Page 23 of Shadow

“So, your last name is Carpenter, and you’re from Texas like me,” Teagan says like she reading off a resume.

I get why she’s so inquisitive. The twins did a deep dive into her background for me. I needed to make sure she wasn’t some scammer who was helping Everett. I found out she was the exact opposite. I learned that Teagan was a church girl who did almost everything her parents wanted her to. She’s definitely not the type who would be living in sin city and hanging out with gambling addicts.

I’d bet my last dollar that she’s feeling guilty because I fucked her every which way, and she didn’t know shit about me. I would laugh at her, but it’s kinda cute that she’s so innocent. It’s been a long time since I could describe a woman I wanted as innocent.

“Yeah, I’m from Fort Worth. Graduated from TCU.”

“What? You were a Horned Frog? No way! I can’t picture you at a Christian college.” Teagan turns in her seat, so she facing me.

The look on her face is hilarious because her eyes are wide, and she’s smiling from ear to ear.

“Why not? I was once a good Christian boy. Made you go to heaven last night, didn’t I?” I wink at her, and by the way she dips her head and tucks her bottom lip into her mouth, I know I’ve embarrassed her.So fucking cute.

“Annnnyyyway,” Teagan draws out the word as she rolls her eyes playfully.

I continue to stare her down, and I lick my lips until she visibly swallows and shyly looks away.

I pull around to the back of my shop and park in one of the reserved spots. I motion for Teagan to follow me inside. I type in my code on the keypad and then grab Teagan’s hand as I lead her through the back door.

Leo is in the back office when I enter, and he sits up straight in the chair when he sees Teagan. I want to scowl at him, but the little asshole would just fuck with me even more if I showed any emotion. If there’s one thing the twins know how to do, it’s push my motherfucking buttons.

They’re almost the only two people in the world that I joke around with and take shit from. I’ve adopted them as my younger brothers, and besides the Sinners, they’re the only family that I have in this world.

“And who do we have here?” Leo questions with a wicked smile.

I roll my eyes, “Teagan, this is Leo. Pretend he’s invisible like I do.”

“Hi, Leo. It’s nice to meet you,” Teagan giggles making Leo blush like a preteen.

“Enough of making googly eyes at my woman. What info did you get on Delacruz?”

Leo nods as he begins to type on the computer, “It was a real id. He has a rap sheet a mile long. But I don’t see that he was part of the Oeste crew. Hell, from what I can tell, he wasn’t even Oeste affiliated.”

“Great, so we got a wannabe gang member and still no Everett,” I say, frustrated.

“Hey! Turn that up!” Teagan interrupts out of nowhere, pointing at the television.

“Why? What’s up?”

“That’s the girl I saw talking to Trey right before you got to the club.” Teagan is staring at the T.V. with narrowed eyes.

“Are you sure? The Caliente Claims lady?”

“I hate that stupid commercial. I knew I recognized her ass when she was talking to Trey. That was definitely her. They were real cozy at the club.”

“Why would Everett be talking to an insurance agent?” Leo asks.

“Knowing Everett, he was probably trying to buy some pus—” I stop what I was going to say when Teagan scowls in my direction.

But it’s a well-known fact that Stefani McDonald’s employees look and act more like call girls than insurance agents. It just makes me wonder if Everett was just flirting or if it is more to it than that…

It took longer than I expected to handle my business at the shop, so it was late afternoon by the time we were getting ready to leave. The shop was quiet, but there were still a few people here shopping.

The beeping sound of the door chime draws my attention to the front of the shop. I still can’t remember the girl’s name that works up front, but Thomas had just let her go to break when I hear loud accented voices.

“Where the fuck is Shadow? He’s been all around town spreading bullshit, and I want to know where the fuck he is before I kill you!”

I know that annoying ass voice anywhere. The bitch doesn’t go anywhere without causing a disturbance.