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“Teresa wants me. Marisol wants Chanel.” I argued.

“Teresa probably believes getting rid of Chanel?—”

“Don’t say it. I would never go back to her. Never. Ever.” I spoke the truest words.

“I don’t think she believes that.”

“She doesn’t have to believe it. She only has to die. I need to know if they’re working together. But if you have the opportunity to kill Marisol, do that.”

“I could torture the truth out of her first.”

“No torture. Just death. I’m not going to let anyone else in Alonzo Lopez’s family fuck with my girl.”

“Sure, whatever you say.” Harlen replied. the casualness gone, replaced by something I wanted to believe in.

“No distractions. You can’t bring Morgan around these dangerous people.” I warned.

“I know. That was a mistake I won’t make next time.” He promised. His resolve looked different this time. Solid, like he meant it. “I’ve got your back, Zand.”

I wanted to doubt, to hold on to the skepticism that years of Harlen’s unpredictable nature had forged, but there was something in his voice, sincerity.

“And Marisol?” I pushed, needing to know how far his commitment went.

“Yes.”

“I want you to drain that bitch dry. Leave Teresa to me. Natasha will help me stop her. Is there anything else, anything you forgot to tell me?”

“No. But be on the lookout for the news story about the murdered girl in the dorm. I’m not sure how the law is going to handle it. Maybe they will go with an animal attack.”

“If it was as bad as you say, I’m sure they will. CPD doesn’t want too many violent crimes getting out to the public. The mayor covers up anything that would make the city look bad.”

“Should I tell Natasha what happened tonight?”

“I will give her a call and fill her in on everything that happened tonight.” I said as I crossed my arms. “When you take Marisol and her crew out, make sure you’re not seen.”

“I got you.” He nodded once. The set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes told me he was listening to my instructions.

“I have a cleanup crew. But don’t make too much of a mess.”

“I won’t. I can do this. I can handle a few humans.”

“I know you can. I just want this problem to be over with as soon as possible.”

“It will. I’m going to go back to the apartments and get some sleep. Later tonight, I’ll be right back at Club Bailar Caliente. If I see her, she’s done.”

“Avoid as many surveillance cameras as you can. I will get Natasha to wipe all CCTV evidence that she can, but it’s better if there isn’t much of it floating around.”

“Bro, don’t worry. I got this,” Harlen said.

“I know. I’m not worried. I just don’t want there to be any complications.”

“I’m going back to the apartments, and I will text you when something happens.”

We held each other’s gaze. We were two brothers tied together by blood. “Harlen, watch your back.” I said, wondering if I should send someone with him.

“I always do. You taught me that much.” Harlen grinned and gave me a final look. He stood and then moved towards the elevator. The sun had risen and soon he would be ready to slip back into the night that belongs to us.

I looked out the window from the second floor living room. After a few minutes, I watched Harlen get in a sedan that was parked across the street and pull away from my loft. I should’ve felt relieved that Harlen had volunteered to remove one of my problems. But I couldn’t feel it until the deed was done, and Marisol was dead.