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“Yeah, but no girl in there’s going to look like you.”
I pursed my lips. “I’m meeting my boyfriend in a few minutes, so please leave me alone." Why I felt the need to mention another man for this asshole to get the point was beyond me, but usually it was just easier.
Apparently, not with him.
He didn't stop but reached into the inner pocket of his suit coat. "You don't even know what you're turning down."
I tensed as his hand came out, then shook my head when he pulled out a wad of cash.
"I'm flush with cash baby doll, and I don't mind sharing with your boyfriend.”
"You're an idiot." I nodded towards the rest of the parking deck. "You really shouldn't flash your money like that."
He began to count through the fifties. "How much?"
"First off," my voice was so harsh that he stopped counting to look up at me, “I'm not your baby girl. Secondly, I'm not for sale, and you're not safe. Get the hell out of here before you get hurt."
The corner of his lips lifted. "What? A little thing like you gonna hurt me?"
"Maybe." I shrugged a shoulder. "Or they will."
I nodded behind him, and he stilled as Antonio dug a knife to the man’s back. “Give me all your fucking money, or I'll gut you like a fish."
The cowboy's cheeks flushed red, and he looked at me for help. I shook my head. "I warned you."
He stuttered, then cried out as Antonio dug his knife in deeper. "Okay, okay," He said, handing over his cash. "No need to get your panties in a twist."
Carlos, standing next to Antonio, grabbed it, counting the money. Antonio demanded next, “I'm also going to need your wallet, watch, and phone,perra.”
The man hissed out, protesting, but quickly rifled through his suit, passing over everything Antonio asked for. In the meantime, Carlos stood back, watching, then he looked the cowboy over, licking his lip. He nodded his head at the man’s waist. “Give me your buckle."
"No can do." The cowboy tried to twist away. "I won that myself. Number one in state tournament.”
Carlos grabbed the cowboy’s arrowhead bolo tie, twisting it until he was strangling the man. "I don't fucking care,ese. I want it."
"Fine," the cowboy choked out, undoing his belt to slide off the buckle.
Carlos grabbed it, grinning as he stared at it. "That's real pretty. Number one in state?”
The man, whose face had grown red, nodded.
“I'm real proud of you.” Carlos let him go, and the cowboy tried to run way, but in an instant, Antonio had stuck him in the side with his knife.
“What the hell?” Cowboy squealed out, grasping at his wound, staggering to the side and yelling. "I gave everything you asked."
"That's for trying to buy Tatiana," Antonio sneered, “You’re lucky you’re even alive. Now get the fuck out of here before I change my mind and decide I wanna eat Texas for dinner tonight.”
Cowboy stumbled away, crying about his wound, and we waited until he'd gotten into his shiny red truck with wheels as tall as his chest, peeling out of the lot. When he was gone, I raised an eyebrow at the two of them. "Was that necessary?"
"No." Antonio shrugged. “But he shouldn’t be fucking with you. Now he knows better.”
I sighed, shaking my head. Well, I had tried to warn the man. It was his fault he was an idiot.
"He'll live.” Carlos was still staring at the belt buckle.
Antonio was all business, jerking his head at me. "What d’you have for us?”
“Benny,” I answered. “Benny Clark. The Kings are looking for him.”