KICK ASS: A Boxed Set by Julie Leto Page B

woman.
    “You’re here because of me,” he reminded her, wanting to make sure things were on the up and up. Not that she deserved the truth after what she’d pulled the other night, but after hearing the whole story from his mother and knowing everyone who loved him had been convinced he was jumping bail, thanks to Blake, he’d actually found Marisela’s technique damn clever. “I’ll stick around long enough to make sure you can still leave if you want to.”
    “Aren’t you already signed on?”
    Frankie growled. “Blake doesn’t own me.”
    “Did you introduce him to Nestor Rocha?”
    Frankie cursed. “Even I’m not that stupid. Everyone with ears knows that Rocha hated your guts. No, when I pulled a disappearing act on Blake, he decided he wanted you anyway. He knew I’d been in los Toros , figured whoever knew me knew you, so he found the gang. Nestor jumped at the chance to help him out.”
    “So he could kill me.”
    “After he raped you,” Frankie reminded her.
    Marisela half-grinned. “He should be so lucky. Now, he’s dead. Is Blake why you were going to jump your bail?”
    With a bitter laugh, he tossed the medical supplies back into the case and squeezed the clasps shut. “I wasn’t going to abandon my parents, Marisela. You should have known that.”
    “I haven’t seen you in ten years, Frankie. The last time we spoke, family loyalty wasn’t exactly on the top of your list. I did what I had to.”
    Yes, she had. He had no doubt who’d leaked the news to his parents that Frankie was going to skip town. Ian Blake’s power wasn’t as far-reaching as he liked people to believe, but he could be a highly effective, manipulative pain in the ass when millions of dollars were on the line. The first minute Frankie had shown reluctance in accepting Blake’s offer, the wheels had been set in motion. Blake and his operatives had set out to prove to Frankie that if he didn’t pony up on their deal, he’d land right back in jail, courtesy of drugs planted in his car. Just as easily, Blake had retained the hotshot lawyer who wrangled his release in less than five minutes. For now Frankie was in—no matter what he told Marisela.
    “After the pendejada with Rocha, you still want to hear what Blake has to say?”
    Marisela narrowed her eyes, clearly trying to pick up a clue from his expression, which he was careful to keep guarded. She had to make this decision for herself. His opinion of Marisela’s potential effectiveness as a partner had not changed. With her on his side, they could complete this mission and he could milk Blake for the last cash injection he needed to kiss this life goodbye forever. She was smart and fast, and wouldn’t screw him over unless he screwed her over first.
    “Your old homeboys tried to kill me, Frankie, not Blake. And as for Rocha, he would have hunted me down at some point, so I’m just glad Blake’s guys were there to clean up the mess. The only thing your rich friend has done for me so far is make my bank account fatter than it’s ever been—and that’s just a good faith deposit. My family is safe, thanks to you, and I’ve got a shot at something…”
    Her voice trailed off. She likely had no clue the level of danger their assignment would entail. And he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to tell her.
    “Something what? This isn’t the movies, Marisela. This isn’t fake bullets or cartoon bad guys. This is the real world. I don’t know if you’re ready.”
    He cursed the minute the words spilled from his lips. Shit . Determination flashed in her eyes like fireworks.
    She stood, tossed the bloodied jacket onto the bed and marched to the door, which she wrenched open with a powerful tug. “I’m up for anything you’re up for.”
    Frankie clucked his tongue, certain the condescending sound would keep her from leaving. “Your competitiveness could get you killed, Marisela.”
    She spared a glance at her bandaged arm, then leveled her stare at him. “So