Little Dark One

14 - surprise

Tommy

I slammed the door behind me, ordering Blaze to lock Keira inside with a discreet nod of my head. I had no choice but to risk bringing her here, but I wouldn't risk her being discovered. I just hoped she was smart enough to stay hidden. 

I approached Alejandro confidently. He stood surrounded by his signature armed felons, dressed in a black trench coat and turtle neck sweater. It looked ridiculous for LA weather. Alejandro built a name for himself quickly when he arrived to Southern California. In just a few years he recruited enough criminals to take over half the state. His main enterprises included international drug smuggling and running an illegal underground fighting ring. 

"So this is the infamous Tommy Knox, I must say, I feel honored by your presence." Alejandro wore an infuriatingly self-satisfied smirk on his chiseled face. 

"Funny, I'd say the same if I knew who the fuck you were." I spat. 

"Ah, but you must know who I am, or you wouldn't be here. From what I've heard, you don't show your face to just anyone. So I must be special!" He chuckled darkly, speaking in a strong Spanish accent. 

I took several fast steps towards him, getting in his smug face. "Cut to the fucking chase. Where are my guys?"

Alejandro merely laughed at my intimidation, which only infuriated me further. I wasn't here to play games. 

"There's no need to get all worked up, I have your men right here." He gestured to the SUV behind him, where one of his men yanked open the trunk, revealing Dane and Hunter gagged and zip tied. 

I wasn't an idiot, I grew up surrounded by men like this. He wanted something in return. I hid any emotion I may feel, throwing up my cold mask. The less he knew, the less power he had over me.

"What do you want." I asked, emotionless. 

"Well something you may not know about me is that I collect favors, and that is what I want from you." 

"A favor?" I was confused but I laced the question with judgemental sarcasm.

"Anything, anytime I want. When I had the opportunity to collect a favor from the notorious Knox I couldn't help myself." His nefarious smile irritated me. There was no way I was owing this lunatic jack shit. 

I leveled the manipulative playing field and threw in a dark chuckle of my own."I think you've severely overestimated how much I care. I don't" I gestured to my men in the back of his SUV "If you want to kill them and make a show of it, by all means, go ahead." 

Dane and Hunter's eyes darted to me in alarm, but deep down they knew I was bluffing. The Revenants were a family, every one of my men knew how much I valued loyalty and I had to lead by example. But Alejandro didn't know that. 

He cocked his head in clear confusion. "I admit Knox, you have me at a disadvantage. I fail to understand why else you rushed to meet with me." Mission accomplished. If he wanted to play games, he got himself an unbeatable opponent.

I began to walk in a slow circle around Alejandro, he mirrored my steps. We faced each other as if we were about to pounce for a knockout. 

"Maybe I wanted to put a face to a name as well." I bluffed an antagonistic smirk playing on my features. I couldn't care less about this guy and what he looked like. But his ego wouldn't consider that alternative. 

"I fail to understand why you are rumored to be the most dangerous man in America..." he sneered, I could tell he was beginning to lose interest in my distraction. 

"Cross me and find out." I challenged. 

Before his hand even touched the handle of his gun, mine was already out. Aimed at his head.

 His men immediately raised their own, which triggered my men to do the same. Every man in this parking lot had a target on their head, taking this confrontation to the next level. Tension was at an all time high, a single bullet flying would incite a dangerous gang war this city wasn't ready for. 

Then, the last thing I expected broke the silence.

"Tommy, don't!" Keira cried, jumping from the car and running between us fearlessly. She couldn't hold a gun but she'd run into a shoot out. I rolled my eyes internally. 

Externally I let out a string of colorful curses. Half of Alejandro's men immediately redirected their aim to Keira.

"Detente, no dispares a la chica!" he barked at them harshly. Thankfully, I spoke enough Spanish to understand his order. But I didn't need to, they moved their guns back to the heads of my confused men without hesitation. 

Alejandro's eyes sparked with recognition as he scanned her up and down, his firm lips settling into a relaxed smile. "Keira. What a lovely surprise." He crooned. Her name fell off his lips like butterscotch. I recognized that look. He has seen her naked, and craved it again. 

I was officially livid. 

"Alejandro." She returned his smile with an unimpressed scowl. 

I grabbed her arm and yanked her into my chest, growling in her ear almost inaudibly "What the fuck are you doing?" 

She shook her head, ignoring my question. Her eyes glued to the Spanish Satan.

Alejandro eyed the exchange carefully, addressing her again. "Imagine my surprise seeing you messing around with dangerous gang leaders." 

What the actual FUCK was going on. I was missing something huge. In what world did these two know each other? 

"Imagine my surprise seeing you become one." She shot back, pure venom lacing her words. 

He chuckled, not phased by her hatred one bit. If anything, he enjoyed it. There was nothing I enjoyed about this. 

With each second that passed, my vision faded closer to pure red. I was furious at her for disobeying my direct orders and if we survived this, she would feel my wrath.