Chapter 21

Noah didn’t really plan on kidnapping Adriana or in getting her more upset than she already was. He was having a hard time without her as it is. If he did this, it would ruin whatever chance he had with her. But things got out of hand some days back that prompted this insane act.

It so happened that morning that Nate Monterey woke up to an unusual text message from his latest catch, Jade. When the phone vibrated at first, he ignored it. He stared at the name on the phone and kept staring at it. Then finding it interesting that someone he been chasing after for some weeks now suddenly texted him, he read the message.

I Miss you… want to hang out this evening???

Nate sat up straight after reading the text. It had been long he went out. Since the weird meeting with his cousins, his movements had been restricted. Gaby had him monitored all the time. Every of the Monterey’s now had a security detail for attached to them while the one assigned to Nate had been given a special order. To report the playboy’s movement at every chance. So even when he got out for a harmless stroll, Gaby got informed and he’d call immediately to rain down hell on his head.

“We can’t keep doing this man” Nate had been forced to take it up with the security man. He was a hefty man who looked intimidating enough. He was so tall and wide, it was disturbing. Still, knowing the orderly worked for them and couldn’t harm him, Nate challenged him. The man looked him from head to toe but refused to say anything. “How can you tell him I went for a stroll?” he snickered and kicked the sand where the man stood stoically. “Wait do you tell him when I pee too?”

“No.” Replied the security detail replied with a bemused smile. He stood looming over the man he was to keep an eye on and forced a cold smile.

“Well then, cut me some slack. A man’s gotta do what he’s gotta do...” He walked a few miles and turned almost immediately. As he guessed, the security man was right behind him. And he almost ran into him. “I wanna pee.” He screamed at him.

“That’s the wrong way to the bathroom.”

“Must I pee in the bathroom? Can’t I just pee outside? People do it.” He murmured, finding his own excuse very lame to himself. “What can I do to have you off my back for a few minutes? Money?” The man shook his head but said nothing. “No, you’ve got to say it out.” He said, facing the man again. “How do I have you off my face?” When the man refused to reply him again. Frustrated, Nate sighed heavily. He was going to have to take it up with Gaby. But even he knew it was a very bad idea. Gaby wasn’t always in his best behaviour. And Noah who was usually the one to stand up to him was in no mood for throwing words back and forth with anyone. Like him, he probably missed the life he was used to.

Ever since his wife threw him out, he had been a shell of his formal self. He was losing it. His decisions lately were questionable too. But at least, he didn’t disturb anyone. He was always in his room, doing his lame things. So, he really could help him now. And Samantha was another drama entirely. She had suddenly became the mother hen. It was pointless talking to her about ditching his orderly for a rendezvous. She’s give a million reasons while that was such a terrible idea. She was no fun.

For a long time, Nate kept staring at the phone, wondering what to do about the message. But somewhere deep down, he knew he was going. Whatever it takes, even if that meant sneaking out. But still, he held on from replying Jade. He didn’t need to peek to know his orderly was standing rigidly behind the door, waiting to resume his duty today. He suddenly had an idea. Perhaps he could feign being sick and send the man to get him drugs. And escape while he was gone.

Smiling, he went to the door and opened it. His nemesis stood with his devilish face looking at him. Remembering he had to look the part, he quickly shut the door. Taking a step back in, he rubbed his face with some ointments he had in his bathroom and looked in the mirror. He looked sick enough. So he went back to the door and opened it. Devil face as he called his security stood there looking at him weirdly. “Hi there.” He greeted. “I feel sick today.” He waited for any response or sign from the orderly who kept on looking at him with that sad expression. “Can you get me aspirin?” He rubbed his head gently for effect, “I think I’m having a migraine.”

Wondering what kind of game his boss was up to this time, he replied “I can’t go to the store for you.” He was not buying the idea. “We can go together.”

Now getting irritated, Nate shook his head, looking at devil face pitifully. “Seriously?” He backed at him, “Do I look like I can go anywhere to you?” The man didn’t even bulge. “Man, please.”

“Sir.” The orderly bellowed, losing his patience for the spoilt brat. “I can’t do this. Gaby would have my head.”

“For getting me drugs?” Nate scoffed, “Or for watching me die on your watch?”

“Yes. I was never to leave your side.” He replied, “That’s the order.”

Damn Gaby for this. “You’d rather I die, peaceably in my dreams then?”

Samantha who was about stepping out, heard the commotion. She dropped her bag on the table in the living room and walked towards the two men, hurriedly “Is there a problem?” She asked Nate.

Unsure if she could help, he reluctantly told his cousin what was going on. “I asked this dummy to get me aspirin. My head’s pounding, but he won’t move. Wants me to drive to the store with him.”

Samantha looked from one man to the other. She could understand the orderly’s stand. “Okay. I’ll get it for you. Settled?”

It wasn’t exactly what he wanted but left with no choice, Nate nodded and thanked his cousin, “Thank you.” He said to her. Turning to the orderly, he smacked, “Learn to be human.” And he stepped back in his room then shut the door. He started pacing the room, wondering what to do. For minutes, he had no idea that came close to getting him his freedom.

“I have to find a way.” He said to himself. Angrily, he sat back down and soon slept off. While he slept, he dreamt of the beautiful date he once had with Jade. He suddenly found himself in another spot with Jade, having a good time. They were cuddling and she was so sweet. He was moaning when he was awakened later by Gaby.

Waking up to see Gaby’s irritating face so close to his mouth made him jump off the bed. “The heck man. What do you want here?”

“Fancy dreaming like you on a hot morning like this” Gaby teased. Walking out if the room, he said “Get dressed and come out, please. I need help with something.”

“Man, what do you want?” Nate asked, really not in the mood for any favours. He had to drag himself out to meet with him. His cousin, who looked frenzied and uncoordinated. “Anything wrong?”

“Sit.” Gaby commanded “And listen carefully.”

Nate sat down and asked, “What?”

“Some of our deals are coming in this afternoon and I need all hands on deck. Stone here told me you said you’re strong.”

Oh, so the devil face had been paying attention after all. Sick? If only! Nate smiled inwardly, but nodded vigorously for his cousin’s sake. “Migraine. Just slight but killing. Samantha’s getting me aspirin. I’ll be fine.”

“You better because needing all hands means I’m leaving you home, but I need Stone.”

You can have him now and forever, “Sure” Nate was quick to accept, then he drawled so he wouldn’t be suspected, “But why?”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? I need all the guns.”

“Oh, yeah. Okay.”

“Samantha will be home with you, and I’m sure nothing can happen in just few hours.” He said and started to walk away. He beaconed to Stone and they both left the house. Nate went inside and quickly replied his girl to meet up. Then before Samantha came back and ruined his day, he grabbed his keys and snuck out of the house. He didn’t head straight to the girl. He had plenty time, so he went by slaughter house first.

The ‘slaughter house’ as his friends called the small country house was where he goes anytime he had to bring in a lady. He loved when his women were loud. That was the point in being a man after all. But with the home he shared with everyone, it was no fun. So this was his private quarters where he was free to do what he liked. It had been a while he stepped here too. He called his chef to prepare something for later as he was having a guest. Then he called the cleaning lady, “I want this place perfect” he instructed. The lady knew what that meant; erase every evidence of his previous escapade.

Smiling, Nate knew the girl would be worth all the effort he was putting into this. He had spent weeks, even months now, chasing her. No woman ever made him feel so thrilled like she did. Most of the women knew who he was even before he introduced himself. So, all they wanted was his money. They just do whatever he wanted. But that wasn’t like this one. She was pretty and smart. Her arrogance in not giving in quickly made him want her more. He met Jade at a friend’s party some couple months back. A friend had introduced them and though she appeared quiet, they had hit it off instantly. They spoke while they drank at the bar on almost everything. They talked about politics, drug dealers, youths and employment and finally, family. It was that night Nate had gotten to know she was a new lady in town. She had come visiting with her family and was staying a few weeks.

Some days later, they’d run into each other again. This time, at a café and she had company. So did he. But while his date had been so hot and lovely, he kept staring at Jade. He couldn’t just resist her. Several times, she caught him staring and shook her head, telling him to look away. Finally, when Jade stood up to use the bathroom, he followed her. “Hey you!” He said and the lady turned. He had her cornered to the wall. Then placing his hand to block her path, he leaned closer to her.

“Hi” she responded, “You kept staring at me.” She accused. Since he had her cornered, she leaned on the wall and gave him her best seductive look.

“That’s because you’re so sweet.” He flirted easily with her. He let his free hand tuck her hair behind her ears.

“You almost got me in trouble.” she accused “With who? Your date?” In all earnest, he hadn’t paid any attention to the man she was with. He had been so carried away by her to pay any attention.

“Do you know who that is?” She asked looking so scared.

Nate had shrugged, “Who can he be? Do you know who I am?”

The lady shook her head, “That’s Luke. The mafia boss.”

Nate backed away, mockingly, his hands raised in the air. “What you doing with a mafia man, babe?” Then, laughing he said, “I don’t care if he’s the Satan himself. I barely saw him. I was too busy seeing you.”

The lady then relaxed visibly, “I see that didn’t get you then.” She sighed, “It works on every guy I know.”

“Well, I’m not like every guy you know.” Then moving closer to her, he asked “Can I have your contact this time?” and smiling, he said, “Miss Jade?” and gave her his phone “Oh please” she collected the phone from him and punched in her number.

Feeling naughty, he had asked. “What do you say to ditch our dates?” He didn’t expect she’d accept. It had been a spontaneous thought. When she nodded and smiled mischievously, he had no choice than to go through the plan. They had gone hiking with all thought of their dates forgotten.

“Do you suppose they’re still there waiting for us?” Jade asked when they sat down on the bare floor catching their breathes.

Nate checked the time. It had been two hours since they took the back door and walked out of the restaurant together. “Maybe?” He said, “But knowing how hot headed my date was, she probably left.” He added “What if by some sheer luck our dates hook up too?” She asked again.

It was quite unlikely. Unless those two had seen them while they had been exchanging looks. And with them both gone, figured something fishy. “Unless they…” he was saying but got interrupted Jade suddenly jumped up, “Why don’t we go back and find out?” she asked, her hand stretched out to pull him up.

Nate took the slender hand and instead pulled her down to him, “That’s pushing our luck. If they’re still there…” He could imagine what his date would do to him. The lady was really some hot head he had a quickie with at the bar last night. From their talks, and judging by how she screamed down her friend who caught them and was staring too long at him, he could bet the result would be nasty. “I don’t even want to find that out.” He said.

But Jade had somehow escaped his embrace and stood up, “Come on.” She said.

Sighing, he took the hand and stood up. They had driven all the way back to the restaurant. Yes, that was Jade. She made him do the weirdest thing. But as she went in to check on their dates, he stayed back in the car.

“Not coming?” She asked.

“Nah, I’ll pass.” She was walking away, so he rolled down the glass and called after her, “I’ll keep the engine running in case you need to dash out.”

Laughing, Jade turned to him and shouted, “Scare crow.”

It took quite a while before she came out. And when she did, she merely peeked and signalled that he came back in. hell, he wasn’t. So he stayed until few minutes later, she came with some coffee for them. “What took you so long?” He asked.

“Well, Luke was gone but your date is still there. Had to cheer her up.” She replied, passing him the coffee.

Looking at his Rolex wrist watch, he said with disbelieve, “It’s been three hours. Doesn’t she have anything to do?”

Laughing at that, she said “Don’t be so over yourself. She has another date already.”

Okay, so now that is surprising. “She got over me so quickly. Good for her.”

They stayed in the car and drank the coffee. He turned to look at her and she suddenly had this weird smile. He knew immediately that she had something up her sleeve.

“Wanna see who she ditched you for?”

“No, enough of the Truth and Dare already. I think we should call it a day.” He laughed so hard, he couldn’t resist. Her laugh was infectious. Then leaning over, he kissed her. It was a day he’ll never forget. And the memory of that kiss wasn’t one he could forget ever. For someone who’s tasted it all, this lady sure taste better than every woman he’s ever had.

Remembering the kiss even now made him feel hard. He stepped into the bathroom to have a good shower, whistling as he bathes. Today, he was going to go all the way. He believed they had gotten to that stage now. The chaste kisses were no longer keeping him sated, he wanted the real deal. The excitement of what would happen made his quite in a good mood.

That afternoon, after he had shaved and washed himself, he stepped out of the house ready to enjoy this day. He was dressed in plaid trouser and white vest and a plaid blazer. He breathed in the cool fresh air like he had been starved of it for days. He turned off his location and put the phone in his pocket.

Then, driving down to the restaurant where he was meeting his woman, he played his favorite blues; ‘No air’… the duet by Jordin Spark and Chris Brown. And as he sang along, he warned himself to not take this thing he’s having with Jade too far, even as his heart stubbornly told him he was falling in love with her. His family would have a feat if they knew what he was doing. Shrugging, he drove on, miming the song and nodding happily.

Jade was already seated when he walked in. Her back was turned to the door, so he stood watching her back view. From behind, he could see her dangling hair. The hair was falling over her bare shoulder. The chair was a fancy one with a big hole. He could see her back effortlessly. She was dressed in a short, white tube gown that opened along her spine.

He walked towards her and she smiled at him “Hey!” He said leaning down to peck her. “You reached out today.” He said and went to take his seat opposite her. Her tube gown left a good half of her boobs partly showing. He stared at those sumptuous flesh.

Just then, his phone rang. Distracted, he checked who it was. It was Samantha. Nate figured it meant she was home and looking for him. He put his phone in silence and turned it face down on the table. He smiled at Jade and she smiled back. Her smile was all he needed to know he was doing the best thing for himself.

“Hey” Jade replied, all smiles. “You came.”

“You said that like you don’t expect I’d show up. Have I done that to you? Ever?”

Jade shrugged, and signalled the waiter. When the waiter came, she collected the menu list and took her time going through the meals. For a minute, she couldn’t decide on anything. “Want to help?” She asked, passing Nate the list.

Nate easily picked the best course on the list and white wine. Then he handed over his card so the waitress could have the pay.

“That was fast.” She teased, “Been here a lot?”

“Sure?” He said, proudly. “But, no one meaningful.”

“Like I’d fall for that.” She laughed brightly, and dismissed his excuse.

The meal arrived and the waiter set the table. Nate got his cutlery and dived in. He took the second spoonful before sparing her a look. Jade was watching complacently. Her food was still untouched. “Why aren’t you eating?”

She didn’t smile. She just shook her head, then crossed her hands under her jaw. “Continue.” She nodded at his plate.

Nate suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom. He took his phone and put it in his inner pocket then excused himself and left the table. He wasn’t gone that long since the place was empty. But when he got back, his table had been occupied by two men flagged on both sides of Jade. Surprised, he walked to the table and stood. “What’s this?” He asked looking at both men.

Jade responded with a laugh, “Boy, sit down.”

If Nate was surprised, he hid it well. He sat down before sparing her a look. “Jade?” He called. “Wanna tell me who these men are?”

“Sure.” Jade replied sarcastically. “Remember Luke?” She asked looking at the man sitting on her right.

He looked ugly with the big cut on his face, was the first thought that crossed Nate’s mind. The deep cut ran from the man’s right cheek across his face to the pointed spot beside his left eye. Luke? Wasn’t that the name of her date that she ditched that day?

“No.” He replied Jade, becoming a bit confused by her changed attitude. What is going on here? Had Luke tracked them down and was going to make them pay? He looked at Jade again. She had on this amusing smile. And why was Jade enjoying this charade so much?

“Of course.” Jade said smiling at both men on her side. Then to the one on the right that she called Luke, she said “He didn’t pay any attention to you” she laughed wickedly, “He was busy flirting with me.”

“And that’s a shame” said the man by the left, “He’s hardly ever unnoticed”

“It’s going to cost him too.” Jade added smirking.

Nate looked at them all and suddenly saw the similarity. They were related, family. Still, he wanted to play along. Better to act dumb than be outsmarted. “So you brought your ex to do what exactly?”

Jade laughed again. This time, the men joined. The people seated in the restaurant looked their way and the other man nodded at the ugly one. The ugly one stood up and brought out a gun.

“Leave everyone. Now!” He barked and the people started rushing out. When everyone had left, he sat down again. “We were saying?” Then he chuckled and said, “Yes, that I’m her ex? How dumb?”

“Told you he’s the weakest of the Monterey brothers.” Jade said, “He’s so silly.” She laughed and turned to Nate, “Well, he’s my brother. If you’d looked well enough that day, you’d have known. But you were too busy staring.”

Nate smiled, acting like deep inside his stomach wasn’t rumbling from the gun held loosely by the ugly man. “Not my fault.” He said, “You’re such a beauty.” The man by the left hit him so hard that Nate rolled back. The suddenness of the attack made him lose his balance and he fell. He stayed on the floor, holding his cheek. From the sudden salty liquid in his mouth, he knew he was bleeding. He spurted it out, and sure enough, blood was on the floor. His tongue instantly picked the spot, he was bleeding. Probably with a loose tooth too. He glared at the man.

“You dare not speak about our sister that way.” He said and spoke in a different language to his siblings. The ugly one went to check the door. He came back and spoke in the same dialect to the other two. They conversed again before the ugly man went back to lock the door.

Nate couldn’t make out what they said but he guessed they were Mexicans. He was screwed if he had somehow pissed off a mafia family. It appears they had company though. The men looked like they were checking outside for someone. “What did I ever do to you?” He asked Jade finally forcing himself up. He sat up on the floor, bidding his time. He gently tapped his phone.

“Oh, you’ll find out soon.” Jade said.

Nate watched her speak to her brothers and they seem to disagree. He used the fact that they were distracted to search for his phone. He had several missed calls already. He turned on his location and was able to get the phone back in his pocked before they looked his way. If his family could track him down here on time, he’d be lucky. If not, he was in for it.

They had concluded on something, Nate realized. The trio had this determined look on their faces. Fvck! They were going to shoot him. He had to stall, hopefully long enough to have his family get to him. “I did nothing wrong” he said smartly even as hot sweat drooled down his neck from behind. Then leaning on the table, he lifted himself up, just as the ugly man pulled the gun at him.

“You stay still” he ordered.

Giving him a cold stare, he asked again, “If I’m dying now, at least let me know what I did wrong”

“You did everything wrong.” The other man said, “But the worst thing is your weakness. You knew your family made so many enemies over the years, yet you go frolicking about alone?” he smirked, “After everything that’s going on lately.” He threw his head back and laughed. “She.” He pointed at his sister, “She was your doom. She lured you into this trap and you walked right into it.” He uncorked the gun.

From a distance outside, a police siren blared loudly. The cavalry! Exclaimed Nate to himself happily. Finally, some help.

The ugly man looked at his brother and swore loudly. Nate felt like hitting him. But there was the gun. And he was outnumbered. He looked down and smiled. He would get his chance.

“We got to go.” Jade told her brothers. “We could always get him.”

As they started to leave, the other man said something rapidly to his brother. The ugly one turned and shot Nate. “Not before we end you though.” He said and they ran off.

Nate fell from the impact of the gun shot. As he fell, he hit his head and the sickening sound made his eyes roll back in their socket. He heard them enter the car and drove off. The high screeching from the car made him know they came in a van. The Monterey had a van like that. But as he lost consciousness, Nate’s last thoughts were Jade. And to think he was falling in love with the bitch. She had been setting him up all along, stringing him towards his doom.

******

Adriana looked at Noah and laughed hysterically. She held her stomach and laughed so hard it hurt. Finally, having had a good laugh, she sat up straight only to find Noah looking at her. What, he was serious with that ridiculous story he just told her about his cousin being shot by some men. “That wasn’t just a story you made up?”

Noah shook his head. He had been leaning on the wall, staying a good distance away from her. She sat on the bed. His bed. And she looked so beautiful, the only way he wasn’t holding her now was he had his hands tucked firmly behind him. He could see she didn’t believe anything he’d just told her. Without as much as a word to her again, he stepped out of the room. He was back a few minutes later wheeling his cousin into the room. “Here, have a look.”

Adriana looked at Nate pitifully. His left leg was bandaged from the toe down to the inner thigh. His left arm too was also in cast. And his head was all wrapped up. “It wasn’t it a joke.” She murmured to herself, slowly looking at the man. “I’m sorry.”

“He was shot on the shoulder. It was a miss. The gun was targeted at his heart. Then he fell and had a mild concussion. He was in a coma for days.” Noah explained as Adriana walked closer to the man.

“I’m so sorry.” She said again, bending over to see the injuries. While wondering how this all affected her. How did the Monterey come to pin this on her family?

“It’s alright” Nate nodded and tapped that he be wheeled back. He hated being so helpless.

Noah wheeled him out. It took him longer to get back this time. When he came, he handed Adriana a canned soda.

“Thanks.” she said, taking the drink but knowing she couldn’t drink it. Not after what she had seen just now. Thoughtfully, she said, “Okay, if Nate here is the cousin you once mentioned in one of your unguarded moment” she paused then continued, “How do I even know any of those tales are true? With all these web of lies.”

“He is that cousin I mentioned.” He said frankly, he had a soda too, which he opened and had a sip. “As you said, in my unguarded moment.”

Rolling the drink in her hand, she spoke to Noah about her thought of what was going on. “Well then, you mentioned him being quite the play boy. Couldn’t this just be some of his exes’ out for his head? Or the pissed off men whose ladies were stolen by your cousin?”

“No. It wasn’t.” Noah said. “You think we’d let that slide?” He asked pointing in the direction he just wheeled his cousin, “We tracked down the men.”

She waited for him to go on. But he just kept looking at her, and leaning on that wall. “And?”

“It had nothing to do with the girls, Ad.” He said, his hand combed through his hair, tiredly. “It had everything to do with your family. I think there’s more than what your parents are letting on. We found their lair. They had escaped but in a hurry. And we have some papers, clues that your family might want to explain.”

“Okay, now you’ve ruined it.” Adriana said, dropping the drink. “If you meant to explain yourself and crawl back in…”

“Crawl back in, please?” He said and stepped away from the wall. He stepped inside the room and went to take a seat beside her. “I’m telling you what we learnt. There’s more than the Monterey’s after your family. I’m sure you’ve figured that part out. But we believe this is just one enemy you’re dealing with.” He stood again, apparently not comfortable sitting, “And if we are right, these enemies may have joined forces.”

“What?”

“Yes” he nodded, “And everyone associated with you are in danger too.”