Beast

by Elizabeth Reyes

  She burst into laughter, and Leo groaned, burying his face in her neck again.

  The knock against the wall had him lifting his head again. “Keep it down in there!” Nine yelled out. “Some of us are trying to sleep.” That only made Allison laugh more. “Ali, baby, don’t let ’em slap you!”

  Leo started to sit up. “I’m gonna kick that guy’s ass.”

  Allison pulled him back down, still laughing her head off. This time even Leo laughed, despite his annoyance with Nine. “I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  Leo had questioned more than once now if maybe his feelings for Allison weren’t just a fluke as they had been with Sarah. Maybe he’d just convinced himself of it, but there wasn’t a shred of doubt now. For once in his life, he knew what everyone meant when they talked about this shit. Allison owned his heart and soul now. “I love you more, baby. So much more.”

  Twenty-seven

  Allison

  “That party Martinez said he’d let me know about is happening this weekend,” Orlando said as he walked into the kitchen from the back door. “More proof that this shit is lucrative, it’s taking place on the rooftop of his fancy-ass apartment building in downtown Los Angeles.”

  “No shit,” Nine said as he walked in the room from the other direction. “They still looking to recruit?”

  “Yeah, but only people they trust. So, don’t tell anyone else. They asked specifically for Beast.”

  “Recruit?” Allison asked, not understanding but had a bad feeling. “What are they looking to recruit you for?”

  Leonardo, who sat across from her at the small kitchen table, frowned. “A job.”

  “Finally,” Nine said as he opened the pantry and pulled out a box of cereal. “I’m sick of these piddly checks we’ve been making. I need some real cash already.”

  “What kind of job?” Allison asked cautiously.

  “The kind no one talks about.” Nine laughed as he poured his cereal in a bowl.

  Leonardo’s eyes locked on Allison’s. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  “No, tell me about it now.” Allison was already feeling a sort of betrayal she thought she never would from him. “Is it illegal?”

  “Sort of.”

  “What do you mean sort of?” Allison’s heart rate spiked as she stared him down for a real answer. “Either it is or it isn’t.”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “It’s a yes or no question, Leonardo. Are you really gonna get involved in something illegal when you’re not even off probation?”

  “No. This won’t start until I’m done with probation. Few months from now at the soonest.”

  Allison’s jaw dropped, and it took a minute for her to catch her breath. “So, it does involve illegal stuff?”

  Leonardo shook his head, glaring at Nine, who was now sitting on the kitchen counter with his bowl of cereal, chuckling. “Just tell ’er, man.”

  Allison could hardly pull her eyes away from Leonardo, who was working his jaw now. But she did. She turned to Nine, since clearly Leonardo didn’t seem in any hurry to explain. “What is it?”

  Unlike Leonardo, Nine was more than willing to oblige. “It’s the stuff of super heroes.”

  “Shut up, Nine.”

  “Your man’s gonna be saving lives and bringing families back together or die trying.”

  “Shut the fuck up, Nine!”

  Allison shook her head, even more alarmed. “You’ll be risking your life?”

  Leonardo shot to his feet so fast it startled her. “Let’s go outside.”

  Instantly on her feet as well, Allison rushed around the kitchen table, dreading that her heart could be breaking in any second. The exchanged glance between Leonardo and a very repentant-looking Orlando wasn’t missed.

  “My bad, man, I didn’t know—”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Leonardo said, interrupting Orlando before he could finish.

  Orlando’s near apology was proof enough of what Allison could only assume now: Leonardo was keeping something big from her, something even his friend didn’t realize he was doing.

  The moment they were out on the porch, Allison spun around to face him, pissed that the tears were already blurring her eyes. “Okay, so tell me.”

  “Baby, don’t cry.”

  Leonardo reached out to her, but she flinched, pulling her arm away. Not since the moment he realized he’d technically “deflowered” Allison, had she seen him look so terrified, but she didn’t care. This terrified her too.

  “Just tell me.” She swatted angry tears away. “Are you seriously gonna get involved in something dangerous? Something illegal?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “Listen to me. I was going to tell you. I’d just forgotten all about it.”

  He explained quickly about being approached by an old acquaintance about this “job” just before he got arrested the last time. “It’s not a job like what you’re thinking, but it can be dangerous, only he’d explained there were some jobs that were less dangerous. At the time, I was all for any level of danger because it didn’t matter to me. Even when I was in the can, he contacted me to feel me out, see if I was still interested, and I told him I was. I told him when I’d be done with probation and for him to contact me then. But now the only jobs I’d even consider are the ones that are less risky.”

  Allison still didn’t get it, and she refused to let him touch her until she knew just what these jobs consisted of. “So, what’ll you be doing? Why would you risk anything?”

  “It’s something I have to do, babe. You remember what I told you about my mom. She got involved in my dad’s life before she realized just what she was getting into. There were many others just like her. They also had family try to get them out, but the only ones that ever stood a chance of making it out alive and staying out, were the ones who were saved.”

  He paused as if letting what he’d just said sink in. Allison shook her head. “Saved? So, you’ll be going back into that world to save people?”

  “Not that world. Like I said when he first approached me, I was willing to, but not anymore. I won’t get involved in anything that might put you in danger. Only he also explained it’s not just the cartel; his clients come from all walks of life. They have family members who’ve gotten caught up in cults and abusive marriages they feel trapped in or can’t leave because they fear losing their children. Others are stuck in bitter custody battles, or their kids have been taken away because of some legal loophole, and now those kids are being abused, but again, the fucked system is too damn slow. You hear about it all the time: kids who die at the hands of their abusers, and it’s later disclosed that child protective services were aware of the abuse allegations, but their hands were tied to do anything about it. It’s bullshit.” He took a deep breath then exhaled loudly. “Remember we talked about our dreams? I told you about one of mine, but this is the other. It’s something I feel obligated to do. Me and Flip didn’t just walk away from the cartel. We were helped. I’d probably be dead right now if it hadn’t been for them. I need to pay it forward, even if it’s not someone in the cartel. Just someone in trouble. Get someone’s kid back.”

  Allison wasn’t sure if her heart should be breaking or bursting. This scared her, but at the same time, she was once again in awe of this man. Leonardo was willing to risk it all to save lives.

  “What about the shop?”

  “That’s the best part. I need to keep that going. I won’t be doing this other stuff full-time. It’ll be on a case-by-case basis, especially since I’ll be telling him I’m out of any of the stuff that has to do with the cartel. Right now, most of his cases involve it. But from what he told me, it’s good money. These clients are willing to pay big bucks to get their family members—kids—back.”

  She was almost afraid to ask. “How illegal is it?”

  “I don’t know for sure yet. He never has formal meetings with anyone. Everything he does is on the down low. Never discuss
es business on the phone either. It’s why he said he’d send word when we could set up an unplanned run-in, where we could just chat casually. There’s no danger or risk to meeting with him. I’m not committing to anything yet. It’s a party where I’ll be casually running into him, and we’ll discuss details.”

  “I wanna be there.”

  “No,” he said immediately.

  “Why not? You said there’s no danger or risk involved.”

  “Because.”

  “Because what?” she asked again. “Unless you’re lying to me—”

  “I’m not. I just don’t want you involved in any way.”

  “It’s a party, baby.” She smiled when the term of endearment just slipped out as it so often did when he addressed her. “You said it’s meant to be casual and on the down low. I’d just be a guest.” He continued to shake his head. “I could bring awareness to this. Write a story about why there’s a need for these kinds of vigilante groups.” She reached out for his hand and squeezed it when he began to protest. “I wouldn’t give any specifics—no names, nothing like that—just write about how broken the system is and why the courts should show some leniency toward anyone ever in trouble for trying to save someone.” The more she thought about it, the more it excited her. “I could research and give hard facts about the real victims, innocent children who could’ve been saved but instead lost their lives. I know firsthand what it’s like to be an abused child. My own sister would’ve taken matters in her own hands had she known, but because of my fear of her going to prison for the rest of her life, I never told her. Had there been someone or a group out there like this one, maybe I and so many others who were in similar situations could’ve been spared what we were forced to live through. I won’t ask any questions, just observe, and you can tell me what you’re allowed to. I’d never give up my sources, but most of all . . .” She squeezed his hand. “I need to see for myself just what this is all about. I trust you, but I know what it’s like to tone things down and keep things from someone for the sake of them not worrying or protecting them. I don’t want you sugar-coating anything. I understand why you’d feel the need to be part of this—”

  “I’m not even sure I’ll be doing it yet. It’s why I want to talk to him. Before you, I would’ve been all in too, just like O and Nine. They’re still saying they’ll take whatever jobs he might give them. But everything has changed for me now. I need to see what’s involved in these so-called less riskier jobs.”

  “So, we’ll find out together.” She slipped her other hand into his and pressed her body against his. “I’ll be there with you.”

  Leonardo pulled his hands out of hers and brought them around her instead. Yelping when he picked her up suddenly, Allison wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling slightly relieved. Leonardo set her down on the porch rail and leaned his forehead against hers. “Have you always been this damn obstinate?”

  “Yes,” she said proudly. “Yes, I have. Don’t get Lila started on that, but you better get used to it.”

  He wrapped his big arms around her and squeezed her with a groan. “Alright, you can come with me, damn it.” He spoke against the side of her head then kissed it. “But I have strict rules.”

  One of Leonardo’s stipulations for this party was that at no time would Allison be left alone. If he had to step aside to speak privately to Martinez, she was to stay by Nine’s or Orlando’s side at all times. Problem was he was worried Martinez might just want to have the casual meeting with all three at once, which would mean leaving Allison alone.

  Before he could change his mind, she offered to bring Drew along. “This way, in case the three of you get called away, this little damsel in distress won’t be left all alone. Don’t worry. Drew’s gotta killer left hook. I’ve seen her train on the punching bag.”

  Of course, Leonardo wasn’t a hundred percent content with this. But as she’d warned him, she was going to be there one way or another. So, having Drew along to keep her company, if need be, seemed better than nothing.

  They met at the party where she had strict orders to wait in her car until Leonardo and the guys arrived in Orlando’s truck. “Seriously? We can’t even go inside and get a drink or something?” Drew asked.

  “That’s them.” Allison waved at the truck that pulled into the paid parking lot; then she opened her door.

  Drew got out of her side, and Allison walked around to meet with her as they started toward where Orlando was parking his truck. His truck was a four door. Good thing too. Allison couldn’t imagine those three guys fitting up front.

  Nine jumped out of the backseat. Allison heard Drew gasp under her breath at the sight. Understandably, she was reacting to Nine. In all the times Allison had been around him, he was either in worn jeans, T-shirts, or wife beaters. She’d even been privy to seeing both Leonardo’s roommates shirtless, since it seemed they often walked around that way at home.

  He almost didn’t look like the same guy. None of them did, not in the buttoned shirts they all wore with the sleeves folded up just below their elbows. Orlando wore a print one with dark jeans and looked very handsome. Nine wore a solid black one over distressed but stylish looking jeans. The top of his hair was slicked back, and he’d gotten a haircut so the sides of his head were shaved real close, giving him an even more clean-cut pretty-boy look. Leonardo looked especially yummy in his white shirt and black jeans. Allison couldn’t breathe in deeply enough.

  “Holy shit,” Drew said under her breath.

  Allison giggled as the guys approached. Leonardo reached out for her hand the moment he was close enough. “You look good,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her. “Too good,” he added before she could thank him.

  Allison glanced down at her snug little red dress and matching strappy heels, not sure if she should be flattered or feel a little self-conscious. “Thank you?”

  Leonardo smiled and kissed her again. “You and that smokin’ dress better just stay near me tonight.”

  Even as the butterflies fluttered in her belly because it was still too surreal to think this guy was her man, Allison did her best to compose herself and regain the strength in her legs. “This smoking hot dress and my shoes are all I’m wearing tonight.” She chewed her bottom lip, feeling shamelessly sinful. Leo’s eyes widened as he glanced down and then up at her again. “Never been to a rooftop party before,” she explained, still whispering. “But I had a few ideas and figured easy access might come in handy.”

  His jaw falling open made her giggle, but she turned to Drew, feeling bad suddenly that she hadn’t introduced her. Turning back to Leonardo, she motioned to Drew. “You’ve heard enough about her, but now you can officially meet Drew. Drew, this is Leonardo and his roommates, Nine and O.”

  Despite Drew’s equally eye-catching dress, which proudly showed off what she called her new and improved tight curves, Orlando was the only one whose polite smile seemed to appreciate any of it. Nine barely acknowledged her with a slight lift of his chin.

  “Are you kidding me with this shit?” Nine asked, looking up at the soaring and luxurious building they’d be walking into shortly. “Does he live in this place?”

  “Not sure,” Orlando responded as they all looked up now too.

  “Well, shit, if he is, I’m all in.” Nine laughed. “This guy must be making bank.”

  “It’s way the fuck up there?” Leonardo asked, looking up as well.

  “He said rooftop.” Orlando shrugged. “So, I guess.”

  The building must’ve been minimum fifty stories high. It was ginormous, bigger than any Allison had been in anyway and far more luxurious. They walked into the lavish lobby. An enormous crystal chandelier took center stage in the middle of the huge room. The ceilings were so high the lobby alone took up at least three of those first few stories. At least.

  “Holy shit,” Nine said what Allison knew they were all thinking as they all glanced around.

  “I’ve only ever seen casinos this fancy,” D
rew said.

  They made their way to the elevator. Even that was beyond fancier than any Allison had ever been in. It had glass walls with views of the entire city as it went up the side of the building. The long ride all the way up to the roof was understandably a quiet one as they all took in the spectacular views.

  Allison did a double take when she glanced up at Leonardo and saw he was the only one looking straight ahead at the doors of the elevator and not out the glass windows. “Did you see the view?” she asked in a lowered voice.

  He nodded but didn’t turn his eye from the doors of the elevator. As odd as that seemed, with others in the elevator aside from their party of five, Allison didn’t ask more. For a moment, she thought of how much he’d lived through being part of such a violent mob. How paranoid he was about something happening to her had to go hand in hand with what he’d seen happen firsthand. Maybe he was watching the doors so he’d be the first to see if anyone dangerous was outside them?

  They finally reached the top and exited the elevators. The roof was even more spectacular than she expected. But if she had to be honest, she hadn’t been sure what to expect.

  Two long pools took up almost the length of the entire roof. Alongside and in between, there were tables and elegant but comfortable sofa sitting areas with fire pits. From the angle they walked into the crowded party, Allison could see at least two full bars manned by a minimum of three fast-working bartenders each on either side of the roof. Thankfully, while some guests were dressed in almost black-tie attire—tuxedos and full flowing gowns—others were as laid back as Leonardo and his friends. There were plenty in dressy jeans and buttoned-up shirts as well as cocktail dresses like Allison’s and Drew’s.

  Waiters and waitresses walked all around with trays of drinks. One approached them; the tray he held offered several different kinds of drinks—champagne, wine, and martinis. Allison glanced up at Leonardo for guidance. Did she dare try one or would security be escorting her out the moment she reached for one. Leonardo nodded subtly with a smile as he reached for a martini. Drew took a martini as well, but that looked way too potent. So, Allison reached for the champagne flute instead. As thin as the flute it came in was and it only being half full, it seemed the safest route.