Chapter 18

Kay Santino I watch as the dancing ladies twist and slide their bodies on the poles in non-existent clothes, while the horny fuckers watch with shameless lustful eyes. How married men leave their wives and kids at their homes, to come watch as young ladies expose their bodies for their twisted pleasure. I can never understand men. Last night I didn't even blink. Every time I closed my eyes, I would snap them open, sweating and breathing hard. Nightmares. They never go away, and I'm so sick of them. I can't explain why my body was calm around Carl. That is the science I'm not willing to figure out right now. I found myself in the gym at 3 a.m., and my dad joined, telling me how he was right, and I didn't object. My body and mind need rest, and if I can only get that around Carl, I don't mind as long as he keeps his boundaries. Sharing a bed can't be worse compared to what I go through every night. And that brings us here, to the next monster who caused all that. The demon that still haunts my dreams. The fucker who rips my clothes every time I close my eyes. Alex Lorenzo is in my line of view, holding the bulge in his pants while his eyes are stuck on the woman I specifically chose for him tonight. How shameless can one be? The thought of dancing naked while the horny eyes of men watch sickens me. So I had our best girl Ana lure the fucker while I wait. I will only get my chance when she takes him to the room. Too bad he will not leave the room afterwards. "Hey, beautiful," I internally groan at that voice. Please not now. "Rico," I acknowledge, and he sits beside me, smiling. A smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Let me buy you a drink," he offers, openly staring at my body. His gaze makes me feel like a thousand needles are pricking my skin. I look at the glass of scotch in front of me, which I am only taking because I need enough guts to do what brought me here tonight. "No thanks," I politely decline before taking a sip of the smooth liquid. "Look, I know they might have told you things about me, but it's not like what they say," he says, and I look back at him. He has a black hoodie on, his hair tied up like the other day, and his eyes are so sharp. I fear they can see deep into my soul. There is no gentleness in Rico's eyes whatsoever. "What do you think they told me, Rico?" I mumble softly, looking at him, and he maintains eye contact. "I had my reasons, okay? Everything was and is still about Carlos, everyone loved him, and I was just another boy in the family." his tone carries a hint of sadness, and that piques my interest. "What do you mean?" I ask, suddenly feeling curious. "My family never liked me, and they did nothing to hide it. I was supposed to be the heir, but when the time came, they also denied me that. I only acted according to how I was feeling," he sighs and looks away. Did he do everything for attention? Did his family ignore him openly? No child deserves to be ignored. "I don't know what to say," I whisper, looking at his face. Rico has his lips stretched in a thin line. I still can't believe Carl has an identical twin. Damn. "I just want you to know I would never hurt you, Kay, or let anything happen to you, I swear," he softly murmurs, and I furrow my brows at him. "Why?" I ask because everyone says I should stay away from him, worried about what he might do. Yet the man himself is telling me how he would never hurt me. "I care, Kay, believe it or not, I care about you." he stares at my face longer, and it's making me uncomfortable. He cares? The man just met me. I'm not stupid, Rico. I avert my eyes back to my target, and he is still being entertained. Rico follows my line of view and sighs, " You should be careful with those bastards, princess," he warns in a sincere tone. "Why is that?" Does he know why I'm here? "Grayson is allying with the Russians, and when he finds out you are the one taking out his men, shit is gonna blow." Why is he giving me the information? Is he testing me or something? "How do you know about that?" No one knows I'm the killer so far. I don't leave loose ends. "It's a small world, Kay," he simply says, taking his drink. Is he spying on me or something? "Are you spying on me, Rico?" I ask. "Of course not, but I have eyes. I know what they did, and I put two and two together." Is he perhaps the master, the one Thomas was working for? " No one knows what I do, I make sure of that unless you are spying on me, better still have a mole," I lowly hiss out. This guy just came out of nowhere. "Fuck. What did those people tell you? You think I will hurt you, Kay?" he softly stares at me, and I look away. His eyes are telling a different story from what everyone says. I don't even know what to think anymore. "What are you doing here then? This can't be a coincidence, right?" I ask in a calmer voice. "No, I followed you here because I wanted to talk to you". I am now convinced that he has a spy. How else did he know where I would be and the exact time? Or about my missions. Is he the one sending me those roses? Fuck. I see Ana holding Alex's hand, leading him upstairs, and giggling at whatever he's saying. I'm sure she does that to all her victims, so fake. And they don't even see it. She's my dad's best assassin for a reason. Carl furiously marches to the club and comes straight to where we are sitting. He is so angry that his eyes are darker, and the veins on his forehead are popping out. "I told you not to go near her," he angrily snaps and grips Rico's hoodie before lifting him from his seat. The commotion causes the drinks on the counter to pour and the glasses to break in the process. "What's wrong with you? She can decide for herself if she wants to talk to me or not." Rico growls back, trying to get out of his brother's grip. However, Carl punches him hard in the face, and that's how a fight between the brothers begins. Their men try pulling them apart, but it gets messy when they both draw their guns and point them at each other's heads. I stay calm in my seat, waiting for Ana to give me a signal. I came here for a reason, and I won't let their brawl interrupt me. At this point, I can only pray for the best twin to win.