My Addiction (Second Chances Series)(34)

“Huh?”

“You idiot, that’s the guy that hurt Noelle and killed that other girl.” His eyes followed my sight, and he watched the big man walk around the makeshift ring. There were a couple of muscle type guys behind him, then a tall, thin Latin man with a white linen pants and sky blue shirt walked behind with two women on his arm.

“That must be Santos,” I said.

“Shhh… keep your fucking voice down,” he chided.

I looked at him closely and saw that beads of sweat had formed on his top lip. This guy was nervous. I mean, I was nervous too considering, but he shouldn’t be. He’s a fed for Christ sake.

“Ramone,” I called to him.

He didn’t look at me. Instead, he eyed the man in the linen outfit until he sat down. I noticed one of the guys that Ramone was speaking with earlier lean into the drug lord and as he talked the man’s eyes fell on me.

Shit!

I couldn’t move under his scrutiny. He looked me up and down, then a sleazy grin came on his face. I shivered and turned my eyes from him. “Please tell me this is my last fight. This has been one fight too many. I’m getting nervous someone is going to find out what’s going on.”

“No one’s going to find out. Calm down.” He looked down at me. “You just do what you’re told. We are almost at the finish line.”

I looked deep into his eyes, and I didn’t like what I saw. I’ve seen it before in my brother’s eyes a lot. It was greed. He licked his lips and tried to act normal, but I could see his eyes travel back to Santos. Something is going on here that’s not right. I can feel it. I think I’m going to have to make my own way out and fast.

“Rocket…” I heard someone call, and I looked in that direction. The person that Ramone was speaking to earlier was looking in our direction.

Ramone nodded, and I looked up at him. Rocket? Really? I told you I hated this motherfucker, right?

“I’ll be back,” he said to me.

“Yeah, well I’m gone.”

He suddenly gripped my arm tight and moved me close to him. My eyes were wide from surprise and fear. It was something about that look in his eyes.

“Listen to me; you will stay right here, do you understand?”

Shit, he is pissed. I just nodded my reply. He let me go and stepped back. “Good, I’ll be right back.” He fixed his tie, straightened his jacket and plastered a huge smile on his face as he walked toward Santos and his men.

As I watched him interact with Santos, laughing and busting it up like they were the best of buddies, I realized first I needed to find a better place for Noelle, then I needed to figure a way to get a hold of Martins. I don’t think this is a sting operation anymore. This felt more as if… my life was in danger.

Ramone finally headed my way and again I felt Santos’ eyes on me. Santos was an attractive man, for a drug-dealing psychopath. He was tall and lean and seemed like he had a great body underneath his clothes. His hair was black and kept close to his head with skin that seemed like he lived in the sun twenty-four seven. On the surface, he looked like a very friendly man, but from here, I could see the danger engraved in his eyes. He wasn’t a man to be trifled with, and we were doing just that.

Ramone looked like he was in over his head. When he got to me, I could see he was sweating again over his upper lip, forehead and under his arms. I bet Santos could smell the fear drifting off him. I know I smelled something from him that definitely made my stomach churn.

“Baby Doll, you have definitely hit the jackpot. Santos heard all about you. He actually came to see you fight. And get this; he said he was so impressed with you. He wants to buy you from me.”

My eyes grew. “No, Ramone! What the hell-”

He placed his hands up. “Just calm down. Hold on a second…”

I leaned into him. “Don’t tell me to calm the hell down. You just told me that a drug cartel kingpin has just offered to buy me… Buy me! I’m not for fucking sale. Hell, I shouldn’t be here to begin with. You need to call Martins…”

Ramone, eyes blazing red with rage, gripped me by my throat and squeezed. Of course, I panicked and grabbed at his wrists. “You listen to me, you bitch!” he spat. “I will walk right over there and tell them you’re the one that took their precious girl. I’ll then take them directly to her. I’m sure they would reward me handsomely for the find.”

Shit… I’m in trouble.

“What you better do is act like you have some sense. Don’t fucking embarrass me and everything will be fine.” He finally released me, and I doubled over trying to catch my breath and resisted the urge to kick him in his nuts. “You just have to fight in a few more bouts, okay? Just a few more. Everything is falling into place. We want him to want you. Martins is completely on board. You don’t have to worry about that.”