6. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Miguel
It took every ounce of strength I had to walk out of that room last night. I knew if I had looked back, I'd keep my ride waiting way longer than intended. My guards had stayed outside, making sure no one tampered with the car. I can't be too careful these days with all the targets on my back. No one knows I’m here, but it wouldn't take them long to find me, especially not a man like Marcus.
By now he already knows exactly where I am. I couldn’t stop myself the moment I'd opened my mouth. Something inside me needed him to know. I bit my tongue to keep from saying all the things I'd wanted to tell him. One was louder in my head than others. Every time my lips came near his ears, I wanted to whisper, “ I’m here, mi amor and I’ll never leave you again. ”
What if he needed to hear it as much as I needed to say it? I couldn’t risk our time being tarnished due to my greed. How could I not want more when he’s around? He’s always been a beacon of hope, the flame that’s guided me through the dark. I had wanted to drown in his light, not caring if I burned in the process.
On the way back to the hotel last night, I sat in the back seat of one of the rental cars, replaying his moans and movements. He was as beautiful as I remembered. I let myself get so lost in the past, imagining we were back in the same hotel we'd used to meet in. The place that was once ours. Being in a private room with him at the club last night had made me realize, the location didn't matter. We could have that place anywhere as long as we're together—escape any troubles and stresses headed our way.
Wishing to be back in a private room with him, I pace back and forth in front of the bed in the hotel room, occasionally glancing out the window. Not even sure what I'm waiting for anymore. I'd booked a large suite and rented two cars for the next few days. Something in the back of my mind tells me those few days may turn into weeks if he keeps going back to The Red Dungeon. I'd make sure I am the only one who touches him every time.
Mateo would have to continue standing in my place, but I know it won't be a problem when he has Gabriel at his side. I’ve watched Mateo grow over the last few years, flourishing and thriving. I used to be worried he couldn’t handle taking over, but now I know I’ve been wrong all this time. He's more capable than I’ve ever given him credit for. It’s in his blood after all. He’s a Juventino. One day, he and Gabriel will fully take over and I will follow Marcus all over the fucking world, continuously making sure he’s safe. Even if I have to remain hidden in the shadows, never being allowed to touch him again.
The door clicks open, and I stop moving, continuing to glance out the window.
"I got here as soon as I could,” the recognizable voice says from behind me. Able clears his throat. “Made sure everything was taken care of before I left. Cesar told me you needed me here more."
I nod, not glancing back. I'd have to face Able's worried eyes if I did. After meddling in my business last night, sending Carl back home is the right choice. His only job was to get me to and from the club safely. One of my other guards caught him snooping around my car, trying to get information from the club owner, demanding who I was there to see. Something about him had rubbed me the wrong way the minute he picked me up from the airplane's landing strip. Able should have been with me the whole time. He's the only one I can truly trust.
"I'm glad you could finally make it. I need you to do something for me."
"Que es?"
"I need you to plant this tracker under someone's car. Let me know when it's done."
I pull out a sheet of paper and hand it to him. He takes it from me and slides it inside his coat pocket. "Consider it done."
Able doesn't question who the person is and does as he's told. It's the reason he's worked for me so long and has always been one of the very few men I depend on the most. He exits the room and I pick up my phone to make a call. There's only one way to know if I've made an impression on my play partner last night.
"Red Dungeon, this is Venny speaking."
"Hola, Venny. This is Mr. Ortega. I'd like to schedule another visit at the club this week. Looking for a sub similar to the one last night."
"You're in luck. The exact sub from last night will be returning tomorrow night at eight p.m. and he asked to leave you a message in case you called again."
"And what message is that?"
"He said to tell you to meet him in the front of the club by the St. Andrew's cross and to let you know that there will be no rules this time."
I smile, gripping the phone tighter. "Tell him it's a date."
My hand shakes when I slide the phone back in my pocket. I exit the room unable to calm the fluttering in my chest at the thought of getting to touch Marcus again. One of my men stays behind and the other follows me to my car. He opens my car door before getting into the driver's side. "Where will we be going today, boss?"
"To Club Rio, to see my son."
The drive feels longer than it is. I hadn't seen Isaiah since he last came to my house, needing help rescuing his husband. This visit is definitely overdue. "You can stay here; I may be a while. Family reunions aren't typically a short thing for us."
Cesar pulls up in front of the club. "I'm not sure it's safe for you to go alone."
"Don't worry. I'll send you a message letting you know I'm all right. If you don't hear from me in ten minutes then you can panic."
Cesar sighs. "You have ten minutes. If I don't hear from you by then…"
"Then I expect you to come barging in, fully loaded like some mad man."
"Good." He smiles. "Because that's exactly what I plan to do, you stubborn ass."
I laugh, getting out of the car, slowly approaching the club's entrance. I inhale and exhale deeply before pulling open the door. There's a man standing on the other side collecting a cover charge and checking ID. "You know where I can find Carson? I was told he would be working today." Carson is the name Isaiah's gone by ever since he came to Kansas City to escape his troubles in Mexico.
"What business do you have with him?"
"Personal. Tell him Edmond Ortega is here to see him."
The man picks up the phone and I examine my surroundings. The club is mostly dark with fluorescent lights surrounding the dance floor and stage. "He'll meet you at the bar." The man's lips stretch into a thin line.
"Great, thank you." The music is louder the farther I walk into the club and there are a few men and women dancing in cages on the dance floor. My gaze travels around the room until it lands on a man standing at the bar in a dark suit, holding up a glass filled with green liquid. Isaiah is almost unrecognizable from when I last saw him. There's light in his eyes and his face is more alive, his skin flushed with color. He no longer appears empty, lost, and strained with worry. "Well look who decided to step away from his castle. To what do I owe this pleasure, old man?"
"I thought we could catch up and have a few drinks."
He takes a sip of his drink and sets his cup down behind him. Crossing his arms, his brows thread together. "Please. I doubt this visit has anything to do with some father-son bonding moment."
I chuckle, running a hand through my hair. "We never were really good at those, were we?"
He shrugs. "It was never our way." He reaches behind him and hands me a glass, the golden liquid sloshing back and forth as he holds it higher to the light. "You going to tell me why you're really here?"
I take the cup, glancing inside it hesitantly.
"Oh come on, you can't even trust your own son?"
"A man like me can't even trust himself most days."
He nods. "Vamos. Let's go someplace quieter. There's something I want to show you."
I send a text to Cesar like I had promised I would before I follow Isaiah to the back, flooded with curiosity. I don't ask if Marcus is here, because I doubt he'd be inviting me to stay longer if he was. I’d rather not come off as alarming in any way if I don't have to. He doesn't know I found out Marcus is alive. We walk through two double doors, and he pulls a key out of his pocket. He points to an elevator in the very back and I arch my brows, eyeing it with suspicion. "Do you have some secret office in the basement or something?"
"Something like that. You'll understand when we're there. Come on, I'll even let you keep clutching your gun if it makes you feel better." He grins pointing at my hand under my jacket.
Sighing, I drop my arm and walk toward the elevator with Isaiah beside me. "You know all the brass deliveries we keep getting?"
I nod, holding onto the wall with one hand as the elevator lowers. It’s always humorous to everyone I know, for a guy like me to be afraid of heights. I'm sure they'd find it even more ridiculous how much I dread going down a metal shaft in a tiny box that could stop working at any moment. Marcus had never minded taking the stairs with me even if he did hate the piss stench that flooded our noses on the way to our room. There’s a lot he put up with because of me. If only that day I could have done more to show my appreciation. So many times I'd lie in bed, recreating the past in my mind, saving Marcus the way I should have all those years ago. It only fills me with dread more, knowing those scenarios never happened.
I take a swig of my drink as Isaiah continues to talk. "The other day, one of my men went to one of the warehouses and the doors were open when they are always kept closed. Instead of following the rustling inside, he closed the doors, locking the intruders inside and called me. I got there as soon as I could and neither of the men trapped inside worked for me. Two of my guards were dead on the floor and surrounding them were a few—"
"Brass shells."
"Yup. These guys were clearly amateurs and not as smart as the last few guys who managed to sneak their way into our other properties without notice. That's the problem with hiring junkies to do your dirty bidding. They were too busy wasting time, shoving as much product into their bags as they could." He shakes his head, laughing. "Anyway, one is no longer breathing, and the other is chained in a cellar."
The doors open and we enter a massive space filled with leather furniture and a large TV on the front wall. On the opposite side is what appears to be a metal door latch closed. "He hasn't told us anything we need to know yet and you are the best when it comes to getting men to talk. I thought since you’re here, you could work your magic."
My lips stretch into a smile. "I can definitely give it a try. It has been way too long. First, we need to move him to an inclined surface and then I'll need a small towel, along with a bucket of water."
Isaiah grins, placing his hand on my shoulder. "I guess you did come for a father-son bonding moment after all."
As he turns around to open the latch on the steel door, I reach for my buzzing phone to check an incoming message.
Able : It wasn’t easy, but it's done.
Easy is the last thing I ever expect when it comes to a man like Marcus. Chances are he is well aware the tracker is there and is simply allowing me to have my moment for his own amusement.
I can only hope.