The Tax Collector (GirlxIntersex) Book 1

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Valentino POV

As soon as Reaper entered the front seat of my automobile, the pistol welcomed him on the side of his temple. I wanted to push him back across the line. What he said last night made me quite angry.

"Good morning to you, too." He grinned. I know this delights him. Reaper enjoys causing problems, which is why his nickname is so fitting.

"I'd want to set the table straight."

"Is this a table, Val?"

"You know what I mean."

He glanced forward and offered a hesitant nod. "I understand she's only a girl to you and many others."

"That's because she's only a girl." He gritted. Reaper refused to own his mistake.

All he sees is that we've been friends for a long time, and I should be on his side and allow him to take advantage of her. But I couldn't have it.

I refuse to allow anyone to mistreat her, not even my friend who has been my friend for over years. We are ride and die. But, if necessary, I would murder him for her. This, however, terrifies me. She is merely a female who I picked up. Why do I care so much? I'll presume she deserves the nice part of me that I've hidden for so long.

"There will be rules when it comes to her, do you hear me?" I wasn't asking; I was just handing out the instructions one by one.

"Rules?" We never had rules or limits between us. We simply clicked. We can say whatever we want and be who we want with one other. But, since I met her last night, I've noticed that things are gradually changing.

"Yes, rules." The ones we must play by, the ones we cannot avoid since doing so causes our heads to go south."

His head turned, his blazing gaze fixed on me. "What are the rules, over some pussy?"

I pushed the pistol farther into him, and it sat solidly on his forehead. He grinned.

I know this does not frighten him. We often have a pistol held to our body. But I was one to pull the trigger, of he fucked around, to find out.

"I do not want you stare at her. In any way."

"It is my eyes." He laughed drily.

"You understand what I mean, Reaper."

His teeth were grinding against one another as he groaned.

"I do not want you to touch, hugged, be alone with, or be near her."

"So you're saying I can't come to my own friends' houses anymore?"

"I'm saying, create a secure environment around her so you may come to my house."

"Bruh..."

"I am as serious as I have ever been."

"I won't talk about her. Can we get going now?"

"I need you to mean it, Reaper. She's gone through a lot, and I didn't pull her out of a bad circumstance simply to put her back in it. I understand she has nothing, but it does not mean we should take advantage of her. It could've been us."

"It could not have been us. Where's her parents. Her parents are the ones who should fight for her, not you. Perhaps your eyes aren't broad enough, but she's a prostitute."

"She was not born as one." I didn't want to argue with Reaper all day about it, but I didn't want to lose our relationship because of it. "Treat her with respect."

"You like her."

I drew the gun away and hit the button to start the car's engine.

"You aren't answering." He teased. "You genuinely like this girl. I'm guessing it was love at first sight."

"No," I responded incoherently. I didn't like her. I just felt compelled to help her. It's like paying tribute to the cosmos.

*************
Lucia's POV

I whisk the broom across the smooth tile floor. Garcia was off doing whatever she wanted; given the limited space, she was sitting at the dining table on her phone. She's been using her phone all day. I do not mind.

I do not have anything to say to her.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I ought to speak with her. I constantly feel like I should talk to people, but I never know what to say. I know nothing about the girl.

I could have started by telling her how beautiful she was, but I believed she already knew that. With the love mark on her neck, I believed she was involved with a lover. I see that she has everything. Beauty, clothing, and family.

I assumed that living in America provided all of these things. I scooped the bit of dust into the dustpan and laid it away.

"She will not like that." This is the first time she's spoken anything to me in the previous 7 hours. I was so astonished that I gazed at her for a whole minute before pointing at myself.

She nodded, her gaze remained fixed on the phone. I'm curious how she saw me while her attention was so concentrated on the phone.

"Val?" I asked. I turned to look at the dustpan with the broom attached on a hook. "Am I in trouble?" I gave the girl a frightening look. I wish her blasted eyes weren't so glued on the phone.

How could she talk to me while focusing on something else? I couldn't do it, or perhaps I did and didn't recognize it.

"She does not want you to raise a finger."

"Bad habit, I guess." I moved carefully over to the modest four-chair dining table. She sat at one of the sides. I sat at the head. I was pleased when she switched her phone over on the screen. I gazed at the phone. I never had one.

"What is your story?" She inquired, peering at me. We have the same dark brown eyes, yet hers appear to glow brighter.

I imagined that living here was simple for her; she presumably lived in one of these magnificent apartments and never had to raise a finger.

"I don't have a story? Do you have one? I could read it." I kept the fact that I wasn't a very good reader from her. I can play around with a few words in both Spanish and English.

"Not a scripted narrative. Your life's narrative. Val tells me nothing. She merely said I should come check over for you, and she will pays me nicely, so why not?"

"Do you have to watch me? I will not steal anything or escape."

I reasoned that I would remain here until she decided she didn't want me any longer and that I should either be sent back to Mexico or left on the side of the road where the homeless people live. Both were awful.

"This is not about stealing something. It's about her caring for you and her desire to keep you safe."

"She cares? She doesn't know me."

"You're correct; she doesn't. This makes me question what she sees in you. I do not mean to offend you in any way."

I gently shake my head. I wonder what she sees in me too. Does she see a way to earn easy money by selling my body?

I don't understand why I can't think favorably about her despite the fact that I've only known her for one day. I think I wasn't willing to even crack a brick in the walls I had built against her or anybody else.

"Would you like anything to eat?" She asked. I felt hungry, but I shook my head. Nonetheless, she stood and walked over to the kitchen. "I will cook you something to eat." She grinned. "I understand you're worried. You don't have to be; she will not allow anyone to injure you."

She might not allow anyone to injure me. But she will.