Page 22 of Embriagado

“Speaking of working out, I’ve been meaning to ask what you do?” He placed his hand on my arm, softly caressing my skin. “Not to be too blunt, but your biceps are huge. I wish I knew how to gain such muscles.”

In seconds, my body felt like it was set on fire, and I quickly coughed to clear my throat.

“I box.” That was the only thing I managed to spit out.

He gave my biceps a small squeeze. “All that just from boxing?”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I mean, I also jog and lift some weights? I can teach you how, if you ever want?”

He let out that rolling chuckle again. “I doubt I’d be able to keep up with you.”

Oh, fuck me.

“But I’ll keep that invitation in mind.”

He’d let go and was about to move when I reached for his arm and grabbed it.

“Mr. Rivas?” he asked, a bit out of breath as I pulled him close.

I parted my lips to say something, anything, when nothing came out. Frankly, my body moved before my dumb brain even calculated what I was doing, and now, it was blank. Thankfully, my phone buzzed again, giving me the perfect excuse to let him go.

“S-sorry, I have to take this,” I muttered, unable to meet his eyes.

“Please, feel free.” He smoothed a hand over his blazer.

Nodding, I quickly stepped out of his office and answered the call.

“What?” I hissed, fucking pissed at my brother but mostly at myself.

“Is that the way to greet an old friend?”

My heart immediately paused at the sound of someone else speaking from my little brother’s phone, and I tensed on the spot.

“Who the fuck is this? Where’s Nacio?”

“Seriously? It’s only been three years, and you already forgot my voice, Rivas? But then again, you were always a tough nut to crack.”

My blood boiled in seconds, and I swore at this motherfucker. “The fuck you want, Ace?”

He laughed. “So you do remember me, after all.”

I clenched the phone harder, my jaw going tight.

“Where’s my brother?”

“He’s right here. Say hey, Nacio.”

I heard some people laughing before my brother spoke in the background. He sounded fine, like he was having a good time, which only made it worse.

“We’re having a drink, talking about money and stuff. You should come and join us, yeah?”

Breathing slowly, I closed my eyes and rubbed the bridge of my nose. This was bad, and I was about to kill Nacio for meeting with that crew. But in order for me to do that, I’d first have to go over there and grab him.

“Send me the fucking address,” I hissed, hanging up before this piece of shit could spit another word.

“Fuck!” I hissed, clenching my fists together. “Fuck. Fuck. Fuck⁠—”

“Is everything okay?”