FEDERICO

"Thanks for coming out tonight, Rico. Again, I apologize for the abrupt change of plans, I know you hate last minute changes." Alejandro, the club owner, tries to ease my irritation.

"You're right, I don't like when plans change, but tonight it happened to work out."

We walk into the club's main floor from his back office. I don't like how crowded it is, but this is expected on an opening night.

I wasn't in the mood to travel as it is, considering the fucking mess of a week I had. I've never felt so out of control in my entire life. And I know it's because of Elenora.

My Zia's words keep ringing in my ears about her being dangerous because she's unpredictable and I'm learning that there may be some truth to it because it turns out Elenora's crazier than I am.

And ever since the lame-ass speed dating event, I've done nothing but make a fool of myself where she's concerned. .

I didn't like the helpless feeling and the unfamiliar emotion that came over me when I called her and Clara screamed into the phone that they had taken Elenora and were going to kill her.

Mickey couldn't track her phone because it was shut off. I ordered Domani to reach out to all the men to have them search for her. Domani also wondered if there was another player in this game that we weren't aware of.

I waited to contact Tiziano but when we did he told me she was in their home with her sisters doing some sort of fucking project together and was there most of the afternoon.

There was a sense of relief when I saw her rushing down the stairs in her paint splattered clothes. But then the anger took over.

Once again, she found a way to make a fool of me in front of others and now my men. I don't deny I wanted to punish her, especially with the smile she gave me when I put my hand on her throat, but when I saw the look in her eyes after she flinched...something changed within me. I struggled with wanting to catch the lone tear cascading down her soft face even though her eyes were screwed shut, so I moved away from her.

"Rico? Rico?"

Domani nudges me with his elbow, he nods over at Alejandro; I glance back. "You seem distracted tonight, amigo." Alejandro lights up a joint. "Here, relax." He passes the joint to me and I take a long pull from it.

"Woman problems?"

"You could say that." I glare over at Angela who decides to pipe in. We didn't expect to see her here with the current douchebag she's hooking up with.

Despite the loud music, I can still hear Domani's low chuckle next to me. I look back at Alejandro as I pass back the joint after taking another drag. "Never."

"Maybe that's your problem then." Alejandro signals a few women over and they sit down in between Domani and myself.

"You see, Rico, I've learned, sometimes having women around is sometimes beneficial to one's mind, body and soul."

"I've never felt that way."

"Then you haven't found the one, yet." Alejandro takes a drag from his joint. "I had one and she was the one thing that kept me balanced. But life has a way of unbalancing things sometimes, doesn't it? She was taken from me almost three years ago. Fucking cancer. Anyway, other women, well, they're good for filling the void, am I right?"

"I'd say they're good for feeding an ingrained need in us, but nothing more." Even though a pair of soft brown eyes flash in my mind. Domani's phone rings and he leaves to answer it.

I look up and curse when I see one of the women I've slept with a couple of weeks ago. Wait, maybe it was a month ago? She smiles as she saunters over to me and places herself on my lap.

She runs her long fake nails through my hair then leans in to try to kiss me, but I tilt my head away; she knows I don't kiss. So she makes it look like she intended to kiss my neck instead.

"Friend of yours?" Alejandro asks amused, watching us.

"No."

"Yes," She says at the same time, she turns back to me with a pout. "You told me you were going out of town."

"I assure you we did have a business meeting, senorita. But it ended early so here we are," Alejandro informs her.

"You don't owe her an explanation."

"Rico," Domani walks back to us. "Diego's here, but there's a problem." His face conflicted between anger and worry.

"What is it?"

"He's with Elenora."

The woman tumbles off of my lap onto the floor when I stand. "Hey!"

Angela laughs. "Take a hint, barbie. You're not welcome here."

I don't wait to hear the response as I follow Domani out to the edge of the lounge. I scan the people dancing as well and see her friend, Clara, dancing with Deigo's younger brother, Joaquin; she must be nearby.

And then I see them.

The dress she's wearing tonight is more tasteful than the one she wore to the family dinner. It's an off shoulder white dress that glows against the neon lights in the club, her bright red heels draw my eyes to her toned legs. Her curly hair is straightened.

They're dancing pressed up against each other and Diego's fingers dig into her hips before his hand moves down to her ass as he pulls her even closer to him. He dips his head and starts kissing her bare shoulder. Her eyes close, enjoying the moment they're having. Her hips move sensually to the music against him and I can only imagine he's rubbing himself up against her.

He leans back and they gaze into each other's eyes before he moves in to kiss her. My hands are clenched so tight they're shaking.

I don't realize I'm making my way over to them, shoving people out of my way until I'm standing in front of them and I grab her arm, pulling her away from him. She slams into my chest and then her eyes widen when she sees it's me.

But I focus on Diego and before he even tries to say anything, I punch him. He returns with a punch of his own and a fight ensues.

We're pulled apart by Domani and Joaquin, who now aim guns at each other. The crowd is backing away from us and soon we're joined by several of the club's bouncers as well as Alejandro.

"Stay away from her," I seethe.

Diego smirks, squaring his shoulders in a challenge. "If I don't?"

"Gentlemen, I'm sure we can resolve whatever the issue is without the guns." Alejandro coaxes, trying to play peacemaker.

I lower Domani's arm even though he resists at first. "Not here, Dom." He lowers his gun aimed at Diego.

"Get this trash out of here, Alejandro."

He nods and signals for his bouncers to move in, but Diego holds his hands up telling them he's leaving. "Always got to wave your dick around don't you Federico? Enjoy feeling powerful while you can, cabrón." He winks at Elenora and smirks. "When you're ready to be with a real man, hit me up, hermosa. And watch yourself around this one, he ain't what he seems." (asshole, beautiful)

Joaquin keeps his eyes on us as he backs up following Diego. He puckers his lips at Domani and Domani takes a step forward but I grab on to his arm to keep him from going after him. Joaquin laughs before he turns around and leaves.

"Too many witnesses, Domani."

"You're only saying that because you got to punch his fucking face, otherwise you wouldn't give a shit," He responds as I chuckle.

"Where are the girls?" Domani looks around and I whip my head around to where Elenora was standing, but she's gone.

I catch a glimpse of her pulling Clara behind her through the crowd. I rush after them before they reach the exit and Domani follows.

Thankfully, they are being slowed down because of the crowd. I catch up to them and pull them back.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Hands off, ass face!" Clara shoves me.

"We're leaving. Go back to your whores!" Elenora turns to leave but I grab her and pull her along with me.

"Leave her alone!" Clara shouts over the music as Domani keeps her from following us.

I take Elenora to the hallway where Alejandro's office is. When I stop and turn on her, she moves back. I hold onto her face as I talk to her, leaning in close.

"You stay away from him. You don't know what he's like, Elenora."

"Can't be worse than you."

"What if people saw you? Huh?"

She pushes my hand off of her face. "Don't fucking lecture me when you have women draped all over you, stronzo. Let me guess they're all your employees, right? I mean this is the out of town business meeting you told me about, isn't it?" (asshole)

She turns to leave, muttering a string of insults, but whirls around on me when I begin to follow her, jabbing her finger in my face. "And you don't get to tell me who I spend my time with, when you do whatever the hell you want with whoever the fuck you want. Fucking prick."

I pull her hand towards me, but she resists and we struggle over dominance. I use her momentum to push her up against a wall to keep her from leaving.

"For the next little while, you are mine, Elenora."

"I belong to no one, Rico." Her fiery gaze adds to the strength of her confidence. "And you know what? I'm glad you're being the cliché, hypocritical, pig headed, lying, two face male because I hope and pray someone has taken pictures of you and we can end this fucking shit before it even begins."

She's made a solid point. Her brown eyes appear more amber in the lighting and there are specks of gold that I never noticed before. She scoffs before she pushes me away. "I'm leaving."

"No, you're not. You're staying with me."

"Fuck you!"

"Not today." I pull her along with me back to the main floor of the club.

"You arrogant, selfish bastard! Let go of me you—" The music drowns out whatever insults she spouts off.

"Have one of the men take Clara home," I order Domani. Clara and Elenora begin to protest together.

"I'll only stay if she does." Elenora pushes on my hand, still trying to get out of my hold.

Domani looks at me, waiting for me to respond. I nod and then we lead them back to the lounge. Alejandro stands when he sees us, and I gesture for the other girls on the couch to move; we sit Elenora and Clara down together. I sit on one end of the couch and Domani on the other side of Clara.

"And who are these beautiful women, you have, Rico?"

"Hi, I'm Elenora. I'm Rico's Monday through Friday whore." Elenora holds her hand out to Alejandro who takes it chuckling, kissing the back of her hand. "These must be Rico's weekend whores. Ladies, pleasure." She smiles at the women around us and then addresses Angela. "Oh, Ang, you're here. How could I forget? She's the OG whore."

Angela chokes before laughing. Her date pats her on the back. "Damn, girl. Rico told me you're brutal." She wipes her chin. "But do me a favor and don't lump me in with these girls. I'm here with someone." She gestures to the asshole who's eye-fucking Elenora. "And Rico and I are friends, associates."

Elenora snorts. "So you're saying you two have never slept with each other?"

Angela's eyes shift to me briefly.

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

"It was a long time ago, Elenora." Angela begins to defend, but Elenora waves her off.

"Anyway, since I've been a good little girl, Rico let me come out and play and I brought my best friend Clara with me." Clara salutes and winks at Alejandro as she drinks her cocktail. "He's so generous like that, aren't you, babe?" She slaps my thigh harder than necessary and I clench my jaw.

Alejandro chortles in laughter. "I like her, she's spicy. So, how long have you two been...together?"

"Too long," Elenora responds. "In fact, I think it's time to change things up. Switch spots with me." She hooks her thumb at Clara to move.

But Clara refuses. "No, I like Domani better."

"Me too."

Domani uses the hand he was rubbing his jaw with to cover the grin on his smug face.

A waitress comes by and sets some drinks down in front of us. "I ordered you a drink before all the shit went down." Clara hands Elenora a drink, which she begins chugging down. I pull it out of her hands.

"That's enough."

"It's water, asswipe," She responds. I take a sip and I'm surprised she's telling the truth.

"You don't drink?" Alejandro questions after watching the interaction.

"I'm pregnant." Elenora deadpans, and Alejandro raises his eyebrows, looking at me, but we all look over when the woman whose name escapes me, chokes on her drink. Elenora and Clara erupt in a fit of laughter.

Elenora wipes under her eyes. "Man, no one can take a joke anymore. I'm not pregnant. Alcohol is bad for my health and I've had too much of it recently so I'm giving it a break to cleanse my system."

I wonder if what she's saying is true or if this is her usual word vomit. "Don't worry, I'll come have a drink with you when I'm good to go. I'm told I'm a lot more fun when I get a few drinks in me." She winks at Alejandro and he smiles back at her.

"Nah, she's always fun," Clara states. She's getting more than a little buzzed. "Wait, did you say you were pregnant? You said you wouldn't sleep with him because his dick was the size of a tube of lipstick."

This time Alejandro and Domani both spit out their drinks. Elenora and Clara begin laughing again while I sit there like an idiot, but the woman who was choking earlier, walks over to us.

"I promise you he's packing, sweetheart." She places herself on my lap and rubs her ass against me.

Elenora shrugs. "If you say so."

"I don't understand. I mean, you said you're Rico's whore Monday through Friday. That would mean he spends more time with you, what is it you do together?"

"Oh, a little of this, a little of that, but mostly I'm the whore Rico likes to put hands on, see?" She shows her wrists, which have dark, uneven bruising around them. "This is from yesterday."

"Oh and this, too." She sits up and lifts her hair away and angles her neck, to show both sides. My fingerprints on her throat stare back at me. It bothers me that I marked her like that. "There are others, but it wouldn't be very lady-like for me to show you."

Alejandro shifts in his seat and when Elenora stands I try to reach for her but she swats my hand away. "As entertaining as it is to watch you two dry hump, I'm gonna go dance, give you both a little more room," She tells me and the woman on my lap.

Elenora turns to Clara and Domani. "Domani, come on. You can handle both of us at the same time, right?"

"Uh...sure?" He says uncertain and glances at me.

Elenora grabs both Clara's and Domani's hands and pulls them to follow behind her, but she stops and opens her purse. I fumble trying to catch whatever she throws at me. "Don't forget to wrap it up, Freddy. Eighteen seconds isn't worth an eighteen year consequence."

I stare at the condom in my hand, surprised I'm angrier that she carries these with her than her jab at me. I shift the woman off of my lap and onto the couch, trying to reign in my temper.

"I don't care what you say, I fucking love her already, Rico." Angela smiles, trying to hide her laughter behind her drink.

Once again, I'm left speechless and dumbfounded on how she manages to make me look stupid around others. Every. Single. Time.

I can't even blame it on alcohol this time. And when I feel like I take a step in the direction this needs to go, we take ten steps back.

"I take it back, she's not spicy." Alejandro lights up a cigarette. "She's fucking ruthless. In my experience the ones who aren't afraid to speak their mind are the ones you shouldn't let go of, Rico."