We landed in LA. The city was hustling. The people, cars, I loved the atmosphere. The air was different than Missouri and Mexico. It was heavier almost. We hoped into our private limo and were off to the hotel.
We pulled up to a beautiful natural looking hotel with wood, concrete, glass, and landscaping. You wouldn’t have known it was a hotel when driving by it, it was smaller and more intimate than most hotels. We walked inside the lobby to a natural wonderland. There were plants everywhere, stones, dim lights, and a fountain in the middle of the room. It was gorgeous. We checked in and made our way to our private suite. It had 4 rooms with private bathrooms, a sitting room, and a coffee bar.
I walked into my room. It had a king bed with dark green linens and a bed full of pillows. There was a private deck with floor to ceiling windows. The bathroom was quinte with natural wood walls, a concrete shower, concrete vanity, and marble floors.
My phone was ringing off the hook. I finally answered, it was Julio. “Fallon.” An angry voice rang over the phone.
“Maximo.” I answered just as angry. “What do you want?”
“Where are you?” He was annoyed, but I could tell he was worried. His need to control me was almost too much for me to handle.
“I’m in LA, as I told Julio earlier.”
“Where? Give me the address.” He was impatient.
“Where’s Julio? Why did you call me on his phone?”
“Fallon, where the fuck are you? I’m trying to allow you your privacy without tracking you down, but I will.” I sighed.
“Fine, but I don’t want you to come here.”
“Of course, I’m going to come there.”
“I need to do this on my own, Maximo.”
“Do what, Fallon?”
“I’m buying this club.”
“Which club?” I don’t know why he was asking me so many questions.
“Why?”
“Because my family does business with many people from LA. We have many people who owe us favors.”
“It’s the Hell Room near Echo Park.”
“I didn’t know Mr. Heldojo was selling.”
“He isn’t, but he will once he hears my offer.” I smiled to myself, proud of my confidence. Maximo laughed dryly.
"He won’t sell to you, Fallon.” He continued to laugh.
“How do you know?” Before I knew it my room door flew open. He was standing there laughing and hung up the phone.
“Because I know him, Fallon. He doesn’t do business with women.” I huffed.
“What are you doing here? I told you I need to do this on my own. Were you tracking me this whole time?” I was annoyed, I crossed my arms over my chest. He walked over to me and pushed the hair out of my face. He smiled and kissed me on the cheek.
“Yes, since you ignored my phone calls. You’re mine, Fallon, you don’t ever ignore me like this again.” His face hardened and his lips came to a thin line. “Do not do this again.” He had grabbed my waist hard, pulling me into him. He dug his nose into my neck. “Say it.” I just looked away from him, he pulled my face to meet his eyes. “Say it, Fallon.”
“What do you really want, Maximo? I think you want a piece of ass to follow you around, fuck you when you want, and keep my mouth shut. I am a business woman.” I had pushed away from him. “I am a business woman, I do not want to be listed behind any man, cartel head or not. I want my own success. I want people to know who I am. I want to be on top of this world, Maximo.” He was listening to me intently before cutting me off.
“I want a wife, Fallon. I want someone to cherish. Not someone, not anyone, you. I want to make you feel like the queen you are. I want us to lift each other up. I want to run this world together. But we will get no where if you continue to make up your mind and do whatever you want without considering the consequences.” Consequences? He has to be joking. Coming from a man who shot up a warehouse over some money. I turned around and walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I hoped in the shower and was soon interrupted by Maximo. “Why did you walk away from me?”
He pushed me up against the wall of the shower and held me hard against it. “Get off of me, Maximo.” I tried to push him back but he pushed against me harder.
“You’re mine, Fallon. Say it.” I couldn’t make eye contact with him. He was trying to control me, even the things I say.
“Maximo, back off.” He pressed against me even harder. I could tell he was starting to get mad by his body language. “I’m yours.” I said reluctantly. His body relaxed a little. But he didn’t move. His hand moved up my body to my face. He kissed me hard before letting go of me and leaving me alone in the shower.