T W E N T Y - E I G H T | a second look—

C O L T

Only a week passed yet I felt like I've been through a year. First, there was the thing with the bar. I didn't know what's wrong but I started to consider closing it. Then there was the matter with Maky and his desire to chase death. I swore that if he came back with Sixto Almeda's cartel on his tail, I'd kill him myself.

If that wasn't enough, I had to piss off Caprice. Her retaliation had made me want to strangle and kiss her at the same time. My withdrawal was painful but everything about Caprice had kept me occupied. Her fiery eyes, her delectable body, her spiteful words.

I admit that Caprice was supposed to be a short entertainment. Maybe a quick fuck or two if she pitied me. But I knew that I couldn't have more than that. She was a bright woman. She could have any man she wanted. And besides, she had warned me how much it would cost to have her.

But man, I wasn't great at listening. I still craved her.

It didn't help that every time our paths had crossed, she'd fight back. Caprice had taken my bullying well. And I fucking adored that.

But I hurt her. I've broken her trust.

For the first time in my life, I wanted a second chance. To be better. To treat her better.

Caprice reminded me of things I could have, all the chances I wasted. Long ago... if I had been braver... stronger.... my life could have turned out differently.

So I did it. I had agreed with her weird proposal. It wasn't in my nature to wait. I conquered and possessed but Caprice made me want to get down on my knees and fucking beg.

Yet, regrets continued to fill me. My fingers itched. I wanted to smoke. But once again, the hellcat had taken me by surprise.

'You're nothing but you want to be something. That already means that you're one in a million'

For a moment, I thought I was high. But she continued smiling at me.

I felt ecstatic. The world was brighter. Fuck weed. Fuck heroin. She was my drug. I vowed to treasure her for as long as she wanted me.

And yet, Patron's words echoed in my mind.

Everything comes to an end. The only difference is whether it happens sooner or later.

When would this happiness end?

Sooner or later?

"Hey!" Caprice jogged me out of my thoughts. She sat next to me. "Why do you look constipated?"

I snorted. "Did you pass that requirement?"

"Yeah. Look." She pointed at the men that crowded in the lobby. "They wanted to invest after seeing my presentation."

"You did that?" I frowned. Caprice had a natural talent to convince people. Her words have power. "Where did you learn to do that?"

She let out an uneasy smile. "If I tell you, I have to kill you."

"Okay but..." A sudden thought entered my mind. My crumbling bar and Caprice's skills... "Can I hire you?"

"What? I won't sleep with you!"

"It's amazing how that's the first thing you think of." I reached out and played with the stray hair on her face. Caprice tensed under my fingers but she remained calm. I chuckled. "For my bar, can you... work your magic on it?"

"You have a bar?"

"Yeah."

"In L.A.?"

I nodded and she laughed, throwing her head back. I figured I should be insulted but Caprice rarely laugh so I let her.

She cleared her throat. "LAX is the 3rd busiest airport in the world. At least 40 million tourists visit annually with an estimated increase of 3% every year. And here you are telling me of this unknown bar?"

I barely understood her. "What are you saying?"

"How is your bar unknown in one of the busiest cities in the world?"

I shrugged. "We have customers but it's not even enough to cover the expenses. I always think it's because we're ex-cons."

"That has nothing to do with food. I think you lack promotion or maybe you have nothing to promote?" she taunted with that eyes that glittered with challenge.

"I cooked for you and you tasted Rico's food and you're insulting me?" I laughed as she rolled her eyes and a blush spread over her neck. I almost forgot that she was like a kid in the kitchen. It was her weakness and she tried to play it off like it was nothing.

Too late, my sweet hellcat.

Caprice cleared her throat, yanking at her shirt's collar. "Social media is a big part of today's business. It enables them to gain market insights and of course, exposure. I know a lot of bars that served food on the south side of Hexwood. Wanna do research?"

"Sure. I never knew research could sound so sexy." I smirked as Caprice arched an eyebrow.

"Everything I do is sexy," she declared and left me staring at her retreating back.

☽

I took a shower and changed into my limited clothing choices. A black shirt, jeans, and combat boots. I stared at the mirror and cussed. My faded cut began to disappear. I pushed the strands off my face and blinked the tiredness from my eyes.

I looked like shit.

I felt like shit.

Fuck. I shut my eyes and shoved the depressing thoughts away. Why did I even start smoking? Who's fucking idea was it?

I shook my head and went out. And what a fucking glorious sight to see my hellcat.

Caprice was in a pretty dress. It was red with black buttons lining the middle. It showcased her elegant neck,  her slender shoulders, and golden skin. And worst of all, the last four buttons were open that I could see her thighs as she walked towards me.

Was this dress even legal?

"What?" she teased as her amber eyes scanned over his form. "Haven't seen a woman lately?"

I chuckled, putting my hands in my pockets. "I just never thought we have to dress up for research."

Caprice forced a smile. "Let's go."

I clicked my tongue at my stupidity. I should've complimented her. But every time Caprice lets out a taunt, I couldn't help but also throw one.

Maybe this was our foreplay.

We went to the bars and Caprice was right. The whole street lit up with different lights and ambiance. Each place had customers. It wasn't crowded but it wasn't empty either.

"Where do you want to go?" Caprice asked beside me.

"You choose."

"Okay. I'll choose the one who's specialty is seafood," she said and I followed her. She was so decisive that it felt like a fresh breath of air.

The few women I had showed interest outside of bed were annoying. At first, they were nice and cool. But in the end, they all wanted assurance of a sparkling future.

And me being this jobless ex-con who always gets into trouble was not a very good candidate for future plans.

Caprice was different. She had declared what she wanted without pretense. She knew I had nothing and wasn't afraid to say it.

And maybe that was the trick. I couldn't help but rise to her challenge.

We entered the bar. It had a tropical ambiance from its wall decorations and woven furniture. Caprice chose a table.

"Should we try the specialty?" I asked.

"You should. I'll try a different dish so we can taste...and judge." She winked as she waved the waiter.

Our order arrived and we started to eat. The dish I ate was delicious. The fish went well with the sweet taste of mango.

"Try this." Caprice was offering her a spoonful of her order.

I frowned at her.

She glared. "My hand is falling off."

I immediately ate and savored the food. I swallowed and winced at the bitter aftertaste.

"You don't like it?"

"It's okay. But the taste didn't blend well," I replied, licking my lips. "It still goes well with their theme."

"It should. The drinks have almost the same ingredients. This is what you do when you find out your target market." Caprice chuckled, shaking her head. "Too bad you can't have alcohol."

I gaped at her as ecstasy ran in my veins once again. Caprice continued eating as if her words didn't shake me.

We tried a few more bars as Caprice talked and talked. Her expertise awed me but made me curious as well. It was almost ten when we decided to head back.

"That's why you need to be sure if you really want to serve food. The hours will get longer. There are more customers. It'll be hectic. So you have to make sure the service wouldn't decline." Caprice spun to him. "Are you listening?"

"I am. It's just... too much information."

And I love listening to you.

She rolled her eyes. "So, if I work for you, how much do I earn? Remember, Taylor also offered me a job."

I frowned at her tone. "What? I have to match Taylor's offer?"

Caprice smirked as her eyes glinted with mischief. "How about doubling Taylor's offer and clearing my debt?"

"Seriously?" I complained but thought about her words. "If you work for me, you'll call the shots."

"You can do better than that," she muttered, lifting an eyebrow.

"And I'll teach you how to cook."

Caprice went wide-eyed as she turned away. She's not prone to blushing but her chest heaved as she chewed on her bottom lip. "Who says I don't know how to cook?"

"Don't worry. It's our secret."

She crossed her arms and muttered begrudgingly, "Fine."

"Fine means you'll work for me?" I tugged at her wrist that halted her movements. "Please?"

Caprice looked amused. "You really don't know how to sweeten a deal."

Sweeten?

"Then..." I met her golden eyes, a finger tracing a line on her soft cheek. "How about a kiss?"

☽

The reason he can't have alcohol is that Colt is still in the withdrawal phase.

Thank you uxecila  for suggesting Colt's POV for this chapter and for inspiring me to update (as usual haha)

Check out her new story, Gracie and Gray. It will be bitter, sweet, and will make your heart hurt (in a good way) ;)