"You want my help?" I posed the question, knowing he was about to shut me down. "No. You don't want it, but you need it. You planning to storm his house and limp around until you find her?"
Alex had nothing to answer. He may have been up on his feet, but he was in no condition to fight. He knew it too. Too proud to ask for my help, too hurt to do it by himself.
"I have a few meetings here; I'm leaving in ten days anyway," I lied. "Might be fun. We killing this Knox guy or you planning to let him go again?"
Finally, Alex smiled. At first, just a little, but then it grew, and a small laugh sounded. Damn, this guy was hurting.
"How did Andrei get into prison and you're here with me? Aren't you on some wanted list?" Poor Andrei. I’d never considered he could end up there, but I somehow got an inkling that he was busting heads while locked up.
"That's because Alexander Martinov is dead.” Alex’s smile faded quickly. “But Alejandro Martinez? There are thousands of them, and I joined their ranks this week. I have a new name and identity. Everyone thinks I'm dead."
Ohfuck. Don't tell me his girl’s been living thinking he’s dead.
“Jade too?” I asked cautiously, apprehensive of his answer.
He nodded,soresigned.
"Ineedto get her. It's been three months, Roma, and I can’t fucking sleep knowing she’s with him.” Alex looked up, realtears in his eyes. “I couldn’t move for so long. Couldn’t breathe by myself, but I’m better now. I’m walking and I can't wait anymore. Next Saturday. Six days."
The sun, the sea, the music in the restaurant—it was all so carefree, oblivious to the tragedy unfolding in his life. I caught sight of Isla again and put myself in his place. Shit. I'd be reeling—absolutely losing my mind if Isla and I were separated in such a way.
"Don't argue. I'm staying to help. I'll send Isla home, and she can come back another time to meet Jade. Let's kill that motherfucker."
I was angry for him. Who the fuck was this cockroach fucking up my brother's life like this?
My next few days were spent with my beautiful Isla, enjoying the sun, sand, sea, and sex. Once she was safely back in New York, I pulled up to the address Alex had texted me: a small beach house, secluded and hidden away. He hobbled toward the dining table—this time without a cane—sat me down, and launched straight into his plans for Saturday.
I dialed Claudio and put the phone on speaker—he picked up after the first ring. “Roman, mi amigo!” That motherfucker loved me and would do anything for me now. I gave up one of the contracts he was after, and he was inundated with cash, ready to kiss the ground I walked on.
Claudio received the rundown and agreed with no hesitation. "Done. I'll call Jesús, he'll get in touch with you tomorrow. Pay him for the job at the location and maybe share one of your girls with him for one night!" He broke out into a cheery and bubbly laugh, like he was a jolly Santa year-round. "I kid, I kid. He's been married for like fifteen years, his wife would murder him, and we'd never find the body." Like always, Claudio defaulted to sex jokes, but no one ever held a grudge.
Saturday night arrived and Alex picked me up at the marina. It was casual, like we were heading to dinner or something; I loved it.
"Are you nervous?" I asked, noticing the way Alex tapped away at the steering wheel. We waited in the car at the back of the restaurant, half an hour before they were set to arrive. Alex sighed heavily, momentarily turning to me before setting his gaze on the building again.
"Yes. I haven't seen her in so long. She thinks I'm dead. I don't know if she's been hurt."
“I understand. It all ends tonight, though.” I glanced at my watch—it was time. “Let's go. Jesús just arrived with his crew, and I'll wait at the bar for my reservation time. And you need to change."
With that, Alex parked the car right outside the back exit and passed me the keys before we both headed toward the kitchen entrance, about to fuck shit up.
46
Old Fashioned For The Bride
Alex
"One, two, three, four. Good! Very good, Alex—you're doing great!" the physiotherapist encouraged me like I was a baby taking his first steps. "Let's try to go back now. One—oh! You okay?” I tripped and hit the floor with my knees again.
This was okay. I was okay. I would get better. I would walk without pain. I would get Jade and I would forget all about this.
"Yes," I snapped, ready to tear the whole place apart, but instead, I grabbed onto her hand. I needed help standing up. This was the second session, and it was fuckingawful.
But there was progress. I was breathing by myself and no longer on morphine. Yes, I’d lost a ton of weight and muscle mass, and everything hurt without respite, day and night, but it wasn’t fatal.
And…I’d finally remembered everything. I didn’t know if the physical or the emotional pain was deeper.
With every breath I took, one thought lit up inside me. Only one. It was on a loop.I have to get Jade.
