Page 81 of Reno

Pee Bee and Bama!

“Father, no!” I screeched. “I know them.”

They both glared.

I ran to the door, nudged my mother out of the way, and pulled it open.

Pee Bee. Cash. Bama. Slacker. Rebound. Goose.

Behind them, men I didn’t recognize stood along the edge of the driveway.

Beyond them, dozens of motorcycles lined the streets, on both sides. Beside each motorcycle the riders stood with their arms crossed, gazing up each side of the street.

Reno was nowhere in sight.

My heart palpitated.

I swallowed heavily and met Pee Bee’s gaze. “Is Reno okay?”

“He’s tied up for a bit.” He brushed his hair away from his face. “I uhhm. I’m gonna need you to get whatever you need and come with us.”

“Uhhm. Okay.”

“All of you,” he said. “Mom, dad, brother.”

I swallowed a lump of fear. “Everything’s not okay, is it?”

The men each returned a blank stare.

“Carmelita Rosarita Garcia Lorca!” my mother howled. “What is going on?”

I knew the men didn’t come on their own. Reno must have somehow sent them. There was only one reason I could think that he would have done so. Angel must have been in the country. Sending three-dozen bikers was a precautionary measure that wasn’t necessary, but I felt warm inside knowing I was safe from harm.

“Carmelita!” my mother hissed. “I asked you a question.”

I looked at Pee Bee. “Is Angel here? In the country?”

Pee Bee looked at Cash.

Cash shrugged. “I ain’t sayin’ shit.”

“Nothing to worry about,” Bama said, leaning between the two men. “Goose got the octopus done, and we thought we’d come get you so you could sample it. Said it was your mother’s favorite, right?”

I appreciated the levity, but Bama wasn’t very convincing. I looked at Goose and raised my brows. “Well?”

A sigh escaped him. “He is,” he admitted. “We need to get everyone loaded up and get out of here. We’ve got a truck back there that ought to fit three of you. You can ride on a bike, can’t you?”

I thought I was prepared for the answer. I wasn’t. Knowing Angel was in the country I’d escaped to brought a tidal wave of emotion. My heart shot into my throat. My hands began to shake.

I cleared my throat and turned around. My parents each gave me a look of confusion.

“Angel’s in the country and he’s…he’s coming after me.” I braced myself against the door frame. I didn’t know what to say, other than to tell the truth. “Get your things,” I stammered. “These men are here to save us.”

30

Reno

Alacrán and Manos carried the money up the driveway. Not certain if Goose knew what to do or how to do it, and fearing Carma was in imminent danger, I shuffled toward the door with my mind in a haze.