Free Angels Don't Cry: A Biker Erotic Romance by Kay Perry Page B

about, I'll be in the office after this meeting for the rest of the day and most of tomorrow. Kathy? Take the bar please." Then she took the top off the long-neck in her left hand, and lifted it into the air, declaring, "To Jim!"
     
    "Safe wind!"
     
    ***
     
    Ramirez Pagan was dressed casually for a cartel member. Gray dress slacks, polished black leather shoes, and a gray striped short sleeved dress shirt with no tie or jacket. He was tall for a Mexican, standing slightly higher than Lizzie. The two men with him were dressed in similar fashion.
     
    Lizzie knew Ramirez from previous meetings. His position appeared to be slightly above an enforcer, putting him roughly in the center of middle management. She understood the dress code was on purpose, to show they were unarmed and to project an informal visitation. The timing told her that there was nothing informal about the visit. They were checking up on the club, inquiring about changes in the leadership, and making sure that business would not be interrupted.
     
    Lizzie sat behind the desk in the office. The office was actually a room intended for private parties, but it was from here that Uncle Jim ran his world, and now Lizzie would run it from here. Liam leaded easily against the wall to her left. Roady sat in a padded chair against the wall to her right. Both appeared to be bored, except in the eyes.
     
    She gave Ramirez, sitting in one of the visitor chairs across the desk from her, a nod and a hint of a smile. "You were offered a drink?"
     
    Ramirez nodded. "We can't stay long. We only came by to give our condolences and to introduce ourselves to the new leader."
     
    "Lucky I'm here then," she answered.
     
    There was a glimmer of doubt in his eyes, but before he could respond Lizzie asked, "How is Isabella?"
     
    Isabella Casas, after her husband was killed in a firefight, ran the Tijuana cartel for three years, with grand success, until she determined that her son was ready to take the reins. The reference was not lost on Ramirez.
     
    He replied, "She is good. Still enjoying her retirement, but is busy as usual."
     
    "I'm happy to hear that," she said in return.
     
    "I wasn't aware that you were acquainted with the Señora."
     
    "I met her briefly three years ago. I doubt that she would remember, but she made an impression on me," Lizzie told him.
     
    "She tends to do that," Ramirez answered with a slight grin. "She makes lasting impressions."
     
    So do I, if you fuck with me, Lizzie thought to herself. "So, what can I help you with?"
     
    Ramirez studied her for a moment and then came to a decision. "You are, of course, aware of our business next week?"
     
    "Of course, and there will be no delays or problems on our end," Lizzie said, referring to the drug drop that was coming in on Wednesday. "Have there been any changes on your end I should be aware of?"
     
    Ramirez expressed a casual denial with a slight shake of his head and a purse of his lips. "Nothing. Nothing has been hindered."
     
    "Well, I'm grateful you found my Uncle's passing important enough to attend to personally. I'm sure he would have been pleased as well."
     
    "Jim Walker was a very interesting and formidable man. I enjoyed working with him a great deal. I had great respect for him," Ramirez said with a level of honesty that Lizzie found intriguing. The Road Knights were not a large club, boasting just over a hundred members. Their territory, while kept secure and unchallenged, was small when compared to the rest of the cartel's distribution network in this area of the state. Uncle Jim was a minor king—actually more like a land baron. A big fish in a small pond.
     
    Ramirez seemed to see her thoughts and inquired, "Did you know that he and I played chess?"
     
    Lizzie lifted an eyebrow. "No, I didn't realize you spent that kind of time with him."
     
    "Across the Internet of course. We had a running game going most of the week," Ramirez explained. "Do you happen to play?"
     
    "I