Page 173 of Embriagado

“Aren’t you precious?”

“The fuck’re you callin’ precious?” Nacio hissed.

And as they continued bickering between themselves, I glanced around the pool, searching for Ariyan in the crowd. The place was packed, but a busy room never stopped me from tracking him before. And yet, I couldn’t spot him⁠—

“Santi, check this out,” Nacio called just as the bartender placed a bottle of scotch before us. “This dude says it costs two fucking grand.”

Once again, Dion seized the opportunity to get closer to my brother by bumping their shoulders together as he poured him a glass. It was rare that I met someone as tall as me, but this French bastard seemed to be my height. And honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d say he was one of the fighters, given his thick build.

“Come on, let’s drink,” he said, offering me a glass.

All done with my parole, not that it meant shit by now with the number of laws I was breaking, I took the glass from him and brought it to my lips.

“Santé,” Dion said, to which I hummed in reply, then downed the drink.

It went smoothly down my throat, warming my body in seconds and making me want more. Guess my brother felt the same because he wasted no time before allowing Dion to pour him another glass. I should definitely stay here and keep an eye on them, but the need to find Ariyan ticked inside me like a damn time bomb. Earlier, he didn’t only hurt my pride but also… my feelings?

Grossed out by the thought, I reached for the bottle and filled my glass to the brim, not waiting for them before emptying it.

“I see now why you got that title,” Dion said as I wiped my lips.

“What title?” Nacio cluelessly asked, glancing between us.

“I have no clue,” I hissed, eyes locked with Dion’s. “Nacio, didn’t you need to find Tess?”

“You’re right,” he said back to me in Spanish, then got up from the barstool he sat on. “I’m off.”

With Dion’s blue eyes still locked on me, my brother left, leaving us alone.

“What’s your game? Why are you here?”

A lopsided grin took over his lips as he pulled a silver case from his suit jacket.

“I could ask you the same thing.” He took one cigarette out of the case, tucking it between his full lips. “I didn’t know your relationship with our feisty hotelier extended beyond working hours.”

I watched the cigarette flare as he inhaled.

“My relationship with him is none of your business,” I spat, jaw clenched.

“True… but I enjoy sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong.” He took in a slow draw. “Makes life so much more interesting. For example, I’m dying to know how he tamed such a loyal dog.” He reached out his hand to touch me, but I pushed it away. Only the second I even grazed his skin, his guards, who were invisible so far, surrounded me. Seemingly unfazed and still smoking his cig, Dion held his hand up, and they backed off.

“It’s Santiago, isn’t it?”

Glancing to my sides to check no one would suddenly jump me, I carefully nodded.

“Well, Santiago, let me reassure you on one thing.” Turning around, he grabbed two new glasses and held them in one hand while filling them up. “In fact, I believe my manager already told you the same thing before, but it seems as if the message was lost.” He turned back to face me, offering me one of the glasses. “Fight for me, and I’ll make you so rich you’ll be able to flush scotch like this down the toilet.”

My eyes dipped from him to the golden liquor and up while he held the glass before him. Biting my lip, I finally reached over and grabbed it, only to slam it down on the bar.

“You can flush your offer down the toilet,” I hissed, then turned around and walked away from this bastard. Fuckers like him pissed me the fuck off, thinking they could buy anything and anyone with their dirty money.

I wasn’t for sale.

Not now, not ever.

I didn’t fight for the money, but because I’d promised to help Ari. The son of a bitch sure as fuck didn’t deserve my help, and still, there I was, searching for him like his ever-loyal pup. Did it hurt my pride? Yes. But when it came to him, nothing seemed to matter.

Pride, morals, my goddamn sanity, they were all out the window the second he was involved. Including now, as I walked around the party looking for him. So far, I hadn’t had much luck. It didn’t seem like he was at the pool area, so deciding to search elsewhere, I pushed a glass door and strode into a more private section of the hotel. The door hadn’t even closed behind me before somebody grabbed my arm and jerked me aside.