Page 129 of The True Garza

For shit’s sake. “Where?”

“To the convenience store. I’m taking a pregnancy test, and you’re helping.”

“Lexi—”

“Shut it, True.”

I shove out a sigh. “You’re lucky I love you.”

Half an hourlater, she emerges from the bathroom with a giant smile and tears streaming down her face.

“Eeeeeek!” she squeals. And then she breaks into a dance. “I’m having a baby! Oh my god, I’m going to be a freakingmom!” Now she’s moonwalking. “Yeeeheee!”

“So, do you need help wheeling your suitcase back to your house, or…?”

I duck when she throws a book at my head.

Dennis

Dennis:On my way to you now. Can’t wait to see those beautiful eyes.

London:OK.*thumbs up emoji*

Dennis’s smile drops at the dry response. Hereallylikes London something fierce, but he’s never had to work this damn hard to keep a woman’s interest.

He doesn’t quite understand her yet, or what she even wants, but he’s been putting all his effort into giving it to her, because she’s everything he’s ever wanted in a woman. Formidable, forceful, confident, fearless, stunningly beautiful, and hot as fuck. When he looks into those pretty hazel eyes of hers, he sees afuture. A wife. It’s the only reason he’s been so accommodating of her request to take things slow. He never even knew he had this level of patience in him. It’s hard.Hard. But he’s giving it a-hundred-and-ten percent.

He just wished she wasn’t so chill about him while he’s always on fire for her, thinking about her round the clock. Always the one to hit her up first, checking in with her, asking to meet up. She has a firm hold on him; sometimes he loves it, sometimes he hates it. It’s frustrating. But he’s determined to smash down her well-built walls and steal her heart just like she has done with his.

As he locks the front door, Dennis smirks to himself at the prospect of London falling in love with him. Impatient to see her, he turns and starts jogging down the steps to his driveway, only to stop dead in his tracks, hair raising on the back of his neck.

Two large men in suits are standing in his driveway, one leaned against his car. A black Escalade is parked on the curb.

Approaching cautiously, Dennis asks, “Can I help you?”

As the man leaned against the car straightens, his jacket shifts, giving Dennis a glimpse of his gun. “We’re here to deliver a message.”

Dennis swallows past a hard lump in his throat. “Message? From who?”

“The Castellos.”

The Castellos? As in the “Twins of Vegas” Castellos? What kind of message couldtheypossibly have for him? Dennis has made it his mission to live a clean and honest life, doing things right, staying in his lane, being the best for his daughter. So what on earth could’ve attracted a ruthless set of gangsters to him?

“I-I don’t understand.”

“Lonny Bridge.”

Dennis’ spine goes rigid. “W-what?”

“Stay the fuck away from her. She’s property of the Castellos. That’s the message.”

Dennis’s fingers clench into a fist. “No.”

The man cocks a brow. “No?”

“Fuck no,” Dennis returns through a breath of bravado. “You can’t just show up here telling me what to do. I don’t answer to you or the fucking Castellos.”

The man rubs his jaw contemplatively as he glances over his shoulder to Man Two.