F O R T Y - F I V E | time-limited allies-

C A P R I C E

Love was both strong and fragile.

Or maybe it was only me.

But Abuela had long imbued in me that nothing is permanent in this world. She was right about Aeon so I knew that love was not an exception. If I wasn't careful, it could easily slip between my fingers.

"What's wrong?" he asked,looking up from the ramen he was eating. After last night, Colt had been different. His words were biting, his eyes sharp and focused. And the sex... he was much more aggressive.

It dawned on me that I was meeting his past self.

"Nothing," I replied.

"Then, why are you looking at me?" He snapped. Colt clicked his tongue before he continued eating the noodles.

I used to associate body count with sex but Colt changed that. The incident in the Ensenada port had revealed six bodies with four MIA and an empty cargo container. Not one gram of cocaine was found.

"Colt... what will happen next?"

His hands froze. He chewed the rest of the food in his mouth as his eyes locked on hers. "Do you want to know?"

There it was again. The doubt. I had failed to assure him of my love and we had ended up like this. But not yet. I didn't want to come clean unless I was certain that Abuela wouldn't go back on her word and marry me off.

I couldn't tell Colt and add to his hesitations.

I needed to hold on to him. I wouldn't allow myself to lose another person yet again. I would keep him. Whatever it takes.

"Of course I do! Stop the ridiculous thought that I will give up on us," I insisted.

"If I surrender-"

"No, no, no!" I screamed. Terror struck my heart as the possibility of being ripped away from him. I shook my head. I could feel Aeon's blood on my fingers as the memories swelled up like a tidal wave.

"Caprice!" Colt stood up and yanked me to his strong arms. "It's okay! I'm sorry! It's okay."

I embraced him tightly, pressing my face to his neck as his searing skin warmed me to the bones. Of all the times I could get a panic attack, it had to be now. I was stronger than this.

Rather, I needed to be stronger than this. For us.

Colt whispered soothing words in my ear. He caressed my hair before he rubbed my back. "I won't leave. I'll make this right."

"And I'll support you. Don't ever doubt that." I pulled back to look into his eyes. "Tell me, what will happen?"

The muscles on his jaw ticked before he spoke. "They can organize the entry ports again but it will reach Paloma's ears that I helped him. I don't know if I'm forgiven for what I did years ago. But..." Colt let out a long sigh. "He might hire me again."

"And you can't refuse this time?"

"I refused him once. But twice? He'd be insulted enough to kill me."

"But if you had more power...?"

For the first time since Almeda's death, a genuine smile curled at Colt's lips. He chuckled, twirling a strand of my hair around his finger. "Love, I thought we need to stop entertaining absurd thoughts?"

I smirked but a knock came before I could say anything. I went to open the door causing Colt to grumble in distaste.

"Hey!"

It was Aiscelle and Acrylic.

Again.

I had told them to return when Colt was around so we could talk about the gym's precarious situation. SM conglomerate was a pro when it came to spotting a dying business with tremendous potential.

And, sorry Taylor, but RDG had no potential unless Colt's fighting prowess would carry their name to the international scene.

I assumed this was all a scheme to back me against the corner and force me to return home.

Although, the plan was too simple, very unimaginative. It wasn't Abuela's usual aggressive takeover. Was she taking it easy on me?

"Come in," I said when Aiscelle waved a hand in front of my stunned face.

Colt arched an eyebrow at our visitors. He gestured to AC with a small tilt of his jaw. "Why is this trash in my place?"

Acrylic sneered. "Of course, you don't know, you disappearing jerk."

"Can we all sit down before we kill each other?" I returned to my previous spot tugging Colt next to me while AC and Aiscelle sat in front of us. The latter grabbed a bowl and ate her ramen, ogling Colt's half-naked form while Acrylic glared at his brother.

"Love, I told you to stop adopting stray cats," Colt mumbled, not losing the wickedness in his dark eyes. "Aren't I enough?"

"Finally! You acknowledged that you're a stray." Acrylic shot him an irked look. The conflict was palpable in his blue eyes and it didn't help that Colt continued his jabs at him.

"What? Do you want to hit me? Or do you need drugs to do it?"

"Colt, enough," I reprimanded despite the ruthlessness that rippled on his skin. My hand gripped his in alarm. "We're here to talk about Taylor, remember?"

He shrugged and resumed eating.

"The total debt with interest is 7.1 million," I announced without further ado.

"What?" Colt exclaimed, slamming his chopsticks on the counter. "What did he need the money for?"

I blinked at him. "I thought you knew."

"No. Although..." His black eyes flicked towards Acrylic. "I have an idea."

AC tensed, his fingers curling into fists. "What are you talking about?"

"You and Eli... Do you think cops are blind?" Colt began. He massaged his nape as he sneered in his brother's direction.

There was a series of knocks from the door and I moved to open it but Maky had already marched in. His brows furrowed at the four of us before he grabbed Colt's bowl and ate the noodles.

"Maky," Colt mumbled in a low voice. The threat was distinct that we all flinched. He was on edge. I could feel his desire to wreak havoc and that urged me to work faster.

Maky put down the bowl, a petulant smirk gracing his lips. "I'm here to bring bad news."

"Tell us already," Aiscelle said.

"Eli's in prison."

Colt swore under his breath. He glowered at his brother. "You know this is all your fault, right?"

"What!" Acrylic yelled. He shot up, jaw clenched and eyes blazed. "I didn't do anything!"

"Where do you think they're going to look first, dear Acrylic?" Colt smirked. He leaned back as vicious delight colored his irises. "Eli is a minor. So, they'll sniff the adults around him. Did you keep drugs in your locker? In the house? Tell me, are they packed in individual sachets? Because drug possession with the intent to sell is three to five years in prison."

Acrylic paled before resentment took over his features. "And what? You're so perfect? Tell me who's the murderer between us!"

I cursed inwardly but Colt didn't take offense. He grinned at his brother's outburst, thriving in the pool of chaos that he had stirred. "Maybe. But between us... who is the person Dad comes to for help?"

"Shut up!"

"Don't worry, brother," he smirked.
"I will give you prison tips."

At that, Acrylic punched him.

☽

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