Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
Layla
I drummed my fingers impatiently on the steering wheel as we inched through the late morning traffic of San Diego. "Remind me again why I'm the one driving?" I grumbled, glaring at the sea of brake lights ahead.
"Because you're the only one who can weave through traffic like a maniac without getting us all killed." Alex tapped away on his tablet, eyes scanning rapidly over whatever intel was scrolling across the screen. "Take a right up here. The hotel should be two blocks down."
I jerked the wheel, cutting across three lanes of traffic to make the turn. Horns blared behind us as I smoothly accelerated down the side street.
"Jesus Christ," Sarge muttered from the backseat. "I think I left my stomach back there."
"Quit whining, old man. We're here."
I pulled up to the curb in front of a towering glass and steel structure. The Pendry San Diego loomed above us, its sleek modern facade gleaming in the California sunshine. Valets in crisp uniforms darted back and forth, whisking away shiny luxury cars.
I stepped out of the car, squinting against the bright sunlight reflecting off the Pendry's glass front. The salty tang of ocean air mingled with exhaust fumes and the rich aroma of coffee wafted from a nearby cafe. Palm trees swayed gently in the breeze, their fronds casting dappled shadows on the sun-baked sidewalk.
"Alright, you three secure the hotel," I said, tossing the keys to Alex. "I'm heading to that cafe to see what I can dig up."
Sarge frowned, his brow furrowing. "You sure you don't want backup?"
I waved him off. "I’m not a fucking rookie."
Without waiting for a response, I strode off down the bustling sidewalk. The cafe was only a few blocks away, nestled between a high-end boutique and a sleek tech startup office. The sidewalks were crowded with a mix of suited professionals, beach-ready tourists, and laid-back locals on cruiser bikes.
The cafe itself was a trendy, industrial-chic space with exposed brick walls and polished concrete floors. Potted succulents dotted the rustic wooden tables, and the heady scent of freshly ground coffee beans filled the air. A chalkboard menu behind the counter boasted an array of artisanal blends and fancy espresso drinks.
I approached the barista, a petite woman with vibrant teal hair and an impressive array of tattoos snaking up her arms. Her name tag read ‘Skylar.’
"Welcome to The Grind! What can I get started for you?" she chirped, her voice bubbly and bright.
I leaned in, lowering my voice conspiratorially. "Actually, I was hoping you could help me with something else. I'm looking for a friend who I heard likes to hang out here. Tall guy, dirty blond hair, kind of a douche-y vibe? Goes by Gage?"
Skylar's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of wariness crossing her features. "I'm sorry, but we don't really discuss our customers..."
I slid a folded hundred dollar bill across the counter. "Look, I'm not trying to cause trouble. He's an old friend, and I'm in town for a surprise visit. I just want to know if you've seen him around lately."
She hesitated, eyeing the money. After a moment, she palmed the bill and leaned in closer. "Yeah, I've seen him. He's been coming in pretty regularly for the past week or so. Always sits at that table in the corner." She nodded towards a secluded spot near the back, partially hidden by a large potted ficus.
"Has he been alone?" I pressed, keeping my tone casual.
"No, actually," Skylar said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "He's been meeting with this woman. Blonde, really pretty. They always sit at that same table and talk for hours."
My jaw clenched involuntarily. I forced a smile, trying to keep my tone light. "Oh yeah? What's she look like?"
Skylar's eyes lit up, clearly warming to the gossip. "She's gorgeous. Tall and slim, with long wavy hair. And she's got this scar on her left cheek—like a little crescent moon. Gives her a kind of mysterious vibe, you know?"
I nodded, filing away the details. The scar matched River's description. "Any idea what they talk about?"
She shrugged. "Can't really hear from behind the counter. But they always look pretty intense. Lots of leaning in close, speaking in low voices. Sometimes I see them passing papers back and forth."
Interesting. Definitely not just a casual hookup then.
"When was the last time you saw them?" I asked, sliding another bill across the counter.
Skylar's eyes widened at the second hundred. "Um, yesterday actually. They were here for a couple hours in the afternoon. Left together around 4pm."
"Thanks, you've been really helpful," I said, flashing her a smile. "One more thing—any chance I could take a look at your security footage from yesterday?"
Skylar's brow furrowed, but she hesitated for only a moment before glancing around the cafe. The place was buzzing with customers, so she leaned in closer. "Listen, I'm not supposed to do this, but I'll let you have a quick peek at the footage during my break for another two hundred. Gotta pay rent, so you caught me on a good day. Come back in an hour and use the backdoor. "Knock three times, then once more when I open the door."
Nodding my thanks, I left the cafe and made my way back to the car where Alex, Sarge, and River were waiting. "Well?" Alex asked, his foot tapping impatiently against the pavement.
"Got some promising leads," I said, climbing into the driver's seat. "We're waiting it out for an hour so I can take a look at their security footage."
The next sixty minutes crawled by as we cruised aimlessly around the block, checking our phones and trying to look inconspicuous while keeping an eye on the Pendry's entrance. Finally, my watch beeped 1:45 pm sharp.
"Time to go," I said tersely, pocketing my phone and opening the car door. "Stay here and keep an eye on the hotel. Text me if anything looks off."
I slipped around to the back of the cafe, my shoes crunching on broken glass and cigarette butts. The stench of rotting garbage assaulted my nostrils as I approached the dented metal door. I rapped three times in quick succession, then once more after a pause.
The door creaked open, revealing Skylar's teal-haired head. She ushered me inside quickly, glancing around nervously before shutting the door behind us. I slipped her the wad of cash and she tucked it into her pocket.
"Okay, we don't have much time," she whispered, leading me through a cramped storage area filled with boxes of coffee beans and industrial-sized jugs of syrup. "The manager's on break for another 15 minutes."
We entered a tiny office crammed with filing cabinets and an ancient-looking desktop computer. Skylar plopped down in the creaky desk chair and began rapidly clicking through folders.
"Here we go," she muttered, pulling up the security footage from the previous day. "That's them."
I leaned in closer, my eyes fixed on the grainy black-and-white image. There was Gage, looking infuriatingly relaxed as he lounged in the corner booth. Across from him sat a woman with long, wavy hair. Even in the low-quality footage, I could make out the distinctive scar on her cheek.
As I watched, the woman slid a manila envelope across the table. Gage glanced around furtively before opening it and pulling out what looked like a stack of papers. My eyes narrowed as he flipped through the documents, nodding occasionally. What the hell was in those papers? And who was this woman?
"Can you zoom in on her face?" I asked Skylar.
She rolled her eyes at me. “It doesn’t work like the TV shows, you can’t make pixelated footage clear by zooming in. She clicked a few buttons, enlarging the image.
It was still blurry, but I could make out more details now. The woman appeared to be in her early 30s, with delicate features and full lips. The crescent-shaped scar on her left cheek stood out starkly against her pale skin.
"Shit, my manager's coming back," Skylar hissed suddenly. "You need to go, now!"
I straightened up quickly. "Thanks for this. I owe you one."
She waved me off, already closing out of the security footage. "Just don't mention this to anyone, okay? I like my job."
I slipped out the back door just as I heard voices approaching from inside. As I jogged back to the car, my mind raced. The footage had confirmed River's intel about the mystery woman, and now I had a face, but it raised even more questions. What was in those documents? And why was Gage meeting her in such a public place?
I slid into the car, slamming the door behind me. "We've got confirmation on the blonde, and it looks like they were exchanging some kind of documents."
Alex leaned forward eagerly. "Any idea what was in them?"
I shook my head. "Couldn't make it out on the grainy footage. But whatever it was, Gage seemed pretty interested. It looked like they knew each other pretty well though."
Sarge's brow furrowed. "Could be intel on Raul? Something Gage collected while working for Raul? Maybe it’s blackmail material."
"Or he’s still pissed that we killed his buddies," River rumbled from the backseat. We all fell silent, considering the implications.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles turning white. The thought of Gage compiling evidence against the is—against me —made my blood boil. After everything we'd been through together, how could he betray us like this?
We parked a block away from the Pendry, not wanting to draw attention by pulling up to the valet. The cool ocean breeze carried the faint scent of salt and seaweed as we gathered our gear from the trunk.
"We'll enter separately and meet up in the room. Alex, you go first. River, wait five minutes, then follow. Sarge and I will come in last."
Alex nodded, slinging his laptop bag over his shoulder. He sauntered towards the hotel entrance, the picture of casual confidence.
As we waited, I found myself fidgeting nervously with the strap of my duffel bag. Sarge placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, his touch warm and heavy—familiar. "We’ll get the fucker, Lala.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself the fuck down. After what felt like an eternity, it was finally our turn to enter. As Sarge and I approached the gleaming glass doors of the Pendry, I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves, slipping seamlessly into an innocent feminine persona. The doorman nodded politely as he ushered us inside.
The lobby was nearly empty save for a few people milling about here and there. Polished marble floors stretched out before us, their pristine surface reflecting the warm glow of artfully placed lighting. Sleek leather couches and armchairs were arranged in intimate groupings, occupied by well-heeled guests sipping cocktails and tapping away on laptops.
A sparkling crystal chandelier dominated the center of the space. The air was perfumed with a subtle blend of sandalwood and citrus, a scent crafted specifically for the hotel. Oddly upscale for a narc on the run.
I approached the front desk, plastering on my most charming smile. The receptionist, a polished young woman with impeccable makeup, greeted me warmly.
"Welcome to the Pendry San Diego. How may I assist you today?"
"Checking in," I replied smoothly. "Reservation under Martinez."
As she tapped away at her computer, I let my gaze wander casually around the lobby. No sign of Gage or the mystery blonde. But then again, I hadn't really expected it to be that easy.
"Here we are, Ms. Martinez. You're in one of our Deluxe Suites. Thomas will escort you up?—”
“No need,” I said politely. “I know my way.”
I collected our key cards and headed for the elevators, Sarge following close behind. As we stepped inside the sleek metal car, I caught a glimpse of our reflection in the mirrored walls. We looked like any other attractive couple on vacation.
The elevator whisked us up to the 11th floor. I strode purposefully down the plush carpeted hallway, scanning the room numbers until I found our room. A quick swipe of the key card and we were inside.
Alex and River were already there, laptops and surveillance equipment spread out across the king-size bed.
"Took you long enough," Alex quipped, not looking up from his screen. "I already have access to the hotel's security system. No sign of Gage on any of the cameras yet."
I tossed my bag onto a nearby chair and kicked off my heels. "Keep monitoring. He has to show up eventually. River, any luck ID'ing our mystery blonde?"
He shook his head. "Not yet. Facial recognition is still running through databases. Could take a while. We’ll monitor through the night and see if anything triggers it. Until then, we sit tight.”
“I need a fucking drink,” I said with a long sigh as I threw myself down on the bed.
"Way ahead of you, boss." Alex sauntered over to the mini-fridge tucked discreetly into an ornate wooden cabinet.
He pulled open the frosted glass, revealing rows of meticulously arranged bottles and cans. Alex's eyes roamed over the options before settling on a six-pack of local craft beer. He plucked out two amber bottles, their surfaces already beading with condensation in the warm room.
"Heads up," he called out as he tossed one bottle in a graceful arc towards me. I snatched it out of the air, the glass cool and slick against my palm.
Without missing a beat, Alex grabbed another and sent it sailing towards Sarge. The big man caught it easily in one large hand, giving Alex a nod of thanks.
Finally, Alex reached back into the fridge and extracted a bottle of sparkling water. He lobbed it gently to River, who plucked it from the air with catlike reflexes.
Alex sauntered over to the bed, beer in hand, and flopped down beside me. The mattress dipped under his weight as he stretched out, propping himself up on one elbow. His dark eyes roamed over me appreciatively, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
"You know, this reminds me of the last time we shared a hotel room. Remember?"
Heat bloomed in my core at the memory. How could I forget? It was the night everything had gone to hell at the docks, when Gage's betrayal had come to light. But before that...
"Vaguely," I replied, feigning nonchalance as I took a long pull from my beer. The crisp, hoppy flavor burst across my tongue, cool and refreshing.
"No need to play coy. I distinctly recall you screaming my name as I fucked you into the mattress. I get hard just thinking about it."
My eyes briefly met River's across the room, and he was already watching me. He'd been there too, sitting silently against the headboard while Alex and I fucked. River's eye had burned with hunger as he watched me ride Alex, but there was pain there too.
I remembered the way his tattooed hands gripped the sheets, knuckles turning white; the outline of his impressive erection straining against his jeans; the low, rumbling growl that escaped him as I moaned.
River had been celibate for years, adhering to some personal vow of abstinence. I didn’t blame him after the shit he went through. But that night, I saw the hunger in his gaze, and felt the weight of his want. For a moment, I thought he might join us. But he held himself back.
It didn’t make me crave him any less. If anything, it made it into a game, and I loved a challenge.
I tore my gaze away from River, heat rising to my cheeks as I recalled that intense night. Alex's hand slid up my thigh, his touch igniting sparks across my skin. I could feel the weight of unspoken tension in the room, thick and heady.
Sarge cleared his throat loudly, drawing our attention. His jaw was clenched tight, a muscle ticking in his cheek. He drained the last of his beer in one long swallow, Adam's apple bobbing as he tipped his head back.
"I need some fucking air," he muttered, slamming the empty bottle down on the ornate side table. The crystal ashtray rattled with the impact.
Without another word, he stalked towards the door. His shoulders were rigid with tension as he yanked it open and stepped into the hallway. The heavy door closed behind him with a resounding thud.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I knew Sarge well enough to recognize when he was in one of his moods. The big man could brood with the best of them when he wanted to.
Turning back to Alex, I found him watching me with dark, hungry eyes. His hand still rested on my thigh, thumb tracing lazy circles against the soft fabric of my dress.
"Fuck me," I said abruptly, decision made in an instant. "I need a distraction."
The room fell still, both men's faces sobered. Alex's eyes heated instantly. He rose up, setting aside his beer and plucked mine from my grip, setting it by his. On his knees, he pulled off his shirt, revealing his skin covered in tattoos all the way up his throat. The intricate designs flowed across his muscular chest and arms.
The tattoos seemed to ripple and move as Alex's muscles flexed beneath his bronze skin. A large skull dominated his left pectoral, empty eye sockets staring out ominously. His hands moved to my dress, deftly untying the halter neck and letting the soft fabric pool around my waist.
His calloused fingers traced along my collarbone. I shivered at his touch, desire coiling low in my belly. Across the room, River shifted in his seat.
I should have felt bad for using sex to take my mind off of how shitty my life had become. But I honestly didn’t. Alex knew what this was. I didn’t have any grand delusions that he had any real feelings for me that went beyond infatuation. Men were all talk. You couldn’t trust a single fucking one of them.
But they were good for some things, if you chose them right. I knew Alex could make me come, and that’s what I needed.
His strong hands gripped my hips, flipping me over onto all fours in one fluid motion. I sucked in a breath, my palms pressing into the plush duvet. The silky fabric of my dress bunched around my waist as Alex moved up the bed.
I found myself facing River, who sat rigidly in the armchair across the room. Alex slid beneath me, lying on his back. His hands gripped my thighs, guiding me to straddle his face. I lowered myself onto him with a soft moan as his talented tongue found my most sensitive spots.
My eyes locked with River's as Alex began to devour me. His beard scraped deliciously against my inner thighs as he licked and sucked at my core. Waves of pleasure radiated through me, and I couldn't look away from River. Slowly, I peeled down the straps of my dress, cool hair washing over my breasts.
River’s hand gripped the armrest so tightly I could hear the wood creaking beneath his fingers. The other rested on his thigh, just inches from the impressive bulge straining against his jeans.
I rocked my hips, grinding down onto Alex's eager mouth as River watched. His eye roamed hungrily over my body, lingering on my breasts as they swayed with each movement. I arched my back, putting on a show for him as Alex's tongue worked magic between my thighs.
"Fuck," I gasped, my voice breathy and high. "Holy shit?—"
I could feel an orgasm building, a tight coil of heat low in my belly. Alex licked in small, fast strokes, sucking hard on my clit as he slid two thick fingers inside me. The dual sensations had me seeing stars.
“That's it," I panted, grinding down harder. "Make me fucking come, Alex.”
My eyes never left River's as the pleasure crested. With a shaking moan, I shattered, waves of pleasure rolling through me. My thighs trembled around Alex's head as he lapped up my release.
Alex slid out from under me, his face glistening. In one fluid motion, he moved behind me, gripping my hips with strong hands. I felt the blunt head of his cock pressing against my entrance, teasing me.
"You ready for me, baby?"
I pushed back against him impatiently. "Just fuck me already."
With a low chuckle, Alex thrust forward, burying himself to the hilt in one smooth stroke. I cried out at the delicious stretch, my fingers curling into the silky sheets.
Alex set a punishing pace, his hips snapping against mine with enough force to rock the entire bed. One of his hands tangled in my hair, yanking my head back. My back arched as he used his grip to pull me up, pressing my back against his tattooed chest as he continued to pound into me.
"Fuck, you feel so good," he groaned in my ear.
I arched my back, preening at the way River stared at my breasts, putting on a show for him as pleasure coursed through me.
"You like watching, don't you?" I panted, voice breathy and high. "Like seeing me get fucked?"
He scowled at me, his hand inched closer to the impressive bulge straining against his jeans, but he didn't touch himself. Just watched with burning intensity as Alex drove me closer and closer to the edge.
I could feel a second orgasm building, a tight coil of heat low in my belly. Alex's fingers dug into my hips hard enough to bruise as he somehow managed to fuck me even harder.
"Come on, baby," Alex grunted in my ear. "Fucking come for me. Let River see how good I make you feel."
That’s all it took. I screamed as I came hard, coating the duvet in my release.
"Fuck, that's it baby girl," Alex groaned. "Come all over my fucking cock."
He gripped my hips tightly, falling back onto his back and taking me with him. I was straddling him now as he pistoned up into me hard and fast. I could feel him swelling inside me, on the edge of his own release. He cursed and stilled, pulsing as hot cum filled me up, dripping out of my pussy.
He fucked me slowly, his own thighs quivering. His moans were breathy, and his fingers would leave bruises on my skin later. I became aware of movement across the room. River stood abruptly, uncoiling like a spring finally released. Without a word, he slammed into the bathroom.