DAMIEN

 

Two years later

 

Oak fucking Island…

How I ended up here was beyond me. Talk about a cushy fucking city, there was nothing to this Pleasantville state of mind but beaches and families. Southern living and hospitality at its finest, and my goddamn nightmare. I was used to a fast-paced lifestyle, and this was the complete opposite of that. This was bullshit wrapped up in a pretty red bow.

I nodded to the receptionist behind the counter at the Brunswick County Precinct. “Is he in?”

“Yes, he’s in his office. I’ll tell him you’re—”

“Don’t bother, he’s expecting me,” I chimed in, flashing her a cunning grin.

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Oh yes, you’re Damien Montero.”

“The one and only.”

She smiled, flipping her brunette hair to the side. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Montero. Or should I call you, El Santo?” she questioned in a sultry tone, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “I hear you’re quite the attorney down in Miami. I mean, you’re all over the news and making headlines. Especially with your involvement in bringing down all those criminals in the wake of Alejandro Martinez’s death. How did you single-handedly do it?”

I eyed her up and down. “If I told you, I’d have to kill you.” I winked.

She playfully giggled, placing her hand on her chest and blushing. If there was one thing I learned about women in this lifetime, it didn’t matter what you said to them. All that mattered was how you said it, and this chick was no different. Case in point, I just told her I’d have to kill her and she thought it was funny, all because I put on the charm.

Worked every time.

I was only thirty-four-years-old but felt much older. I guess it was to be expected from the way I lived my life thus far.

The same life I was still presently living.

Six years in America and the only thing that changed since Cuba was my freedom to be as bad as I wanted to be.

And I was fucking ruthless.

My name sat at the top of the District Attorney ballot, all thanks to a man everyone thought was gunned down a year ago. His story wasn’t mine to tell, although it explained why I was in Oak Island.

“His office is down the hallway, the last door on the left.” She pointed toward it.

I walked down the long corridor, going about my business and taking in my surroundings like I did everywhere I went. Just as I was about to knock on the door, I heard, “But, Daddy!” coming from Detective McGraw’s office. Stopping my knuckles from connecting with the door.

“Don’t ‘but, Daddy’ me, Giselle. That shit is not going to work this time. You don’t need to move across the country to follow your career in fashion,” McGraw replied.

“I’m not saying I want to permanently move. I’m just saying I want to maybe go explore my options for a minute.”

“Who do you think you’re talking to? I know all this moving talk has to do with Mason and his—”

“This has nothing to do with Mason,” she cut him off in a stern tone. “That’s a pretty low blow even for you. I can’t believe you’d even bring that up.”

I would be lying if I said it didn’t pique my interest, hearing the tenacity in her voice as she spoke to her old man.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I just don’t think you would be happy away from your family, your friends, your life here. You’re barely twenty-five-years-old, Giselle. I know he’s put you through a lot of shit these last few years and I know he’s still—”

“I’m not here to talk about Mason, and I don’t have to ask for your permission to leave, Dad. I think you tend to forget I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m only here because I love you and respect you. I wanted to rationally and calmly talk to you about me leaving town for a while. Mom knows, she’s the one who suggested I come here and talk to you. She fully supports my need to spread my wings a little. She thinks it would be good for me, and I have to agree. Plus, you are well aware I want to pursue my career in fashion and there’s not much going on here in Oak Island, no offense. There is no market here unless I make swimsuits and board shorts. I’m talking high-end fashion, Daddy.”

I knocked on the door, interrupting their father- daughter moment that could wait. I, on the other hand, had no patience, and I’d overheard enough.

“Come in,” he stated, sounding irritated. “Montero,” he acknowledged as soon as I opened the door.

“McGraw,” I mocked, nodding to him.

He looked down at his watch. “I didn’t realize the time. The day must have gotten away from me.”

My eyes gravitated toward the luscious blonde with her arms crossed over her chest, leaning against the bookcase in the back of his office. She was right about one thing, she wasn’t a little girl anymore. I scanned her body from her long legs to her small waist, to her voluptuous tits. She was a living, breathing Barbie doll.

All I thought when my eyes reached her pouty little mouth was how much I wanted to fuck her face. And the fact that she was the detective’s daughter… well, that only made her even more enticing. I always wanted what I couldn’t have, and she just became a challenge. The detective cleared his throat, snapping my attention away from the dirty thoughts of what I’d do to his daughter if we were alone.

She smiled, her mischievous hazel eyes meeting mine as if she knew what I was thinking. “I’m Giselle,” she introduced herself, walking toward me. Extending out her hand once we were a foot apart. 

I shook it. “Damien.”

“I know. Everyone knows who you are.”

Her hand lingered in mine.

“Giselle, we’ll finish this conversation later. Dinner at the house around six o’clock, don’t be late,” McGraw interfered in a rigid tone and I let her go.

Over her shoulder, she peered at him. “There’s nothing left to talk about.” Looking back at me. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

I wanted to respond, but I couldn’t say what I was thinking with her father standing there, cock blocking me. So I simply grinned, stepping aside to let her walk by. Trying like hell not to stare at her ass, swaying side to side with each step.

“All the documents are signed and sealed,” McGraw stated when she shut the door behind her. Once again bringing my attention back to him.

I leaned against the wood frame crossing my arms over my chest.

“My daughter’s ass isn’t yours to stare at,” he added in a menacing voice.

“I was just appreciating the view.” I surrendered my hands in the air in a sarcastic gesture. “A man should appreciate a work of art when he sees one. You remember what that was like, don’t you? From what I hear, you were quite the ladies’ man.”

“Stay away from my daughter.”

“That won’t guarantee she will stay away from me.” I smiled.

“I can guaran-fucking-tee it.” He placed his hand on his gun, trying to scare me.

“I’ll see your one,” I replied, slightly opening my suit jacket to reveal my holstered guns at my sides. “And raise you two.”

He narrowed his eyes at me, disclosing a trace of respect behind his protective fatherly stare.

“Are we done with the pissing contest now? Because I’d like to get down to business.” I nodded, pushing off the door to take a look around his office. Showcasing the countless pictures of his family and friends enjoying life.

He hesitated for a second, watching me before he declared, “You can put Alejandro Martinez to rest, for good.”

I turned, walking back toward him. “And here I thought you were a law-abiding citizen. Feels fucking good to be bad, eh?”

He shoved the documents into my chest. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my family. Briggs is Martinez’s niece and her husband Austin, is like a brother to me. Besides, your name’s on the election ballot and what? All it took was a year? We all got what we wanted. Understood?” he threatened in a Southern accent I didn’t appreciate.

“Don’t get it twisted, Detective McGraw. You guys brought me into this.”

“Martinez brought you into this.”

“And now he’s dead. Your family is happy, my name is on the ballot, and we’re still breaking the law. Does that sum it up enough for you? Or do you need me to provide evidence and not bullshit documents I could wipe my ass with.”

He jerked back.

“It’s alright, McGraw. We all need a little sin in our lives. Builds fucking character.” I reached for the doorknob. “Now, how about you point me in the direction of some food. I’m fucking starving.”

Like I told you before, it was never about what you said, it always came down to how you said it. The best way to win an argument was by asking questions and allowing the person to see the truth and errors in their reasoning and rationalization. It was simply human nature to seek justification for our sins, but it doesn’t change the fact you’re still a sinner. I told you I was a damn good attorney. 

It only took him a few more seconds to give in. “There’s a restaurant a few miles up the road on the beach. It’s the best one around.”

I opened the door, nodding to him again. “We good here?”

“Tell them I sent you,” he answered, blowing off my question.

I left without saying another word, because what else was there left to say?

It didn’t take long to find the restaurant just a short drive away from the precinct. I pulled into the parking lot just after twelve, taking the only empty spot available next to a motorcycle. As soon as I got out of my rental car, I immediately inhaled the scent of salt from the ocean breeze, reminding me of Cuba. I resided in downtown Miami and had only possibly seen the beach a handful of times. The crystal blue water was one of the few things I missed about my home, besides Rosarío and Amira of course. Even after all these years apart, they still wore heavy on my mind.

Last year, I spent almost a month and a fuckload of money and threats, trying to find them. But there wasn’t much information I could pull about two women in Cuba from American soil, especially when Amira’s last name wasn’t real. All her documents were falsified because of me, including her birth certificate. It was the only way I could keep her hidden from Salazar, which only came back to bite me in the ass.

I ended up hiding her from myself as well.

There wasn’t a chance in hell I could go back to Cuba and try to find them either. Knowing Emilio, he wanted my head. Offering whatever it took for the first bidder to take me the fuck out. I just wanted to make sure they were safe and well taken care of. I would’ve loved to have been able to send them money, clothes, anything…

Everything.

Not that either of them would accept it at this point. I’m sure Rosarío was as livid as Amira was with my actions and then disappearing. They both probably hated me, thinking I betrayed them. Maybe in some ways I had. I wish I could have taken the two most important people in my life with me. Given them the life they deserved, but the risk was far greater than the reward. I didn’t know what I was going to face when I arrived in the States, their promises could have been complete and utter bullshit. I could take that chance for me but not my girls.

Sometimes the evil you knew was better than the evil you didn’t.

They didn’t need me in their lives anymore. I was their death sentence waiting to strike. Nothing about me had changed. If anything, I became far fucking worse. I was destined to a life alone. That was my cross to bear and nothing, nor anyone, could change that. It was what I deserved.

Being the monster I was.

I found a table in the far corner of the crowded restaurant, taking a seat by the window in order to be aware of all my surroundings. Passing a man wearing military fatigues, angrily talking on the phone and a young tattooed biker a few tables down who was eyeing me from the second I sat down. Not that it surprised me. The average person recognized who I was on a daily basis. My appearance was also different than most, a man dressed in an expensive suit clashed with the board short-wearing surfers. He was sitting with an older woman across the room by the open screen enclosures, leading down to the beach. I assumed it was his mother who he was in deep conversation with before I caught his attention. My eyes wandered down to the name on his cut, Rebel. I instantly made a mental note to look into the club, ‘Devil’s Rejects,’ specifically the last name Jameson stitched on his cut.

“Hi there,” the waitress greeted, bringing my attention to her. “I’m Alex. What can I get you?”

“I was told this was the best restaurant around. How about you tell me, sweetheart. What’s good here?”

She smiled, cocking her head to the side. She was cute in a mousey girl next door sort of way. “Oh yeah? Who told you that?”

“Detective McGraw, which is odd because you don’t strike me as the woman who would get herself into any trouble.”

She blushed, chuckling.  “He’s like my brother. But yes, my restaurant is the best one around these parts.”

“Your restaurant? Quite the entrepreneur for being so young.”

“Hardly. It was my parents. They handed it down to me after they retired.”

“I see. Oak Island is just one big happy family, eh?”

“Something like that. Anyway, I suggest you try the house special. It’s my personal favorite.” She pointed to the menu.

I nodded, grabbing my phone from the inside of my suit jacket to answer it. “Sounds great, I’ll take a water too.”

“Coming right up.” She turned and left.

“This is Damien,” I answered, spending the next twenty-minutes on a conference call. “Yes, that’s right. Those dates could work. We need to make sure her alibi lines up with his. I’ll prep her when I—” My response was cut short when a certain blonde bombshell uninvitingly took a seat in front of me.

She smirked, reaching over to slide my plate of food I had barely touched, toward her.

“Damien, you still there?” Andrew questioned over the phone.

“Yes.” I arched an eyebrow, taking her in. “I was just rudely interrupted.”

She bit her bottom lip, shrugging in a conniving yet innocent way. I continued my call, watching her every move as she picked at my lunch. Obviously, eavesdropping on my conversation till it ended.

“Do you always listen to private conversations that don’t concern you, Giselle?”

A smartass smile suddenly spread across her face. “Only when they’re as interesting as yours. Besides, I can say the same for you. Correct me if I’m wrong, but your ears dropped in on my private conversation with my father too.”

“I overheard your conversation with your daddy. There’s a difference.”

She rolled her eyes. “Spoken like a true attorney.” Her gaze followed my questioning stare, watching her push pieces of food aside with her fork, only eating the meat. “What?” She shrugged again. “I’m a picky eater.”

“I see.” Leaning back in my chair, I rested my arm on the backrest of the seat next to me. Finally getting comfortable. “So, you’ve always been a pain in the ass?”

She giggled, “Are you flirting with me?” Cocking her head to the side, pursing her dick-sucking lips.

“Depends, does imagining your lips wrapped around my cock while I fuck your face count as flirting?”

Her eyes widened.

“Or are you only invading my personal space and destroying my lunch because your boyfriend is watching us like a fucking sniper from across the room?”

She didn’t hesitate in replying, “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“I see… A lover’s quarrel then? You’re trying to make him jealous by pretending you’re having lunch with another man. A real man.”

“I don’t want to talk about Mason.”

“No?” I mocked, leaning forward, placing my elbows on the table. Moving closer till my face was only an inch away from hers. “Then let’s talk about how we can get your lips wrapped around my cock.”

She sucked in a breath.

“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Feeling a real man in your mouth… And if you’re a good girl, I’ll return the favor. I’d like nothing more than to have my face in between your legs. Fucking you with my tongue.”

Her eyes dilated and her cheeks blushed. She wanted it all.

“I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse. You want to get out of Oak fucking Island? Well, you’re in luck, I need a secretary for the summer. Mine is about to take her maternity leave. I’m sure you’re aware, Miami is considered one of the fashion capitals of the world. There are important people I can introduce you to.” Licking my lips, I eyed hers. “Just say the word.”

“What’s the catch? You give me a job, and I have to have sex with you?”

“No, my cock is just an added bonus.”

“Why would you do that for me?”

I stared straight into her eyes and stated, “You look like you need to get properly fucked.”

She faintly chuckled, “The job, the people you can introduce me to. Why? You don’t even know me.”

“I don’t care to know you. Let’s get that clear first. I like to fuck, and I want to fuck you. End. Of. Story. You also look like a girl who needs to get away, who wants to forget, and I’m the man to offer it to you. But something tells me that’s exactly what you’re looking for. No strings attached.”

“Do you have someone you want to forget, too?” she questioned in an understanding tone. Placing her hand on top of mine on the table.

I abruptly sat back in my chair, breaking our connection. Crudely pulling my hand away from hers. “You have until the end of the week to give me your answer.” And with that, I placed my business card and the money for the check on the table, stood and left her sitting there alone.

Already completely prepared to be expecting to find the guy in fatigues standing next to my rental car, waiting for me.

“Stay the fuck away from Giselle,” he warned, stepping up to me.

“You’re the second man to warn me about her today. You guys are just making her more goddamn enticing,” I snidely scoffed. “Mason, right?” Getting right in his face, not backing down. “Do I look like the man who would take orders from a boy?”

He eyed me up and down. “She doesn’t need to get hurt.”

“You mean more than you have already hurt her.”

He jerked back like I had hit him. People were easy to read and this motherfucker put her through some shit. He was still putting her through it.

“She can make her own decisions, probably the same way you’ve always made yours. Now, back the fuck away,” I gritted through a clenched jaw.

“Mason!” Giselle called out from the entrance of the restaurant. Catching us arguing from afar.

“She beckons, go fetch with your dick tucked in between your legs like the pussy you are.”

He came at me. “You motherfuc—”

“Mason!” she shouted louder.

“This isn’t over.” He reluctantly moved away.

I took one last look at him and spoke with conviction, “Now where would the fucking fun be in that.” Got in my car and sped off. Leaving them alone to work out their bullshit I didn’t give a fuck about.

Knowing she would call.