I spring the bouncy ball in the air as I take in my surroundings. Glowy, yellow yolks hang in the sea-blue sky, illuminating nature with nutrients. Children wail as their naked toes thump against the burning pavement. A bright purple popsicle rest in her grip, colliding with her lips as they form an 'O' shape, and I let my impure thoughts wander. 

After receiving a two-hour scolding from my father, I apologize to my Capos for failing them and being an irresponsible Jefe. The sincerity was genuine, but I mostly bowed my head because of my father's injunction. To make matters worse, Gato escaped with a few broken limbs and developed a valid reason to despise me.

He's been terrorizing me daily, but I deserve it.

I'm a coward in cartel situations and romantic ones.

Mika breaks off the last portion of her popsicle and dumps it in the trashcan. Her lips are stained purple from it, but it's the cutest fucking thing I've ever seen. It gives her a human-like quality she lacks when we're in her prime. My obsession has reached new peaks since our last encounter when I devour the whipped cream on her tits.

If it wasn't for her teasing, I would've jumped the gun and broken every single rule I established for myself. I've dated a couple of girls in my college years, but none of them tempted me this much. We've adventured in oral activities, but it wasn't terrific. It didn't want to make me break my commitment to God, but Mika...

A taste of her skin has me pushing caution to the wind. 

It makes it apparent how my emotions for this one girl are incomparable to anyone else.

I never thought I would achieve the status of being an obsessed stalker, but I'm desperate. When my father finished his rant, I ordered Limon to find any information he could about Mika and to report back to me. Any knowledge of Mika Santana was kept airtight enough that my hackers couldn't crack into anything.

The only new information I learned was her last name, her birthday, and her home life. Oddly enough, Mika fits the statistics of girls pursuing an escort career. Guilt pangs my heart as I admire her from afar, regretting the way I dug up her past. It's dirty and disrespectful. I should've waited for the day we evolved into a bond deep enough to share memories.

My attention snaps to Mika as she takes a left turn in a dangerous neighborhood. The Barrera crew observed these blocks like hawks because it was their playground until Mateo terrorized Bruno. This is our territory now. However, I am not comfortable watching Mika seamlessly wander through the streets.

Her stilettos thump on the pavement as she proceeds deeper into the alleyway. She tugs her rising dress down her thighs while advancing closer to a sketchy drug dealer. Goddamnit. Is this her usual drug dealer? Barrera's creations are a waste of money. My family's narcotics are purer than his shit if she wanted a sufficiently high.

Mika hands over a one-hundred-dollar bill to the dealer and whispers into his ear. The grimy teenager flashes his yellow-stain teeth as he pulls out a small ziplock bag and hands it to Mika. She flicks the white powder, giving it a subtle shake, and leaps in the air with excitement. Is she really that excited because she scored some coke?

My heart dips when she envelops her arm around his neck and he returns the gesture by placing them on her hips. I wanted to have my hands all over her in a friendly manner. If that even existed. Fucking hell. It's just a hug, but I wanted to rip him apart. Friends don't get jealous when they're with the opposite gender.

"Hello guys, I'm sorry to ruin the friendly run-in, but I'm detaining the both of you." The familiar shorter buff officer flashes his badge. "Get against the walls, the both of you."

Why does he look so familiar?

The officers kick both of Mika's legs apart, touching every part of her body until he reaches her waistline. "Look what we found here... definitely over an ounce of cocaine. It's my lucky day. I get to bring a pretty lady to the station."

My stomach recoils at his obnoxious statement, and then reality strikes me like a lightning bolt. It's officer Gallego, my papa's long-term friend, and our corrupted chess piece. On the surface, he's a hard-working citizen when really all he does is score a fat check by doing whatever my father asks of him. If he owes my papa favors, then I'm also applicable to that list.

He wouldn't want me to taint his reputation further with my papa. As if he would honor my opinions, but Gallego didn't know that. Mika audibly whines as his partner slams her onto the side of their police car and handcuffs her wrist. Gallego continuously drags out shit from her dealer's jacket.

Poor guy. He's fucked for life.

"Officer, do I really need to be arrested?" Mika asks, blowing a bubble with the gum in her mouth. "I have to work in a few hours. It's honestly a waste of paperwork. I don't stay in prison. It works for me."

Gallego chuckles with his whole body. "That's what they all say, sweetheart. I can't wait to see how the jail cell works out for you."

Mika shrugs her shoulder as if she didn't have a care in the world. "Suit yourself. I'm not afraid of getting dirty."

Gallego passes the dealer to his partner and rotates around to the quantity of cocaine that would get anyone stuck in prison for years. While Gallego focuses on the crime, his partner observes the criminals closely, and I figured this was my time to jump in.

I clear my throat. "Gallego, ha sido un tiempo. Has perdido algo de peso?"

(Gallego, it's been a while. Have you lost any weight?)

Shock washes over his face, followed by amusement. His eyes crinkle in delight as he pats his beer belly. It's only gotten bigger since I was a child. "Crees qué si? Maria dice que tengo que dejar las donas."

(Do you think so? Maria says I have to give up donuts.)

"No la escuches," I reply, sporting a genuine (but fake) grin.

(Don't listen to her.)

"Que haces en estas calles? Sé que las cosas con los Barrera's no son buenas," Gallego states, lowering his voice when mentioning our rival.

(What are you doing on these streets? I know things with the Barrera's are not good.)

I shrug casually. "Sólo miraba a su alrededor."

(Just looking around.)

"Muy bien." He smiles a jolly, sloppy smile, sparing a glance at Mika and the dealer. "Tengo que traer a estos criminales pero voy llamar a tu padre para que se ponga al día."

(Very good. I have to bring these criminals in but I'm going to call your father to catch up.)

"Espera uno moment," I exclaim, grabbing his shoulder. "Tengo que pedirte un favor. La Mujer, la envié aquí para comprobar los productos de nuestros competidores. No se vería bien en el nombre de Morterero si nuesta gente fuera arrestada."

(Wait a moment. I have a favor to ask. The woman, I sent her here to check out our competitors' products. It would not look good in the Morterero name if our people were arrested.)

Gallego scratches his patchy beard, dilemma written on his face. "Sabes, haría cualquier por tu familia... pero mi pareja no sabré de nuesto acuerdo."

(You know, I would do anything for your family... but my partner doesn't know about our arrangement.)

My gaze drifts over to his clueless partner, obnoxiously checking out Mika's body. My jaw ticks. How fucking disrespectful. I'm not the type to fight for a woman's affection, but Mika has me figuring all sorts of shit. 

I sigh. "Sí, lo entiendo. Me aseguraré de hacerselo saber a papá."

(Yes, I understand. I'll be sure to let papa know.)

He looks at me with concerned eyes. "Puedes hablar bien de mí para que no tenga problems?"

(Can you put in a good word for me so I don't have any problems?)

My nose scrunches as I muster a fake-ass sympathetic look. "I would love to, Gallego. Pero ella es mi novia así que lo siento si no actúo de acuerdo."

His mouth quickly drops as his skin colors turn pale like a ball of snow. "Por que no lo dijiste? No te preocupes, te la soltare."

(But she is my girlfriend so I'm sorry if I don't act accordingly.)

A laugh nearly tumbles out as he stumbles like a penguin over to Mika and unlocks the handcuff on her wrists. Confusion danced in her eyes when Gallego mutters something, causing her gaze to drift over to me. My heart leaps into another nation as she drinks in my appearance, rubbing her delicate, tiny wrists.

Fuck, she's coming closer.

She smirks, aching her perfectly plucked eyebrow. "So, I'm your girlfriend, huh?"

A boyish smile spreads across my face. "No, thank you?"

Venom coats her sweet voice like candy. "If I needed help, I would have alerted you a while ago. You know, since you've been following me all day."

A cold sensation settles in my stomach. "Was I that obvious?"

Using my shoulder as a pole, Mika takes her heels off and releases a satisfied groan. "Ehh, somewhat. But you aren't my first admirer. I had plenty follow me for weeks until I filed a restraining order."

My eyes widen. "D-does that mean you're going to file one against me?"

She laughs, and the subtle glow of amusement lit in her eyes. "Aren't you adorable?" My pulse skids as her shoulder makes contact with my lower arm, passing by me. "I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt."

Her harmless reply causes a chain reaction of overwhelming nerves. She doesn't even try, but the way she carries herself amazes me. This woman is going to be the death of me. If I'm going to fall into her trap, I need to know more about her.

Something.

Anything.

My palms grow clammy and pivot around, following behind her. "Any particular reason for giving me the benefit of the doubt?"

"When a man does a favor for us, they expect a reward. Consider that your reward."

Disbelief fills me. "I-I didn't have an ultra motive. Is it unusual for someone to offer help without payment?"

She laughs lightly, leaning against the brick, stone building, and her aquamarine irises gleaming underneath the sun. "Very. Politics, business, cartels, it applies to everything. I'm grateful for your friendly duty to the community, but I can handle myself."

A smile touches my lips at her harshness. She's always extra friendly at Diablo's Paraiso. It's refreshing to see a whole other side of her. Mika is undeniably sexy in every way possible. She looks over my shoulder, pulling a strip of gum from her bra, and as she's about to place it in her mouth.

I take it and eat it.

"I didn't expect to get terminated over a friendly deed."

A slow grin crawls across her full lips. "Don't take it too personally. I've just been burned by people way too many times." Her phone buzzes in her purse, and she checks it out on her apple watch. "Shit, I'm late. I'll be happy to run into you again."

My heart thumps in my chest, and I take a shaky step toward her, dropping a hand on her shoulder. "Is it inappropriate if I offer to drive you?"

"Extremely." Her gaze drops to her bare feet. "But I don't feel like walking through this sketchy neighborhood when the sunsets. I'll take you up on your offer, but I know martial arts if you try something."

Martial arts? Noted.

My eyebrows go up in surprise, standing frozen for a good five seconds. "That doesn't scare me. If anything, I'm aroused at the thought of you taking me down."

"Ahh really," she coos, crossing her arms underneath her boobs, pushing them higher. "I wouldn't have pegged you for being such a kinky man from all the nerves you had earlier."

"I like to keep everyone guessing," I reply, grinning.

Before I have the chance to act like a gentleman, Mika opens the car door after I unlock it and drops into the leather seat. Her shoes plop to the ground, and her gaze twinkles with amazement as her finger glides against the interior. Soft music fills the car as she flicks through the stations.

"Where should I be heading?" I ask, quickly darting around for any clear evidence of identity. I wasn't fully prepared to invite her into my car, but I always hid my masks in the trunk.

She flips the mirror down. "Diablo's Paraiso. Just plug it in the GPA."

My stomach constricts. It's like having Mika in my personal space causes me to lose sight of everything. I had a whole list of questions I wanted to try asking her, but I am drawing a blank. Unexpectedly, heat sears through my clothed leg from Mika's hand and she drags it closer, halting right at the zipper.

Her smile spreads like she's enjoying a private joke. "Is this distracting?"

I swallow. "N-No."

From the corner of my eyes, I watch her inspect me with a narrowed gaze. "Those tattoos on your neck... I've seen them before. Care to remind me?"

My mind races through a thousand scenarios, wondering if she already pieces everything together and wants me to surrender to the truth. To my disarray, sweat glistens on my forehead and my composure is slipping.

My pulse is beating a million miles per hour. "They're pretty popular at the tattoo parlor I had them done in. It's probably just a coincidence."

The car nearly drifts into the other lane when lips make contact with my neck, licking and sucking dangerously slowly. A shudder exits through my body, and I struggle with closing my eyes, submitting to her touch. I grasp the steering wheel, trying to ground myself to earth while she works wonders on my neck with slow kisses.

"I decided to give you a reward," she hums against my throat.

With an erratic heartbeat, I pull into the empty lot and park diagonally. Her florescent aroma drags me deeper under the waves of pleasure, and she knows that. "A-aren't we going too fast? I don't even know your name."

"There's nothing more fascinating than a mystery," she whispers, her tone lace with heavy lust.

The hot slickness of her tongue is blurring my vision. My eyes roll heavenward. How is it possible for a simple nibble on my neck to drive me insane? My entire body remains on edge, desperate and needy as her hand unbuttons my jeans, slipping underneath the band of my underwear. I grunt in approval, only for Mika to break our contact.

"Thank you for dropping me off," she says, using her ring finger to fix the lip gloss on her lips.

My mind was too swamped by the pleasure moments earlier. I didn't realize Mika had left until she was across the street. I jolt forward, slamming my forehead on the front-rear window, and unleash a grunt. Disregarding the pain, I rush from the car to Mika, lightly tugging at her loose black hair.

Raggedy breaths escape my chest. "Y-you can't just leave a man like that."

Mika snickers, smacking her lips together. "It wasn't my intention to give you the idea that you could fuck me."

Embarrassment sears on the nape of my neck, intensifying every second. "Jesus Christ, I cannot talk to you to save my life."

She hums, "Yeah, but it's cute to watch you stumble with your words."

"Cute?" I repeat, lace with disbelief.

"Mmm." She bobs her head.

"Am I cute enough to score a date with you?" I disclose, placing my cards on the table. At least, this version of myself.

Her brow lifts with interest. "You realize I'm an escort, right? I fuck people for a living. Ranging from twenty to fifty weekly."

I swallow, audible. Mika being an escort doesn't bother me, but the part about fucking strangers did. It irks my skin to think about all the other people that get the opportunity to fuck her. Possessiveness and her career don't mix well, but I didn't give two shits anymore. Mika is on a whole other world, pedestal, kingdom.

The likelihood of scoring a date with Mika is near impossible.

I shrug my shoulders, unbothered. "It doesn't bother me."

"I thought we were going too fast? What happened to learning each other's names?" she asks, her lips curling into a teasing smirk.

"That's what first dates are for."

Mika cocks her head back with a snort. "I'm truly flattered, but I don't date. It doesn't blend well with my extracurricular activities."

I narrow my eyes. "Which are?"

"Being fucked like a slut until I'm dripping with cum," she declares, sporting the most innocent expression I've ever seen.

A cough tremors through my chest.

She lacks any kind of filter whatsoever.

With a stupid smile on my face, I say, "My mind hasn't changed. So, what will it take to get you to rethink your decision?"

My pulse quickens as I wait for her reply. "I wouldn't know. I never saw the value of sharing vulnerabilities with another person. Love is a device used to convey a person's weakness, to make mistakes, and ruin the progress they've made."

Mika talks as if escorting isn't the only occupation she has or had. As a Jefe, whoever I get involved with is automatically shoved into my deadly, dark world. Unlike most girls, Mika has been exposed to the filthy sides from being an orphan to being recruited by Diablo. Maybe that's why I'm drawn to Mika like a magnet?

She is darkness wrapped in silky clothing.

With each sweep of her eyes, a jolt of electricity runs down my spine. "Love comes with a lot of vulnerability, but it's also a beautiful thing. It is a never-ending adventure through all the highs and lows. It makes losing everything worth it if the two individuals can be together in the end."

"How lovely. Maybe one day I'll meet the person who can make me feel that way." She leaves with her clipped response, not sparring an extra glance in my direction.

Can I be that person for you, Mika?

Would you give me the chance?

Asiel affections for Mika has gone further than just going to the club.... Hehe he's taking pretty far by looking her up. Lucky for Mika, she's untraceable... wonder why 😜... Isn't how sweet how Asiel admires Mika... do you think Mika figured it out? Let me hear your thoughts! Really excited to know what you think!!

Love you guys!!

Thank you so much !