Page 189 of Embriagado

I glanced down at the girl and the pool of blood underneath her head, my stomach twisting at the sight.

“What’s the matter, little rat? Don’t tell me a bit of blood suddenly scares you. We all know you’re the coldest motherfucker out there, so why pretend?”

Just give me a break and fucking die, you piece of shit.

“Clean this up and come upstairs. Then, I might just not tell my uncle about your mistakes tonight.”

But not before I gouge out your eyes and slit your throat, you fucking whore.

Wrenched out of my thoughts, I looked up to see Alejandro was already gone.

Finally.

The mere sight of this man, or any other member of that cursed family, was enough to remind me of the chains I’d tied myself with—chains I didn’t realize would have such dire consequences. Consequences such as this poor girl, who, in a moment of crisis, only wanted to hug her mother. Unfortunately, she would never have that chance now, and I would never be able to keep my promise to Mr. Rivas. Ultimately, Alejandro’s cruel actions served as a reminder that, in a fleeting moment of weakness, I’d forgotten I was in no position to make promises, especially ones I knew I could never keep.

47

SANTIAGO

“Where do you want this?”

“Right here is fine,” Imani said, her back to me, as she stocked beer bottles into the outdoor bar’s fridge.

Dropping the box next to her, I then stretched my arms. “Need me to bring anything else?”

She checked the supply list on her phone. “No, it looks like we got everything we needed.”

She went back to the beer while I watched her work.

“That party really emptied us out of booze, huh?”

She nodded. “Yes. But it’s always like that.”

Glancing around the pool area, which now stood empty, it was hard to imagine that only last weekend, it was packed with people.

“Say, Imani.”

“What is it?”

I leaned against the bar. “Don’t you think it’s weird how they hire different people every time?”

“I guess? But it’s been like that since the start.”

“The start?”

Grabbing the empty box from the floor, she pointed at the other ones. “Help me toss these out?”

Not letting her ask twice, I grabbed the other cartons and ran to keep up with her.

“So when did those parties start?”

She pursed her lips, her brown eyes meeting mine. “Since the hotel opened. So, about a year and a half ago?”

“And you’ve never been to one?”

She looked at me funny. “Yeah… What’s this all about?”

I shrugged. “Just curious.”