Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 127201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127201 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 636(@200wpm)___ 509(@250wpm)___ 424(@300wpm)
Nero spread his arms. “I like a reasonable man. I think it goes without saying that I have no ambitions for leadership.”
“Then why did you kill him?” One of the goons asked and spat into the dirt before cutting into Nero with the blades of his dark eyes.
“Because he refused to order a dick for me when they called for girls. There comes a moment when a man has to stand up for himself,” Nero said, turning scowls deeper. Only Ramiro’s mouth got a little upward crook, as if he found this display of utter fearlessness amusing.
The man stepped forward, showing his teeth. “You fucking—”
“Stand. In. Line,” Cano roared, sending the goon back where he belonged. Sharp gray eyes stared at Nero from under droopy eyelids, analysing every twitch of his muscle.
“I’ll be happy to work for you, as long as I don’t have to deal with trafficking. That shit disgusts me,” Nero added.
Ground shifted under Miguel’s feet as he took in the men, the black vehicles, the narrow road with the river on one side and a steep slope on the other. After everything they’d been through… they were to go back? Was there even a they if Nero wanted to return to the safe bosom of expensive champagne, golden machine guns, and dick on demand?
He lowered his head, crushed by the sense of his own insignificance. He’d only been of use to Nero during the escape.
Cano considered the request for several seconds. “No need for one man to be involved in everything,” he said before glancing at Ramiro. “Take care of the situation in town.”
The dark gaze of The Axe grazed over Miguel, but he said nothing and headed to one of the cars, tapping two men on the shoulders. They followed him without question.
Nero approached Cano in slow steps, and one of the men came forward for a quick pat-down. “Maybe get me a drink first,” Nero said in a merry tone as the goon checked him for hidden weapons, eventually plucking out a switchblade. Only then was Nero allowed to shake Cano’s hand while Ramiro and two of the Caimans drove off toward the port.
Miguel wasn’t given the courtesy of being spoken to, but he expected as much. He’d been Nero’s shadow for months, and the fact that they’d been on the run together and kissed changed nothing.
One of the Caimans pointing a gun at him scowled. “What about those they killed?”
Cano shook his head. “They knew what they signed up for. Their families will be compensated.”
Nero’s shoulders rose, as if he were taking a deep breath, and he turned his upper body toward Miguel, waving him off with a faint gesture of his fingers. “You’ve been loyal, but I won’t need a bodyguard anymore. You’ve earned enough money to live in peace with your mother.”
Miguel licked his lips in disbelief. “What?”
A man to his side sniggered, and while nothing had been said, Miguel knew what this was about. The goon was laughing because he believed Miguel had been fucked and fucked over by Nero.
“Give him a car. He’s far away from home,” Nero went on, and Cano shrugged, pointing at a black Yamaha, which had been originally hidden behind Ramiro’s vehicle.
“He can have the motorbike.”
“That’ll be all,” Nero said and followed Cano to one of the remaining black Land Rovers, deserting Miguel without a proper goodbye.
The other Caimans didn’t bother to give Miguel any more attention and took seats in the two identical cars. The only acknowledgement he got was one of the men spitting at his wet feet in passing.
Shellshocked, he padded toward the motorcycle as if wind were pushing him toward it, not free will. Back by the Land Rovers, Nero drank a bottle of water while chatting to Cano, as if the past twenty-four hours hadn’t happened while Miguel was left adrift like that sinking motorboat. He kind of thought he’d have more time to explore his new confusing feelings, but one could never trust a reptile. He should have learned that lesson long ago.
A part of him wondered whether Nero wouldn’t rather end his misery with a bullet, putting him down like a dog he no longer wanted, but it seemed that everyone had forgotten about his existence, even the man who’d kissed him last night. After all, Nero had confirmed it would mean nothing.
Still, he lingered like a hungry animal too used to people to live away from them, and watched everyone get into the cars.
In that moment, he truly missed Nero despite the sense of betrayal pulsing inside his chest. But just before the car door slammed shut, a white rag pressed against Nero’s face.
Chapter 17
Miguel
Nero might have been the one to send him away, but Miguel had promised to bring him to safety, and he would stay true to his word. Adrenaline rushed through his system and made his veins burn with purpose as he checked his gun for bullets and started the motorcycle.