Alvarez

Eleven

If I've got to suffer, it may as well be at your hands, your pretty hands. - Jean Paul Satre.

Christian
It had been a full two weeks since I'd seen Mia. Not by choice, though. I was so busy and nose deep in work, I hadn't even had a chance to breathe these last few days.

The progress on the bar was going well, the renovations went by much quicker after the construction workers figured out who I was. The bar was completed to my liking in two weeks flat. I employed four men to work with me, and while I didn't remember a single one of their names, they did an excellent job with impressing me. All from Axle's recommendations. They shoot from great distance, excellent fighters but it was extremely disappointing that not one of them could knock me out. Nevertheless, they were all younger than me, and they were strong, thoroughbred Italian's. They would be able to take care of the work I needed done, and be around the house when I couldn't. Being busy with that and monitoring Michael became all I did.

I didn't exactly want to see Mia, but I didn't want to not see her either. I checked up on her as regularly as I possibly could, without being overbearing but my compulsive need to know that she was okay was bordering neuroticism. It's not like I wanted to be around her all the time, I just needed to know she was safe. Though being around her didn't sound as bad as it should. I haven't been in control of my own thoughts.

I had been so far up Michael's companies ass, I was surprised it didn't get an infection. I was monitoring his communication through a wire frequency from his house. It was difficult to figure out from the distance I was but I had fun untangling the connection and hitting the right wires. It took about six hours, half a bottle of Macallan, and flinging my fist through the wall to get the response I wanted.

I'd listened in over the last few days, making notes for Mia and things she needed to look out for. Amongst all that I realized the penthouse wasn't for me, and bought a house on the Upper East side. It was a secluded plot of land I found, and the house needed work but it was big enough for my liking. With a 22 million dollar price tag, I expected a lot more. It was simply satisfactory. Vin said this was the best his company could find.

I hadn't moved in there as yet, and my penthouse was at the Starlight hotel, owned and run by Katerina Kingston. I was so impressed with the place, but I didn't expect anything less than regal when it came to them. When I asked Vin about it, he told me he bought the place as a wedding gift for both of them, but Axe put everything in Katerina's name. I caught a glimpse of her now and again in the lobby when I exited or entered, surrounded by her body guards. She really was stunning, the perfect fit for queen of the underworld.

I had my boxes packed up, most of my possessions were still in London and I knew the penthouse life was temporary. Everything would be here by tomorrow and ready for me to settle into the house by the end of the week.

Today, though, I wanted to see Mia. I wanted her with me. The bar was opening tonight and it coincided with my urge to see her, so I'd found a loophole. I thought more about the marriage idea and it appealed to me, but this was her decision. I wouldn't dare force her into it.

I called her, and informed her I'd be there by seven. I had a meeting to attend, another agent looking for advice on how to operate the programme I developed, and how to globalize it. I had to visit the Aston Martin dealership to pick up another vehicle. The money had to go somewhere.

I was five minutes early to fetch her, and had no interest in going to her house. Until I saw a car I didn't recognize. The front door of the house looked opened from where I was, and I killed the engine and cursed under my breath. If Mia was in trouble, I don't know what I would do. I loaded the mag in my gun, and stepped off the car. Ready for anything.