An excerpt from BEAST, Book Two of Boyle Heights Series
Allison
As much as Allison tried to concentrate and enjoy the delicious dinner Sonny’s mom had prepared, it was impossible not to think of Beast. She felt so damn responsible for his having to hide out now. She was only glad Marcelo’s friend had been willing to put him up for a few days until the coast was clear enough for him to leave town.
Nearly choking on her food when she read the text, she attempted not to look as panicked as this made her. So, she avoided making eye contact with either Lila or Sonny by keeping her eyes on the screen, and read the text again.
Marcelo’s friend was arrested tonight for possession with intent to distribute. He’s in jail now, and while it might be okay for Leo to stay at his place still, Marcelo said there’s a possibility his place may get searched for more drugs.
“Something wrong?” Lila asked.
Allison glanced up at Lila as casually as she could and let her know it was just a developing story. But she couldn’t sit still any longer. Grabbing her near empty plate, she excused herself to make a call.
For the millionth time, she thanked God there’d been too much going on at the time, and Lila had all but forgotten the name Eva used as the supposed boyfriend Ali was trying to move in on. On top of everything else Lila had, had to deal with, the last thing she needed was to know Ali was still in touch with Beast.
Jen explained again about Marcelo’s friend Ron getting arrested. “Marcelo’s not sure they’ll search Ron’s apartment, but if they do, that could be very bad for Leo, right? I mean didn’t he already miss checking in with his probation officer?”
“Yes, he did. He had no choice. He has to lay low.”
“Maybe you should call him and at least warn him. Let him decide.”
“But he can’t be seen on the streets, and I know he’ll refuse my helping him sneak out.”
“So, what are you gonna do?”
“How long ago did this happen?”
“Just now,” Jen said anxiously. “Marcelo walked out of the 7-Eleven where Ron was being arrested. Ron’s friends were let go, but they told Marcelo why they’d arrested Ron, and Marcelo called me.”
“Good.”
Remembering the stories Beast had told her about being arrested, Allison knew she had time before Ron got processed. She’d wait a few hours until Lila, who slept like the dead lately, was out for the night.
Allison didn’t even consider calling Beast. He’d leave before she could get to him. He’d want no part of her helping him. It’d been hard enough to convince him to take her help when she offered to sneak him into Ron’s apartment. But it was the least she could do. If it hadn’t been for her telling him about Eva using his name when she’d attacked her, this may’ve never happened.
He’d been convinced it was no coincidence as Allison had begun to think. Eva assured her it was just a random name Scar had told her to use. But Beast hadn’t bought it for a minute. With Scar so recently out of jail, he’d been sure there was more to it. Maybe someone was sending him a message.
Rushing around in her room putting together a small bag of her things, Allison shook her head. God, she could kick herself now for ever having mentioned it at all. He’d been livid because he thought maybe someone might’ve mistaken her for his girl—or just someone he cared about—and maybe that’s why she’d been targeted. As if he hadn’t already been so standoffish and reluctant to get any friendlier than their strictly business interviews. She’d tried to assure him it was all a setup for the sake of baiting Lila. That even Eva had testified that it had been. Still, he hadn’t been able to just sit still and let it go.
Allison waited until almost midnight when she was sure Lila and Sonny were knocked out. Then she waited until she was just outside Ron’s apartment to send the text she knew would worry Lila regardless, but she had to at least give her this. It might be days before this was taken care of. Rereading it one last time with a wince, she took a deep breath.
I had to leave very last minute and didn’t want to wake you. It’s that developing story I mentioned. I got a lead I have to follow up on. I may be gone a few days but DON’T WORRY. I’m fine. I’ll check in often and be home before you know it. Kiss, kiss, I love my sis!
With her heart at her throat, she hit send, got out of her car and hurried to the apartment, glad it was on the first floor. She lifted her hand, hesitating for just a moment before knocking on the door. Her heart pounded even harder when she heard noise on the other side of the door then saw the curtain on the side window move. “Beast?” she whispered.
The door opened, and there he was in all his glory in nothing but his boxer briefs with every tattoo on his bulging body exposed. His intense eyes devoured her from top to bottom just like they always did, making her heart spike further. Before she had a chance to say anything, he pulled her in and closed the door. Spinning her around in the dark room, he pinned her to the wall and pressed his hard body against hers. His snarled words against her ears both alarmed and aroused her. “What the hell part of ‘you need to stay away from me’ do you not understand, Jel?”