Page 37 of A Man of Prestige

“Sure. Can’t have you buying your own graduation dinner.” The server is quick with our receipt, and in a matter of minutes, we’re standing outside.

“I guess I’ll see you at family dinner,” Hugh says as he gets in a car.

“Yeah, I’ll see you later. Congrats again,” I say as he shuts the door and the car pulls away, leaving me on the corner.

I look around at all the people. It’s busy for this time of night. I glance toward the arena and realize that there must be a concert. I decide to walk the few blocks to my car. I know my security is in tow somewhere behind me, but I ignore the guy.

As I cross the street, I see her. Ella. I’m transfixed as I watch her throw her head back and laugh. Yet, something is off because as she brings her head back down, she looks around her and pulls out her phone. I look to her left and see Elena. Why’s she here? I haven’t seen Elena in years. She looks so much older. No longer a teenager, but a woman.

I watch, unable to look away. Does she care this little? She’s just out having fun. The anger boils to the surface as I begin to cross the street. It’s then that I see the person. A cloaked person. In the dark crowded street, it just looks like someone wearing a hoodie or hooded coat, but that is most definitely a cloak. They are watching her. Or are they watching me?

A paranoia that I have never felt before begins to creep into my psyche. How long have they been watching us?

My steps quicken as I reach the other side. I intentionally knock into Elena. It’s low-hanging fruit. I know she’ll recognize me. And even though I’m pissed as fuck at Ella, I don’t want her harmed.

“Aiden?” Elena’s eyes widen as she says my name.

“Oh, hey! How are you?” I say, feigning excitement and surprise.

“Oh my gosh! Wow! I can’t believe it!” she says, nudging Ella.

Ella looks at me with eyes that beg me to leave them alone. I give the subtlest shake of my head possible and her features morph into confusion. She looks around again.

“Were you at the concert?” Elena asks, motioning behind us. I’ve lost sight of the hooded figure in the darkness of the evening and surrounding crowd. Could it be a new member? I missed the initiation ceremony a few months ago because of an issue with a patient in a drug trial. It’s unusual that I miss them.

I try to remember how many new members we had, was it four this time? Our pledge class was a large one, unusual in its size.

“Oh, no. I was actually just having dinner with my little brother, Hugh. He graduated from grad school today,” I explain.

“I didn’t know Hugh was graduating,” Ella says softly.

“Estella Maria Garcia! How can you not remember that? Hugh always wanted to get his MBA. He must be so excited! I can’t wait to finish grad school. I wish I’d started earlier,” Elena rambles on without a care in the world, because she’s young, and she doesn’t have any worries, at least not like the ones Ella and I have.

“Right. I had forgotten,” she mumbles as she looks away from me and back at Elena. “Well, it was nice to see you, Aiden, but Elena has to leave early tomorrow morning, so we should get back.”

“I’ll give you a ride,” I say.

“No, really, that’s not necessary,” she says, giving me a look. She’s angry at me? What the fuck? I want to have it out with her right here on the corner of the block with thousands of concert-goers walking around us, but I don’t. Instead, I make up my mind that I will see them home safely, and after that…well, I don’t know what I’ll do.

“It’s no trouble. I’m just parked a few blocks down,” I say as I look around again. I decide to take the long way and follow the hordes of people. We stick with a group of twenty or so people. Elena peppers me with questions. I politely answer them.

“In here,” I say as we walk by a door. I scan a card, and we wait for the elevator. As I look out the window of the door, I see the hooded figure across the street. Fuck. Do they know?

Whoever it is, stands and watches me. I wonder how many other nights I missed being followed. Or is this the first? I want to alert my security guy, but I don’t want to draw attention. Not right now.

As soon as the elevator dings, I usher them inside. Once we get to my car, I hesitate. Could it be a trap? My security comes walking up behind us and I look over at him. He gives me a nod that the car is fine to drive and motions to his car that’s parked across from mine.

I open the passenger and back doors for Ella and Elena, and they get inside.

“Is that a bodyguard?” Elena asks as she looks toward the man.

“Sort of,” I state as I start the car.

“Damn, Aiden, high roller,” she says with a whistle. I chuckle.

“Where to?” I ask as I glance over at Ella.

She rattles off the address that I already know. I nod and pretend I know the place as Elena launches into more small talk.

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