43. Santiago
SANTIAGO
Nacio still hadn’t come back home since our little argument the other day, meaning I had the whole place to myself.
So, with one hand shoved in my sweats, cupping my balls to warm up, and the other holding the remote, I zipped through the channels.
It was Saturday night, and having no work or a fight on my schedule, my sole plan was to chill.
Getting comfortable after picking a movie, I sank back into the couch.
It had been a while since I had a whole weekend to myself, which was nice.
I mean, we all need to rest once in a while, right?
I scratched my left nut, feeling irritated.
Somehow, sitting on my ass felt wrong, and I looked around the empty house, noticing there were some dishes left in the sink.
Pulling my hand out of my pants, I paused the movie and got up to clean those dishes.
While I was at it, I remembered I had some laundry to fold, so after I was done in the kitchen, I grabbed the basket filled with clean clothes and took it back to the living room.
Who knew taking care of a house was this difficult?
After Mom passed, we all learned it the hard way.
Cooking, cleaning, laundry, everything I used to take for granted turned into a challenge, but after needing to wash Dad’s pants of booze and urine, one could say I became a pro in no time.
I shook my head at the memory before placing Nacio’s folded T-shirts beside me in a pile.
The thought he’d end up the same way one day nearly ripped my heart to shreds, and I had to close my eyes.
That damn kid will be the death of me.
My phone rang, cutting into my thoughts and pulling me back. Opening my eyes, I saw it was on the coffee table in front of me, vibrating as it rang. Grabbing it, I huffed after seeing the caller ID.
“It’s about time you call—”
“I-I need your help,” Nacio said, out of breath.
My alarm immediately went up, and I straightened. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”
“You’re not going to like it.”
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, feeling my heart rate escalating. “Damn it, Nacio, just tell me where you are!”
My worst fear was him telling me he’d gotten arrested, but then, he said something else that turned out to be just as bad.
* * *
“Santi!” my brother called as soon as he saw me stepping out of the cab.
Not slowing down, I walked toward him, my blood boiling.
“Thank fuck you’re here—”
His words were cut short after I smacked him, and he held on to his cheek, his head bowed down.
“The fuck’re you doing here, huh?” I snapped, clenching his shirt when he placed his hand on top of mine.
“I can explain!”
My eyes darted to the line of people behind him, waiting to get into the Kallos party, then back to my idiotic brother.
“Didn’t I tell you to stay out of trouble?”
“I was!”
I pinched his ear, and he whined.
“Ouch—”
“How is coming here staying out of trouble, pelotudo?” I pinched harder, and he folded with the pain.
“Fuck, you’ll rip my ear off—”
“Why did you come to the hotel, Nacio?”
He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get free. “’Cause of Tess! Fuck!” he gasped as I finally let him go.
“The fuck does she have to do with this place?” I narrowed my eyes at him while he rubbed his ear.
“Fucking hell, bro, if you’d just let me explain.”
“Start talking.”
Pouting his lips like some baby, he sighed. “Tess’s inside, ’kay?”
I glanced at the hotel, my hotel, and back to Nacio. “What do you mean?”
“She got invited to the damn party, dumbass.”
A bit surprised, my brows rose, but then I realized that actually, I didn’t give a fuck.
“So?”
“So?” my brother squealed, eyes wide. “I wanna go there, too.”
Suddenly, I couldn’t help but laugh, and I shook my head.
“That’s what this is all about? You didn’t get an invitation?” He stayed quiet, so I sighed. “Jesus fucking Christ, Nacio. I’m going home.”
I moved to turn away when he grabbed my arm.
“You don’t get it. I have to get in, too.”
“And why’s that?”
“Who knows who she’ll meet there? That place is packed with rich fuckers. I mean, just look at the cars lined up.” He cocked his head in the direction of the Ferraris and Porsches parked on the side of the hotel’s driveway. “She’ll leave me for good this time, so please, Santi. Please.”
I wanted to say good riddance because the sooner that bitch was out of our lives, the better, but he continued holding on to my arm. And the way he looked at me, like some sad li’l pup? Yeah… I was weak when it came to him.
“Fine.”
“Thank you!” He hugged me, shoving his head into my chest. “Thank you, thank you, thank you—”
“Enough, I get it,” I hissed, trying to push him away.
Letting me go, he stepped back while sniffling like a little bunny.
I hate this kid.
“So what now?” he asked, eyes determined and fists clenched.
Poking the inside of my cheek, I looked around the line of people and the heavy security.
From personal experience, I knew sneaking in was a no go, with how quickly I got caught the last time.
But between then and now, a few months had passed, and not only had Ariyan and I gotten closer, but I was the assistant manager of this hotel.
“Come,” I told Nacio, who quickly followed me on my way to the bouncer. Skipping the line, I went straight to him when two security dudes tried getting in my way.
“I need him for a sec,” I said, pointing at the preppy-looking bouncer dressed in a black tux.
“Go to the back of the line,” said one of the guys.
“I work here.”
“Back of the line,” he hissed, placing his hand on my shoulder.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Nacio was ready to jump in, but before he could, I flashed the man in black a big smile.
“Tell your boss over there to spare me a few seconds, ’kay? Or I’ll knock all the teeth out of your fucking mouth—”
“What’s going on out here?”
Glad my plan worked and that we’d gotten his attention, I pushed the security guy’s hand away and stepped closer to the bouncer.
“I need to get in,” I said, nudging my head in the direction of the party. “I’m the assistant manager of the hotel.”
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Santiago Rivas.”
The bouncer’s eyes dropped down to his tablet.
“I don’t see any Santiago Rivas on the list,” he said, a fake smile on his lips once he looked up.
“As I said, I’m the assistant manager of this place. Just ask Ariyan—”
“I’m afraid Ariyan is busy at the moment.”
I clicked my tongue. “For God’s sake, just call him and check. You know what—” I took out my phone. “—I’ll call him for you.”
Not caring that this damn asshole just eyed my broken screen or that I was holding up the line, I dialed Ariyan’s number and brought the phone to my ear, bouncing my leg as I waited for him to pick up. The call went on and on, but there was no answer.
“Maybe try again?” said the bouncer with a smirk.
Anger gripped me, but keeping my frustration in check, I pocketed my phone. “I’m out of battery, so how about you dial him?”
The bouncer sighed, then pulled out his brand-new phone. “Very well,” he said, holding it up.
While he called Ariyan, I glanced back at my brother, who seemed on edge. Full of confidence, I shot him a wink. Once Ariyan picked up, everything would be cleared.
“Oh, sir, so sorry for calling.”
I quickly turned to look at the bouncer.
“Oh no, there isn’t any trouble, but there’s a man here claiming to be your assistant.”
The bouncer’s eyes moved to me. “What’s your name again?”
“Rivas. Santiago Rivas.”
“He says his name is Santiago Rivas.”
Watching him, I was ready for the fucker to eat his words when he finally nodded and hung up.
“So? Everything’s clear?”
“Yes.” The bouncer smiled at me widely. “Just as expected, Ariyan does not know who you are, so if you’ll please—” He whooshed his hand. “—step aside.”
My eyes widened, my brows creasing, while it felt like someone had punched me in the chest.
“What?”
But before I could say anything else, the bouncer went back to the line while the security blocked my path to him.
“What’s going on, Santi?” Nacio asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Unsure of it myself, I fisted my hands, thinking about how Ariyan had just told this nobody he didn’t know me. What the actual fuck? First, he sent me to voicemail, then denied my existence? Was this man for real? Just yesterday, I had him sitting on my face, and suddenly, I was a nobody—
“Santi!”
My brother’s voice snapped me back, and I looked around before focusing on him.
I placed my hand on his shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“Go? Go where? Aren’t we getting in?”
“Home.”
I began walking down the stairs leading to the hotel’s driveway, and he followed me.
“What do you mean by home? I told you I gotta find Tess!”
I shook my head ’cause ain’t no way I cared for the bitch.
A sick McLaren W1 pulled up before us, and I stopped before it could run me over, Nacio bumping into me as I did.
Its doors opened, and a man climbed out of the passenger seat.
Tall and dressed in a top-tier suit, the dude looked like a freaking movie star—clearly the type to be invited to parties like this.
Motherfucker.
Life really loved proving to me how shitty I had it sometimes. There I was, being kicked out with my tail between my legs, when a guy like this fucker waltzed in here with all his money—
“Isn’t this my lucky day?”
For a moment, I didn’t realize he was speaking to me, and neither did my brother, as we stared at the man for a good whole minute without saying a word.
“You talking to me?” I frowned, slightly struck by the depth of his blue eyes.
“Aren’t you a funny one?” He flashed me a big, white smile that showed off his longer canines. “Of course I’m talking to you.”
Confused, my frown deepened. “Do I know you?”
Moving closer to me, this odd man’s wild smile turned into a knowing grin. “As it seems, you do not, but I know you. Quite well, if I may add, El Embriagado.”
I tensed on the spot, eyes locking with his.
Did he just call me—
“Who’s this?” Nacio asked, tapping my back.
The stranger’s gaze moved to my brother, lingering on him for a few seconds before returning to me. “Are you also going to the party?” he asked, pointing at the hotel.
“No, we’re not—”
“They won’t let us in.” Nacio stepped in front of me. “Any chance you can help?”
The stranger didn’t seem put off by Nacio’s directness; if anything, he looked intrigued. His smile, so far cold, finally reached his hooded eyes, which I swore to God just glinted with something. But whatever it was, it worked, because he said, “Only if you’ll let me buy you a drink.”
Nacio’s brow furrowed. “The fuck? You hittin’ on me or somethin’?”
I glared at my little brother because, seriously?
The man brushed his thumb over his bottom lip. “How feisty… I love it.”
“I’m not gay,” Nacio hissed but then pointed at me. “He is, though.”
Grabbing Nacio’s hand, I lowered it. “Are you dumb or what?”
He grimaced. “What? I’m trying to get us into the party, and this dude clearly has the hots for me. I’d rather die than suck a cock, but maybe you can? I mean, we do look alike, and you are gay—”
I grunted, asking God to give me the power not to punch my baby brother in the face. Ignoring the urge, I glanced back at the man. Clearly, he knew who I was, and while it felt fishy, I now also wanted to get into that party, and only for the sake of confronting Ariyan.
“So you say you can get us in?” I asked.
The man flashed me another one of those dangerous smiles.
“I can do many things.” He winked at my brother, who seemed shocked by the gesture.
Nacio shook his head. “Never mind, bro, he’s a creep.”
“Weren’t you the one who wanted to go in there for Tess?” I turned to face Nacio.
“Yeah, but this dude’s a weirdo.”
“I can hear you,” the man basically sang, and I had to agree he was a bit odd.
We both glanced at him, then turned our backs to him as we discussed this further.
“You need to decide now. Are we going in there or not?”
“What if he tries to kiss me?”
“Then just punch him.”
“Ugh.” Nacio rolled his eyes. “Okay.”
We turned in unison just as he lit himself a cigarette.
“Want one?” he offered.
Nacio reached to take it, but I slapped his hand.
“We don’t smoke,” I hissed. “Now, are we getting in or not?”
With the cigarette tucked between his lips, he smiled.
“On y va! C’est parti!”
“Was that English?” my brother muttered as we began following him to the front of the line. It was only then that I noticed he wasn’t alone and that five armed men followed us all.
Who the fuck is this man?
“Not you two again,” hissed the bouncer the second he made eye contact with me.
“They’re with me,” the stranger said before I could spit a word, still with his cigarette.
“And your name is?”
Taking a deep inhale, he then blew the smoke in the bouncer’s face. “There.” He tapped the tablet. “Dion Bianchi. It’s written right there.”
My eyes widened in alarm, heart just about stopping as I stared back at him, at Dion Bianchi, or should I say, the Frenchman, the owner of the underground club I’d been fighting in the past year.
All my alarm bells rang because from the little I did know, it was better to keep my distance.
Ariyan was always extra worried about me speaking to anyone related to the club, and now, all of a sudden, the fucking owner was here?
Not to mention, the speed with which the bouncer cleared the path for us to pass was just as alarming.
“Are you two coming?” Dion asked, his body half turned toward us, the entrance door right behind him.
Every part of me told me to say no and to get the hell out of here, but I was too slow to act, as Nacio was already running forward, joining Dion’s side. Swallowing hard, I held my fists to my sides and got my ass moving, well aware this was one huge mistake.