Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.
Matteo hollers out something in Spanish, and the noise stops.
“Out of respect, we wanted to try and handle this like gentlemen,” Andre says to Tobias by way of greeting.
“Appreciate it,” Tobias says matter of fact.
“Least I could do,” Andre says. “After all, you’re the one who brought me in.”
“And look where that got me.” Tobias’s tone goes ice as he looks on at Andre with disgust. “What the fuck are you doing, Andre?”
“Things are getting a little too light down south.”
“So you take a fucking contract that has to do with my personal interests? Not a good decision.”
“Gotta get paid,” he says as if this is an everyday occurrence. And I’m guessing for him, it is. “I don’t blame you for your interest,” Andre says, eyeing me.
“Don’t even look at her, you greasy motherfucker,” Tobias barks.
“You’ve seen what I can do with this,” Andre threatens, “let’s not get offensive.”
“Tobias,” I whisper hoarsely as a veil of fear-induced sweat cloaks me.
We’re not playing a game with toy guns, extra lives, and Monopoly money.
As much as I’ve witnessed over the last year, as much as I’ve been warned away, I realize I’ve been spared to the point I still felt like the danger was in an alternate reality. This is what they’ve been trying to avoid all along. And now I’m living in my worst nightmare. I could very easily die tonight, and so could the men I love.
It doesn’t get more real than this.
“Let her go, and I’ll pay you twice as much,” Tobias says to Andre.
“Deal,” Matteo says quickly. “We’ll take your money, bro.”
“Andre,” Tobias spits in warning. I look over and see Andre inching toward me. “Don’t.”
Andre stops and gives Tobias a sheepish grin. “Been a long, long time, man. I almost didn’t recognize you in that suit.”
“You like it?” Tobias smiles, and it’s the most dangerous thing I’ve ever seen in my life. He’s going to kill them, both of them.
“Where is Daddy?” Andre whispers to me. “His car is here.”
My eyes shoot to Tobias, and I try to read him for the right answer and get nothing.
“I d-d-don’t know. I just got home,” I stutter out. I hate that I can’t get myself right. That I can’t mirror the two men with steady hands and strong voices defending me, protecting me.
“I don’t think I’m satisfied with the terms of this agreement,” Dominic says, his voice steady.
Andre cocks his head. “How so?”
Tobias looks to me as I begin shaking uncontrollably.
I read his expression.
Easy, baby.
I’ve never been so fucking scared in my life.
Ding dong. Ding dong. Ding dong.