Page 32 of Black Wave

She gets up to move another box, and before I can stop myself, I blurt out, “How would you like a roommate in Houston?” She stops mid-walk.

“What?” Liv stutters like she didn’t hear me the first time, glancing back.

“You heard me. I was thinking about taking a travel assignment and just doing it. I figured now would be as good a time as any. And then we could stay together.”

I look at her, waiting for a response, and see Liv’s now turned in my direction, giving me her full attention. Her eyes brim with excitement, and for the first time in months, she smiles. “I would really like that,” she stammers.

“Good.” I stand up to embrace my friend. “I already called the recruiter for the travel agency in Houston and gave my two-week notice at the hospital today. It’s a done deal. You’re stuck with me again.”

“Are you sure, Emma?” Liv looks nervously at me.

I don’t want to give too much away, but I have learned there should always be some truth when omitting details. That way, the omission is believable, and the lie is easy to remember. So,I go for a partial truth. “I stayed here for too long and have to leave anyway.” I laugh, which sounds bitter with resentment. “I was getting too comfortable.” I wave my hand in my usual fashion and feel my lips pursing in discontent. I try to school my features, but it is too late.

Liv notices but doesn’t comment. Her eyes squint, as if trying to see through the hidden meaning of my words.

“I’ll call my job placement and make sure they can secure a place for two bedrooms. It shouldn’t be a problem, and it will allow us to look for a place we can both like living in once we get there.”

We say our good-byes and promise to chat later. I walk up to the truck, and Adrian unlocks the door. I jump in and almost miss the seat. I hear him stifle a laugh. “Not funny, asswipe.” He full-on laughs now, not bothering to hide his amusement. I close the door and buckle up.

“You are just tiny with those little legs.” He pulls the truck away, and we start the drive to my place.

“I don’t have short legs. I told you I’m proportional.” I shake my head and look out the window. “Anyway. I told Liv, and we are all set for the move. Now, we just need to get through these next two weeks before we leave.”

CHAPTER 18

Eduardo

ONE YEAR LATER

I’m sitting in my office at eleven p.m., and the club is getting packed. This is when I do most of my work, choosing to stay away from the crowds and the patrons who try to access my club and, worse, the women who try to gain access to my heart. They are fucking deluded if they think that I could give them what they want. A first date, gifts, marriage. Fuck that. I have a business to run.

My father has been down my throat with the prospects of women who would make a suitable match for the son of a don. Many have tried and failed. They pretend they don’t know who I am or don’t see the money I have and want to get their gold-digging claws sunk in. I’ve seen it all. My dad wants heirs, and my mom wants me to find happiness in the comfort of a woman who will provide the stability my life probably needs, but a home isn’t just having someone there waiting for you to satisfy the duties of the house. I want to look forward to coming home to someone. To see my kids in the likeliness of their mother, them greeting me and welcoming me toourhome. I can’t have that and have thought over and over about the fantasy of it all. I see my brother and how his eyes light up when he sees his fiancée.My hand rubs over the stubble on my face contemplating the possibility someday.

I’m pulled out of these daydreams when I get a call. I answer, pissed off from allowing myself to have these thoughts when I have work to do.

“Boss?” the voice of one of my bouncers calls. I know this can’t be good if they are bothering me.

“Yes,” I bellow into the phone. “What the fuck is it?” The door opens without anyone knocking.

I don’t get the answer because Gustavo is holding his hand. I see the cloth covering it that is saturated in blood. A tiny drop falls to the floor and I growl. “Fuck.”

I look at him up and down and signal him with my hand to come in.

“If you’re calling to tell me about Gus, he is in my office, and I can see what has happened. Is there anything else I need to do about the situation?”

“No, Boss. It’s been handled.”

We hang up, and I turn my attention to my security detail.

“What the fuck happened?”

“That waitress Cherry is what fucking happened.” He shakes his non-injured hand at me. “Her boyfriend came over here looking for you. She bragged to one of her friends about your ‘attention’ toward her. That fucker found out and came here to settle a score.”

I scoff at this. “Cherry? Where is she?” I look at him, and my anger is barely contained at such a nuisance happening in my club and so early in the night at that.

“Escorted out with her boyfriend. She was hysterical about what happened, saying she loves you and for him to leave.”

I bring my hand down my face. “Enough of this shit. Fire Cherry and ban them both from the premises.”

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