Chapter 27 #3
“Hmm … Nothing important. The one named Paola is talking about her daughter. Apparently, she’s on a soccer team, the Wolf Cubs, and is their best player. Now the other one’s asking if Elena—the daughter, I guess—will keep playing once she gets to high school next year.”
“So, nothing important indeed. It might take a while before we have interesting information. We don’t need to save everything, so I’ll program the feed to only record when there’s audio or movement.”
“Good idea, yes. Then all we have to do is wait, and hope our hunch is real, and Becker is a terrible person.”
We exchange a half-hearted smile, both knowing it might never happen.
As Nammota, we’ve both tried to expose that man, to no avail.
His finances took a slight dip, his stock lowered, and within a few weeks, he was back on track as if nothing had happened.
Whoever’s pockets this man is lining, they run deep.
Deep enough to preserve his image, no matter what.
If we want to destroy him, we’ll need something big. Something huge.
“Shit,” I exclaim, seeing the time in the bottom corner of the screen. “Is it late already?”
“We need to get ready.”
“Yes, I’ll shower first.”
“Or we could save time and water by showering together,” he suggests.
I snort. “When has that ever saved us time? Or water? Keep working, I’ll be quick.”
Because sometimes the stars align, my delayed birthday celebration, which is the perfect way to celebrate our breakthrough, is tonight.
After talking with Mace and the few girls invited, we decided to go for something a little more relaxed than clubbing and dancing.
It wouldn’t really be the same anyway, doing it here.
So, instead, I’ve purchased everything we need for some spa-quality self-care.
We’ll do that, watch movies that’ll take us down memory lane, and the bar is fully stocked.
I also contacted the Mexican food truck I took Lex to all those months ago, and earlier this afternoon, they delivered everything we need for a taco bar.
All we need to do is reheat some containers, and we’re in for one hell of a night.
I’m so ready for some quality time with the girls. I’m in severe need of it, actually.
After a quick shower, I jump into the outfit I prepared for tonight—a yellow sundress and ballet flats—while Lex takes his turn in the shower. I’m about to start working on my makeup when the intercom rings.
It’s Kate, who overshot a little in her attempt to beat traffic. I wait for her to come up after giving the green light to the concierge, and we salute one another with a hug. “How was the traffic?” I ask as we walk further in.
“Much lighter than I expected. I brought the good stuff,” she says, brandishing a bottle of tequila. She looks around after I take it from her, discovering the lush interior. “So, this is your humble abode?”
“I’m not sure humble is the word for it,” I mumble. “And right now, it’s mostly Lex. I haven’t had time to add my touch to it yet. The movers brought my stuff two days ago, and it’s been sitting in one of the guest bedrooms since.”
“One of the guest bedrooms?”
“Yeah, this place is huge. Do you mind if I show you around after I finish getting ready? Lex and I got caught up in our work, and we didn’t see the time pass.”
“Not at all, I’ll come with you. How … how is it going? Are you finding any dirt on the person trying to kill you?”
“Not yet. But I fear we’re playing the long game with this one, unless we get extremely lucky.”
She follows me to the master bedroom, and like an idiot with no memory span, I then lead her to the bathroom. I realize my mistake as we find Lex in nothing but a white towel wrapped low around his hips, moisturizing his face after having just trimmed his beard.
“Oh, hello there,” Kate says, unable to hide her amusement.
“Katherine,” he greets back with a nod and the ghost of a smile.
I quickly take my makeup bag, offer him a weak, “Sorry,” and grab my friend’s wrist to pull her out.
“Hot damn,” she appreciatively lets out. “Aren’t geeky nerds supposed to be fat, have pimples, and live in their parents’ basements?”
“That’s a very harmful stereotype against my people,” I reply, amused. “But I’m fairly certain Lex is the only one with abs like that.”
“Oh, I’d wager on that, yes.”
Her eyes are still on the door, and I can’t blame her for it.
Lex is a sight to behold, especially when he’s just come out of the shower, still wet and steamy all over.
I snap my fingers in front of her face, amused by her reaction to Lex.
She always had a thing for handsome men, which is why it makes no sense that she went after my brother.
“Snap out of it, blondie. He’s mine, and you’re taken.”
“Looking isn’t cheating. And if it can reassure you, I’d never cheat on your brother. I just can’t resist eye candy.”
“A shame you picked Rafael, then. His ugly mug will be the first thing you’ll see every morning for the rest of your life.”
“We need to work on your definition of ‘ugly.’ Your brother is fine as fuck. And he fucks so fine.”
“Lalalalala!” I chant, plugging my ears.
“Oh, come on. It’s not like I was telling about how amazing his long, thick—”
“Katherine Knox, I will throw you the fuck out of my house,” I threaten, slamming my makeup bag onto the chest of drawers with a mirror above it.
She laughs, very proud of herself, before raising her hands as a sign of surrender.
“Seriously, you hoe. It’s weird enough to know you’re banging him. I don’t need details.”
“Alright, I promise I’ll behave. But honestly, you can’t blame me for looking at Lex. Like MC always says, when God gives you eye candy, the least you can do is appreciate it.”
I finish my abuela’s saying with her, touched that she remembers that one.
“Have you been to see her?” I ask, feeling bad for not making the time to drive down to Portland.
“Yes, Rafa and I go every evening. She’s heading home tomorrow. They’ve cleared her. Everyone is very optimistic about her recovery.”
“Yeah, I heard. For now, the only unknown variable is her head injury.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine, Dee. If there’s ever one woman with a thick skull, it’s her.” I laugh, liking the fact that it is yet another thing I have in common with my abuela.
When I mess up my eyeliner for the third time, she extends her hand to take it from me. “Sorry,” I wince. “I haven’t done my makeup in two months.”
“It shows. Face up, eyes closed,” she instructs once I’m done cleaning up my mess.
She does one side, and I hear the bathroom door opening. When I look, Lex is coming out of it, his towel resting higher on his hips, up to his navel. Good boy. That trail of hair going down and those deep V lines are for my eyes only.
“Chop chop, you slut,” I urge Kate, closing my eyes for the second side.
When Lex comes out again, my face is done, and he’s wearing black suit pants and a crisp white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up his toned forearms. I haven’t seen him dressed up in a long time, and it definitely does something to me. That’s my man. And he’s as intelligent as he’s handsome.
The intercom’s ring fills the space again, and I check the time on the nightstand. Well, given how early it is, it’s probably Mason, who is early for the first time in his life, eager to discover the inside of Lex’s home.
“Let my late birthday party fucking start, then,” I tell Kate, offering her my arm.
“About damn time. We could have done that two months ago, as planned. So stupid of you to get shot,” she says as we walk out together.
“I know. I rate that experience zero out of ten. I would not recommend it.”
“Silly girl. All those superhero movies made you think you’re bulletproof, didn’t they?”
“I know you’re kidding, but my mom actually blamed my dad for putting those ideas in my head.”
“She did?” Kate asks, turning to me. “What a dramatic queen. I love her.”
“Mason is coming up,” Lex announces as we join him in the living area.
“Speaking of dramatic queens …” I turn to Kate and say, “You’ll love him. He’s a whole vibe, you’ll see.”
“I’ve heard so much about him, I can’t wait to meet him.”
“I’ll get the margaritas started,” Lex offers.
“Perfect, thank you, baby.”
This little distraction will be a lot of fun, won’t it? I’m not sure I even realized just how much I needed that, needed to see my friends and have some fun. And tonight, I’m determined to have as much fun as possible.
Our future is uncertain, and until we solve our little problem, I’ll live with one motto in mind.
Carpe fucking diem.