Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
RAFE
I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but Declan’s men have closed off Andie’s floor and won’t allow anyone to enter, not even Liam. That didn’t go over too well. Tessa accessed the security logs for the entire building since there are no cameras on Andie’s floor other than the ones at the elevators and stairwell. All we know is that Andie and Jax left a couple of hours ago. Liam tried to reach out to Pearson. Nothing. We concluded that they were all at the hospital with Declan. That started another heated argument between Keane and Liam. Liam wanted to go and make sure she was okay, and Keane told him to chill the fuck out and give Andie some space and time with her father. I think Liam was pissed that Andie left with Jax and not with him.
Tessa reached her breaking point with Keane and Liam ten minutes ago. Their constant arguing finally got to the point where she insisted they go to the gym and beat the shit out of each other. I’m glad she did because I was getting a migraine from their nonstop bitching.
So, that’s where I’m heading. I figure I can get in a light workout. I need to start rebuilding my strength after a week of bed rest.
Bypassing the elevators, I head straight for the stairs. Living here and working for Declan the past few weeks has been an adjustment, to say the least. The one good thing about the Rossi estate was all the land surrounding it. I hate this concrete and steel shit. I hate not being able to go outside and breathe in fresh air, and not the car exhaust that hangs like a perpetual shroud over the city.
“Rafael.”
I look up to find Lochlan leaning over the railing of the landing. I like the guy. He reminds me a little of Enzo. I guess it’s their similar personalities. Both are quick to laugh and make a joke. Unlike Liam, Lochlan accepted me into the Levine fold when I defected and switched sides after finding out that Max made a deal with my father to give Andie to Alejandro.
“What’s up?” I ask, climbing the last few steps.
“My shift will end in an hour, and me and a few of the guys are going to the roof with a case of beer. Want to join?”
“Thanks, but I’ll take a rain check. I’m going to get in a quick workout and watch Liam and Keane go at it.”
“Yeah. I peeked inside a minute ago. My money’s on Liam.” He opens the stairwell door for me, and I’m immediately met by Mickey on the other side.
Hearing Lochlan’s comment, Mickey says, “I’ll take that bet. However, my money’s on Keane.”
“You’re on,” Lochlan agrees, and they bump fists before Mickey shuts the stairwell door.
“ Hola , Rafe.”
“ Hola , Mick.”
“ Buenas noches ,” he says in the heaviest Bostonian accent I’ve ever heard.
“Getting better,” I lie.
He started taking a free online language course to learn how to speak Spanish. He wants to impress some chick from Tomar he’s infatuated with, and I don’t have the heart to tell him that Spanish and Portuguese are similar but distinct languages.
A roar from the other side of the room has us both turning to see Liam delivering an uppercut that sends Keane stumbling back two steps. Keane gives back as good as he gets, smashing his fist into Liam’s cheek.
I spot Tessa sitting on the floor with her laptop, half working and half watching the gladiatorial battle unfolding in front of her.
Walking over, I say, “They’re not going to stop until the other is dead or in a coma.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Okay then .
Trying to be conversational, I ask, “What are you working on?” I don’t understand any of the gibberish she’s typing. Computer shit is Jax’s domain.
“I’m taking another look at my face-recognition program. It should’ve flagged Alejandro at Spanks like it did Julio and Rita. It’s my fault what happened to Andie.”
“If it’s anyone’s fault, it’s mine.”
The guilt I feel about what Alejandro did to Andie is soul-crushing. If I never left Mexico, if I stayed and played the part my father was grooming me for, Andie wouldn’t have been on Alejandro’s radar to begin with.
Liam grunts loudly when Keane rams into his torso, lifting him off the mat and body-slamming him. Liam locks his legs around Keane’s waist, and they roll across the floor.
I strip off my shirt, which gets Tessa’s attention, and decide to hit the treadmill for some light cardio. I don’t want to overdo it and pop another stitch. I’ve done that twice now, and both times have ended with me getting shot up with morphine. I went ballistic when I was told that was what they’d been giving me for the pain. That shit hits too close to home. Tylenol only, thank you very fucking much. I can live with the discomfort. What I can’t live with is winding up like my mother, craving my next fix until I crave it too much and overdose.
Setting the incline to two and the speed to a brisk walk, I shout over to the guys, “Andie would kick both your asses if she were here.”
Liam takes a swing at Keane, which he easily dodges.
“You’re both being ridiculous,” I tell them.
“Don’t need your running commentary,” Keane grunts, hooking his foot around Liam’s leg and taking him to the mat. Liam’s grip on Keane’s arm pulls him down with him.
“The both of you need to deal with your shit and get over it.”
Liam shoves Keane off him. “If I want your fucking opinion, Rafael , I’ll ask for it.”
Whatever. “Go fuck yourself.”
“Nah, I’d rather fuck your girlfriend.”
Goddammit! I walked right into that one.
He, Keane, and Jax have had more time to process how they feel about sharing Andie, but I’m still catching up, and it’s a very sore spot with me.
Tessa bursts out laughing, and Keane joins her. “Nice one.”
Liam’s smile is a mile wide.
“You’re all assholes,” I grumble, increasing my speed on the treadmill.
Tessa gets up and cracks her back. “Alright boys, I’m out.” She picks up her laptop and tucks it under her arm. “Gotta get my beauty rest and all. See you in the morning. Don’t kill each other too badly. Mickey’ll whine about cleaning up the mess.”
She pats him on the chest and sends him a wink as she leaves. Mickey does a slow head turn, his eyes dropping and lingering on her ass.
“Be careful with that one. She’s all piss and vinegar. And Andie will knife you in the balls if you touch her,” Liam warns him.
“I can still look.” Mickey throws a smirk at him, and Liam gives him the one-finger salute.
“Time?” Keane asks, collapsing back onto the mat and flinging his arm over his face.
I check my watch. “Half-past one. You think she and Jax are back yet?”
Liam pushes up on his forearms. “Any idea why he went with her and not one of us?”
Keane lifts his arm off his eyes and rolls his head toward Liam. “Jesus Christ, not this again. You rant at me about giving her space but won’t stop whining like a dickhole that she didn’t pick you.”
I hop off the treadmill and hit the stop button. “I think Tessa had the right idea. I’m turning in.”
Keane and Liam stop arguing and are quick to their feet when Andie suddenly walks out of the elevator, Jax right behind her.
And for a few short seconds, the whole fucking world stops.
“Can we have some privacy?” she calls over to Mickey.
“Uh, yes, ma’am.” He slips through the door and joins Lochlan on the other side.
“Is that blood?” Liam bellows, his accusatory gaze slicing into Jax. “What the fuck did you do?”