Him Again?

"Awe, baby do you really have to go?"

She whines and rolls over onto my chest. Her eyes filled with false sadness and a playful grin decorating her lips.

"Si mi mariposa, I'm afraid I have to cut this visit short. But I'll make it up to you the next time I come to see you."

She lies her head on my chest and slowly runs her nails up and down my abdomen.

"It's a shame that you have to leave so suddenly, there were some new toys I wanted to play with but I suppose we'll have to wait."

"Mi mariposa, por favor, don't make this harder on me than it already is. You know that you will always come before work but this is an emergency. I'll be back to you as soon as I can."

I lift myself up from her warm embrace and begin to get dressed. She gets up and hands me my car keys, seeming to have forgotten that she was only in a pair of lacy red panties... Hell, maybe she did know. Though I was staring intently at her, I caught the keys she had tossed at me with one hand while using the other to pull her close.

"Oye, look at me."

She tilts her head upwards and stares directly into my eyes.

"I'll be back before you know it, okay? Until then please be careful. And no getting into trouble understand?"

"Ugh, if I can't start shit then what can I do?! I'm gonna be so bored!"

"If you behave yourself until I get back, I'll personally reward you. Sound like a plan?"

A small blush forms on her cheeks and she gives me a tight nod.

"What a good girl." I cup her face and place a long, passionate kiss on her lips. "I'll be back in no time, mi mariposa. Stay safe beautiful."

"I will... Bye Carlos." She lingers in my arms a bit longer before pulling away to watch me leave. It pained me to walk out of that door but I had business to handle, and on top of that I'm sure Nando was sick of covering for me for so long.

I look up at her waving through the window and blow her a kiss. I was tempted to go back inside to get one last taste of her before I left but that would surely lead to something more. The passengers side of the car felt so empty without her next to me and the silence was deafening.

I sped through the busy streets and rode back to the house only to arrive to see that the place was packed with guards. I pull up to the gate and roll down my window as one of them approaches me.

"Welcome back jefe. I trust that your trip to visit your lady went good?"

The guard named Javon rest his arm on the top of my car as I get out and hand him the keys.

"Mucho mejor que bien."

(Much better than good.)

He lets out a hardy laugh and gets inside the car, "I'm glad to finally hear some good news from you, jefe! I think Nando is waiting for you inside the bar."

He goes to park my car and I make my way through the large property. As I walk by, I'm greeted politely by guards, house workers, and even some of the members who came by for regular rounds.

The bar area was secluded and only used by me and close friends. I knew Nando wasn't the biggest drinker so it was odd hearing that this was were he is.

"Yo, long time no see, Fernando!" I throw my arm around his shoulder and pat him on the back. He looked annoyed by my actions and hesitantly moved from my embrace. "Okay ouch, bad day?"

"You've been in and out of town for weeks. I've had to keep track of our packages, make sure that the warehouse is up and running, keep the gang under control, constantly keep on ear to the ground for Mr. Hernandez all the while babysitting you and making sure that you're reckless behavior doesn't result in any deaths. So no, not a bad day Mr. Martinez, more like a bad month."

I sit at the bar and prop my elbows on the counter.

"Oye Nando, I'm s-"

"No." He cuts off my words before I can say sorry. "Don't apologize to me. I don't mind covering for you from time to time but YOU are our leader now. You have to take responsibility at some point, because I'm just an assistant! I'm not made for the rough work. I do paperwork and keep up with our numbers coming from the warehouse! I don't handle the hard stuff... That's why you're here."

"You're right. I've been nothing but selfish and throwing all my work onto you was my mistake. From now on I'll step up and start acting as a boss should, and since I'm being all responsible and shit, go let the boys know that Ricky's coming to visit."

"Ri- Mr. H is coming here?! But why?! I thought you two had a falling out?"

"Heh, he may hate me or love me but that doesn't affect his loyalty towards me and the same goes for me. Now make haste shorty, he'll be here soon."

"Uh, right, yes sir."

He hops up from the bar and rushes out of the room. As he walked down the hall I could hear him fussing at people, saying that the mansion needs cleaning and that a meal should be prepared. I laugh, he was a good assistant and I was lucky enough to have him. That thought alone makes me feel even more guilty that I left him to take care of everything.

A buzz in my post causes me to change my focus to my phone instead of thinking to myself.

"Hello?"

There was a loud commotion happening on the other side of the phone. I could barely hear anything the other person was saying.

"Hello?" I ask again slightly annoyed.

"Carlos! Change of plans."

"Ricky? What the hell is going on over there? Is Kaz alright? What about the kids?"

"Shut up, they're fine. I'm not at home right now, I'm headed your way and should be there shortly but I've run into, um, a situation..."

I sigh and place my hand in my head. "Ricky, I swear to god, if I have to bail you out again I'm gonna-"

"I'm not locked up asshole, there's just a few things I have to handle before I can make to you."

"Things as in?"

"Tch, if you have to ask then I'm sure you already know."

I shake my head head. This little routine he had was getting old and played out.

"Listen man, you've got to stop with the fighting. For christ sake, your a father now! You're gonna end up making the same mistakes as last time and I can guarantee you that Kaz ain't gonna give you no more chances. You fuck this up and she's done with your ass."

There's a long pause followed by what sounds like multiple gun shots.

"What the fuck was that? Ricky are you okay?!"

"I'm fine, I just finished up here. I'll be there in five."

The phone call ends and once again, I'm left alone with my thoughts.

"Puto idiota. Espero que escuches lo que digo."

(You fucking idiot. I hope you hear what I'm saying.)