Page 52 of High

Thiago

As soon as we got back to the apartment, I set up a bath for Manny like I’d promised. He asked me to join him, but I kissed him on the forehead, told him I had some work to do, and then left him to soak in the steamy water. I went straight to the small office I’d found on my walkthrough earlier and fell into the leather chair sitting against the wall.

The last thing I’d wanted to do was take Manny’s virginity right there in front of everyone, but seeing Arlo attempt to whisk Manny away—again—had my anger teetering on uncontrollable. I’d had two choices: either kill my brother or fuck Manny to show Arlo who he belonged to. Choosing the latter had been the best decision. I’d expected Manny to be angry at me, not love every bit of it.

The thought made me smile. He was perfect for me.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. “Come in.”

Rafael stepped through, Tadeo at his heels. The brothers looked a lot alike, except Tadeo was shorter and stockier. He was the perfect soldier, willing to fight and kill, and while Rafael didn’t mind getting his hands dirty as well, he had always been more of a diplomat, a negotiator like his father before him.

“That was interesting,” Rafael said, smirking.

I snorted and straightened in my chair, waving at them to come farther into the room. Tadeo closed the door behind them. “He deserved it. Pinche huevón. Arlo doesn’t know when to stop. He pushes until someone snaps.”

“He’s always been like that,” Tadeo said, crossing his beefy arms with a grin.

I sighed. “I know. He’s lucky Manny enjoyed it, or I’d skin him alive.”

Rafael nodded because he knew I was telling the truth. Arlo and I hadn’t ever hated each other, but he’d never liked my relationship with Manny, either, and as a result, he poked at my patience about everything. He wasn’t a complete idiot, though, and mostly irritated me around family and close friends because he knew I couldn’t be seen as weak. Our business would survive only on my reputation as a heartless bastard who would kill those who disrespected me. Fucking Manny in front of him had been a strong sign of my strength, and a perfect lesson for my spoiled little brother.

“Where is he now?” I turned to my cousins, jaw tight, the urge to go get a drink making my fingers twitch. I didn’t allow myself to indulge because I’d already had enough tonight, and I made an effort never to get drunk, not when I had enemies lurking in every dark corner. While I was sure Odin would make an example out of the attack that happened earlier tonight, I didn’t trust anyone not to be stupid again. Don Antonio was desperate, and I knew from experience he did crazy things when he was like that.

“Licking his imaginary wounds.” Tadeo boomed out a laugh and it echoed around the room.

Rafael rolled his eyes. “Back in the apartment downstairs with Jorge.”

“Good. I want him to stay away from Manny if I’m not around. Am I understood?”

Rafael raised his eyebrows at me and stepped closer. His dressy shirt pulled at his wide shoulders as he placed his hands in the pockets of his Oxford-blue suit pants. “Manny seems to be able to handle himself.”

“He can, but that doesn’t mean I have to trust my brother around him. Arlo’s made a point of how estúpido he is. Manny wouldn’t do the same to Arlo as he did to a stranger.”

He nodded. “Very well. Onto other matters—”

“Make it quick. Manny will be done soon and I want to spend time with him.”

Rafael smirked but continued. “I got in contact with some sicarios about Antonio. They’re happy to take him out, but I gave them orders that if they can get him to us alive, they’d be paid more.”

“Good. I’d rather slit his throat myself,” I grumbled. “There’s nothing like making sure a job is done right.” Sighing, I patted him on the arm. “Thank you, Rafa. I mean it. You’ve been a loyal cousin and friend.”

His smirk softened to a smile. “De nada. I would do anything for you, Thiago. You’ve never let us down.”

I didn’t know what else to say because these soft moments didn’t happen often, and I didn’t want to make it a habit, so I nodded and waved toward the door. “Go check on Arlo. If he gives you any trouble, message me.”

“Sí, Jefe.” Rafael grinned before he turned to exit the room. Tadeo wasn’t far behind him, and he winked at me before he left.

The room was silent again and I settled back into the chair to stop myself from pacing. I didn’t know what would happen now that Manny and I had fucked. If I had it my way, we’d do it a lot more because I’d had him, and now I was addicted, a junkie for his taste and the feel of being inside him. Emmanuel Méndez-Beltrán was my choice of drug.

I didn’t know how long I sat there, but I must have fallen asleep at some point because when I opened my eyes again, Manny was standing in front of me, a white towel secured around his waist. His golden skin glowed under the sharp lights of the room and his dark wet hair dripped with water, the beads sliding down the sides of his cheeks and into his short stubble. And just like that, I was awake, with my cock chubbing up at the beautiful sight before me.

Manny smiled and unclasped the towel from his waist, letting it pool around his feet. He moved forward and languidly sat on my lap, his knees digging into the chair on either side of my thighs.

“Hi,” he whispered.

My belly turned hot, pleasure and excitement dancing through my body, lighting it up as though it was a fire spreading through me. “Hey.”

He hooked his arms around my neck and kissed me gently. I grabbed his ass, keeping him against me, and he laughed. “While I enjoyed what you did earlier in front of everyone, I thought you could fuck me in private this time. Just you and me.”