Page 24 of Defy

People turn to talk to those they came with and I scan the room in full-on security mode. Fuck my brother’s safety; I’m assessing my own seeing as I’m the one drawing all the attention.

“They look like they’re seeing a ghost,” my brother jokes about the reactions around us. Those who knew me stare with wide eyes trying to process my sudden reappearance. A sharp pang of loss crashes over me. Richard had said something similar when I arrived in Aruba after hearing my story.Looks like we’re hosting a ghost. Best to let them think you’re dead, son. You’ll need a new identity, but for now we’ll call you Casper.

I’m brought back to the present when I feel a hand on my uninjured shoulder and quickly go to remove it until I realize it’s just Luis.

Still chuckling, he says, “Easy brother, this is our table.”

We’re up on a raised platform with five open-air cubicles. Each one separated by ropes. In front of us, is a wall of screens that are separated from each other’s cubicles by a black curtain. The only reason I know they’re screens is because a moving logo keeps bouncing around. The screens are about nine feet high and twelve feet long, making me wonder what they’re used for. Luis has spread out on a loveseat while I settle down in an armchair opposite him. Two of the other cubicles have people in them and two are free.

“Don’t you think this makes it a little obvious that we’re here? You’re an open target, not to mention a sitting duck.”

A smile spreads across his face. “See? This is why I think you should be on the security team. You’re always in theonposition.”Right. We both know you want me on the security team because that means I answer to you.“But yes, my team has thought about these things. That’s why I have men stationed all around this room watching the doors and every staircase. I come here to relax. Iwantto be seen when I’m here. I like for everyone to know I could pop in at any moment. Keeps them on their toes.”

My eyes continue to scan the room. There are too many people. It’s impossible to tell if one of them is hiding a weapon, especially since firearms are so small now. We’d likely never know until the first shot was fired…and that’s too late.

“You at least need bullet-resistant plexiglass around two of the sides.” I show him by drawing in the air with my hands. “That way you shrink the monitored field size way down.”

Luis laughs light heartedly as if his life is a big joke.

He flags down a busty waitress who is basically wearing underwear and orders a Jack and Coke. “Over the last twenty years, Mom and Dad have really gotten this town in their back pockets. There hasn’t been much bloodshed since you left.”

Naïve little dick.

“Yeah, well, now I’m back and I can guarantee that’s about to change.”

He turns serious. “Dom, what are you planning?”

“I’m not planning anything but you’re an ignorant fool if you think my return doesn’t change things for this family,” I say vehemently. “There was peace because most people thought I was dead. My body count was over three hundred by the time I was twenty, Luis. Three hundred people in five years. You think people don’t remember that?”Hell, my parents probably told everyone they’d killed me themselves to appease some of our enemies.

There’s no need to compare our numbers. Luis is soft in ways I never was. He’s easily distracted and manipulated, and far too eager to be seen. To do the jobs my father had me do, I had to live in the shadows. The limelight was the enemy…unless I needed an alibi.

I took my first life at the age of fifteen. I didn’t know the target. Didn’t know his family. Hell, I didn’t even know what he’d done wrong. Somehow, I was too young to be giventhosedetails, but not too young to be given the responsibility of ending his life. After I’d pulled the trigger, the only emotion I felt was joy at the way my father smiled at me and praised my obedience as well as my aim.

I trusted him completely and took pride in being a man and learning how to defend my family. Bile rises in my throat at the memory. Perhaps Luis and Iaren’tthat different. Perhaps the way he is, is who he was bred to be.

I quickly push the thought aside. I can’t afford to get sentimental now. Besides, he already touched Libby, and I’m a man of my word.

The busty waitress deposits Luis’s drink and undresses me with her eyes while she waits for my order. I shake my head no.

“I’m good.”

After an hour of running through security protocols for this place in particular - out of which there are at least fifty flaws - he starts to get a little loose-lipped. Looks like my brother handles his stress with alcohol just like I thought he might when I saw all those empty bottles in his suite.

When the waitress comes back with a refill for my brother, he says, “You know, Dom, no one likes to drink alone.” He winks at the waitress as he says this and hell, I’m willing to play along if it gets me what I want.

“Fine. I’ll have what he’s having.”

She nods and leaves us alone.

“Come here, I want to show this to you.” Luis motions over to what looks like a computer in the corner and after he hits a button, the screen lights up.

“What the hell is this?”

“It’s a game system. Here, take this.” He hands a plastic gun to me and starts backing up toward a yellow line that’s taped on the floor.

“Are you ready?” he says over the music from the DJ.

“No. I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to be re—”

---