Page 107 of Embriagado

“You see, you were born to do a lot more than just stock cans in the back of a filthy store. So why not allow me to help you? And make no mistake—” He leaned closer. “—I can help you. I can show you things you’ve never dreamed of.”

His offer was as tempting as his sweet scent, if not more, but by now, I’d learned to watch this honey trap of his.

“Help me? You just want to use me,” I hissed.

He chuckled, the sound so chilling it melted my insides.

“That’s true, but why not use me in return?” He glanced between us, at where my jeans were still open and my dick was still covered with cum. “I can make you feel so good. All you need to do is fight for me in return, Mr. Rivas… or should I say, El Embriagado?”

29

ARIYAN

I loathed sex.

It was filthy, the very thing that drove this world to madness, and yet, it was the easiest way to control this beast of a man, who was currently tying his bicycle to a lamppost. Truth be told, if it weren’t for him being so keen on having his dick inside me, I doubted he’d be back so soon. But thankfully, having the mind of a goon, there he was, exactly where I wanted him to be. I might have had to go as low as paying him a visit and jerking him off on the floor of a dirty convenience store, but it was a small sacrifice to make in pursuit of my plan.

“I could have given you a ride,” I said after he was done securing his bicycle.

“Why? You’re the one who gave me this to begin with.”

I glanced at the piece of junk I’d gotten him out of spite a while back. Honestly, I thought he’d have long since thrown it away, if not for it being useless, then for the humiliation of getting such a gift.

“Why do you still have it?”

Running his fingers through his hair, he shrugged. “Changed the chains, so now they’re pretty decent.”

“It’s a piece of garbage.”

He side-eyed me, a teasing smirk on his full lips. “Might be, but it’s working just fine. Besides, cycling’s good cardio.”

What a moron.

“Fine, do as you please. Now, take this.” I handed him a paper bag.

He took it from me. “What’s in it?”

“Masks.”

“Why do I need one?” He frowned. “I thought you were taking me to see a fight tonight.”

“The owner of this establishment has a kink for masks,” I said, thinking of the Frenchman and his bizarre taste. “The fighters don’t wear them, only the guests. And since tonight we’re only there to watch, make sure to keep it on your face.”

“Gotcha.”

I rolled my eyes at him sounding this dumb before checking my watch.

“Let’s go. The fight will start soon.”

I turned around and began walking toward the club. Unlike the hangar on the docks, these fights were exclusive to invitees only, making them rather intimate. For that reason, they were held in an underground club in downtown Miami. But make no mistake, those fights were anything but shady. Luxury on top of luxuries, that was the Frenchman’s style, and you could always count on him to deliver an experience. The asshole shouldn’t even be in Miami, considering the city was Eduardo’s territory, and yet, that crazy bastard kept challenging the status quo. It seemed to me that LA had grown boring to the Frenchman, and he’d long since wished to expand his business to the East Coast. He was risking starting a gang war, and yet, he didn’t care. In fact, I believed he was taking advantage of the boss’s desire to keep the peace; otherwise, a war would have been long overdue.

In any other situation, I’d be annoyed if someone was stealing our work, but in this case, I was one of the beneficiaries. You see, there were very few ways to earn money fast and without awakening anyone’s suspicions, two factors that were critical in my case. Betting on fights was one of those ways. The fact that I was here at all was enough of a reason for Eduardo to slit my throat, but so far, he hadn’t found out. Still, I knew it was only a matter of time until I ran out of luck; therefore, I had to make the most of it while I still could.

“Make sure to stick to me tonight, and more importantly, do not speak to anyone,” I said, not bothering to slow down as I spoke.

“Anything else I need not to do?”

My lips twisted as his voice alone was enough to irritate me.