Chapter 24
Shay-Lee
P arking at our garage, I unbuckled myself and killed the engine yet stayed seated inside the still car. I’d had one hell of a day at work, and exhausted, I needed a moment for myself. Since returning home from Thailand two weeks ago, I’d buried myself with work. It was much better than being at home and, well, facing Jordan. While we hadn’t talked about what happened in Thailand, I still felt bad about it. Thankfully, he never brought it up.
In the morning following our fight and my sleeping with Camilo, we acted as if nothing ever happened. I suspected Jordan knew I didn’t spend that night in our suite, but he was kind enough not to ask me about it. Or maybe he wasn’t kind at all and just chose to look the other way. Denial was a real thing in our case, and I was happy about it. The truth was, never knowing how to live by myself, I preferred being with someone over being alone, and since I had no plan to go back to Camilo after what he did, Jordan was my best option. And speaking of the devil, after almost two weeks of silence, Camilo finally chose today to text me.
Opening my phone, I looked at the single message he sent me once more .
Impudent bastard: Can we meet up?
My eye twitched with rage just as it did the first time I read that lame-ass text this morning. This man sure had nerves. Asking to meet up? Yeah, right. Asshole . How about starting with apologizing for being the biggest jerk on this freaking planet? I swear to God, sometimes I wanted to kill this man with my own two hands. Not in the mood to get pissed again, I tossed my phone into my bag and got out of the car. Already knowing Jordan would be home, given the fact his car was in the garage, I wasn’t surprised to see him in the living room.
“Hey, babe,” he said, not tearing his eyes off the TV.
“Hey,” I answered while walking straight to the kitchen so I could grab something to drink. Placing my bag on the marble island, I noticed two empty mugs of coffee. “Was someone here?”
Jordan paused his show before half turning to look at me. “Yeah, my friend Dylan.”
I frowned. “Seriously?” Since Jordan always talked about this friend “Dylan” without showing any proof of his existence, I’d begun to think Dylan was an imaginary friend. Good to know he wasn’t…
“Yeah, he left not so long ago.”
“You should have told me he came over. I would have come earlier,” I said, pulling the orange juice out of the fridge. Picking up a glass, I placed it on the counter and filled it up. By now, Jordan had moved to stand by me.
“Well, I didn’t want to bother you. Besides, you could always meet him some other time.”
“I guess.” I took a sip when I noticed something in the corner of my eye. “What are those?”
“Oh, the architect sent us the final design for the pool area after he made the adjustments you asked for.”
I’d almost managed to forget we were building a house.
Moving toward the plans that were spread over our dining table, I studied them. They had already begun building, and if I wasn’t mistaken, now they were laying down the foundation and beginning framing.
“It’s coming along really well. They even started installing electrics and all,” Jordan mentioned, and I hummed because it wasn’t like I actually cared, as I’d already lost interest in that place. But since he was so enthusiastic about this project, who was I to ruin his excitement?
“Dylan said he can’t wait to see the house.”
This last comment caught my attention, and I turned to look at him. “You showed Dylan the plans?”
Rubbing the back of his head, he nodded. “Actually, before we came here, we stopped at the site, and I showed him around.”
The hell?
“He said you have good taste.”
Aww. I like compliments.
“He’s right.” I put my empty glass in the sink. “Anyway, I’m going to take a shower, so—”
“He also said that I probably owe you an apology for the way I talked to you.”
Apprehension kicked in, and I turned to face Jordan with my brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Jordan moved to stand in front of me and placed his hands on my hips. “I’m talking about the way I treated you during our vacation… I was in the wrong, and I’m sorry.”
Fuck. Now you bring it up?
“You talked to Dylan about it?” I tried changing the subject.
“Well, I felt like shit over it, and he helped me understand.” Offering me a kind smile that pissed me off, and only because I didn’t deserve it, Jordan then pulled me into a tight hug. “I’m really sorry, babe, for being such an asshole.”
Feeling suffocated, I patted his back, hoping he’d be done soon. “It’s really okay. I don’t even think about it.” Yeah, ’cause I’m too busy thinking about Camilo.
“You know I love you more than anything, right? ”
I do, and that’s a problem.
“Like, I’ll do anything for you. I mean it, Shay-Lee. You’re my everything, and I know I sound like a fool, but I’m just happy you’re mine.” He squeezed me tighter.
A lump of guilt formed in my throat, and I struggled to swallow it before I pulled back. Forcing a smile, I placed my hand on his strong jaw. “Stop with all this nonsense ’cause I’m not worth it. In fact, you have nothing to apologize for.” I looked between us and took a deep breath because maybe now was the time to confess. But once I glanced up and was met with his ocean-blue eyes, I was suddenly struck with rage. Pure anger, and for what? I had no idea what just took over me, but my body nearly vibrated with wrath.
“Babe?” he asked, snapping me back and making me realize I was staring at him without saying a word.
I gave him a half-hearted smile. “Sorry, I just remembered I’ve forgotten my laptop at my office.”
His brows pulled into a frown. “Can’t you pick it up tomorrow?”
Getting out of his hug, I was already reaching for my bag, which I’d left on the counter. “No. I’ve still got some work to do.”
“Want me to come with you?” he offered, and I was quick to say no.
“I think Vito’s still in the office, so it will probably take me time, and I know you have an early class tomorrow, so…”
Jordan pressed his lips together before he nodded. “Okay, just stay safe.” He kissed me goodbye and walked back to the couch.
I was already at the door when he spoke again.
“We’re still going to visit my mom next week for her birthday, right?” he asked out of nowhere.
Fuck , I’d totally forgotten about it, but feeling like I’d explode in the next moment if I didn’t get the hell out of there, I answered fast. “Yeah, sure. Just make sure to book us a flight after Saturday so we don’t miss Soren’s party.”
Soren was holding a small gathering for finally returning to work, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world .
“Okay,” Jordan said with a small smile right before I left the house.
Once seated in my car, I pulled out my phone and typed in an address. It wasn’t of my office but of Camilo’s place. The whole laptop crap? Yeah, pure bullshit I made up on the spot just to find a way out of that house. At first, I wasn’t sure why I was so angry, but then it hit me. It was because of him. Camilo, aka the impudent bastard . After all, he wanted us to meet, didn’t he? Well, the fucker was about to get what he asked for, and only so I could put an end to it once and for all. When Jordan looked at me with those loving eyes, I realized just how angry I was. Not just angry, furious, and what was a better idea than to let it all out on the idiot responsible for this mess?
“How the fuck does this shit work?” I mumbled to myself while attempting to make the elevator in Camilo’s building move. As I tried to close the collapsible doors, that old junk did nothing but rustle, and I wondered why the fuck people still used manual elevators to this day.
“Oh, you piece of cheap crap,” I grunted and was ready to kick that shit when I heard a low chuckle. Turning around, I found Camilo walking toward me with his hands shoved into his coat pockets.
“Why are you trying to break my elevator?” he asked with a half smirk.
“This shit doesn’t work.”
Not saying a word, Camilo stopped next to me and the elevator. Realizing he was waiting for me to step in first, I did, with him following behind. Then, without any effort, he closed the manual doors, pushed a button, and we began going up.
“I’m glad you came,” he said and tried caressing the back of my hand with his before I slapped him away .
“Don’t touch me.” I crossed my arms. “And just to be clear, I didn’t come here because of your text, so don’t get ahead of yourself.”
The elevator stopped, and he opened the doors.
“So why did you?”
Walking out, I went straight to his loft door. Only after we both stopped in front of the large metal door did I acknowledge him with my look.
“I came here to tell you I’m going to marry Jordan.”
Camilo glanced at me with a straight face for another minute before he pulled out his keys, opened the chains locking the door, and went inside. Shocked that he basically ignored me, I stayed where I was with my eyes glued on his doorway.
“Aren’t you going to say something?”
“What, like congratulations?” he asked from inside the apartment, his cockiness making my blood boil.
I tightened my lips and clenched my fists before stepping inside. Of course, I found him petting his stupid cat, utterly unfazed by my announcement.
“You are insufferable!” I barked while all he did was pick up his cat from the floor and laugh.
“Why? ’Cause I’m already used to your tantrums?”
“Tantrums?” My eyes widened, and I followed him into the kitchen. “How dare you?”
Camilo opened a cabinet and pulled out canned cat food. While he began opening the can, his cat walked around us in circles, his meows annoying the shit out of me.
Ignoring my question, Camilo bent down and placed the open can on the floor. “ Ahí tienes bebé, come para papá, ?de acuerdo? ” he told his cat before finally getting up and giving me the attention I deserved.
“So, what was it that you wanted?” he asked, sounding bored while scratching behind his ear.
“You’re a pig. You know that?”
He shrugged. “You mentioned it once or twice before. ”
My face heated up with anger, and frustrated, I bit the inner side of my cheek. “Aren’t you at least going to apologize?”
Leaning back against the counter with his arms crossed, Camilo eyed me. “Will it help if I do?”
“No,” I huffed.
“So nope.”
The amusement in his dark eyes drove me out of my mind, and I stepped closer until I was at his face.
“I fucking hate you.”
“You already said that, too.”
“I mean it.”
“Do you?”
“ Yes .”
His lips curved into a half smile, and then, without a drop of shame, he placed his hands on my waist and pulled me close until our hips bumped and I was locked in his embrace. Determined to get my point across, I ignored the touch of his fingers that dug into my lower back and didn’t budge.
“How dare you leave me there?”
“In Thailand?”
“Yes, asshole.”
“I had no other choice.”
“I have had enough of that excuse.” I jabbed my finger at his puffed chest. “And I’ve had enough of you.”
Camilo finally dropped the smile as anger slowly simmered behind those dark eyes. He pushed my finger out of his way before he cupped my jaw and brought me in until our lips nearly grazed. “And I’ve had enough of your games, Llorón. Coming here to tell me you’re going to marry that fucker? Are you seriously this desperate for my attention?”
Anger flared through me, and I felt like screaming. Instead, I raised my hand and slapped him with all the force I could gather. It seemed like other than making a loud noise, my slap had little to no effect. Dread filled the silence following the smacking sound, and I watched the muscle in his jaw twitch before he slowly dragged his eyes back to me. I expected him to retaliate, but instead, the hand that cupped my jaw thus far moved to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.
“Is that the best you have?” he drawled in a low-pitched voice that mocked me so cruelly, and I was ready to hit him even harder when a voice from behind us grabbed our attention.
I half turned to look over my shoulder and was confused to see a guy, or a kid, standing next to the entrance of the apartment while using the wall for support. Who the fuck was this ugly-faced dude? Yet before I could gather my thoughts, I was moved aside by Camilo, who ran toward him. Mere shock hit me at the fact Camilo, my Camilo , had just moved me aside to go and assist some—
“What the fuck happened to you, Oro?” he asked, voice full of concern, as he took this stranger into his arms.
My stomach flopped, and I had the strong urge to poke something with a stick, probably that fucker’s eye, before Camilo’s voice snapped me back.
“What?” I hissed because I didn’t quite listen to what he just said.
“I said bring me a wet cloth.”
Swallowing back the lump that formed in my throat at the sight of him holding someone else, I went to the sink. Somehow, I didn’t feel like hurrying up, and I took my time finding a towel and dampening it with water before going to Camilo’s couch, where he’d just laid the kid down on his back.
“Here.” I offered the wet cloth.
Crouched on the floor next to the couch, Camilo didn’t even turn away to take it from me and instead just snapped it out of my hand.
Fucker .
Pushing my jealousy aside, I finally took a moment to examine this kid up close, and… I wasn’t happy. I wasn’t happy because he was fucking gorgeous, with big pretty eyes and pouty red lips. Kn owing Camilo had a weak spot for broken boys, I bet seeing this guy lying on his couch with all those bruises did it for him.
Ugh. Listen to me. I’m so pathetic.
“What happened?” Camilo asked after cleaning most of the blood from… I think he said his name was Oro?
What a stupid name.
Oro coughed and tried sitting up when Camilo kept him down. “Don’t get up,” he said with a soft voice that made me roll my eyes. “You need to rest.”
My God, would someone please shoot me.
“It’s nothing.” Oro hissed with pain.
Yeah, sure. I rolled my eyes because I’d seen better acts in the drama club.
I stood there and began picking under my nails when the next words to come out of Camilo’s mouth made my heart stop, and I felt sick.
“Who did this to you?” he drawled, voice low. “Was it a client?”
The way he said that with pure danger dripping through his words and a promise to destroy the one responsible shining in his dark eyes hurt. But it didn’t just hurt—it scared me.
“I found the mole,” Oro said in a weak voice that captured Camilo’s full attention.
What mole?
“Who?” Camilo asked, and Oro quickly gave him the name of some guard who worked in the Venetian.
The Venetian.
So this was the dancer Camilo talked about when we were in Thailand? Glancing once again at Oro, he sure as fuck suited the job with his slim body and beautiful face. I bet he was popular, too. But before I could dive deeper into how much I hated this kid, Camilo stood up, grabbed my arm, and pulled me to the side of the room.
“I need you to stay here with him,” he said, and I frowned.
“What?” I gasped. “No way.”
Cupping my face in his palms, he held me close. “Please, Shay-Lee. I have to go for a while, but I need you to keep an eye on him in case something happens.”
My brows pulled close, and I somehow felt more desperate than angry. “Go? Go where?”
“I’ll explain everything later, I promise.” His fingers slipped to the back of my head as he softly caressed me, and being the weakling I was, I looked aside and sighed.
“Whatever.”
The speed at which Camilo dropped his hands and walked back to Oro was like a stab to the gut, and upset, I kept standing where I was. A moment later, Camilo grabbed his helmet off the counter and walked out of the house, leaving me alone with a stupid kid and a cat.