Page 168 of Embriagado

“Santi!” my brother called as soon as he saw me stepping out of the cab.

Not slowing down, I walked toward him, my blood boiling.

“Thank fuck you’re here⁠—”

His words were cut short after I smacked him, and he held on to his cheek, his head bowed down.

“The fuck’re you doing here, huh?” I snapped, clenching his shirt when he placed his hand on top of mine.

“I can explain!”

My eyes darted to the line of people behind him, waiting to get into the Kallos party, then back to my idiotic brother.

“Didn’t I tell you to stay out of trouble?”

“I was!”

I pinched his ear, and he whined.

“Ouch—”

“How is coming here staying out of trouble, pelotudo?” I pinched harder, and he folded with the pain.

“Fuck, you’ll rip my ear off⁠—”

“Why did you come to the hotel, Nacio?”

He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to get free. “’Cause of Tess! Fuck!” he gasped as I finally let him go.

“The fuck does she have to do with this place?” I narrowed my eyes at him while he rubbed his ear.

“Fucking hell, bro, if you’d just let me explain.”

“Start talking.”

Pouting his lips like some baby, he sighed. “Tess’s inside, ’kay?”

I glanced at the hotel, my hotel, and back to Nacio. “What do you mean?”

“She got invited to the damn party, dumbass.”

A bit surprised, my brows rose, but then I realized that actually, I didn’t give a fuck.

“So?”

“So?” my brother squealed, eyes wide. “I wanna go there, too.”

Suddenly, I couldn’t help but laugh, and I shook my head.

“That’s what this is all about? You didn’t get an invitation?” He stayed quiet, so I sighed. “Jesus fucking Christ, Nacio. I’m going home.”

I moved to turn away when he grabbed my arm.

“You don’t get it. I have to get in, too.”

“And why’s that?”

“Who knows who she’ll meet there? That place is packed with rich fuckers. I mean, just look at the cars lined up.” He cocked his head in the direction of the Ferraris and Porsches parked on the side of the hotel’s driveway. “She’ll leave me for good this time, so please, Santi. Please.”