Chapter 13 Tommy
Tommy
A knock on the door wakes me up. It’s time for dinner with Isidoro. I answer that we are coming and roll to the other side of the bed. Like earlier, Niko has drifted off. For a few moments, I just watch his beautiful sleeping face, smiling to myself as my mind replays what we did earlier.
Fuck, I can’t believe this. Niko and I… I bite on my lip so I don’t squeal from joy and excitement. He’s mine and I’m his. Giddiness slithers into my stomach. The man of my dreams is lying in bed next to me, looking so peaceful and content after rearranging my guts. This is the best.
Stroking his cheek, I take inventory of my body, feeling a pleasant twinge in my ass. His dick was so big—he really wasn’t exaggerating about his size. I’m glad he took the time to prepare me before going to town on it, or I don’t think I’d be able to sit or walk.
Speaking of which… I gently get up, inspecting myself. I don’t feel icky or sweaty, realizing that he’s cleaned me up before falling asleep. Aww, that’s so considerate of him.
I locate my boxer briefs while fighting off a giant grin, then put on a dark brown shirt and a pair of white trousers and socks. All the clothes were waiting for me in the walk-in closet and they fit me like a glove. Niko’s friend sure is something.
Another knock comes from the door. “Mr. Altamirano is waiting for you in the dining hall,” a female voice says.
“Yes, okay! Sorry! We’ll be there in five!”
Right. I better wake up my dream man or they’ll know we spent the time since our arrival fucking like rabbits in heat. Throwing a glance at myself in the mirror, I run a hand through my hair to get it in place. Then I approach the bed.
“Niko, get up. It’s time for dinner.”
No response.
I shake my head, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Niko, wake up. C’mon. We’ll be late.”
He groans and mutters something, rolling over and away from me. I circle the bed and cross my arms. “Niko, get up right now or—”
A pair of arms envelop me, pulling me down onto the soft blankets. I squeal in surprise.
“Or what?” Niko teases, his voice low and sleep-laced.
He attacks me with kisses, pressing his lips to any part of me he can get to, including the curve of my shoulder and neck. I giggle like a kid, the tickling sensation too much.
“Or what, Tommy?” he repeats, slipping one hand under my shirt in search of bare skin.
I clear my throat and adopt a serious tone. “Or I’m going alone. I’m hungry as hell.”
“I thought I filled you up rather nicely,” he says matter-of-factly, sitting up and stretching those big arms. The muscles along them ripple and flex in a hypnotizing way.
I swat him playfully, then push off the bed. “Dumbass.”
“You didn’t think so earlier.”
“I’m not horny right now,” I challenge back, planting my hands on my hips.
He stands and tosses on a deep blue shirt, then faces me with the dark gray pants he’s about to put on still in his hands. “We should amend that.”
“Get dressed.” I roll my eyes and head for the door. “Round two will be after dinner. End of story.” Then to myself I mutter, “I can’t wait to see what fancy food Isidoro has prepared for us.”
“What was that?” An arm rests on my shoulders.
I look up and find Niko ready and smiling at my side. His hair is sticking out in all sorts of directions though. It’s kind of cute. “Have you made yourself presentable?”
“Hold on.” He slicks back his wild curls with his hand. “I am now. Let’s go.”
A member of staff is waiting for us outside our room.
He takes us down the opulent corridor to an even more opulent dining room.
Plants and marble statues grace the walls, while a stone fountain with koi fish sits graciously in the left corner.
Isidoro is standing by the wall-to-ceiling glass window, looking out at the indoor garden.
He’s wearing burgundy pants, dress shoes and a black ruffle shirt with red lace.
“Ah, there you are. I was starting to wonder if you were having too much fun and forgot about dinner,” he says knowingly, folding his arms as he turns around and smiles at us. He points to the table. “I am so glad you decided to grace me with your company, after all.”
We sit on gilded chairs. The plates and cutlery gleam under the crystal chandelier, and even the red tablecloth is endorsed with a golden string.
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world, old friend,” Niko says, raising his wineglass for a toast.
Isidoro mimics him and so do I, though I don’t take a sip. I’m not big on wine.
“Liliya.” Isidoro claps his hands. “Please start serving, dear.”
I look around the room, realizing we are missing one person. “Uh, where is Dona Chela?”
Isidoro nods. “Ah. She wasn’t feeling too well, so food has been served in her room. She apologizes for not being able to join us.”
“Oh. I hope she feels better soon.”
“One of my doctors will examine her once she’s gotten some rest,” Isidoro says, unfolding his white napkin over his knees.
I’m not sure how much a doctor will be able to do for her, but maybe they’ll have something to make the pain and discomfort go away.
“Keep us in the loop. If not for that woman, we’d be dead,” Niko says, his gaze distant.
“Will do, friend. Don’t worry. From here on, she’s in good hands.”
A feast like I haven’t seen before gradually fills the table. There is fried chicken, rice, beans, tortillas, chili, salads. I make it my mission to try every single dish.
“Everything is so delicious,” I say, leaning back in my chair and rubbing my tummy. I think I overate and they haven’t even brought out the dessert.
“The chef will be so happy to hear that you enjoyed her food.”
We eat quietly until the dessert and coffee arrive. That’s when Niko gives me a look.
“Are you sure?” I mouth when Isidoro says something to Liliya and isn’t looking.
Niko shrugs, arching his eyebrow. I take that as a yes. I raise my shoulders and nod.
“So Isi, I wanted to talk to you about something,” Niko starts, aiming a serious expression at his friend.
“Of course. What is it?”
“I omitted some details about the mess Tommy and I are in.”
Isidoro hums thoughtfully. “I thought you might have. You’ve really stirred the Crimson Crew’s pot, and I doubt it’s just because they found out you are alive.”
“Tommy, show him.”
I curve an eyebrow at Niko, but he just bobs his head. I don’t know if we should show Isidoro the gem, but he thinks it’s okay, so I trust him. And who knows, maybe the odd eccentric will be able to tell us what it is or why the Crew has gone bonkers over me stealing it.
“Okay…” I trace the outline of the stone in my pocket before I fish it out. Placing it in the center of my palm, I show it to Isidoro. “Here. I think they really want this back.”
His reaction doesn’t come immediately. For a few seconds, he simply sits still, eyes locked in on the gleaming stone. It’s like he’s been hypnotized, like he’s gone somewhere else entirely, even if his body still remains here.
I study the pretty red thing. I mean, it is beautiful in that ethereal way precious stones are, but I don’t feel the need to have an epiphany like Isidoro seems to be having just because I’m looking at it. To each their own, I guess.
“Where…” Isidoro’s voice comes out scratchy, like he’s fighting off the need to scream or growl at me. His eyes bounce from the stone to me, then from me to Niko, and then back to the stone, as if they can’t help it. “Where did you get this?”
A shiver runs down my back. I’d hug myself tight, but I’m still holding the stone. “At some posh-people party in New York. My friend and I went as staff. He disappeared, so I went looking for him and…”
“And?” Isidoro prompts me. There is urgency in his tone, like he really wants to know how I came into possession of the stone.
“There was this room. And these people with masks were doing something to my unconscious friend. I think they… killed him. Then they took his body somewhere. I waited to make sure they weren’t coming back, and then I went over to the table where he was lying.
It was full of jewelry and gold, and this stone was hidden in a secret compartment.
I don’t even know why I took it. I mean, I do—it was there and it looked important and I was freaking out and didn’t know what to do.
So I took it. That’s when this entire mess started. ”
Isidoro’s gaze darkens, shimmering with something deep as he leans in closer. “May I?” he asks, tipping his chin at my hand.
Instinctively, I tuck it away, clasping it to my chest along with the stone. He knows something. “First, tell us what you know about this stone.”
“Ten million,” he says casually. “I’ll give you ten million dollars for it.”
Ten million? My jaw hits the floor. I unfurl my fingers and throw a glance at the tiny thing. Is he seriously offering me ten million for it? That’s the kind of money that can change one’s life, set you up somewhere. Why is he willing to pay so much for this rock?
“Each. Ten million each, plus new identities, flights to Europe and a place to live,” he adds, aiming a pleading gaze Niko’s way.
My sexy gangster whistles. “Wow. You are offering a lot for a simple trinket. What’s up with that?”
Isidoro presses his lips into a line, his eyes flicking between the two of us. He stands, smooths out his pants. There is impatience in his movements as he paces over to the window and back, fiddling with the strap of his shirt.
“It’s an heirloom. A very important one to…
those like me. To you, it’s simply a pretty gem worth a million or two.
You won’t be able to fetch more than that.
But I’m willing to give you twenty, new lives, and anything else you might need to start over.
” He clasps his left cuff, rubbing the cufflink.
There is a slight bounce to his leg, like he can’t keep still even though he’s trying really hard to appear calm. It’s almost imperceptible, but the way the air around him grows tense with every passing second gives his restlessness away.