Page 20 of Razor's Edge
“Candy, I’ll be home later. Have a good night, don’t wait up,” I say chipperly, taking Isaias’s hand and pulling him out the door to his car.
“Don’t do anything I’d do,’’ she sings songs, but she tries to hide the hurt.
Isaias holds the door open while I slide into the expensive car. Once he’s in, we take off in a flash. Weaving our way through the historical downtown, people stop and stare as we drive by. A car of this caliber in a town where most are jacked up and need a good wash means we stand out. I make small talk with Isaias, trying to stop the rising unease in my body with every restaurant we pass.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask, studying his face in the dashboard light.
“It’s a surprise, Cariño Mio. Tonight, we are celebrating my official ownership of the club,” he says, laying his hand on my thigh just past the hem of my dress.
His touch once ignited a fire in me that I wanted to explore. Now it makes my skin feel like a thousand spiders are crawling all over me. Through the window, I recognize we are no longer downtown but headed for the new side with all the big McMansions. Isaias zig-zags through the curvy streets like he’s lived here his whole life. Trying again to figure out where we are going, I ask him about dinner. He squeezes my leg, almost to the point of pain.
“I told you, Cariño Mio, we are celebrating.” He sounds annoyed at having to repeat himself.
“I understand that, but my question is, where are we celebrating?”
“Here!”
We turn into a driveway with the most extravagant gate I’ve ever seen. The driveway shines like someone sprinkled it with glitter. The house comes into view when we make it around the last bend, and I’m taken aback by the grandness. It is a colonial right out ofGone with the Wind.The porch wraps around the first and second floor, with people everywhere. Extreme trepidation pours through me. I shouldn’t be here. Time to fake it until I’m safe again. Should I thank Ice for this particular training?
“Wow, this place is amazing! Is this your place?” I question, trying to ease myself.
“I stay here. There is no real place for me,” Isaias says, squeezing my leg harder.
This is not good. I’ve gotten myself into some shady situations, but this time, without a doubt, if I make it out of this alive, it’ll be a miracle. Isaias squeals the tires as he parks the car right in front of the stairs. He gets out, coming around to open my door. I hold my small bag close. I’ll go into the bathroom as soon as fucking possible and send a fuckin SOS.
“Don’t look so worried, Cariño Mio. It’s just a party to celebrate the official takeover of the club and us moving here.” Isaias says with a huge grin.
“Us?”
“Yes, my Familia and I are setting up here. Any excuse for a party,” he says, throwing his hands out wide.
I smile to hide the fear racing through my body. Things click into place. I’ve severely fucked up once a-fucking-gain. I look around for a way out. Isaias wraps his arm around my shoulders, guiding me toward the front door. The bass is so loud my feet vibrate. As the door opens, the number of people and how they are dressed takes me back. These people aren’t your everyday partiers or just looking for a good time. They all wear dresses and suits that cost more money than I get in a paycheck.
We make our way across the massive open space with people sitting on every couch and chair. Just past the living room is a dining room with a very large twelve-person table with food spread from one end to the other. To the right of the dining room is a large doorway leading to the kitchen. The back wall opens to the pool and patio where the party is happening. Before we make it there, Isaias steers us down a long hallway. Nope, this is definitely not good.
“I’ve got to use the bathroom.”.
“You can go in just a moment. Let’s talk first,” Isaias whispers and kisses the side of my head.
“What could we possibly have to talk about? Have I done somethin’ wrong?”
Isaias doesn’t say anything, just knocks twice before going through the closed door. We step into an office, and five men are in the room. I recognize three of them as guys at the club the night Isaias and I met or who have brought things by my apartment. The other two are family based on their looks. The older one with the graying hair looks how I imagine Isaias will look in twenty years. The younger guy looks like Isaias’s reflection with how alike they are. I stop in my tracks, but Isaias forces me forward, closing the door with a thud.
“Isaias, what have we here?” the older gentleman asks.
“This, Poppa, is Vice. She’s our way in!” Isaias says, sounding almost giddy with himself.
“Do tell me how your newest whore will help get info on those nasty fuckers.”
“She spends time with one of their women, and we’ve spotted one of them parked outside her apartment,” Isaias says.
Did these assholes forget I’m fucking standing here? Fuck this. I’ll be damned before I let another man fucking talk about me or around me like I’m not fucking standing right fucking there.
“Mind telling me what you are talking about?” I ask, trying to rein in my attitude.
“Well, my dear, my son here will be the head of the Revera Cartel here in this pissant town that’s in just the right place to send the product to major cities in three states. Our only problem is those nasty dogs that run this town,” Isaias’s father says.
“I don’t see why you’d think I can tell you anything. They don’t care about me. I mean, I don’t even spend time with them anymore. So, I don’t see how I can be of any help,” I say sweetly.
