Deadly Secrets

Chapter 14: Blindfolded

[Revised]

Max and Roman made their way down the path leading to the Rubair family villa, in silence, each absorbed in their own thoughts. Ss soon as they reached the large iron-wrought gates, they were stopped by four guards, who encircled them with AK-47s firmly held against their chests.

"Name and purpose," One of them gruffly ordered, stomping up to Max with his gun pointed towards him.

"Juan, hermano. Don't tell me you can't recognise me. It's only been like what, a week?" Max grinned, turning towards the guard known as Juan and walking towards him with his arms outstretched. The man's demeanour immediately changed following the recognition; he swung his rifle over a shoulder then wrapped Max in a stifling hug.

"Of course not, man. Forgetting you is like is like trying to breathe underwater—it doesn't happen," Juan chuckled, reaching up to scratch his bearded jaw, "So, what are you doing here? And don't tell me that you drove all this way to come see me, 'cause I know that would be a lie."

"Nah, don't flatter yourself. I came to see el padre." Max said ominously, his voice lowering.

"Ooh, the boss. What did you do to upset him?"

"Nothing. Well, I can't exactly say nothing, because I fear that what I'm going to tell him will definitely ruin his morning,"

"Please, don't tell me you killed another son of one of our enemies, man. You know what happened the last time you did," Juan mimicked fireworks, bullets being shot, and explosions.

"No, not this time," Max chuckled, shaking his head.

"So how can you explain that big-ass blood stain covering half your body and your bad hair day? I hate to say this, man, but you look like shit. No wonder I didn't recognise you earlier," Juan commented, pointedly looking at Max's upper-half.

"O.K, Captain Obvious. I ran in with a bunch of kids while I waited for my ride to pick me up. A few casualties, no big deal."

"Kids?" Juan asked, not satisfied with Max's summary of the events.

"Jaguars...more like demented cubs, if you ask me. I think they were trying to mug me or something, but I definitely did not let that happen, as you can see."

Juan shook his head in mock disdain, pulling out a clipboard from the inside of his jacket. He then pulled out a flashlight and flicked it on, scanning the front page with it.

"I'm going to have to ask you to show me your I.D, Max. You know how your father is uptight about this kind of stuff. I bet he's watching us right now," Juan flicked his head to the right, and Max followed the direction with his gaze, his eyes landing on a security camera hidden almost inconspicuously amongst the brush. He nodded silently, turning to look back at his cousin that was now talking animatedly with the other guards. "All good, bro," Juan said, signing off the final papers before handing back Max's ID card, "have a good night, and ask Roman to stop flirting with my men will you?" He grinned, then disappeared into the security cabin beside the gates.

"I will." Max smiled back, walking up to his cousin and placing a hand on his shoulder. "Excuse me, gentlemen, for interrupting your circle jerk, but Roman and I have important business to attend to."

"You're welcome to join anytime, Maximilian."

"Yeah, there always room for one more."

"You know what they say, the more the merrier, amigo."

"Oh God, that is definitely not acceptable. I'd rather become a monk than get involved in that shit." Max cringed, stepping away from the iron doors that were now slowly swinging open, "Take care, guys."