"How did you get that?" Diaz examined his bruised shoulder.
"I got into a fight with some Wanderers," Jake mumbled, while trying hard not to wince as his brother poked his arm.
"No shit. I bet the others look worse," his brother's face lit up with a smile.
Jake fell silent. He wasn't going to tell Diaz he got saved by a gorgeous man named Klaus who had jerked him off and made him see heaven for the first time in his 21 years of life.
"So," Diaz insisted. "Did you beat them up?"
"No," Jake said softly while pulling his t-shirt over his head. "I ran away."
"You did what?" his brother's voice sounded flat and dangerous. "An Outsider does not fucking run away!"
Diaz slammed his palm against the table, making even the old china in the single cabinet in the kitchen rattle.
"They were five, I was one. What the hell could I have done?" Jake yelled back, his hands curled into fists.
"I don't care how fucking many they were! We stand our ground! How about we all run away, huh? How about we all leave the city and go live in the woods, like monkeys? How would you like that?" his brother pushed him back into the chair, while looking him square in the eye.
Of course his brother was right. And even if he wasn't right, and Jake had been entitled to save his ass, there was no way he could tell Diaz otherwise.
"Sorry, Diaz," he murmured while looking down.
He had never been tough like his brother. He could not take five guys and live to tell the story.
"I taught you how to fight, didn't I? You finally put on some muscles, use them for fuck's sake!"
Jake let his brother scold him, casting his eyes down like a kid. What was he to do? Diaz moved and fiddled with something outside his field of view. Jake didn't dare to look up. A plate filled with food was soon slammed on the table in front of him. A smack upside the head followed. Ah, well, that was to be expected, but Jake felt relieved. It meant the scolding was over.
"Eat up, puss," his brother spoke with something between affection and disappointment in his voice.
Jake knew that. He knew he wasn't how Diaz wanted him to be. And his older brother didn't even know the half of it.
"We're going to meet someone," Diaz added, and Jake didn't question it. His brother knew best when it came to business. Jake had to be present, just because he was family, and family was one of the values Diaz held in high esteem.
***
The old building downtown had been renovated to accommodate new offices. Jake was pretty sure that he hadn't seen that happening, but he hadn't been downtown for a while. He feared he and his brother looked like total punks dressed in their regular t-shirts, jeans, and sneakers. As they stopped at the third floor and walked inside a large hallway, his feeling of inadequacy only deepened. He stole a glance in Diaz's direction. His brother didn't seem to care, although the tension in his shoulders could tell him that Diaz was apprehensive of the surroundings as well.
A woman in her late 20s with impeccable hair, wearing thin-rimmed glasses looked at them as they stopped by her desk. Jake felt ready for the floor to open up, swallow him and his brother, although the woman did not seem to judge them, but just observe them. She rose gracefully from her desk and greeted them.
"I will let my boss know you are here," she spoke and walked away.
The woman was attired in a white blouse and a black pencil skirt, cut right above the knee. Her heels were just the right height to be both sexy and business-like, without going over the top in either direction.
Diaz stared after her.
"Do you see that, Jake?" he whispered. "That's a golden pussy for you, right there. If you score with someone like her, you can just die and go to heaven," he added. "Not that you would notice. I sometimes doubt you have a dick, although I saw it. You just don't know how to use it, do you?"
Jake knew he was now expected to comment on the secretary's charms. "I do know how to use it," he said in his defense. "And yeah, she is very ..."
As the woman walked back with a tall man in tow, Jake felt his breath hitching in his chest. "... beautiful," he eventually finished his sentence, as his eyes met amused sapphire blues.
Again, he was fucked. What was with this guy appearing in all the places he happened to be?
"Hello, I am Klaus Metzger," the man shook Diaz's hand, then Jake's. "Please, gentlemen, follow me to the meeting room. Martha, would you be so kind to bring some coffee and some pastries? Just to sweeten our deal."
"Yes, sir," Jake heard the woman's musical voice.
He threaded behind Klaus and his brother, feeling like walking the plank in a bad pirates' movie. Klaus didn't show any other sign that he was recognizing Jake, which was good. For now, at least.
They were invited to take a seat at a round table.
"So, what's this all about?" Diaz questioned.
"Mister Lopez, I believe that you agree with me that gang wars are not a good thing for the city," Klaus began, as Martha moved in and about gracefully while placing cups of coffee in front of them and a plate filled with something that looked delicious.
Jake took one cookie in his mouth and had to hold back a sound of pure delight. He was so nervous that he was sure he could eat the entire plate then puke at home.
"You want us out?" Diaz asked aggressively.
"Not at all. What I really want is for us to work as partners. The city is located in an area favorable to trade and tourism, and it is quite a shame that street crime is taking such a toll on its inhabitants."
Klaus stood up and went to take something from a drawer. He unfolded a map in front of Diaz and started to explain. Not that Jake could pay much attention to the conversation. He was too engrossed with looking at Klaus, taking in the man's moves. Even Diaz seemed to be taken with the guy. Of course, not for the same reasons, Jake thought. Klaus was apparently offering Diaz an opportunity.
"This smells fishy to me," Diaz laid back in his chair. "Are you willing to help us with money? Money you don't want back with interest?"
"Exactly. It is in my best interest to have peace of the streets. Of course, some of my supervisors will be sent to see if you all follow up with the plan. What are you saying?"
"What makes you think that we are not just going to take the money and throw a big party plus piss on your plans?" Diaz said with a sneer.
Don't be an idiot, don't anger him, Jake thought, staring at his brother, in pure fear. Diaz had no idea who the man was. He was wearing a suit, but he knew more about street wars than Diaz could imagine.
"Well, I am asking everyone for collateral," Klaus explained with a small smile.
"Collateral?" Diaz frowned, not knowing what to make of the word.
"Warranties," Klaus added.
"Alright, that's more like it," Diaz shifted in his chair. "What kind of collateral do you want?"
"Is he your only brother?" Klaus gestured in Jake's direction.
Jake froze in place.
"Yeah, my only family," Diaz glanced at Jake, fortunately not aware of how scared his brother was.
"I want him," Klaus said like it was the most normal thing to say in a business conversation.
"What?! He's not a dog!" Diaz showed his surprise at the man's demand.
"He will come live to my house, and I will teach him how to help you run a real business," Klaus continued his explanation.
