Page 94 of Love Me

She wouldn’t know what he looks like.

“Is that right?” I ask, coming to stand in between him and Monique.

She steps beside me and gives me a funny look. “Yes, he’s an art admirer himself.”

“How could I not be in this neighborhood?” the bastard says, speaking for the first time since I entered the gallery. “I’m thrilled to see another woman-owned gallery entering the market. Ms. Richmond was just telling me about the artists she plans to feature here in the gallery. I think it’s very brave of her—”

“I’m sure you do. But as you can see, the gallery isn’t open yet. You should leave. Both of you,” I say the words as calmly as possible but the fists at my sides are a dead giveaway of how much I want to punch this motherfucker in his face.

“Diego,” Monique scolds.

I ignore her.

“Matter of fact, why don’t we speak more outside?” I grab Garcia by his arm.

He grunts in pain from the bruising hold I have on his arm. I glance over my shoulder to see the bastard he brought with him following us outside as well.

Behind us, Monique asks me what the heck I’m doing.

“I’ll be right back, babe.”

My entire concern is to get this bastard and the asshole he brought with him out of her gallery and away from her.

I pull him out of the door and toward the alleyway that’s a few buildings down from Monique’s gallery.

“Get the hell off of me,” Garcia yells, snatching his arm away. At the same time the bastard who was in there with him comes up behind me.

“I will fuck you up,” I tell him as he gets too fucking close.

“Leave him be for now,” Garcia says like he’s a fucking don with his own personal bodyguard.

“I told you the next time I saw your face I would break it, didn’t I? Did you think I was playing? And you have the audacity to show up at my woman’s business?”

I move on him, but he leaps back and holds his hands up.

“Now you know I mean business,” he dares to say. “I’ve been calling you for weeks and you’ve been ignoring me.”

“Why the hell are you still calling? How many ways do I have to tell you to fuck off before you to get it? I’m done talking.”

I lunge for him; all I see is red. The fact that he would dare to come to Monique’s gallery as a way to get to me, tells me he doesn’t value his life.

“Get the fuck off of me,” I yell at the burly motherfucker behind me.

He lets out a grunt from the swift elbow I give to his midsection. But he recovers and starts to advance on me. I’ll beat the living shit out of both of these fuckers, if need be.

“Look, I’m not looking for a fight,” Garcia says, coming in between me and the fucker.

“The minute you showed up to my woman’s gallery that’s exactly what you got.”

He jumps back when I start for him.

“It doesn’t need to be this way,” he claims. “I came just to let you know how serious I am. All we want is for you to show up at this meeting we’re having in a few days. We’ll go over how you can forward us the money.”

“Who the fuck is we?” I bark at him.

“Your brothers. Me and Rodrigo.”

“Call yourself my brother again and I beat your head into the fucking concrete.”