“Use me and drop me off at the curb.”
“You should be so lucky.” She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “You can’t get rid of me so easily. I’ll be right back.”
“If you don’t, I’ll come looking for you.”
“You can’t. No car.”
“Have bike, will travel.”
“Reckless,” she said. “Out. Straight to your place. No stopping at strange women’s doors.”
“Scout’s honor.” She pulled out of the parking lot and Saks shook his head and smiled. It had been a long time since he’d enjoyed spending time with a woman this much. He strolled the walkway to his apartment with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He passed into the courtyard and froze, catching sight of someone out of the corner of his eye.
“Hey, pendajo.”
Saks turned slowly to Pez. The Hispanic leaned against the red brick wall, his lips twisted in a wry smirk. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Just paying a friendly visit and checking up on you. Heard anything from the DEA lately?”
“I don’t know what your game is, Pez, but get your ass out of here.” He was taking a chance threatening Pez. The gang leader wasn’t just the president of the entire Rojos club in Connecticut, but he was a high-ranking lieutenant in their affiliate street gang, the Hombres. He was the conduit between the Rojos and the Hombres and apparently liked being the center of power.
But Pez wasn’t going to let up on Saks. Not today, or any day. Not since he’d learned who Saks’ family was. It wasn’t hard to guess Pez wanted to be the conduit between the Roccos and his two crime organizations. Only, Pez didn’t know what he’d be getting into. Courting the Rocco crime family meant insulting the Serafini family. Neither the Rocco nor the Serafini families played well with others.
“Nothing, eh? I’ll be watching you.” He gave Saks a sardonic smile and ambled away as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
Saks watched him get on his bike and drive away.
“Fuck me,” said Saks. It was unavoidable now. He’d have to talk to Oakie about Pez and tell him the gang leader kept reaching out to him. It was only going to piss Oakie off.
And that could lead to a whole string of consequences Saks didn’t want to have to face.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Chrissy was just starting to shop for groceries when her phone rang. Debating the various types of bacon, she didn’t look at the screen—otherwise, she wouldn’t have answered.
“Chrissy,” her mother said. “Where are you?”
Shit. “Oh hi, Mom.” Chrissy hefted a package of thick-sliced pepper bacon from the display into her basket. “What’s up?”
“Where’ve you been?”
“I was at home. I’m grocery shopping now.”
“Why aren’t you at work?”
“What’s this third degree for?”
“Why? Why? Madonna, what have I done to deserve such an ungrateful child?”
She took a deep breath. “What’re you going on about, Mom?”
“Didn’t I raise you better than this?”
“You’re right. I was ridiculous. B
ut it’s all okay now.”
“What are you talking about? How can it be okay?”