Page 5 of Guarded

Ghost, the club’s Vice President, came to reconnect with his wife, Thalia Consuelo. For reasons unknown to me, he faked his death for seven years.

What the fuck does that have to do with me? Great question. I’ve been asking myself the same thing.

Somehow, I got caught up in spying on the Consuelo family for both Ghost and Leatherface. Shit got messy when Ghost’s solution to restoring his marriage was to kidnap Thalia. Next thing you know Leatherface is dragging me into his bullshit. Which was how I got here again. Same place. Different assignment.

Said assignment, Ariella Reyes.

Aurelio Reyes was a natural-born leader with immense power within the cartel world. Power that grew when he married Vicente Consuelo’s oldest daughter, Adriana. Securing an alliance between Los Reyes de Tamulipas and The Houston Cartel Connect. Billions of dollars were washed through the five-star hotel and made its way into the pockets of the tycoons that sat at the top of each individual family’s empire.

For the Reyes family, that meant double the profit. Adriana and Aurelio were filthy rich. They had three children: Axel, Adan, and Ariella.All A names.Yup if you’re thinking that’s psycho as fuck, I agree. It screams, “Our children will end up in the psych ward.” But who am I to judge? The only family I have are my brothers with similar patches on the back of their cuts. The lot of us were as dysfunctional as they came.

Los Peregrinos del Infierno.The Pilgrims from Hell.

The motorcycle gang was the family I chose. When I joined, Leatherface was still a young boy going by the name Cassiel. Not the scar-faced man he is today. I was still a prospect when he received the large scar running down the middle of his face, earning him the name Leatherface. He had his own weird and maladjusted relationship with the Consuelo family.

Taking my time, I slow down my speed as I ride up to the Hotel. I scan my badge and ride to the back of the building,parking next to a black Audi that belonged to Axel Reyes. He stands outside it, staring me down.

I’m late.

I knew I’d be late.

I was late on purpose.

Just to see the reaction on this arrogant bastard’s face. Pissing off entitled rich kids was a favorite passtime of mine. I pull out a cigarette and light it up, staring directly at him through my black shades.

“This is how you show up to your first day of work?” Axel scoffs.

“Is it a problem?” I ask him as I exhale the smoke.

“It is when I’m paying you to be on time.”

I shrug, and his eye twitches. Regaining his composure, he nods to the small duffle bag I brought with me.

“Is that all you’re bringing?”

“It’s all I need,” I reply.

I have six black tees, four pairs of jeans, some undergarments, a rosary, deodorant, and shampoo. Not having to wear a suit daily was part of my bargaining with Axel when he approached me for the job.

“Ariella is arranged to be married soon. I have a suitor in mind, but I’m still working out the details of our arrangement. In the meantime I need you to make sure she doesn’t fuck this up.” He says, straightening his suit jack and opening the back door into the Hotel. I flick my cigarette and follow him inside.

“And I’ll have nights and weekends off?” I say, reminding him of our original conversation.

I need nights and weekends off for club runs. The Houston chapter is still in the developmental phase. The clubhouse is being renovated, and more members are being recruited.

The original members from Arizona were Leatherface, Ghost Hueso, Jasper, and me. We had found three more guys to joinus, but two had already quit, leaving us with our new prospect, Louie.

Ghost stepped down, disagreeing with Leatherface and leaving the Vice President position up for vote. I was vetting for the position, which offered a higher pay cut, power, and protection—everything I needed to find Tala.

My plan had always been to find my sister, and I made a silent vow when she didn’t return that night. That night, fire consumed what was left of the house where we grew up. Evangeline fled with what she could grab. Fear that Tala had exposed her abusive patterns motivated her to run as far as Arizona. Where she would create a new hell for me.

“And the information I asked you for?” I ask Axel.

Despite what Cassiel thought, I wasn’t doing this shit by own free will. The guilt I felt about what happened with Ariella was a minor factor, but I had made a deal with Axel. He was willing to trade me for the information I needed to find Tala. In exchange, I would be the entitled cartel princess’s bodyguard.

“This was the last address I could trace her to. It’s off Scott Street.”Axel hands me a white envelope before we exit the elevator.

I follow behind him until we reach the familiar penthouse door. He walks right in, and I follow after him. The living room is spacious with a small sofa, rocking chair, and a TV. On the coffee table is a half-finished puzzle. In the corner of the room sits a desk and laptop, where I notice the Princess herself is seated.

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