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We walk past the velvet ropes and crowds of people approaching the bouncer. There is not a word exchanged, yet he steps aside and silently ushers us through the door.
Lights flash across my body and face as the music pulses through the intoxicated crowd like a heartbeat. It’s a typical nightclub with a dance floor in the middle. Booths with buckets of ice line the outer walls, each manned by a bartender dressed in the same cheap suit as the bouncer. At the top of a small flight of stairs sits a VIP section encased in glass overlooking it all. I follow Julius and Lucas as they navigate through the people with ease. It’s like their presence demands respect and everyone can feel it. All the partygoers move out of their way as they approach, not even realizing they’re doing it, as their bodies bump and grind to the music.
A hand falls to the small of my back as I try to keep up with the twins and fail. I look over my shoulder and see Teddy staring straight ahead, almost daring anyone to step into my path. He ushers me forward until we reach the bottom of the stairs. His hand falls and in some weird, fucked-up way, it makes me feel almost empty and I find myself longing for its return.
I push away the thoughts and focus on my footing. One step after another, we make our way up the uncommonly narrow stairwell. Teddy reaches around me, opening the door at the top.
Along the back wall sits two leather couches. There, sitting beside the twins, are two additional men I have never before seen. Both are well dressed in slacks and button-ups with slicked-back raven hair. Silver jewelry adorns their necks and fingers and flickers against the lights of the club invading the ill-lit room through the glass.
“Theodore!” one bellows as he stands stretching his arms wide.
“Emil.” Teddy nods and embraces the man for a second, patting around his back in a harmless manner, but I know better. He’s looking for the gun he has tucked in his pants belt hidden by his shirt.
Emil goes still for a second before putting his arms on Teddy’s shoulders and pushing him away. “It’s been too long, friend.”
Lucas and Julius are watching the encounter between the two almost as intently as me, only looking away for small seconds to watch the other man on the couch next to them.
Teddy does nothing and flashes the man a smile as he lowers his eyes. Almost as if the man understands he’s been caught, he reaches to the back of his pants.
Before he can pull his gun all the way out, I have my right hand around the grip of my own, and in a threatening manner, I step in front of Teddy and aim it at Emil’s head. “Bad move, friend.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Lucas and Julius crowd closer to the other man on the couch, ready to pounce if it comes to that. I am protecting Teddy, and in turn, they’re protecting me.
The music from below seems to fade away as I think about what I’m doing. Am I really going to shoot this man? I ask myself. And honestly, the answer is yes. Teddy knew my father. Teddy has answers I need. Trying to go about things the right way has gotten me nowhere, so why not stoop to everyone else’s level and do what I have to do?
Emil moves his hand from behind him and holds them both up in a surrender. “Whoa. I’m afraid you got the wrong idea. In order to do business, I know Theodore’s rules. I was simply going to hand it to him.” He turns his back toward me and looks over his shoulder. “There. Grab it yourself. We are not here to start trouble.”
I glance at Teddy, and he nods. Stepping forward, I keep my gun held to Emil’s head. I lift his shirt and grab the pistol from the waist of his pants. I tuck my gun back under my arm, then pull back the slide of his, making sure there isn’t a round in the chamber before pressing the magazine release and throwing it to the ground.
I flip it, letting the barrel fall in my hand before handing it to Teddy. He smiles, a real, true, genuine smile, showing me all his teeth. “Good job,” he mouths, before pointing to the couch and tipping his chin toward the twins.
“Sorry about that, Emil. You know how it goes.” Teddy spreads his feet wide and shakes out his shoulders.
I plant myself next to Lucas and watch as they talk in hushed whispers.
“I’m Desiderio, but you can call me Desi.” The man between Lucas and Julius pushes his hand in front of Lucas and dangles it toward me.
I shake it. “Charlie.”
“Nice to meet you. I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”
I shake my head and look back to Teddy and Emil. “That’s because I don’t like to be seen.”
“Ah.” He leans back into the couch and crosses his ankle over his knee. “Touché.”
The room grows quiet as the pathetic excuse at small talk dies.
“You know I don’t deal to anyone here,” Teddy states quietly, but not quiet enough for me not to hear him.
“I know that, but I need to make sure my girls are safe. I can’t go anywhere and buy twenty-five rifles without people asking questions, and you got me fucked-up if you think I’ll go to the Morenos,” Emil replies with conviction.
Teddy inhales deep through his nose, then releases it. “I’ll get you ten, and I’ll send my boys.” He motions toward the twins and continues. “Luke and Jules to keep an eye out. If you need a racket, I can help.”
Emil laughs. “I have my own men, but thank you. I’m only worried about people the cartel sends.”
“What do you mean, ‘the cartel sends’?” Teddy looks to the twins to make sure they’re hearing what he’s hearing. Both stand and walk to where Teddy and Emil stand.
“The cartel has been wanting our territory for years now. Why do you think I bought the old casino in the first place? The spot we had over on McAdams was burnt to the ground. I don’t have solid proof, but I know they did it. They want to move in and push their drugs to the area.”
