Chapter 8

• DIABLO
• The drop is supposed to happen at ten. I arrive at Goody's Bar around nine. The night settled in about an hour ago, and that means the Rossi Cartel will only just be getting ready to move.
• They never operate in daylight. Everything about them belongs to the dark.
• The clock keeps ticking, and my heartbeat stays strong, steady, and sharp. But I don't show it. Adrenaline only works if you keep it under control. Brian is already inside.
• He's taken a table near the pool table, where he's got a perfect view of the entrance and easy access to weapons if anything goes wrong.
• I spot him as soon as I step in. He acts like he doesn't know me, pretending to scroll on his phone while sipping whiskey, blending in like he couldn't care less about what's happening around him.
• The same booth I used the last time is empty again, waiting for me. I plan to head there once I've got my drink. In the ten seconds it takes to cross the room, I've already counted every person inside, marked the exits, and assessed the threat level.
• I know exactly how long it would take to reach each exit if things turn bad.
• I've noted what I can use as weapons too-pool cues, a fire extinguisher, even a guy with a pen in his pocket. Plenty of bottles and glasses around as well.
• No sign of the Rossi Cartel yet, but that's no surprise. They'll arrive just before the deal goes down. I've got time to wait. No sign of Joe either. The office door is closed, which tells me he's inside, probably sweating bullets and praying for a big payday.
• I reach the bar, and that's when April pops up from behind it with a couple of bottles in her hands, like she's performing some kind of magic trick. My stomach tightens. Why is she here? I told her to stay home. Damn it, now I've got to worry about her on top of everything else.
• I should be angry that she didn't listen, but instead, my eyes are glued to her. She's wearing the same Goody's Bar tee shirt, but tonight she's added two pins-one of the Pantheon and another of Pac-Man.
• Her hair catches the light, soft and golden, and when she looks up and notices me, she instantly glances down at her shoes. That confidence she hides... I know it's in there somewhere. Why does she bury it so deep?
• "April," I say sharply as she walks closer to serve me. "I told you to take the night off."
• "I tried," she says softly, her voice almost pleading. She glances around, probably checking if her boss is listening. "Why does it matter so much?"
• "You should go home."
• "I told you, I can't. I need the money. Now, what do you want to drink?"
• I lean in toward her, keeping my voice low. "You're putting yourself at risk by being here tonight."
• She tilts her head. "Care to explain why?"
• I shake my head. "Just trust me."
• She gives me a half smile, teasing but nervous. "You're so secretive, you know that?"
• Before I can respond, the other bartender calls her name, waving her over to help with the growing line. April nods but turns back to me first. "We're busy. Do you want a drink or not?"
• I want to tell her that I want her, that I can't stop thinking about her, that every time she's near me, I lose control. Instead, I swallow it all down. "Bourbon," I say. "Double."
• She pours it for me, her movements smooth and practiced. I can't take my eyes off her. To hell with the Rossi Cartel for now. Let Brian keep watch. My focus is on her.
• "Is something going to happen tonight?" she asks quietly as she leans closer over the bar so no one else can hear. Her perfume drifts through the air-light, fresh, a mix of citrus and spring. Beneath it is her natural scent, something clean and sweet, something that doesn't belong in a place like this. Everything about her is pure. Everything I'm not.
• "Are you a cop?" she asks suddenly. "Are you undercover or something?"
• I can't help but laugh.
• She frowns. "What's so funny?"
• "Of all the things I've been called in my life," I say, still smiling, "no one's ever accused me of being a cop."
• "Then what are you?"
• Before I can answer, the other bartender calls again, louder this time. "April! A little help here!"
• I nod toward the customers. "You better get back to work."
• She hesitates, like she wants to ask more, but then she just shakes her head and walks away. I watch her go, her ponytail swaying as she moves toward the crowd of impatient hands waving for her attention.
• I take a sip of my drink, my eyes still on her. The night's only just begun, and I can already feel it-something's coming. Something big.