That was until he went and locked the door.
“What’s this about, Javi?” Esteban asked, seeming more bored than intrigued. He was good at pretending. I knew he had to be at least shitting himself a little bit. Even sitting next to Esteban felt electric and dangerous.
Javier eyed us coolly. “I’ll get to that. You’re not armed, are you Este?”
Esteban exchanged a quick glance with me then shrugged. “I’m always armed.”
Javier held out his hand. “Give it to me.”
Esteban didn’t move. “Why?”
“Because we’re all friends here, aren’t we? And friends — real friends — shouldn’t need to arm themselves when they’re with each other. We are real friends, the three of us, right? Don’t you dare prove me wrong.”
I swallowed and watched with bated breath as Esteban nodded and slowly pulled out his pistol from the back of his shorts. Javier snatched it out of his grasp and walked over to the dresser, placing it on top.
“Doesn’t that mean you need to disarm yourself too?” Esteban asked.
Javier smiled like a snake. That panic in the pit of my stomach started to squirm.
“Of course,” he said, and he brought his gun out, putting it beside Esteban’s. I didn’t dare mention that I knew Javier had a small pistol strapped to his leg and a knife on the other. I saw him strap them on before he pulled on his pants that morning, like he always did. Patrons believed in extra protection.
“So why exactly are we all gunless pussies now?” Esteban asked.
Javier leaned against the dresser. “I didn’t want anyone to freak out from what I’m about to ask you. A favor.”
A favor?
“What is it?” I said, trying not to sound scared.
He cocked his head slightly and appraised me for a moment. “A little fantasy of mine.”
I frowned, not sure what he was getting at.
“Esteban,” Javier said to him, “as I’m sure you are aware, I’ve been having some issues lately. Alana’s death … hasn’t been easy on me. And I’ve been taking it out on the wrong people. You, I’m sure, plus others. Many, many others. But mostly my poor wife.” Javier gave me a quick smile. “I’ve been unfaithful to her. I’ve been rude and rough and disrespectful. I have failed as her husband.”
The fact that Javier was admitting this troubled me. I knew he had a hard enough time admitting his faults to me in general, but to Esteban? He was the last person he wanted to look weak in front of, but that’s just what he was doing here.
I glanced at Esteban out of the corner of my eye. He was sitting rigid, looking about as worried as I felt.
Javier went on, hands behind his back. “But I don’t want to be that to her anymore. I want to be a better man, so to speak. We’re going to start a family.”
Esteban’s eyes widened and he swallowed hard. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” Javier said simply. “Of course, she’s not pregnant yet. At least, I don’t think so. We made love last night but these things can take time.”
I didn’t know where this was going, but it was wrong. Everything that Javier was saying, even though it was the truth, was wrong. He wasn’t acting like himself. He had some ulterior motive, some purpose, and I didn’t know what it was.
“But an heir, particularly a son, will do wonders for us and the organization. Don’t you think?”
Esteban shrugged again though this time it seemed forced. “I guess. It’s the way.”
“It is the way,” Javier said with a sharp nod. “And the way is about family and responsibility and doing what’s right to protect that unit. It’s not for frivolous acts. It’s not for degenerates. There is no place in the family unit for … uncouth urges.” He eyed both of us. “I guess I’m not being very clear. I admit I’m having a hell of a time just coming out and saying it. I’ve done this many times before, sorry Luisa, just not with you both.”
I stared at Javier, waiting for him to put an end to my confusion.
He smiled something wicked. “Before I become a father, I want one last fantasy out of my system. One last rotten immoral urge.” He paused. “I want the both of you tonight. Together. Right here.”
I blinked. Did I hear that right? I glanced at Esteban who was staring back at me with matching confusion.
He couldn’t mean what I thought he meant.
“Uh,” Esteban said, scratching at the scar on his cheek. “Correct me if I’m wrong, patron, but … are you asking for a threesome?”
My brows raised and I looked anxiously at Javier for his answer.
“It sounds so juvenile, doesn’t it?” Javier said. “But yes, that is exactly what I’m asking for. As a favor to me. Do you have any objections?”
“Yes,” I said at the same time Este did.
Javier clapped his hands together and stood right over us, peering down. “I thought you would. But you’re going to be a part of this regardless. There is no saying no to me, you should know that by now.”
I knew that, but it didn’t mean I wouldn’t try. Because nothing good could come of this. And I think that’s exactly what Javier had in mind.
Esteban cleared his throat. “I didn’t think you were the kind of guy who would easily share his woman.”
Javier gave him a cutting look. “Oh, I assure you I am not. But because I’ll be having a piece of you as well, I think it evens out. Now, strip.”