Page 95 of The Butterfly Killer

When you were around a dangerous predator, your subconscious knew. Whether you listened to that subconscious or not, acknowledged the fear which you felt, would depend on your own willingness to admit you were prey.

Marcus’s steps slowed. It hit him then that he was going to meet the man he’d been chasing all these years. He now knew his face.

Miguel had been watching them since the moment they walked in. He’d known it was them. His eyes were on Roman. He recognized him to be his copycat. There was admiration in his eyes. It was like he was saying “well done” and “of course you’re my predecessor”.

However, under that praise was jealousy. It was a burning hatred that came with being direct competition to a man who couldn’t settle with being second fiddle.

The man next to Miguel disappeared next to the serial killer. His dark hair was slicked back. He had a thin mustache and a goatee. A plate of eggs and bacon sat in front of him, untouched.His forehead sheened with a layer of sweat under the cheap diner lights.

He watched Roman and Marcus closed in on the table but looked down. His fists clenched.

Miguel stood. “Ah. Roman. You didn’t say you were a good looking fella.”

He went to pull Roman into a “friendly” hug. Roman pulled away, a cool look on his face.

“I am not here to fake friendliness.”

Miguel raised his hands, a mock smile on his face. His eyes flickered to Marcus for the first time. His smile grew into something that looked more like a grimace—a grin that was more ominous than a whale opening its mouth.

“Marcus Palmer.” Miguel gestured to the other side of the booth. “Sit down. I’ll flag the waitress.”

Miguel sat down. Marcus looked up at Roman for direction. Roman nodded toward the booth. Marcus sat first, scooting to be across from the other man who was sweating more profusely. He didn’t look well at all. Nerves? How could someone so bold to rat on the cartel be so spineless?

Roman scooted into the booth seat next to Marcus. Miguel raised his hand to get the waitress’s attention. She came by shortly.

“Hello. What can I get for you?”

She took their orders without needing a pen and pad. Marcus couldn’t stomach anything except coffee and a biscuit. Roman ordered a hot cup of tea. She left as quickly as she came.

Miguel’s eyes tracked her, falling to her ass. He wasn’t overt about it.

Roman narrowed his eyes. If his eyes could kill, Miguel would only be brain matter in the seat.

Marcus knew it was like stepping into a sleeping bear’s cave when he stared at Miguel. He couldn’t stop himself from doing itthough. He felt starstruck. He’d met a handful of famous people before, mostly politicians, but he’d never had this feeling of awe he was having right now.

But the more he looked at Miguel, the more the affect wore off. Miguel wasn’t interesting to look at. He didn’t have the same aloofness Roman possessed. He wasn’t nice to look at either. He was jarring. The pits in his face, the sprinkling of hair on his jawline, and his skinny form all made Marcus want to look away.

It was a reminder that Miguel wasn’t some invincible big figure.

He was just a man.

“Here you are.” The waitress—Rose—sat their drinks down along with Marcus’s biscuit. “Let me know if you need anything.”

Miguel grinned with teeth, a folded five dollar dangling from his fingers. “Sure thing, sugar.”

Rose looked absolutely disgusted, but she took the cash tip with a grin.

She scurried off. Marcus had completely lost his appetite. He drained half the coffee, glaring at Miguel before Rose was even out of sight. He slammed the cup down.

Miguel glanced over at him. “Have something to say, boy?”

Marcus ground his teeth. There was a little bit of coffee still in his mouth. He thought about spitting it on the bastard.

Roman put his elbows on the table, blocking some of Miguel’s view of Marcus. “Talk to me. That’s what we’re here for.”

Miguel looked like he didn’t want to leave Marcus alone. But he shrugged, taking a short drink before he started to talk.

“We have a proposition. You work for us and we’ll give you protection.”

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