Chapter Six
Ifind myself drawn back to Sara’s room again and again, caught in a nightly ritual of obsession. She is my addiction. Her presence is a drug I can”t resist. And the hunger to possess her, the urge to take her is only growing stronger.
How I longed for her light.
I can hear her crying above me. I want to crawl out from under this bed and wrap her in my arms. I knew that a few people around town had recognized me. I still had that rugged, rebellious look, albeit a little more cleaned up. I make good money. Better than anyone else in this fucking town.
And I was here to collect Sara. I just had to make sure she was ready.
Now, I know she is. She came like such a good girl for me last night, her pussy squeezing down on my fingers. I came not long after she did, and placed my cum again where it belongs—inside of her. She found it this morning but didn’t understand. If she had, I know she wouldn’t have simply tossed them into the hamper.
I don’t think she’s all that experienced, otherwise, I think she would’ve recognized what was there between her legs. It was a good test, and she passed it. I think she’s waited for me, which is great. Because I’ve fucking waited for her. And it would be a damned shame if she’d been off with someone else…
Nope. Don’t even think about it.
Holding my breath, I listen to her sob for a few more minutes before collecting herself. Luckily, Will didn’t try to put his hands on her. That would’ve ended badly for him. However, the fact that she’s crying the way she is… Did she really think I wouldn’t come back for her?
She cries as if she thinks I broke my promise. I’d never do that. Not to her. She’s my entire fucking world. She’s the reason I exist on this earth, and I’ll show that to her. I will. But not today.
I tilt my head to catch sight of my watch. I need to get out of this room. Because while I want to spend all my time with Sara, I also have to keep my business running, and I have a meeting in thirty fucking minutes. I can’t stay under this bed.
A deep, ragged sigh comes from above me. “It’ll be fine.”
I furrow my brow. Of course, it’ll be fine. I’m right here, and I can keep her safe again. Nothing will happen to her. Besides, in the time I’ve been gone, I’ve gotten really good at dirty work—and I know it’s time to solve this problem once and for all.
My gaze stays fixed on Sara’s feet. If I had a foot fetish, I’d be in heaven, staring at the back of her heels. All I’d have to do is blow out a big breath, and I’d tickle her skin. My head plays with the idea, thinking of grabbing her ankles and bringing her down to my level. I’d crawl out and take what’s mine…
”Fuck,” I exhale in a whispered hiss as my shaft strains against my pants. I’m getting hard again. I grit my teeth and do my best to adjust in the small space that I have. It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic, because I can barely lift my head from the floor.
Finally, with one more choppy breath, Sara gets to her feet. I can’t see much of her, but it doesn’t matter all that much. She slips out of the room and shuts the door, giving me my shot at freedom.
I scoot quickly to my left, choosing the side closest to the window. As I crawl out, I roll my shoulders. My muscles are taut and tense from having crammed my body under there for hours. I had no intention of staying under there for the night, but when I had ducked out of her view as she woke up, I found my place under her bed.
And stayed.
But now, I need to get out of here. I head for the window and, with a grunt, slide it upward. I heard the lecture about the open window and the fact that Will knows I’m back in town.
I like that, and as I crawl out through the open space, I smile. I don’t want to get Sara in trouble though, so I close the window behind me. My mind replays what I heard from Will and Sara as I slink back to my car, which is parked a couple streets over. Will sounded concerned—and he should be.
He still sees me as a threat.
And fucking rightfully so.
I’m coming for them.
I unlock the door of my car and slide in. My cell phone starts to vibrate, buzzing obnoxiously in my pocket. I’m glad it didn’t do that when I was under her bed. She would’ve heard it. As I answer, I make a mental note to silence it completely next time.
“Hey Carlos.”
“Where are you, boss? I don’t wanna deal with this guy on my own.” My associate—or maybe he’s more like an employee—sounds nervous.
I chuckle. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“He’s gonna be here before then,” he mutters.
“Yeah, and you’re gonna tell him I had some shit to take care of this morning, so I’m running a little late. If he feels disrespected, he can go fuck himself. In fact, I wouldn’t be mad if he did, anyway.”
Carlos lets out a muddled groan but doesn’t object. He knows the drill. He knows that I show up when I want to. That I’m the fucking king of this empire. I earned it after years of being the shit on the bottom of someone else’s shoe.
“I’ll be there shortly,” I say and hang up. I don’t feel like spending my entire driving time coaching Carlos not to be a pussy. The drug dealing business isn’t an easy one, and I make sure our cocaine is cut properly. It’s high value, not like the shit that you find in the middle of a dank, dark alley somewhere. We only work with the best.
We are the fucking best.
I don’t use though. When I ended up being Ben Grenado’s little bitch for years, he was the one who taught me never to use what I sell. Or anything else, for that matter. Why? Because if you’re using, you’re taking cuts into what could be money—and also, you don’t want to get addicted to the stuff. You need to be clear-headed and focused.
So, I’m squeaky-fucking clean. You’re never gonna catch me snorting a line with my clients, and now, I don’t even see the product. I have people for that. Ben works his territory, and I work mine.
Five minutes later, I’m pulling into the parking lot of an old warehouse on the industrial side of town. We don’t store all our gear here, but I’ve created a sort of front business—which looks like an ecommerce storage location. We sell random shit on the internet, and strangely, it makes a lot of money in and of itself. It’s a legitimate business, and in the mix is the not-so legitimate business.
I step out of my black Mercedes and head for the building. Everyone who works has the day off today, so it’s empty. That’s how I prefer it when I’m meeting high-caliber clientele—especially when they belong to the Mexican cartel.
“Good morning,” I greet Sam Hernandez, extending my hand.
The dark eyed, intense man returns the notion. “Buenos dias.” His voice is thick and deep; the kind that rattles your core, no matter how many times you hear it. His wavy hair is tussled from the whipping morning wind. It’s borderline chilly for spring, but I don’t let my weakness show.
Drug lords don’t feel the cold.
“Shall we head inside to discuss things?” I offer, eyeing the area around us. It’s busy here for a weekday, even if my compound is quiet. The razor wire around the top of my chain link fence stands out, but thankfully it’s never questioned.
“Good idea,” Sam says as Carlos rocks back on his heels. He’s a stout, chirpy man. He was a gift from Ben, when I was given my own territory, and while he’s antsy at times, he’s helpful.
“Sorry for being late,” I add to Sam as we head for the main entrance. “I had something to take care of this morning.”
“Your late is still my early,” Sam laughs. “I understand you’re a busy man. I am, too, which is why I’m glad you still arrived two minutes before our meeting time.”
I smile coolly, but the guy’s a dick. Clearly.
“Should I make coffee?” Carlos asks as we step inside, and I lead him toward my upstairs office. I keep the place nice, a mix of luxury and modern day industrial. I give him a nod, and he scurries off toward the lounge.
“Ecommerce, huh?” Sam laughs as we arrive on the second floor. He eyes the ornate glass railing overlooking the main storage area. “Never would’ve thought Ben would approve of this front.”
“Well, it’s hardly suspicious, don’t you think?” I glance over at him. I need to be working on my plans for Sara, and maybe that’s why I’m internally in an atrocious mood. But I hold it together, opening the black steel door that leads us into my domain. I have many of them. This is just one.
I gesture toward the black leather chairs facing my desk, as I walk to my own behind it. The walls are lined with shelves full of books—most of which I have read several times. I like that they give the appearance that I’m an academic. But in truth, the only thing I want to read is Sahara Walker.
“So, Ben says you want to expand your territory to include Houston.” Sam grunts as he takes a seat. “You know that’s going to step on a lot of toes, amigo.”
“And that’s why I need you.”
He tsks at me, shaking his head. “And what is in it for me?”
“What do you want to be in it?” To be honest, I’ll bend to just about whatever they want. I need as much territory as I can get. I’ve built myself an empire, but the bigger it is, the more I have to pass down to my future children. Of course, I don’t want them in the drug business, but I’m building trust funds for them. Sara will be proud.
“You know the family doesn’t take lightly to making small cuts where profit is concerned,” Sam says, just as Carlos enters the room with two mugs of coffee. I hope like hell he used the expensive shit, but I don’t question him as he hands one to each of us. He then goes to stand in the corner of the room. Sam glances over his shoulder.
“No security. We already decided that, Aiden. Send him out.”
I laugh. “You think he is my security?”
Sam doesn’t smile, so I wave Carlos out. I hate dealing with assholes who can’t laugh at anything but their own jokes.
“The family will help you with your expansion, but you have to give us fifty percent of the profits. In addition to that, you let us choose who runs the product. The family doesn’t like trusting anyone to handle their shit.”
“I’ve been handling their shit just fine for years.” My voice is full of authority, and the atmosphere grows tense. “But if that’s what they want for this expansion, then that’s what they’ll get. You all already have boots on the ground in the city, anyway.”
“We do, but it’s always nice to have more. You’re efficient with your business, so we’re willing to change hands. Also, I’d love to meet your wife. Ben has spoken to me about how lovely she is.”
“Ah,” I nod, suddenly unable to hide my smile. “We’re not married yet, but we will be.”
I just have to sort of kill off whoever is standing in the way.