by Mikey Lee
“Well then, you’ve just about got it.” Austin stretched his arms out across the back seat. “You’re right, that it hasn’t happened yet. And I don’t want it to happen at all.” He squinted his eyes and leaned his head forward, looking at her deeply. “Five years ago, I didn’t know. No one knew. I thought it was just another street brawl that started because he was talking to the wrong girl.”
Tilting her head off to the side she looked back at him sideways. “You’re one hell of a brawler for your age. From what I understand you took on, what? Ten… fifteen guys.”
Austin adjusted himself in the seat, growing increasingly uncomfortable with her scrutiny. “Look, I did what I had to do. I was by myself and there was no other way for me to get Prince Khan out of there with no additional help. The fight wasn’t going to end. So, I ended it. I did what I had to do then and I would do it again if I had to. Anything to keep the prince safe,” Austin said, becoming defensive.
“Hey, you’re not going to get any arguments from me. They’re actually lucky that I wasn’t there… I’d have killed them all. You just killed one.” Yally smirked.
“That was one too many,” he replied, sorrow tingeing the edge of his voice.
“Maybe,” she nodded her head up and down. “Maybe you’re right.” She uncrossed her legs and sat up. Leaning forward toward him, she continued. “You sacrificed that one life to end the fight that night, right?”
“What’s your point?” Austin said, still in a defensive tone.
“Maybe, just maybe if you ended all of them that night, we wouldn’t be here today having this conversation.” She leaned back mimicking his posture. “But, not to worry, I’m not here to tell you how to do your job. What you could have, should have… that’s all in the past and there isn’t shit we can do about it now, right?” Dropping her arms down to her side, she sat up straight. “What I can tell you, though, is that I can help you. I’ve outlined my prices in our previous correspondence. But I’m not here as a babysitter for some spoiled little brat. That is for you and Mr. Keegan to continue doing what you two do. I provide added, inconspicuous, protection.”
Yally, using her middle finger knuckle, knocked on the glass window to the driver. As the window rolled half way down, she barked an order for the driver to pull over.
“Why are we pulling over?” Austin questioned.
“Because I’m getting out.” Yally started to scooch toward the passenger side door.
“Here? We’re literally in the middle of the desert. There’s another twenty miles or so to the hotel,” Austin tried to explain.
“I am well aware of where we are, Mr. Ngo. My car has been following us ever since we left the airport,” she said, grabbing ahold of the door handle. “After this, you won't see me again unless I need you to. Trust me. You’re going to know that I’m around, and that I’m watching. If anything happens, I will be right there to handle it.” Just as she opened the door and started to get out, she hesitated and sat back down. “Oh, where is he now?”
“Prince Khan and Mr. Keegan are going to be at party thrown by Prince Tompika tonight and I have been told there is a race or something tomorrow night,” Austin said.
“Another street race huh? Kinda sounds familiar.” Yally exited the limo and slammed the door, walking back toward oncoming traffic.
Austin sighed deeply. What the fuck just happened? Did I interview her? Or did I just get interviewed?
7
So when are all these hotties supposed to get here?” Dryce asked. “I’m going stir crazy.” He was starting to pace around Tom’s garage apartment.
“Dude, relax. I told everyone to come over around ten. Look at the expensive watch on your dainty little wrist. It’s only a little after nine,” Tom pointed out. “You’ll be knee deep in girls soon enough.”
Dryce emitted what could have only been described as a growl and walked down the stairs into the garage to pour himself a drink.
“If you’re going to make me wait longer then I’m pouring myself a fuckin’ drink,” he called up to Tom.
“Knock yourself out,” Tom called back to him.
Dryce poured himself a healthy glass of vodka and dropped a slice of lime into the iced liquid. Draining half the drink in one swallow, Dryce looked around for Tank and noticed him off to the side on his phone. Refilling his own glass, and pouring a drink for Tank, Dryce walked towards the behemoth in the corner.
“Have a drink, Tank,” Dryce said as he held out the glass to Tank.
“You know damn well that I can’t drink tonight. I’m on duty,” Tank replied.
Dryce shook his head and downed the glass of vodka he’d offered to Tank before taking another sip of his own.
“Take it easy there, kid. Don’t want to get too trashed before all these skanks show up,” Tank pointed out.
Dryce rolled his eyes and walked back over to the makeshift bar he and Tom had set up earlier.
“Where the fuck is everyone?” he yelled up to Tom again.
“Oh, they’re on their way,” Tom yelled back. “You act like you haven’t been laid in years. I bet your ass woke up with like three chicks in your bed with you.”
Mumbling, Dryce answered, “It was only two and they were in the shower when I woke up.”
“What? What was that?” Tom still teasing.
“Nothing,” Dryce called, getting even more impatient.
“Have another drink,” Tom said while walking down the stairs.
Erik was leaned against the Supra checking his phone to touch base with Austin to let him know they were at the party but that nothing was going on yet.
“Tank…” Dryce playfully yelled over. “You ready for this? Dude, it’s going to be off the fucking chain. The girls at these parties are insane and down for anything.” Dryce danced his way around the cars. “Shit, Tank… you might even get some action tonight.”
“Your idea of action and mine are two way, way different things. And no, I do not want my kind of action tonight,” Erik responded.
Erik’s phone began to buzz in his pocket. He reached in and pulled it out. It was a text from Austin.
[I just met with Yally. I think, I think she took the job. But I have no idea what the fuck just happened. Austin]
Erik cocked his head slightly as confusion furrowed his brow. Not sure what the message meant, he clicked the reply button.
[Mr. Ngo, did he say no? What all happened? What all was said?]
Erik kept his phone in his hand, waiting for the response from Austin.
Moments later Erik’s hand buzzed again. Austin had replied.
[First of all, he is actually a she. And ‘Ms.’ Yally didn’t say no. She didn’t exactly say yes either though. As a matter a fact, she jumped out of the car in the middle of the street.]
Erik’s heart skipped a beat. A shit eating grin rushed across his face as he started typing back to him.
[He’s a she? And she didn’t say no, so I think it's safe to say ‘she’s’ in.]
Erik slipped his phone back into his pocket. He couldn’t help but feel a slight chub in his pants, knowing everything in Yally’s file had been about a woman. Damn, if that wasn’t super fucking hot.
Erik looked up just in time to see the first flood of barely dressed girls walk into the garage. He took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself for what he could only guess would be a long night. Hopefully the party wouldn’t get too out of control. After everything Austin had told him about the chatter surrounding Dryce, Erik was ready for anything.
8
A couple of hours later, Erik walked the outskirts of the party again, his focus always on Dryce as he watched everyone milling around. With the amount of alcohol these people consumed, it was any wonder they could still walk around and function. The bass from the giant speakers scattered around the garage rattled the numerous empty bottles that were strewn all over the floor.
Off in one corner was a game that appeared to be a cross between spin the bottle and
strip something or another. Most of the girls over there were down to just barely there thongs and the guys were in boxers. Erik shook his head and continued his observation.
Dryce, as usual, was surrounded by a group of girls all trying to be one of the ones on his arms. Tom was nearby shaking his head at the blatant desperation of a few of them. Erik couldn’t help but shake his head too. The amount of women after Dryce’s dick was enough to make a prostitute blush.
Erik circled close to Dryce and tapped his shoulder slightly. “Everything good over here?” he asked quietly.
Dryce turned to face Erik and slurred slightly, “Things are great over here, Tank. Join us. I told you I’d share some of these hotties with you.”
“No thanks,” Erik said, turning to walk away, much to the dismay of a few of the girls in Dryce’s entourage.
“You’re missing out,” Dryce called after him before turning his attention back to the ladies in front of him.
Erik couldn’t help but chuckle to himself as he shook his head. Completing another circuit of the garage, he positioned himself just inside the door where he could keep an eye on Dryce and see who was going in and out.
Just as his phone vibrated in his pocket, Erik caught sight of a reporter with a camera walking into the garage. Totally out of place, the guy looked around for someone and zeroed in on Dryce. Like a dog with a bone, the reporter stalked over to Dryce with his camera plastered to his face. Erik raced over to intercept the intruder when suddenly the camera was knocked to the ground.
When Erik reached the prince, he looked over to see the reporter clutching his side as he bent over to retrieve the pieces of his camera. Looking around quickly, Erik caught a glimpse of a petite brunette rounding the bracket of the open garage door. Losing sight of the mystery girl, he focused back on his detail.
“Your highness, stay here and do NOT move. I need to escort that reporter out of the garage, quietly,” Erik whispered into Dryce’s ear.
Dryce nodded and followed Erik’s line of sight until he noticed the commotion. Silently, Erik slipped away from Dryce and came up behind the reporter.
“Here, let me get that for you,” Erik said, grabbing the reporter’s free wrist.
“I’m allowed to be here,” came the weak objection.
“No, you weren’t invited and you are now being told to leave.”
“Give me back my camera,” the reporter begged.
“Oh, this?” Erik asked as he ‘accidentally’ dropped it, breaking it further.
“You son of a bitch,” the reporter spat.
Wrenching the man’s wrist further behind his back, Erik purposely stomped on the remaining pieces of the camera as he escorted the reporter out the door. At the door, Erik increased the pressure he applied to the weaker man’s wrist, making the reporter yelp and try to twist free.
“Do not let me catch you back here, or you’ll bring hell down on your head,” Erik promised threateningly.
Another quick jerk had the reporter vigorously shaking his head in the affirmative.
“I need you to verbally tell me that you understand,” Erik pushed.
“I understand,” the reporter squeaked out. As soon as Erik released his wrist the reporter scampered away and disappeared into the night.
Erik walked back over to where the pieces of the reporter’s broken camera were still scattered on the floor. Pocketing the various pieces, Erik looked over to where he’d left Dryce. Catching the prince’s attention, Erik nodded once then indicated he’d be back in his position near the front. Dryce nodded back then turned his attention back to the story Tom was telling the gaggle of girls surrounding them. Laughter from what Erik could only guess was a lame joke reached his ears.
Remembering his vibrating phone from moments ago, Erik pulled his phone from the pocket of his suit coat and illuminated the screen. It was Austin wanting an update on what was going on. Choosing his words carefully, Erik filled Austin in on what had just happened with the reporter.
[Had a slight instance with a reporter that snuck in. But it was handled. Camera broken and reporter escorted out.]
Erik held his breath while he waited for Austin to reply. Thankfully, the reply was almost instant.
[Do I need to be present?]
Erik internally debated before replying.
[No, the situation is squashed and the prince is fine. In his element. There is no need for you to be here, sir.]
[Keep me informed.]
[Will do.]
Erik was glad Austin hadn’t pushed the issue.
Slipping his phone back into his pocket, Erik looked up in time to see Dryce walking up the stairs into Tom’s apartment with three girls in tow.
Just before he ducked into the apartment, Dryce looked out and caught Erik’s eye. With a nod from Erik, Dryce turned to step into the apartment when he caught a glimpse of a familiar face off in the corner; he just couldn’t place from where.
9
Dryce rolled over and ended up face first in a naked pair of breasts. Pulling back, he somewhat recognized one of the three girls he’d brought up to the apartment in the wee hours of the morning. Attempting to shift so he could get off Tom’s spare bed, Dryce felt the weight of the other two girls across his legs. Looking down at his legs, Dryce noticed the other two girls were wrapped up in each other and in the sheets.
Carefully trying to extricate himself from the extra bodies, Dryce tumbled off the bed and landed on his bare ass. He couldn’t help but laugh at himself. Getting to his feet, Dryce located his pants and pulled them on before padding barefoot to the door. Pulling it open, he came face to face with Erik’s smiling face.
“Well, good afternoon sleepyhead. Finally awake I see,” Erik singsonged.
Dryce flipped him off on his way to the kitchen for coffee. Erik laughed as he went back to reading the newspaper he’d found on the coffee table.
“You’re too fucking cheerful in the morning, Tank,” Dryce called over his shoulder.
“It’s not morning anymore,” Erik shouted.
“You’re impossible,” Dryce muttered as he poured the biggest mug of coffee he could find. Leaning against the counter, Dryce sipped his coffee and waited until the caffeine pumped life back into his tired body.
“Head’s up,” Erik said as he stepped into the kitchen, tossing a bottle at Dryce.
Barely getting the mug down before the pill bottle reached him, Dryce haphazardly caught the magic pills Erik always had on him.
“You’re forgiven,” Dryce said as he palmed two pills. Tossing the pills to the back of his throat he washed them down with coffee.
“I asked Mr. Ngo to send the driver to drop off some things for you so you could feel a little more human today, without having to go back to the hotel,” Erik said, indicating the bag in the hallway.
“How do you do it, Tank?” Dryce said, finishing his first cup of coffee and pouring another.
“Do what? Anticipate what you need to function?” Erik asked.
“Yeah,” Dryce said.
“Four years of watching over you, I learned a thing or two about how you operate,” Erik explained.
With a coffee cup salute, Dryce walked down the hall to grab the bag the limo driver had dropped off and disappeared into the bathroom. About to close the door, Dryce popped hi head back into the hall and called out, “Do something about them will you please?”
Erik rolled his eyes and took a deep breath before walking down the hall, past the bathroom, to the room Dryce had spent the night in with the most recent batch of girls. Seeing the three naked girls on the bed, Erik cleared his throat loudly before delivering the bad news and offering to call them each a cab.
The rest of the day passed quickly with Dryce and Tom playing around with the cars in Tom’s garage.
Erik approached the princes while they had their heads buried under the hood of the Supra. “Why do y’all put all that crap all over an already beautiful car?”
“What do you mean?” Dryce i
nquired peeking his head out from underneath the hood.
Erik heavy handed patted the top of the raised up hood. “Like this, what’s the purpose of the carbon fiber hood?” Cocking his head toward the rear of the car, “And that, that big ass muffler making all that loud ass noise.”
“Oh my god!” Tom shouted out, “just like talking to my dad over here.”
Laughter erupted from Dryce. “It’s like this Tank. Take a girl…”
“I prefer woman,” Erik intruded in.
“Ok then, a woman,” Dryce continued. “She’s already a beautiful thing. No matter the make or model. Some are bigger than others, and some are faster. Yet, still beautiful. Slap a bit of makeup on them and they can become stunningly gorgeous.”
“Aw yes, but not too much makeup or they become busted,” Tom chimed in.
Dryce stood up stretching his back, wiping his hands off with a shop rag. “What? The hood? It reduces the weight and plus it looks awesome as well. Think of it like a push up bra. As for the exhaust, kinda the same thing. It’s lighter, stronger, bigger pipes, and it allows the engine to breathe. It helps add more O2 for a hotter burn of the fuel. Think of that like a girl that can deepthroat you for an hour straight, and the engine is your dick.”
Erik grinned and nodded at Tom. “And what about you? What’s so great about your car?”