Before leaving this morning, I made love to Angie and held her close until she fell back to sleep. When she started snoring, I slipped away and left a note saying I had to meet with a client at the gym. It wasn’t a lie. I did leave to meet someone at the gym, but not precisely to give them a one-on-one weight training lesson. 

When I messaged Augusta that I wanted to talk, she told me to meet her at the gym at nine AM. I objected because I’d be a dumbass to allow this discussion to happen there.

But Augusta does what she wants.

Now, I’m being frisked by a guard outside the yoga room while Bernard’s huge ogre self watches me at gunpoint. The guard is a little too handsy as he swipes my balls for hidden weapons, but I’m more concerned that Augusta is hogging up space at my work while innocent bystanders exercise. 

How many pockets does she control? And how did I not know that she has sway here, too?

“Clean,” the guard says

“Check him again,” Bernard orders, and I bat the guard's hands away.

“Dude, I’m not dumb. You think I’d come here strapped?” 

“I’m buying you time,” Bernard says. “So use it wisely to finalize whatever apology you’re reciting in your head for Augusta.” 

“I don’t need extra time. Just let me into the room.”

Bernard turns to the guard. “Check him three more times.”

However, Augusta must have been listening. The door to the yoga room swings open, and she stands there dressed in white leggings and a white sports bra with bright pink sneakers. What’s with the outfit? Does she plan to workout here?

“It’s fine. Let him in, Bernard.” 

The guard pauses from feeling me up, and I step away from him, my gaze sliding to the giant ogre. “Guess I win.”

“Ma’am,” Bernard clears his throat. “It would be of great pleasure if you would allow me to teach this youngster some respect.”

Augusta waves her hand. “That won’t be necessary. If Miguel has come here to tell me what I think he’s come here to say, then you’ll be colleagues from here on out. So I need you to take him under your wing.”

“Perhaps Niko should take on that task, ma’am.”

“Niko used to be under Kay’s wing. I cannot trust him, but I trust you, Bernard. Don’t let me down.” 

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, his head bowed, yet manages to cut me a sideways glare. 

“Come with me.” Augusta beckons into the yoga studio, where the blinds are drawn for privacy. 

The door closes behind us, and it’s just the two of us alone as the air conditioning whirs through the ceiling vents. Augusta returns to the yoga mat on the floor and gets into a downward dog position. The cool breeze tickles the hair on the back of my neck, and it suddenly feels like that morning on her balcony when she took advantage of me. 

My back shutters, so I play it off as if I’m cold by rubbing my arms.

“Well, are you going to speak?” Augusta switches into a cobra pose.

“Listen, I’m not going to apologize for how I reacted the other night, but I will apologize for what I said to you. I have a sharp tongue when provoked, and you’ve prodded me to the point of biting back.”

“That doesn’t sound like an apology.” Augusta sits on her heels and folds her arms.

“It’s not. Let’s face it, you like that I challenge you. In a room full of yes-men who bow to your will, it must be refreshing to have someone say fuck you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have asked me to work for you.”

Augusta teeters her head. “I know you won’t be loyal like Bernard, but at least I know you’re brutally honest, which means you won’t bullshit me, which means I can trust your word. That’s what I need. And as much as what you said about Jocelyn stung, I know there was some truth to it. She’s been jealous for years. I don’t believe she would harm me, yet I cannot trust her at the moment, and the annual gala is this weekend, so I can’t afford to look weak amongst our guests. Regardless, it will be a shit show now that Mindy’s company has stepped in and taken over.”

“How is Mindy? Have you heard from her?” 

“I visited her in the hospital, and she’s good considering she almost died. I’m covering all of her expenses, by the way,” Augusta tosses out.

“Well, aren’t you a Saint…” I mutter.

“So Miguel, what’s it going to be? Will you work for me or not?”

I clasp my hands behind my back, straighten my posture, and lift my chin. “Yeah, I’ll be your security monkey, but I have conditions.”

“And they are?”

“You can never, ever proposition me for sex again or blackmail me.”

“Is that all?”

“No. You said that under your wing, I’ll have protection. Well, then, I want my family protected. My mom. Her boyfriend Steve—”

“The retired cop?” Augusta laughs.

“Yes, him. I want protection for my friends: Jackson, Alma, Chloe, and…” I swallow, debating whether to include him, but I close my eyes and shake my head. Of course, I should. He’s still my friend. “And for Evan.”

“The snitch?”

“Yes. He’s just scared. I understand why he did it, and I’m choosing to forgive him, even if I can’t trust him.”

“Now, who’s the saint?” Augusta cocks a brow. “Alright, what about Mindy?”

“I figured you’ve already got her covered in the protection department.”

“True. I do like her. She didn’t deserve to be shot by Richie, and as soon as she's recovered, I'd like to hire her for other events. So, is that it? Are those your demands, Miguel?” 

“I’m not finished. The most important thing I want is protection for Angie Mendoza and her sister Ana. I need you to help her end her conservatorship and regain custody of her sister.”

“Right. I do recall hearing that her husband pulled some strings to attain guardianship over Angie before he moved on with his young mistress. What a cunt.”

“Exactly. I want to set her free, and I want her protected.”

“Fine.”

“Fine, what?” 

“I agree to your terms.”

“You do? Just like that?”

“Yes. Your demands are tiny compared to what others come to me for.”

“Even the Angie situation?”

Augusta smirks. “I just have to snap my fingers, and all her worries are gone. You know, like the night I got you out of jail without a scratch on your record.” 

“Why does this feel too easy?”

“It’s not. The hard part is working for me to ensure the people you love are safe. You’ve seen the ugliness of my world. How violent it is. All you have to do is ask Bernard how difficult it is to be at my beck and call, away from his family at all hours. However, if you ask him if it’s worth it, he’ll say yes. His family lives in a beautiful home in the Oakland Hills, his kids go to private schools, and one has a full ride at Stanford University, thanks to me. It’s worth it to him. The question is, will the sacrifices be worth it to you.” 

I swallow. “Yes.”

“You don’t sound so certain.”

I clench my jaw. The drumming in my chest is like a rattlesnake. This is the only way I can guarantee everyone’s protection. 

The only way.

So I breathe and answer firmly, “Yes, I am certain.”

“Good.”

Augusta walks over to a gym bag on the opposite end of the yoga room. She fishes inside, then pulls out a tablet. As she walks to me, her fingers tap across the screen before handing it over. 

“My lawyer will draft a contract with your terms, and you'll receive a copy later today to sign. For now, this is an agreement of general terms for your employment. Read carefully and sign everywhere it prompts you to.”

"Should I have my lawyer look this over?"

"Do you even have one?"Augusta cocks a brow.

"Guess not..."

The tablet is cold in my hands while scrolling over the agreement, holding my breath. An intelligent person would have their lawyer look at it, but I don’t have one, and as long as this protects everyone, who cares what the fine print says? The upside is the contract states my term of employment is five years, and then we can renegotiate. However, I cannot terminate it before then. Only Augusta can dismiss me, and I doubt she’ll let me go before the clock runs out. 

Using my finger, I scrawl my signature across each line I’m prompted to sign. When I’m finished, I hand it back but don’t let go when Augusta grabs it.

“Please don’t fuck me over.”

“I won’t.” She snatches the tablet from my hand and returns it to the gym bag on the floor. “Now that we have that out of the way, it’s time for my training session.”

“What?”

“Why else do you think I wanted to have this meeting here? I need a new trainer, and you happen to be one.”

“This won’t be a cakewalk. I work my clients hard. They don’t use those baby weights.” I nod at the five-pound dumbbells near her bag. “They use the machines and heavy weights. I won’t go easy on you. I don’t care if you’re tired or sore. You will give me one hundred percent.”

“Gosh, Miguel. I’m almost turned on.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m serious. No more sexual stuff. Not even as a joke."

"Got it." Augusta holds up her hands.

"If you're serious about me training you, then you should know I don’t mess around regarding results. You have to put in the work.”

“Don’t worry, Miguel. I always give one hundred percent in everything I do. Now, where do we start?”

“Let’s talk diet. I’ve seen the roasted duck smothered in creamy, rich sauces that you eat. AND the gelato.”

For the next two hours, I create a nutrition plan for Augusta to follow and run through a lesson with her. She wants a leaner, more toned body for next summer when she goes to Ibiza with Emilio Suarez and wants me to be part of her security team. She even said I can bring Angie if we’re still together, and there’s something about thinking of the future as Augusta's employee that has my head spinning. Whether Angie sticks by me or not, my soul is still signed to Augusta, and I can’t believe this is my new reality.

But I chose this, and I have to own it.

When I return home, there’s a note from Angie. She has an appointment with her court-ordered shrink, which means Jeremiah will be there. After that, she has an appointment with Gwen and later will see Franky, meaning she'll be gone all day. I crumple the note in my fist. I have no idea what the address is or the name of the shrink, so I can’t even Google it. How can I protect Angie from Jeremiah if I’m not there?

Whipping out my phone, I call, but she doesn’t answer. So I text and stare at the screen, hoping to see her typing dots appear. However, this is a fool’s game. If she’s in the middle of her appointment, she won’t be able to respond, and I’m starting to think we should download those family GPS tracking apps so I don’t have to become this worried sick ever again.

I shove the phone back into my pocket and rest my palms against the kitchen counter. 

It’ll be fine.

Jeremiah would be a dumbass if he tried anything at a court-ordered appointment. He might be many things, but he’s not an idiot, so I have to believe he’ll behave. 

My phone buzzes, and I’ve never dug into my pocket this fast. When I pull it out, it’s like a wild fish fighting on a lure and slipping from my fingers. I have to juggle to catch it, the phone ping-ponging between my hands before I finally grab hold and stop it from smashing against the floor.

“Fuck me running…” I breathe and unlock the screen.

Augusta: I’ve made some calls. Your little girlfriend should hear some news soon.

“No way.” I stare at the screen.

The woman delivered on her word rather quickly. So I text back a thank you and exhale a sigh of relief. 

This was worth it.

I made the right choice.

With the weight lifted off me and the sign-on bonus tucked inside my jacket pocket, I walk to the couch, plop down, and begin searching for bigger apartments. We will need two bedrooms, so Ana can stay with us. I can’t wait to see the look on Angie’s face when she learns she can take her sister out of that care home and back with her where she belongs.

∆∆∆

It’s late in the night at Penthouse, but there's still a line of people waiting to get inside. I haven’t had a break yet, so I tap my co-worker and tell him I’m going inside for a bit. As I walk through the corridor and enter the lobby, where guests check their coats, there’s a sense of levity to my steps. Earlier, Jocelyn arrived with an entourage, and Kay leading her security team. For a few seconds, my back was tense, knowing he still wants a piece of me.

But then I remembered.

I have Augusta’s protection now. 

I am under her wing, and there is nothing that bitch-face sasquatch can do to harm me.

The railing is cool to the touch as I descend the grand staircase into the dancing pit. Lucas is slinging drinks with two of the main bartenders, Gerard and Shelly, and they’ve been so busy that I can see their tip jar exploding with money from way over here. My gaze drifts to one of the VIP balconies where Jocelyn and her crew sip champagne. However, they’re not alone. Emilio Suarez is a few tables over, smoking a cigar with a few men in designer suits. It looks like they’re talking business. 

He spots me from afar and waves for me to come over. I don’t want to.

But I guess this is my life now.

If I answer to Augusta, then I likely answer to her lovers, too.

The stairs to get to him are near the bar, so I push through the crowd, and like some sort of ninja, Lucas is beside me.

“Holy fuck! You scared me.”

“You should be more alert if you’re going to be part of Augusta’s detail,” Lucas says, so I turn and face him head-on.

“You heard?”

“I hear everything. I know everything. Do you know what you’re doing, though?”

Squaring my shoulders, I fold my arms. “How do you know these women, Lucas? You said you don’t work for them, so then what are they to you? Or better yet, what are you to them?” 

“Let’s just say, when I needed help, they extended a hand, but I paid off my debts, and they like having me around. As you’ve learned over the weeks, I’m not just a bartender.” He winks and turns away to slip behind the bar. 

In one blink, Lucas shifts into bartender mode, with slick tricks as he mixes drinks for a group of ladies. I don’t know how he does it, but maybe this is how he survives having two feet planted in separate worlds. I make my way up to the VIP balconies and walk past Jocelyn’s table, where her guests dance to the music pumping through the sound system. One of them is wearing a white mini lace dress and a satin sash that says, Bride to Be. 

Oh, so this is a bachelorette party! I laugh because Kay probably thinks there’s a future for him and Jocelyn. However, I doubt she’d marry someone that she fucks in secret. 

The she-devil acknowledges me with a stare as her meat stick does her bidding and blocks my path. 

“Kay,” I exhale. 

But he doesn’t speak. Instead, he towers over me with his gargantuan body and backs me into an empty seat next to his mistress, a.k.a. Jocelyn. He tries shoving me down, like a turd that won't flush, so I swat his hands away, but she barks out my name.

“Sit, Miguel!” 

“I guess I have time…” I take a seat, swipe a champagne flute from the glass table in front of her and gulp down the bubbly. 

“What are you and Augusta up to?”

“Nothing.” I shrug.

“Don’t you dare lie to me. Something is going on, and she’s leaving me out of it! I know she met with you this morning. Why?” 

“If she’s leaving you out of it, and it involves me, what makes you think I’d tell you?” I laugh.

“How much is she paying you? I’ll double it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. She hasn’t offered me money.” 

“Oh, please! I know she paid you to have sex with her. The entire mansion heard the two of you fucking.”

“Your point?” 

Jocelyn snarls and slaps her hand around the back of my neck, yanking me closer. “I know my sister is up to something, and I will pay you double to tell me whatever she’s planning.”

“It’s funny that you’re so paranoid about what she’s up to. Yet, you’re the one who hid Richie from her in your little fuck house, and you’re the one with tricks up your sleeve.” 

“If you were smart, Miguel, you’d tell me what she’s up to.”

“Or what?”

“Or I can’t guarantee your safety.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I don’t need your guarantees.” I jerk away from her and stand. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. Emilio Suarez is waiting for me, and I don’t want to piss off a Cartel boss because I didn’t respect his time.”

Jocelyn laughs, “You think he’ll protect you? Oh, Miguel. You truly are dumber than I thought.”

Ignoring her and how her words crawl up my spine with razor-sharp claws, I head for Emilio’s table. 

And I realize something.

Jocelyn doesn’t know I’m working for Augusta now, which must mean Kay doesn’t either.

But Lucas knew…

I go to the balcony railing and stare down at the busy bar, where he pours shots for guests.

What is my new boss not telling me? What else is going on?