Page 105 of Explosive Prejudice

“That was fast,” I said, peeling my eyes off the screen and ready to start the car when I froze.

“Not fast enough,” Orson smirked, making himself comfortable on the passenger seat. Shifting the rearview mirror, he checked his reflection. “Seems like I need to shave, don’t you agree?” he asked, moving his hand over his nearly clean-shaven jaw.

“W-what are you doing here?” I hissed once I found my voice again. My whole body felt like a bundle of nerves, making me choke on my words.

“You mean, here as in your car or here as in the sex club you’ve been attending way too many times if you’d ask me.” His rotten eyes moved to scan me viciously.

My skin ran cold, and I couldn’t move.

“Oh, you thought we wouldn’t find out? How foolish of you. But hey, I’m not here to lecture you. I’m just the messenger.” He grinned wickedly. “It’s about time for you to go home, Shay-Lee.”

I shook my head, my lips trembling as I spat out a weak no.

“No?” Orson laughed and patted his leg. “He tells me no.” He pretended to wipe his tears, then grabbed my shoulder and leaned close. “How about that,” he said and pulled a gun out, pressing the cold muzzle to my lips, nearly shoving it into my mouth. “If you don’t drive home right now, I’ll put a bullet in the head of the next person who steps outside.” Moving the gun from me, he pointed it at the door Camilo had entered a few minutes ago. “Got it?”

Biting my lips together so hard I tasted blood, I nodded.

“You’re such a good boy.” He grabbed my jaw and darted his tongue out to lick the side of my face. His disgusting tongue slowly moved from my jawline all the way up to my temple. My body shrank from repulsion and fear.

“God, you’re so delicious,” he groaned, his voice sickening. “Can’t wait for the day I’ll finally get to have a real taste.” With that, he let go and opened the car’s door.

I didn’t move until he was out and we no longer shared the same breathing space.

“Clock is ticking, Shay-Lee,” he said and shut the door.

My heart beat so fast I was about to pass out, but I couldn’t. No matter how frightened I was, I had to hold myself together. Camilo could step out any moment now. Knowing that, I clenched the gear stick with shaking fingers and forced it into drive before pushing the gas and driving off.

What a fucking idiot I was to believe tonight was anything more than a short escape from the cruelty I called my life.

And I was sure my father was about to prove me right.

Diesel

After I grabbed my phone, I made my way back to Shay-Lee. So far, tonight had been perfect, and I could hardly count the minutes until I would have his naked body underneath mine with his arms and legs wrapped around me. Unfortunately, my good mood was replaced with annoyance as I walked to the back alley and saw Shay-Lee’s car was no longer there.

“What the hell,” I muttered while looking around, an unsettling feeling twisting my gut. After checking the street to make sure he didn’t just move his car, I tried calling him and was sent straight to voicemail. My anxiety grew, and then I got a text.

Llorón: Sorry, had an emergency. Talk with you tomorrow.

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

Was Shay-Lee shutting me out again like he had so many times before, pushing back the minute we got too close? Trying to break down his walls was nearly impossible because whenever I took one down, he built two more.

Or maybe not? The only time Shay-Lee had seemed off tonight was after the show, but I had gotten through to him, and he’d seemed fine since. More than fine. He was euphoric, the same way I was.

My worry was confirmed after I rounded the building toward the main entrance and saw Orson giving his car keys to the valet before entering the club. Oh yeah, I remembered the son of a bitch’s face.

Without thinking twice, I headed back to the employees’ lounge, put my mask on, and walked into the club, ready to hunt down the scum.

I quickly spotted him in the lounge, where he picked up a male Gatto with long blond hair. The two exchanged a few words before making their way into one of the private rooms. Grabbing a bottle of vodka from the bar, I followed and waited in the shadows until they stopped before a closed door. Once Orson turned the lock, I charged at him. The Gatto he was with screamed as I smashed the bottle on Orson’s head and then kicked his ass into the open room.

“Keep quiet, or I’ll cut off your dick,” I told the Gatto, then walked into the room and locked the door behind me.

“W-what the hell,” the prick hissed while rubbing the back of his bleeding head as he struggled to get up.

“Hijueputa.” I kicked his stupid body to the floor, then cracked my knuckles before fisting my hands.

Twenty minutes later, I left the club with Orson’s valet card in my bloodied hands. The son of a bitch deserved every single punch I gave him. I didn’t kill the fucker but made sure to knock the wind out of him before tying his unconscious body to the bed to keep him from coming after me.

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