Page 32 of The True Garza

Christ, I’ve never gone this far just to see someone’s face before. So damn inconvenient.

“You’re right,” Trent says, having slipped away from the madness as well. “Should’ve seen this one coming. Knew Tor would’ve worn Lyra down to get out of a big wedding.”

“It was her idea,” I respond, only half present as I scroll through Brooklyn’s pictures. “After the job, with my getting shot and Tor’s concussion from the crash, she got all emotional and flew to Rome. Told him that life was too short and she wanted to get married right away. Ben and I were the witnesses. They left for their honeymoon in the Maldives yesterday.”

“Hmm. So, you’re into the sister, too?”

Too late, I realize he’s been peering over my shoulder at the phone screen.

I slide him a resigned sigh. “You aren’t gonna leave me the fuck alone, are you?”

“Are you kidding me? I’ve beenwaitingfor this day, brother. Fuck no, I’m not gonna leave you alone until I see you brought down to your knees.”

Should’ve expected this. I gave him shit about Lexi for years. Of course he’s been waiting his turn.

“Just be glad I haven’t told Tripp,” he says. “You know he’d go after her just to fuck with you.”

Yeah, our little brother is a goading menace.

A smile tugs at my lips as an idea of just how to get him to shut the fuck up shines bright in my mind.

Pocketing my phone, I casually ask, “So, when are you gonna tell Lexi the truth about Tor?”

As his smug expression melts off his face like butter and a sliver of panic seeps into his glare, I grin.

CHAPTER Ten

“Are you mad at me or something?”

Lonny

“Yeah, I saw the wayshe was looking at me. She wanted a piece of this.”

“Shut up, Lance. You think everyone wants you.”

“You shut up. It ain’t my fault older, rich women are obsessed with me. I remind them of what it’s like to be young.”

Half propped on a barstool, I take a sip of bourbon and watch my new coworkers engage in yet another dick-measuring contest. Nothing new here. Having spent my life working almost exclusively alongside men, there are three things they tend to talk about ad nauseum: sports, women, and money. With gadgets and video games following closely behind. It’s rare to find one who’s different.

I love these guys, though. Although their conversational skills are limited, they’re all large, muscled, and complete badasses. And we get along well—not that I didn’t think we would. I’m well oiled in infiltrating male circles and earning respect in male-dominated spaces.

Dress down—the fewer reminders there are that you’re a woman, the better.

Talk less, observe more.

Always answer male-posed questions with a question.

Prove your capabilities with actions, not words.

Grow a thick skin, and let men feel safe being men in your presence.

Works every time.

We just got off duty after ten long hours working a charity event and decided to drop in at Hullub Bar and Grill for a bite and some booze. It’s a hotspot frequented by Red Cage workers since it’s just four blocks from the office.

I’d been a part of the team a mere two weeks when the guys invited me along with them after a long shift. That’s when I knew I wasinwith them. Do I particularly like hanging out at bars, especially when I’m tired as hell and need sleep? No. But, in these early stages of a new job—with a new team, in a new environment—it’s necessary.

I’ve been with Red Cage for over six weeks now and I’m loving it. Not just because the salary’s damn good, or because I’m detailing some of the wealthiest and most famous in LA, but because I feel like I canbreatheagain. For the first time in a long time.