Page 167 of Embriagado

“It’s done,” I said, grabbing the keychain and bringing it closer. “We’re all set for Saturday.”

Holding it by the silver chain, I watched the fox dangle from side to side.

“Good. Did the bastard ask for a raise?”

I shook my head, eyes still on the fox. “No. But I’m sure he will soon.”

Eduardo huffed. “We’ll just have to get rid of him once he does. Those greedy badge-wearing bastards… The higher the rank, the greedier they become.”

Like you’re one to talk.

“All the invites were sent, too. We’ll have some new faces this time around.”

“Good, that’s good… Our clients get bored if we keep handing them the same supply.”

Supply.

I clenched the keychain in my fist.

It’s human beings you’re talking about, you repulsive pig.

“Anyway, keep up the good work, Ariyan.”

I held my breath, trying not to scream.

“I’ll call you again before the party,” he said and hung up.

After the call ended, I placed the phone back in the drawer and was ready to put the keychain in there, too, but stopped before I did. Looking at it again, I thought of him.

Santiago Rivas.

Yes, I was fed up with men like the chief and Eduardo, but thanks to this useful moron, I’d soon be free of them all.

43

SANTIAGO

Nacio still hadn’t come back home since our little argument the other day, meaning I had the whole place to myself. So, with one hand shoved in my sweats, cupping my balls to warm up, and the other holding the remote, I zipped through the channels. It was Saturday night, and having no work or a fight on my schedule, my sole plan was to chill.

Getting comfortable after picking a movie, I sank back into the couch. It had been a while since I had a whole weekend to myself, which was nice. I mean, we all need to rest once in a while, right? I scratched my left nut, feeling irritated. Somehow, sitting on my ass felt wrong, and I looked around the empty house, noticing there were some dishes left in the sink. Pulling my hand out of my pants, I paused the movie and got up to clean those dishes. While I was at it, I remembered I had some laundry to fold, so after I was done in the kitchen, I grabbed the basket filled with clean clothes and took it back to the living room. Who knew taking care of a house was this difficult? After Mom passed, we all learned it the hard way. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, everything I used to take for granted turned into a challenge, but after needing to wash Dad’s pants of booze and urine, one could say I became a pro in no time. I shook my head at the memory before placing Nacio’s folded T-shirts beside me in a pile. The thought he’d end up the same way one day nearly ripped my heart to shreds, and I had to close my eyes.

That damn kid will be the death of me.

My phone rang, cutting into my thoughts and pulling me back. Opening my eyes, I saw it was on the coffee table in front of me, vibrating as it rang. Grabbing it, I huffed after seeing the caller ID.

“It’s about time you call⁠—”

“I-I need your help,” Nacio said, out of breath.

My alarm immediately went up, and I straightened. “What’s wrong? Where are you?”

“You’re not going to like it.”

I rubbed the bridge of my nose, feeling my heart rate escalating. “Damn it, Nacio, just tell me where you are!”

My worst fear was him telling me he’d gotten arrested, but then, he said something else that turned out to be just as bad.

* * *