Author's Note: This story is completely fictional and did not happen. All characters and names are fictional and were made up.
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Miami, Florida
A crack was visible on the surface of a white glass lamp sitting in the hotel room. Dim lightness faded across the room during the night. Emily Ratajkowski sat alone in the bed, her cellphone within her hands as she texted back with a friend of hers. She awaited a reply, all while she sat there and noticed the crack in the lamp. It looked as if a line of super glue had been applied to prevent further destruction on it. At the same time, the crack was somewhat metaphorical that she could relate to at the moment. A rip had been made into the fabric of what she originally thought could be a long term relationship with a good man.
Emily's bond with Steven had been slowly fading away ever since January. It seemed after their vacation together, what could've been love was slipping away. She set the phone down on the night stand, trying not to think about it. Her friend across the country in L.A. had yet to respond to her text. The young lady did nothing while laying in the bed, sighing as she was reminded of her decaying romance with Steven. She had remained loyal to him since they began dating, often turning down what could've been fun times with her friends. She held suspicions believing Steven had not been so loyal to her in the past. It seemed apparent that he lived a swinger lifestyle being a club manager. She didn't want to think about it, not worth the stress. He proved to be quite difficult, as he seemed to be obsessed with keeping a low profile, even to the point he didn't want her taking public photos of them to post on social media
Last week he treated her to a lovely late night dinner at an expensive restaurant. The date was cut short for him to rush the club, worried over the safety of his nephew. Emily had noticed that the club seemed to run Steven's life. He would call off dates, meetings even just a casual night to run things back there. His business did not bother her so much, only that it got in the way of progress of their relationship. Like the crack she witnessed in the lamp, she had to wonder if cracks were in the foundation of what they had together. Or maybe they were not meant to be together all along. Emily had a friend from the modelling agency back in L.A. begging for a nice date. A man the same age as her, one that she had known for years as a close friend. Even now as she lay back in the bed, she almost could tell herself that Steven wouldn't be calling this late at night. For all she could guess, he was back at Disco Fever doing whatever it was that he refused to share with her as his business.
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Wednesday evening was just an average night for clubbing in Miami. Disco Fever always remained busy during the week, though Friday and the weekends were the true 'mad house' days as it would be described from the business perspective. Steven Diaz found himself upstairs, standing within the walls of his private office. He stood by the window, eyeing the action down on the floor while sipping on a glass of whiskey. He wore a pink shirt with three buttons undone and white pants. His grey jacket remained over the chair of his office. He had been busy in the past week trying to hunt down Carlos. Ramón had visited the club back and forth, still keeping his job in order, but Steven refused to question him about his brother. If he were to tell Ramón that he was seeking Carlos, it would be pretty obvious what the motivation would be.
Instead, he called around town checking with his contacts. Steven guessed that with Carlos not having a legitimate job, he would end up back on the street dealing and hustling again. At the least, he could possibly get lucky and land Carlos' location with another club. Steven and Tony had many contacts within Miami, all built up connections from years of club managing in town. Every night since last week, he remained at the club waiting by the phones or observing down the dance floor for any trouble. While he stood by the window, he listened to the muffled bass sound booming from the music going on downstairs. Finishing off the glass in his hand, his cellphone began to ring loudly within the inside pocket of his jacket over near his desk. Steven walked over, setting down the empty glass to snatch his phone out of the jacket and answer it. The caller I.D. revealed a number he was unfamiliar with.
"Hello?"
"Steven Diaz, is that you?"
"Yes, it is. Who am I speaking with?"
The male voice on the end came off familiar to Steven's ears. A crackling laugh was heard before a reply was uttered.
"This is Martin, you know me. Mucho tiempo viejo amigo."
Steven sighed, trying not to smile to himself. Martin had been an old friend to the Diaz family. He was previously a bouncer at a club Tony owned over a decade ago. Always a good source for information, a loyal friend to the end. Steven had not seen Martin in a few years. Last he heard, the man had taken a job as a bouncer at another club across town.
"Hey, it's been a while old friend. It's good to hear your voice again."
"Likewise! So I heard from someone else that you're looking for that cousin of yours, yeah?"
"You heard right. I'm trying to track Carlos down."
"You're talking to the right man. I've got him, he comes to a certain club every night. I'm working security out here, I've been seeing his face quite often the past couple nights."
"Where are you at?"
"Berserker. You know, the weird blue and white club out here in South Beach?"
"Yeah, I know the place. Is Carlos there now?"
"Yep! Your cousin just come in, he's got a girl with him and they look to be staying."
Steven looked at the clock, seeing the accurate time was 10:21 PM. He thought for a minute before responding.
"I should be there in an hour and a half. Good looking out Martin, thanks! I owe you one after this."
"You don't owe me a thing, amigo! I've always got your back and Tony's, you know that."
"Thanks, appreciate it. I'll see you soon."
Clicking to hang up the phone, Steven smirked to himself. Revenge was something that tasted so sweet. He grabbed his gray coat from his desk chair, quickly slipping it on after shoving his phone back into the inside pocket. He had to leave the club now and prepare for a long drive in the night. His destination was deep in Miami Beach; all the way past the golf course of South Beach around Bayshore and on Collins Ave. It was a long trip, but Steven couldn't pass this opportunity up. Finally, after over a week of trying to find information to Carlos, he had an old friend to thank along the way. He planned on passing a couple hundred dollar bills to Martin as a token of appreciation for this kind act.
The drive would take a while, but Steven didn't mind. He would be behind the wheel of his trusted Cadillac, the only vehicle he needed in life. The streets were lit up in the darkness with the street lights, remaining a quiet night outside of Downtown Miami. He decided to go north, getting on Interstate 95 and later turning to 195 to drive along the Julia Tuttle Causeway bridge. Not much traffic remained on the streets approaching midnight. Things seemed quiet once he got out of Downtown. Steven remained cool behind the wheel, sitting back as he thought about Carlos. Silently building up the rage that he would soon unleash on him in vengeance for what he did to Antonio over a week ago.
Berserker was an industrial-goth themed night club down in South Beach. It was infamous for it's usage of blue and white lights and choice of industrial music. The blue and white design and name was lifted from an obscure album by synth legend Gary Numan, a kind tribute. The club's doors opened back in 2010, starting off with live tribute bands that took the stage before developing into DJ sets. It became popular with the 'freaks' in Miami Beach. Steven had only visited the club once, it made him feel nostalgic for his youth with listening to similar music from a long time gone. That old feeling hit him again as he pulled his car into the parking lot of the big white building. Once he stopped, he got out and headed towards the front doors. He had rolled the sleeves of his jacket up in the car due to the heat, revealing his wrists. The security were all wearing white suits, keeping true with the theme of the club. Martin stood out with his big black mustache, waving to Steven before calling out to him.
"Steven Diaz, aquÃ!"
Martin waved his arm, motioning for Steven to approach him. The two old friends reunited. Steven offered him a hug, embracing the older man for a few seconds.
"So, Carlos is in the club?"
The man nodded his head.
"Yeah, he's got a table down on the bottom floor. If you hang to the left side, you'll find him. He comes in with this girl every night, they always sit at the same place."
"Thanks man, I owe you for this one. I want you to take this."
Steven reached for his wallet, grabbing it out of the inner pocket of his jacket. Martin shook his head, protesting the action instantly.
"Oh no, don't give me any money!"
Ignoring his words, Steven grabbed a wad of hundred dollar bills and created a fist with them. He shoved it to Martin, regardless of his negative reaction. Looking back into the man's eyes, Steven nodded and spoke.
"Take it! I can't promise you that I won't break something when I get Carlos alone in a room. If you don't want the money, give it to the manager. Tell him it's an apology from Steven Diaz for whatever damage is caused."
Right then, Martin understood the business. Steven wouldn't have made the trip tonight on his own for nothing. He accepted the money and gave him a nod.