Page 55 of High

Rafael wasn’t looking at me, though, rather over my shoulder with a strained expression. I followed where he was staring and sighed when I saw Killough and Morrissey making their way down the beach. They moved at a sedate pace, but they were heading my direction.

“Go back to the car, Rafa.”

“Jefe—”

“I can handle Killough. He won’t touch me in Pleasant Beach. He and Odin are friends.”

Rafael didn’t look like he believed me, but after a huff, he left again, trudging up the sand while sending Killough glares over his shoulder. I didn’t blame him, not after Killough threatened to take out Joaquin, but that was a problem we could deal with later.

Killough and Morrissey finally reached me, and it was a strange sight. The Irish bastard wasn’t wearing his usual suit, instead choosing something more beach appropriate with a pair of shorts and a navy polo. What didn’t surprise me was that his shirt was still Ralph Lauren. I supposed even in clothes such as these, Killough liked top quality. To my irritation, I didn’t blame him. I was the same way.

“Hola,” I greeted them, eyes narrowed.

Killough and Morrissey were holding hands, and as far as I could tell, there weren’t any guards following them. I wouldn’t have been surprised if they were like my own men, hiding somewhere and still watching.

They stopped in front of me, and Morrissey cocked his head, as though showing off the collar on his neck. Unlike Killough he was shirtless, leaving a twisted reddish scar on his left shoulder visible, with a pair of swim trunks that reached the middle of his thighs. The trunks were light blue with pink crabs on them. His chest, while slim but defined with muscles, had more light scarring and a small but barely visible tuft of hair spattered across his pecs.

“Like what you see, Reyes?” Killough drawled, eyes narrowed on me.

I chuckled. “You don’t need to worry, Killough, I don’t have any plans for your pet.”

“You’d be an idiot if you did.”

Morrissey rolled his eyes and grinned.

“Aren’t you cold, though?” I asked, nodding at his shirtless body.

He glanced down at himself and shrugged. “I’m from New York. It’s not that cold right now.”

“Wait until midmorning. You won’t be able to handle the heat.” It felt weird to converse with Killough and his pet like this. I couldn’t remember a time when we were anything but at each other’s throats. Being near Killough meant I was in danger because we both had prices on each other’s heads. Now we were having a conversation like two old friends. I fucking blamed Odin for that.

“Nice show you put on last night,” Conall said, crossing his arms and smirking. “It definitely set the mood.”

I snorted because I’d heard the rumors about Killough and his pet’s sex life. They regularly fucked in front of Killough’s men without an ounce of embarrassment. I never thought I’d be the kind of man who’d enjoy dicking Manny in front of other people, but claiming him that way was hot, and just the thought of what we’d done set my blood on fire.

“I’m glad we could entertain you,” I said, glancing out toward the ocean and the large waves. Manny had caught one and I couldn’t look away. The wave carried him, and he rode it like they were connected. Watching him like this had always made me wish I could surf, but it was an experience just to watch him work his magic.

“He’s good,” Morrissey murmured.

I nodded. “He was born on the waves.”

“Do you know how to surf?”

I snorted and returned my attention to him. “No. He was going to start teaching me today. Manny and I grew up together, and he always promised he’d teach me. We never got the chance.”

“Too busy taking over your father’s empire?” Killough asked simply, but there was an underlying warning in his tone.

“Something like that.” I turned toward him fully and crossed my arms. “You don’t own America, Killough. I’ll take whatever pieces of it I want.”

“Don’t get too cocky, Reyes. It never works out well.” He released his hold on Morrissey and stepped closer. I saw my men gather at the beachside out of the corner of my eye, and I raised my hand toward them to make them stay there. “It’s a shame you’re so intent on making deals with Sasha Markow. We could have come to an arrangement.”

I laughed. “Is that how you deal with men you can’t seem to beat, Killough, you ask them to become partners with you? I’ve heard the way you do business. You make it seem like you’re partners, but in truth, they’re nothing more than the shit under your shoe. That won’t work well for me, you see. I’m not going to be anyone’s puppet. Once we leave Pleasant Beach, that price will be back on your head.”

Killough stroked his chin and chuckled, turquoise eyes lighting up in anticipation. “Your father tried for years.”

“Don’t underestimate misicarios.”

“Just as you shouldn’t with my assassin. The only reason Ardan hasn’t taken you out, Reyes, is because I have bigger fish to fry. You say that I treat my partners as though they’re shit on my shoe, but you? You’re not even that.” He darted a look in Manny’s direction. “We both have someone we care about. Keep him close, Reyes, because you have a weakness now. At least I take the proper precautions to protect what’s mine.”