My GPS takes me to a pawn shop in the city where I'm from. I park in the alley and make my way towards the building. This place has always looked sketchy. I've never actually seen anyone go in or come out of here. I cautiously enter the shop while glancing over my shoulder to see Anthony jogging across the street to grab a drink from the gas station. The only light inside is the natural light from the windows which happen to be covered in a thick layer of dust. I take slow steps towards the register while looking around. Everything is dusty and doesn't look like it's been touched in years. It looks as if it was abandoned. I'm already on edge and the floor creaking beneath my feet only heightens my senses even more. The sound of someone racking a shotgun causes chills to surge through my body and my face pales. A figure appears behind the counter and I throw my hands up, shrieking as I duck. "No! I'm here for Jay."
"Who?" an old raspy voice asks.
"Javier Medina," I say quickly in my panic. "Please. Just let me go."
I watch as the old man places the shotgun down. "Oh. You should've said so instead of tip toeing around," he grumbles. "Wait right here while I get his package."
He disappears through the doorway and I drop my hands in defeat. What that hell was that? I was tip toeing around because this place is creepy as hell and the only man didn't help that any. My hands shake involuntarily as my heart races. I feel nauseous. I slowly stand up straight and take a few cautious steps forward. The man emerges with a medium sized box, struggling to lift it onto the counter. Grunting, he finally gets it over the edge and pushes it towards me. He tosses a box of Hostess cupcakes on top of the box. "Do I owe you anything for... whatever this is?" I ask, glancing down at the mysterious box.
He cackles which quickly turns into a cough. "You're new around here, huh?"
"I guess you could say that."
"What's your name?"
"Isabel."
"It's all taken care of. Don't look in the box and make sure Mr. Medina gets his cupcakes."
Nodding, I pick up the heavy box and make my way out the door, still coming down from my adrenaline rush. Anthony still isn't back so I put the box in the car then run my fingers through my hair anxiously. What have I gotten myself into? The first task he sends me to do and I already had a gun pointed at me. "Hey beautiful. I've been calling you."
Great. Just what I need. Do I have the worlds worst luck or what? "Not now William," I say, slowly pacing beside the car.
"Come on, babe. Don't be like that."
"William, I'm serious. Stay the fuck away from me."
Wrapping my hands around my wrists, he forces me back, pinning my hands against the brick wall. "I didn't let you get away with talking to me like that while we were together, what makes you think I'll let you get away with it now?" I refuse to look at him or fight him which angers him even more. "Look at me."
Putting my hands together, he pins them with one hand while using the other to grab my face. His fingers curl around my cheeks painfully, causing me to cry out. "Let me go," I demand.
There is no room between us for me to knee him or stop him in any way. "Are you fucking some rich guy now? Huh? Who's car is this?"
Anthony suddenly appears behind him. Grabbing the back of William's shirt, he yanks him back before throwing one hell of a punch. William falls to the ground while holding his cheek, cussing. Anthony withdraws a gun and aims it him. "What? You don't have anything to say now?" Anthony yells angrily.
Holy shit. I rub my cheek as I watch the events fold out in front of me. William holds up his hands in defeat. "I'm sorry."
"Don't tell me, tell her."
"I'm sorry, Isabel," William growls.
"Get in the car," Anthony says, glancing over at the. I quickly obey his instruction, starting the car. "If I ever see you again, you better run away or I'll break every fucking finger you have to keep you from ever touching her again. Do you understand?"
I don't hear William's response. Anthony spits on him before getting into the car. I drive in silence for about ten minutes before I can force the words out of my mouth. "Thank you," I say softly, unable to look him in the eyes.
"No need to thank me. I have your back. He's a low life piece of shit who beats on women because he isn't man enough to fight a real man. How do you know that loser anyways?"
"He's my ex."
"Aw damn. Was he like that why you were dating?"
"Not for the first year," I sigh. "Can we please not talk about him anymore?"
"Fine. Pull over right here," he says, pointing at a small Mexican restaurant up ahead. "I'm hungry and this place is delicious."
Slowing down, I park the car and we head into the restaurant. Most of the tables are filled. The booths are made from wood and have intricate carvings on the back. There's a mariachi band playing on the patio and a fully stocked bar on the back wall. We're seated immediately and given chips and salsa. "What can I get you to drink?" the waitress asks.
"I'll take a Modelo. Bring her a strawberry margarita."
We look over the menus as we wait for her to return with our drinks. I decide on the beef chimichanga with rice and beans while Anthony gets enchiladas with street corn on the side. "What's the deal between Carter and Jay?" I ask curiously.
He takes a deep breath. "I wouldn't know where to start. Why do you ask?"
I shrug. "Jay doesn't seem to like him much."
"They have a history of fighting over girls. Jay tries to keep every female away from him."
"If he doesn't like him then why does he live in the house?"
"It's a long story. There's a lot of history and family ties involved," he pauses. "When did you meet Carter?"
"Last night. We talked for about twenty minutes before Jay sent him to bed."
He chuckles. "Sounds about right."
"What about Kim? I know you said they're not boyfriend-girlfriend but she's around a lot. She's quiet."
He shrugs. "I don't know. She's always quiet. She definitely isn't the jealous or overbearing type which is what I think Jay likes about her. He could make out with another girl right next to her and she wouldn't care. She just doesn't give a fuck."
Hmm. "So they're not exclusive?"
"She's exclusive to him. He ventures out from time to time, especially when he's out of town. But he typically sticks with her. I think it's more for sexual health and no ties."
I guess that makes sense. "There's so much to learn," I sigh. "I feel like I'm going to fail. I mean, the first task he sends me to do and I almost get shot then I get pinned in an alleyway."
He chokes on his drink a little. "Wait. What?"
"The old man from the pawn shop pulled a gun on me. Let me tell you, the sound of someone racking a shotgun is the scariest thing you'll ever hear."
He shakes his head in disbelief. "Next time you ask me to go anywhere with you, the answer is no. Jay is going to find a way to blame me for all of this."
"He doesn't have to know."
He gives me an are-you-serious look. "Isabel, you have little bruises from his fingertips on your cheek."
Thankfully the waitress comes with the food and the conversation comes to an end. The food is just as delicious as he said. I make a mental note to come back here some time. We head back to the house while making casual conversation. I like Anthony. He's been a great friend so far and I'm comfortable around him. Thanking him for joining me, I grab the heavy box and the box of cupcakes and head inside. I stop at his office door and use my knee to help hold the box up as I quickly knock. Several moments pass and I don't hear anything on the other side of the door. I take one step away the door swings open. Kim steps past me with slightly disheveled hair and proceeds to walk down the hallway. Looking into the office, I see a satisfied Jay leaning back in his chair. His content smile quickly fades as his eyebrows furrow. "Isabel. What happened to you?"
"Nothing. Where do you want this?"
Standing, he walks around the desk and takes the box. He sets it on his desk before gently turning my face to examine the little bruises on my cheek. "Who did this to you?" he asks, looking concerned as he gently caresses my cheek.
"Oh I just bumped into something earlier," I shrug, pushing his hands away. "No big deal. It didn't even hurt."
He can see right through me. "Sit."
That was definitely not a suggestion. I swallow nervously as I sit in the chair. He leans back against his desk, typing out a quick message on his phone. Slipping his phone back into his pocket, he sets his gaze back on me. I shift uncomfortably in my chair. "What's up?" I hear Anthony say behind me.
Well shit. He's going to tell him. I don't need my old life drama interfering with this place. Too late for that. "What happened?" Jay asks, finally shifting his gaze to Anthony.
"What do you mean? Everything went smoothly." Jay sends a glare his way and I watch as Anthony crumbles. "With the exception of the guy from the pawn shop pulling a shotgun on her."
Jay glances at me before returning his gaze back to Anthony. "Where were you?"
"At the gas station across the street," Anthony admits, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"That doesn't explain the bruises. Were those also from the guy at the pawn shop?"
"I have no clue where those came from. I asked her and she didn't say."
Jay holds his gaze for what feels like an eternity and thankfully Anthony doesn't give in this time. Jay nods once, effectively dismissing him. Anthony exits the room and I stand. "I can't help you if you aren't honest with me."
I feel a little guilty now. However, I don't want William to get hurt and I don't want Jay getting more involved in my personal life than he already has. "I appreciate your concern but I'm fine. Is there anything else you need from me?" He shakes his head so I turn to exit the room, glancing over my shoulder as I walk away. "Enjoy your cupcakes."
A small smile appears on his lips a he shakes his head slightly causing me to smile too. I have faith Jay and I will become friends over time too. We both just have to learn more about each other but I also don't want to over step because he's my boss. This is not your typical workplace so maybe we'll get on common ground sooner rather than later.