Date = 7 July
Place = San Francisco (Inferno)
POV – Enrique
Alone.
That’s how I feel. Sole-slayingly alone.
Everybody appears to be gone. My mood sucks. And I’m feeling as though I’ve been abandoned in hell.
It’s been more than a week since we rescued Aria … more than seven days since my twin raced off somewhere with our uncle. And over 200 hours since Logan and Alejandro disappeared.
Axel is on a training spree, getting ready for the Olympics. Damion is still hiding my sister while Ilkay is somewhere on the black continent treating mosquito bites. And here I am, spending my nights at the club, and my days trailing Aria like some twisted stalker in the shadows, holding my breath that nothing bad happens to her again. Although we’ve taken all the necessary precautions we could under these circumstances … equipping everyone with tracking bracelets (complementary of Blackburn Inc.), handing out stunt guns small enough to fit in one’s pocket, and exploiting a shitload of guards secretly around every member, I still feel the need to keep an eye on her whenever I can, without her knowing of course.
But her safety is not the main reason for my sour mood. The last couple of days, and I’ve personally and painfully witnessed this myself, Aria and Brian seems to get closer and closer. He’s successfully infiltrated her private space, even letting his little sister make friends with Leyla. He’s occupying what should be my place with them right now and the idea of her falling in love with him scares the shit out of me. I hit the counter with my palm.
“Who peed in your drink?” a pretty brunet asks, leaning over the bar. Her luscious girls protrude dangerously close from busting out of her black-lace push-up, which is clearly visible due to her top’s low neckline.
“Sorry,” I give her my signature panty-dropping grin, “just having a rough week.” She smiles and winks me closer. I lean forward.
“Me too. BUT, our captain always says that someday, everything will make perfect sense because everything happens for a reason.” I straighten myself and snort. What a cliche quote some or other happy drunk motivational speaker concocted when he was at a loss of words. It must be the same asshole that suggested to grab life by the horns, that winners never quit and that fate predict your destiny.
I fake a smile. “Can I get you something?”
“Is Axel here by any chance? I heard he hangs out here a lot.” I stare at her face for a moment. I haven’t seen her before, and these days my trust towards strangers are a little bent. Especially, brainless bimbos with excessive cleavages. And rambling off some unhelpful quotes doesn’t make us friends.
“Who’s asking?” She looks a bit put off, maybe more by the rudeness of my voice than the question. Or it could be my foul expression.
“Eh … my name is Tina … I’m his … we … eh … work together.” She comes out as a little frazzled and I’m guessing that she might be more than just a coworker. Or she desperately wants to be. Axel, like Jackson, is not one to divulge huge amounts of information about any part of his life. I’m aware that he’s far from being a celibate priest, but exactly how, where, how much and with whom he gets off, that I do not know. And I’m not sure I want to.
“He’s not here.” It’s a lie, hoping she would take it and go. But she doesn’t.
With a disappointed “Oh,” she slumps into the chair. She crosses her arms to scaffold her boobs, pushing those ladies into a super hot intermammary cleft. The middle-aged man sitting to her right is about to have a heart attach; openly staring red-faced at her plums. And who can blame him when they’re advertised so freely. But for some reason, I’m not turned on in the least. I’m as limp as a dead snake. Shit, I must for sure lov … eh … like Aria a lot. I picture her boobs in my mind, and like being shocked by an electric current, my dick jumps into action. Fuck. Thank goodness for the apron I’m wearing.
Tina turns her brown-eyed gaze to the person in question and he promptly chokes on his beer. He frantically coughs, eyes tearing up. Poor dude. He’s a regular, coming here more nights than not, always sitting by himself drinking alone.
She gives him a wry smile, sweeps some stray hair behind her ear, before turning to look back at me. The man stops coughing and wipes his mouth with a napkin. He now keeps his eyes on his drink.
“Are you one of his friends?” Great, so this is going to turn into an investigation. I take a deep breath and decide to be a little more polite, not knowing exactly what she might be to Axel. But I intend to find out, and maybe this little distraction is just what I need to get my mind of everything else … that else mostly being Aria and Brian.
“Yes.”
“Oh, wow … I’ve never met any of his outside friends. Axel is not one to talk much.” She’ll be surprised. When he gets a little tipsy … Axel could be a vivid talker. But under normal circumstances … yeah … he’s not a man of many words.
“Can I get you a drink?”
“Some red wine, please. Dry.”
I hand her her drink and notice from the corner of my eye that Chloe and Graham gets seated at a table in the one corner. They immediately get into what seems to be a serious conversation. Graham is definitely upset about something. Is he part of their little organization? I know he’s good friends with Brian. And I know he’s pissed with both Jackson and Damion for different reasons. But Graham, although sometimes being a dick, never struck me as the cruel dishonest backstabbing type. On the contrary, despite not liking him much, I always took him as morally loyal and straight forward. But I could be wrong. I definitely could, deeming my lack of judgment these last couple of months.
“Do you know where Axel went?” I turn my attention back to hooters at the bar. “Eh, he just took leave without any explanation … ” She’s eagerly waiting with a big hopeful face for me to respond. I shrug up my shoulders. I am not gonna tell her he’s sleeping in my office.
“If he wanted you to know, he probably would have told you, not so?” I see the disappointment in her eyes before she casts them downward. I didn’t mean to be rude … but it’s not my place to interfere … Axle is rather strict with that. He does not like people, not even us, meddling in his business without permission.
“You two,” the man suddenly chimes in, “both clearly have problems concerning the heart. I know it when I see it, been married for an eternity … to the wrong person.” He lifts his beer. “That’s why I drink.” He lowers his glass and turns it around and around in his hands.
“If you find the right one … your soulmate … never let them get away. That’s the biggest mistake you can ever make in life. If you have to … beg … do anything you can.” He looks up into my eyes and I swear his is filled with longing, regret and sadness. I fake a smile, thinking that this is gonna be me one day … a sad lonely man filled with remorse, drinking my nights away, mourning what could have been. Shit. I need to find a way to get Aria back. Before it’s too late.
Tina downs her drink and leaves with a pitiful goodbye. I watch her walk away, feeling a slight ping of empathy. By now I know what heartache looks like. I know the feeling of it’s barbed tentacles around one’s neck; squeezing; suffocating; painfully smothering you until you struggle to breath. Yep, I know exactly what that feels like. It’s been choking me since the day I’ve met Aria, roasting me with fear. Fear of saying the words, fear of feeling something, fear of opening my heart, fear of getting hurt. But most of all the fear of losing her.
At the top of the staircase, Tina runs into a child. She’s dressed in shaggy jeans and a black hoody with some demon-looking cartoon character on the front. Her brown hair is tied into a ponytail high on her head. With one arm she clenches a skateboard against her tiny body, the other holds onto the strap of her backpack that’s casually draped over one small shoulder.
What the fuck? How did she get in here? Fuck. I have to have a serious talk with my bouncers. How could they randomly let a kid into my nightclub? I can lose my license. I gesture to the on-duty barman, swiftly emerging from behind the counter, taking huge steps to the little girl who’s casually looking around.
When I stop right in front of her she tilts her head dramatically back and looks up into my face. I gasp at her angelic appearance; huge teal eyes under long black lashes, rose button lips and a perfect little nose. She’s absolutely beautiful. She shrugs a huge smile that creates dimples in both cheeks. A smile that seems so boldly familiar, but I can’t place it right now.
“Eh … hi there,” I stoop down to her level.
“Wow, you’re that hot actor my friends like so much.” Could she be a fan sneaking in to get an autograph. She’s a little young to be a groupie, around Leyla’s age. Why is she out on the streets by herself at this time of night? My eyes search the area in the hopes of spotting some grownup with her … but not finding one. I’m about to ask her where her adult is when she wrinkles her nose.
“No offense, you’re hot and all, but I find your movies a touch dull.” Her boldness takes me by surprise and for a moment I’m at a loss for words. Before I can collect myself, she points a little finger at my nose and continues. “Can you point me towards the owner of the club? I’m here to find the devil card.” She brazenly eyeballs me, her teal eyes are like melted sea glass; see-through and enigmatic and so intense that it knocks the sense right out of me. It’s been a while since I last saw eyes quite that potent on someone that young. My still shocked mind has trouble keeping up, delaying my reactions, so instead of answering her question, I stand there like a frozen moron. The girl frowns.
“Hey, h. e. l. l. o!” she yells flailing her hand in front of my face, “Are you daft or something?” Since I’m still not responding, she rolls her eyes and mumbles “What a shame … such a pretty body but no brains.” My brain unfogs and I manage to clear my throat and restore my calm. What a little sassy brat?
“I … a. m … l. o. o. k. i. n. g … f. o. r … J. a. c. k. s. o. n … B. l. a. c. k. b. u. r. n,” She says emphasizing each word in slow motion. Why would she be looking for my brother.
I stand up straight and notice that we’re attracting unwanted attention, so I grab her arm to take her somewhere out of view from the nosy onlookers. Unexpectedly, she lets out a lengthy high-pitched screech and kicks me on the shin. Hard. I hop around like a drunk rabbit to ease the pain. Fucking brat.
That’s it. I’ve had it with this little spoilt whippersnapper. She’s creating a dire scene I truly am not in the mood for. I pick the little body up, skateboard, backpack and all, and hurl the wriggling little imp over my shoulder, walking with big angry strides to my office, catching more than needed curiosity from the crowd around.
Great. All that’s missing now in my already stressful life, are some morning headlines stating that I’m a sick monster that abuses little girls in my nightclub. The jackanapes keeps hitting my back with little fiery fists that sting more than it should. She’s a feisty little creature, I must give her that.
I open the door of the office and switch on the lights, waking Axel who’s been sleeping on the couch. He blinks a few times and then he jolts up, stunned, eyes silently cross-examining me. I should tell him about Tina … that she was here looking for him … but that has to wait as the vest-pocket on my shoulder starts kicking while still boxing my back.
“Let me go, you ogre!” I’m having a hard time keeping a grip on her wiggling body. This is a wee devil child … not at all like the laid-back Leyla I’m used to. An amused smile tickles around the corners of my mouth, imagining that this is probably what Jackson’s offspring would be like. I drop her onto the sofa next to Axel and it hits me like a hammer.
She is looking for Jackson … NO! The cocky attitude … could it be his child? Is she looking for her daddy? I do the math. Then let out a nervous chortle as I release the breath I was holding. He would have been around 16 when she was born. So it’s possible … but a little unlikely. Axel’s still seated, confusion written all over his face.
“Kidnapping is against the law!” she says angrily, melting us with her teal gaze. I hold up my hands. Axel gasp in some air. Yeah, I know. She’s something all right. An angel from hell. He’s having the same shocked reaction I had previously. He’s gonna need a minute.
“So is sneaking into a nightclub when you’re under aged.” I point a finger at her, “and I’m not taking you hostage. I just needed to get you away from the preying eyes and clicking phones.” She folds her arms in front of her chest and puffs out her lips. Now that’s a serious pout if I’ve ever seen one. I try to hide my smile, but Axel lets out a subtle giggle. Wrong move, dude.
“How cute.” She pulls in a sharp breath, then level him with a look of withering disdain. Momentarily, he’s dumbfounded. I now have to bite my lip, trying hard to stifle my amusement, knowing what’s coming. It’s rather fun when her focus is not on me.
“Oh, so you think I’m cute when I’m angry … well get ready, dipshit, because I’m about to be adorable!” She moves with lightning-fast reflexes and before I can even digest her words, she leaps onto her feet, fists Axel in the stomach (twice) while kicking my shin. Again. I do some more bunny jumps, biting my tongue from stringing out foul language not meant for little ears. She attempts another kick, but I forcefully push her back onto the sofa. Axel glance at me, still winded, looking for some explanation. I put my hands in the air.
“I’ve got nothing, bro. She could be on drugs … or rabid.”
“Old fanny pricks!” she crosses her arms, again with the pout, and I roll my eyes and curse fate for sending her across my path. As if my life’s not already screwed up enough. Axel must be over the initial shock, eye’s shining, his lips pressed together. I suspect it’s to stop him from laughing out loud again. He’s not the type to make the same mistake twice. I take a deep breath, hoping some O2 would calm me down.
“Let’s start over,” I sit on the chair opposite her and extend my hand, “I’m Enrique.” She looks at it as if she might bite it. I’m prepared for anything, expecting the unexpected. She dips her head, then takes my hand hesitantly.
“River.” She tilts her chin out and eyeballs me. Then she draws her hand from mine and stares at Axel. “I’m Axel.” She nods and hugs her board against her, as if seeking solace from it.
“Okay, River. Why are you looking for my brother?” I try to sound comforting and reassuring. I’m truly not up for another round of shin-kicking.
“Jackson’s your brother!” she conveys a mix of surprise, excitement, happiness and optimism. Her sea-glass eyes, shining like stars instead of the prior irked messages.
“My sister told me to find him if anything happened. At this place.” She swings her hand around in the air. “Her name is Skye. She’s not answering her phone. It’s been a week now and I’m worried about her. She always answers … or at least calls me back or WhatsApp. And mom’s been drawing the devil and the reaper every time now. That’s not good you know.” She moves forward, eyes dead serious, and almost pokes a finger up my nostril. I’m not sure what she’s blabbing about.
“The devil and the reaper?” Axel must also be lost.
River throws her hands in the air and gives us a look that makes it apparent that she thinks we’re a little daft. She sighs in that way you do when you need to explain something trivial to a simpleton. I know that sigh. My sister uses it a lot.
“My mom reads tarot cards. She’s mostly WAAAYYYY off with her predictions,” again with the hand gestures. She’s an energetic talker. ” … but occasionally she hits one right. And according to what Skye told me, Jackson is the devil.”
“Sounds like my brother.” I get a scruffy look for interrupting.
“At first mom drew the lovers … meaning Skye and Jackson must be destined. But now … the reaper represents death.” Her eyes enlarge and I swear it’s filling with tears. Shit.
Axel and I exchange a glance. Seems he also has no knowledge about any Skye girl.
“Skye said that I may not tell anybody that she’s here. Not even our family. It’s our secret. She needs to pay a lot of money to some shark.” This time she sniffs. Axel encircles an arm around her petite shoulders. She firmly bites her lip, as if straining to keep her emotions at bay. “I swear I didn’t tell anybody. Not even mom.” She looks between Axel and me, needing us to believe her. Axel squeezes her shoulder softly.
“I know something’s wrong. She said if anything happened, that I must only trust Jackson. That he would help me and keep me safe.” Again, it sounds about right.
“Eh, River, where are your parents now?” Axel asks.
“Still in Portland.” My jaw drops. Portland. How? Where?
“Eh,” I start but she swiftly interrupts me. “Don’t worry. I did leave a message telling them not to worry. But I didn’t say anything about Skye.” She smiles, showing of her dimpled cheeks. Axel snorts. I’m not sure if it is due to shock or awe.
“How did you get here?” he asks.
“Bus.” She exudes guilt. “It was a little difficult to get a ticket without a grownup … Gmf … as if I’m a baby … and it took a whole bloody day. I’ve googled this place … found the address on the internet … I grabbed a taxi at the bus stop and it dropped me here.” She lowers her eyes. “You’re security is the shit. I easily slipped past them.” My eyes pop. Axel looks as if he lost his brain.
“How old are you?” he asks hoarsely.
“I’m a little small for my size,” she starts shyly, “but I’m seven … nearly eight.” My prediction was right … she is about Leyla’s age.
“Holy fuck!” Axel swears. He falls back and leans his head against the backrest of the sofa, closing his eyes. River giggles.
“You guys are funny … a little dumb … but funny.” I get up and starts pacing up and down. She took a bus ride from Portland to San Francisco … all by herself. Fuck. She’s been on the road a whole bloody day. I stop and take her small frame in. Thinking about all the bad things that could have happened to her sends a shiver down my spine.
“Don’t you have something to eat in this place. I’m frickin starving.” My heart jumps thinking what she must have been through. I’m fucking impressed.
“Can I order a burger for you?” Her eyes light up.
“With fries?” I laugh and nod.
“Yes. And how about a milkshake?”
“Oh … a toffee one. Pretty please.” So she does have some manners, the little brat.
I call an order to the kitchen … three burgers with fries and milkshakes. While we wait I question her some more, hoping to get some information I can use to locate her sister or her family at least. I tell her that I don’t know anyone named Skye and that Jackson is not in town right now. That he’s on a secret mission. Hell, it’s not a total lie. I don’t have a clue where he might be, but I’m guessing he’s looking for Lee.
She ponders a little then takes her phone from the side pocket of her baggy jeans. She scrolls until she finds what she’s looking for and then hands me the phone.
“That’s Skye.” I take the phone and stare at the photo. Axel leans over to see and we both gasp at the same time. The girl must be the closest you can get to a perfect human being. She’s extraordinary beautiful. That pearly white smile, with the dimpled cheeks, is meant to bring any straight man to his knees. She really is stunning.
“Fucking hell!” It’s out before I can stop it. Axel’s jaw drops. And he might be drooling a little. What man wouldn’t.
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” River beams with pride. Fuck yeah, she is, but I keep quiet. Then I notice her eyes.
“River, do you have a brother called Lee?” She frowns.
“I have a brother. Storm-Lee. He could be using the last part of his name. He and Skye are twins. Do you know my brother?” The blood freezes to ice in my veins. How do I tell a seven-year old that her brother is gone? Kidnapped by some seriously screwed up people.