Taken In

Chapter 25

Javier's POV

Sitting in the passenger seat I watch Gabriel reverse over a curb before turning into the street. We've just finished setting another 'example' out of some runners who were selling where they weren't supposed to, and honestly I'm losing the touch with the thrill of it all.

"You good J?" G asks as he looks towards me, one hand on the wheel. I can see he's concerned but I'm not in the mood to share my feelings. I thought this trip would help put things into perspective, and show me what I really want out of all this, but I just feel lost. The whole time I watched Gabriel put a gun to that druggies head I didn't feel anything close to a rush. All I could think of is getting back home to Bre before she falls asleep.

I don't even know who I am anymore, I've never felt anything close to this, even in my last relationship.

I look at G who's probably been looking at me crazy, I've been zoned out this whole time. "I'm good." I respond, forcing a smile that I know he can see through, but that isn't something I want to deal with right now.

Maybe I need to be back out there like I used to be, for a long time it was just Gabriel and I with some regular cholo's we used to hire with extra run money, shit was easy back then- exciting. Now I'm basically a desk jockey who gets other people to do shit for me, I can't even pull the trigger when it counts. I've gone soft and I know other people have noticed too, especially Gabriel.

Santiago stands up from the back seat, tapping G aggressively as he tries to concentrate on the road. "Holy shit that was fucking hilarious bro, I wish I was the one who wasted that motherfucker."

G nods him off but he doesn't sit down, "Did you see the way he whimpered for his mommy? He almost pissed himself I swear." He continues to laugh at his own joke but everyone else in the truck is not amused. Carloz is out of town for a while and Gabriel suggested we bring Santiago instead. I don't know why he picked him specifically but I trust G and the job went smooth, so for now I don't have any problems.

Santiago may be good with guns but he's too loud for his own good. He'd probably avoid 99% of the trouble he got into if he kept his mouth shut.

We used to work together before he decided that he'd rather get paid more than stick with his bros. I didn't care too much but he learned his lesson the hard way. Two bullets to the leg and one ICU visit later, he thought he'd work for me again, which is fine since we've known each other for so long, but I always keep him at arms length. He's more of a cholo for hire than a friend, that doesn't stop him from thinking he's part of the Siete whenever I call him.

I turn back and watch Fernando sigh as he adjusts his rifle, he's never liked Santiago and it's very clear why. Santi sits back in his seat for a moment, jokingly kicking the back of Gabriel's seat before speaking, "How bout we hit up a bar and celebrate? We haven't partied in a while!"

"Nah I'm good." G responds immediately, Fernando ignores his question entirely.

He's never been the type of guy to read a room correctly but this is something else. I start to wish we picked a site closer to home, we're still 30 minutes out.

"J, what about you? We can party like we used to it'll be a good time I swear, just tequila, weed and bitches." He does a little dance in his seat, running his hand through his shoulder length hair towards the end of his sentence.

"Nah I'm not feeling it either." I answer honestly. I can barely be around the guy when there's money involved, let alone for free. I pull out my phone and check the notifications, smiling as soon as I see one from Breo, responding immediately. I notice G give me a slight side eye but I don't care.