“You’ve got it.”
“So things are about to get complicated.” I tilt my head to look up at him, the worry is etched on his face, and there’s a sadness in his eyes I’ve not seen before. “How did you leave things at the meeting?”
“Diablos Rojos told us what they want our help with, outlined their plans, and El Jefe said we need time to think about it and to vote. We’ve got to give them an answer in three weeks.”
“Doesn’t give you long to weigh up your options or come up with a plan.”
“No,” he says, before chuckling, “luckily, I’ve got a girlfriend who’s way smarter than me, she’s in college and everything. Maybe she can ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ this shit for me, help me figure out a plan to get us all out whole.”
“Getting you all out whole would be great…” I say, “wouldn’t say no to the millions of dollars either.”
“Don’t tempt me, princess. You’ve gotta keep me on the straight and narrow,” he laughs, “fuck… just imagine, millions of dollars could buy us an island, we could be naked all day every day, no worries about being overheard…”
He rolls over and kisses me, moving his hand down to my hip.
“Hey,” I playfully slap his hand. “We haven’t finished talking about serious stuff.”
“Okay, okay.” He rolls off to lie on his back again. “You got a plan already?”
“No, I’m not that smart!” I say, before getting serious again. “But… when was the last time you spoke to your father?”
“About a year ago. I only see him when I have to. Why?”
“Maybe you should go and see him to find out his side of the story, what’s really gone on in there.”
“What good would that do?” he asks.
“It might not do any good, but it can never hurt to have more information. You’ve only heard their side of what’s happened, Frank might have a different take on it. Maybe Diablos Rojos are making stuff up and playing you? They might have their own reasons for wanting you to get back into illegal shit. And after what you told me earlier, they definitely can’t be trusted.”
“Yeah, I guess,” he says, “I’ll go after my birthday.”
“Why wait? Go this week and get it over with.”
“Because, seeing Frank always puts me in a shitty mood, and I’ve got big plans for my birthday. I wanna be able to enjoy it with you.”
“Oh really, you still haven’t told me what the plan is yet.”
“I will, don’t you worry.”
He pulls me into a kiss and presses himself against me.
“Okay,” I say, “in the meantime, why don’t you tell me more about that naked island…”
He laughs as he reaches his hand to undo my jeans.
“Deal, but I’d much rather show you, princess.”
Chapter 18
Diablo
It’sthenightbeforemy birthday and I don’t care if anyone sees me, I want to wake up with Elizabeth. When I head up to sleep, I don’t even bother going into my room, I go straight for hers and knock, waiting for her softly spoken, “Who is it?” through the door.
Once I’m in the room, I pull her in for a kiss and let myself moan into her.
“Fuck, princess, you have no idea how much I’m looking forward to tomorrow night.”
She chuckles. “Well I’m looking forward to it as much as I can, considering that you won’t tell me anything about what we’re actually doing.”
