Oh, boy. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. But I wouldn’t apologize for stating my feelings. “I need to use the bathroom, if you don’t mind? Perhaps, I can go clean up and you can go do whatever you want with your woman.”
He turned to face me. He wasn’t as tall as Miguel, who was over six foot. El Jefe was probably around five-ten, maybe five-eleven. I was a solid five-foot-six. Taller than I’d like. Wearing Mary Janes made us pretty close to the same height.
“You don’t intimidate me,” I said as confidently as possible. “Don’t forget, you’re not forcing me to be here so I shouldn’t be forced to watch you make out with a woman.”
He stared at me, his nostrils flaring. He seemed to wear a scowl a lot. Did he know it made him look like a grumpy fart? Maybe it was intentional to intimidate. It wouldn’t work on me. I’d kill him with kindness like the nuns would tell me.
My gaze swept around the room. Everyone was staring at me, including Miss Sugar Lips.
This was super awkward and uncomfortable.
“Letty!” he yelled, not taking his eyes off me.
“Jefe, what are you doing?” Sugar Lips asked.
“Yes, El Jefe?” A scantily dressed woman appeared. She had light brown hair and bright blue eyes. She seemed young, maybe around my age.
“Take Silvia to your room and give her some clothes to wear.”
“Jefe, what are you doing,” Sugar Lips asked. “She doesn’t belong here.”
“Shut your goddamn mouth, Yoli. I about had it with you.” He pushed her aside and got nose to nose with me. “She’s right, though. You don’t belong here, but I said I’d help you. And I will.”
Where did this arctic blast come from? Before now, he seemed sort of nice, albeit with a grumpy expression. Now, he seemed annoyed with me. Perhaps, I’d already overstayed my welcome.
“Then I should go.” I reached for the leather strap of the purse Sister Lupita gave me, but it wasn’t there. “My purse.” I ran toward the door. Maybe I dropped it outside.
“Where are you going?” El Jefe followed me.
“My purse. I must have dropped it.” I retraced my steps, leading back to his Harley. “I need to find it. It had everything I need inside.”
“I don’t remember you bringing it.”
I bent at the waist, breathing deeply. “I need to find it. Please.”
“Lemme check with my prospect who stayed with the car.” He guided me to straighten up and he touched my chin. “We’ll find your purse, okay, Chiquita?”
“I can’t leave California without it.” I fell against his chest. “What’s in it is priceless to me.”
“I promise, we’ll get your purse.” His tattooed arms wrapped around me. He smelled of leather, cologne, and the outdoors. It was a perfect manly mix.
Everything about him soothed me, like a magic balm that healed every aliment known to man. Or maybe only known to me.
“I’m guessing there’s a billion dollars you’re freaking out over, right?”
“Sir, this is not freaking out. Believe me, you’ll know when I’m losing it. This isn’t it.”
His body shook as a chuckle rumbled in his chest.
“Um, Jefe. Did you want me to take her to my room?” the girl, Letty asked.
“Yes. Be nice to her, or I’ll blister your ass.”
“Oh my gosh. You hit her?” My limbs went stiff. Why did I get myself mixed up with a biker club? I should’ve waited for the tow truck, but I’d been too afraid to stay out in the open. Miguel and his men would have found me. I might be with them now, if it weren’t for Jefe and his crew.
“No, but I will if she disobeys me.” He pulled back and leveled his gaze at me. “I don’t hurt women unless they deserve it.”
“That statement doesn’t comfort me.”
