“From the looks of that,” I chimed in, gesturing to the table filled with the evidence, “you were balls deep into plotting his demise.”
With one sweep of his arm, Emilio sent all the papers flying to Ricardo’s feet. Roaring, “You fucking traitor!”
Ricardo shook his head in disbelief, taking in all the proof he needed, knowing he wasn’t getting out of this with any of his bullshit lies. He looked up, meeting Salazar’s menacing glare. “Don’t take it personal. They came to me! Making me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
“What do they know? What did you give them, you miserable fuck?!” Emilio interrogated, stepping around my father.
There was no hesitation as he grabbed ahold of Ricardo and slammed his head onto the table. Lifting him up again, only to deliver another blow to the side of his face, before ramming him to the floor. Ricardo’s men pulled out their guns, ready to take out Emilio. Our guards intercepted, breaking both men’s arms. Sending them to the ground, reeling in nothing but immediate pain.
“It’s your lucky day, motherfucker. I should put a bullet in your head, but I don’t want your traitor blood on my hands,” Salazar scoffed, spitting in his face. “When everyone finds out about you, your death will be far worse than my fucking bullet.” Emilio walked over to me, watching as Ricardo pitifully tried to stand. “You have till the count of three to get the hell out of here. One… two…”
“Fuck this,” I coldly interrupted, pulling my gun out from the back of my pants, immediately pulling the trigger. Putting a bullet right between Ricardo’s eyes and without giving it a second thought, I targeted his men next.
“Damien, no!” my father yelled as I pulled the trigger once again. Popping another cap into each of their heads.
I shrugged off his order, placing my Glock back into my pants. “There, now their blood is on my hands,” I callously stated, walking toward the doors. Not once looking back. Fully aware of what I would see in my father’s eyes.
I didn’t have the time, nor did I care about anymore of his bullshit lies.
“Ramón, call your men to have this cleaned up. I need to have a word with your son,” I overheard Emilio demand from behind me, but I continued on, pushing through the double doors of the warehouse, out to the parking lot.
I was prepared to hear his fucking wrath, conscious of the fact that he was trailing behind me. Most likely wanting to lecture me about my short fuse and temper. How I needed to reel it in, like he always did. I waited, leaning against the hood of my car with my arms folded over my chest. Never expecting what happened next.
“How did you know about Ricardo?” Salazar inquired as soon as we were face to face.
I peered him dead in the eyes and simply answered, “Instinct.”
His gaze intensified. An expression I’d never seen before quickly crept across his face. It was only when he followed it up with, “Thank you,” that I grasped it as gratitude.
I gave him a curt nod in response, mostly because how the fuck did I reply to that…
“I mean that, Damien. I never pegged Ricardo as a threat. You saved my ass.”
“I did what I had to do. Don’t make it into something it’s not.”
“I know you’re not happy serving in the military. So here is your one and only chance to back away. What do you want in life? Tell me.”
Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the option to choose. The answer left my mouth faster than the question left his. “The law. I want to be an attorney.”
He smiled, gripping onto my shoulder, with pride and honor radiating off him. “Ahhh… following in my footsteps. I couldn't be prouder, you want to be an attorney like me. After what I just saw, there’s not a doubt in my mind that I could use you for far greater things. Consider it done. I’ll be in touch with your enrollment and course load.” Without another word, he got in his limo and left.
Leaving me there with only my scattered thoughts. I contemplated life for what seemed like the hundredth goddamn time. If it wasn’t about Amira, it was about Emilio. Neither one of them were ever far from my mind. Two opposite ends of the spectrum where both of them were completely wreaking havoc on my whole fucked up life. Which once again took another drastic turn in a matter of minutes. I would never say that Amira was a burden, but she also wasn’t my choice. Exactly the same way Salazar wasn’t one either.
His question, “What do you want in life?” echoed in my mind, residing deep into my core. I realized for the first time that I was given a choice, and I didn’t hesitate to become like the man who was handing me that option.
I didn’t turn into the monster they wanted me to be...
He had always been inside of me.
The doors behind me opened, pulling me away from my thoughts. I didn’t have to wonder who it was. I turned, locking eyes with my father.
He took one look at me and asked, “Who are you?” Shaking his head in disappointment, backing away. He didn’t even give me a chance to reply, turning around and leaving as if he already knew the answer all along. When it only had just hit me.
That realization alone sent me spiraling down a bottle of fucking bourbon. Before I knew it, I was sitting on a black leather couch, in a dark corner of one of Emilio’s whorehouses, out of sight. Not bothering to remove my dark tinted sunglasses. Exhausted from the day and the never-ending plaguing emotions that tortured me every single goddamn day.
I’d come here often to drown my sorrows in bourbon and whores. Typically, after something pivotal happened in my life, or when I needed to unwind. Fuck out my frustrations, my cock buried in whoever wanted a piece of me that night. I took another swig off the bottle, watching as the whole world shut off around me. Even if it was just for an instant, it was a moment I reveled in. Only seeing strobes of colored lights and bodies dancing, and fucking in the dark.
“From the looks of it, you’re going to need me tonight,” the luscious blonde enticed with her red, pouty dick-sucking lips. Wearing nothing but a tiny G-string and a bra that barely covered any of her assets.
“I just need your lips… on my cock. It would make a pretty picture, don’t you think?” I coaxed, leaning back into my chair.