clear: keep an eye on Morrissey. Manny didn’t know who these men were, or at least I thought he didn’t, but I marveled at how easy it was for him to fall into the position of my lover.

He kissed me and I cupped his cheek, bringing him in closer. The touch of our lips was a lot gentler than Killough and Morrissey’s, and I soaked in Manny’s heat and love.

“Go, hermoso.”

He smiled and stepped around me. With one nod from me to two of my soldiers, they followed him.

“While you two measure your cocks, I’m going to get a drink. Mr. Killough, meet me in my office when you’re done,” Odin said, salt-and-pepper eyebrows doing a dance as an amused expression passed over his face. He turned and headed in the same direction as Killough’s pet, Manny, and our guards.

Santi appeared at the same time Odin disappeared, resting his shoulder against the threshold of the barroom door across the way like he’d decided to monitor us to make sure we didn’t kill each other.

Killough stepped closer, the men around him stiffening, getting ready for a fight. It was too bad we were currently in Pleasant Beach. I’d like nothing more than to put some of them in their place.

Someone bumped me from behind, and I turned, forgetting that Rafael and Arlo had been waiting for me. They hated Killough as much as I did.

Killough glanced at them, but he didn’t look fazed. His cold blue gaze returned to me. I didn’t think I’d ever been this close to him before, and the scar that started at his forehead and slid across his eye and over his cheek was bigger than I remembered. The suit he wore was impeccable, expensive, the kind Killough always paraded around in.

“While we are in neutral territory, I do need to ask why your cousin is currently in Miami,” Killough said, his voice low and dangerous.

“You’ll have to be more specific, Killough, I have a few cousins.” I shifted closer to him and his men tensed. Much as I hated him, I had no doubt Killough could take care of himself. None of us had guns anyway, not with the Lords taking them from us before entering the clubhouse.

“Your dumb act won’t work, Reyes. I’m talking about Joaquin.”

“I don’t know. Maybe he’s on vacation? You do know what that means, don’t you?” I chuckled.

Killough made a noise that sounded like a grunt caught in his throat. He stepped closer, and even though he was only a few inches taller than me, up close it felt like more. I didn’t back down, keeping my spine straight and a smirk plastered on my lips.

“Miami is mine,” he said in a cool tone that made my skin crawl. “If I find out Joaquin is selling in my territory, I’ll make him regret it. But don’t worry, Reyes, I’ll bury the body in a shallow grave so you can find it, and then explain to your aunt why her son is dead.”

Rafael stiffened, and I knew I needed to conclude this fun meeting quickly.

Killough smirked at him. “You’re Joaquin’s brother, aren’t you? Maybe I should send your mother pieces of him, bits at a time. That would be a lot more exciting, wouldn’t it?”

Rafael went to move but I grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“Rafael, no vale la pena,” I whispered.

Killough laughed deeply and it grated on my nerves. It was best not to show how much. “It’s very much worth it. I dare you to make a move, Rafael.”

“You speak Spanish,” Rafael said through gritted teeth. “And here I thought the Irish were too self-absorbed to learn another language.”

“You underestimate my desire to know my enemies.”