When Ethan came back, he was suprised to see that Smurf had already prepared him a place to rest.
Guided by her, he followed into a room on the second floor, already tidy and ready.
—This is my oldest son Pope's room, you can take a shower.
—Thanks.
Seeing the new bed sheets and the new matress, Ethan could only show his gratitude.
Smurf steped forward.
—Good, rest now —Smurf said, giving him a pat on the butt before turning and leaving the room—. I'll call you when dinner's ready.
Ethan shook his head, walked to the window and pulled down the blinds. Deran and Craig hadn't left yet; they were going back to their rooms, shouting and joking.
Ethan took a shower and came back to bed.
He put the gun under the pillow and soon sank into a deep sleep. He didn't know how long had past before Smurf's voice sounded through the door:
—Ethan, dinner's ready.
He opened his eyes at the noise, and seeing the palm leaves outside the window, he realized he was no longer in Banshee, Pennsylvania.
—Alright, I'll be right down —he replied, while footsteps moved away from the door.
He pushed away the blankets and sat for a moment, expressionless, before pulling himself together and getting dressed. When he opened the door, he was greeted by a sky full of crimson clouds, clouds that looked like fish scales.
From his vantage point, he looked into the backyard. The garden lights and the pool wall lamps were already lit, shining on the water. The light reflected on the plants surrounding the yard, creating a scene very diferent from the East.
After talking with Job a few minutes on the phone, he hung up and went downstairs.
—Craig, please put some pants on! We got a guest.
Going down, he heard Smurf's voice and the clinking of spatulas.
Baz was sitting at the dinning table, chewing on an apple. Seeing Ethan come down, he raised his hand and tossed him a banana.
—How did you sleep?
—Pretty well.
Ethan walked to the table and put the banana down.
In the fridge next to the kitchen, Craig was completely naked, searching for something.
—Come on, Craig —Baz said, taking a big bite of the apple and throwing it at him—. Put on those damn pants.
They were used to Craig acting like that, but now, with a guest, Baz felt embarased.
—Sorry, didn't notice you were coming down —Craig said, turning when he saw Ethan, while catching the pillow Deran had thrown at him.
—It's fine, be yourself —Ethan replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down, while winking at him—. As long as you're not naked during dinner.
—Of course.
Craig smiled awkwardly, shaking his long brown hair. He bit a popsicle and went to the living room to find some beach pants to wear. After a short chat, dinner was quickly prepared.
Various delicacies were served on the table one after another. On top of that, the presentation was spectacular. As for culinary skill, Smurf's great effort was clear.
A whole plate of freshly baked croissants filled the air with the smell of buttery bread. Oceanside isn't far from Mexico, and its gastronomy was also influenced by mexican food. A big plate of tacos was indispensable.
On the cast iron pan beside it, there was a thick beef steak, with the olive oil still sizzling, and on top some pieces of rosemary and carrot.
In the middle of the table, in a glass salad bowl.
—Thanks, looks delicious —Ethan said as he took the steak Smurf had handed him, smelled the fragrance and gave a thumbs up in praise.
—Help yourself as much as you want —Smurf replied, pushing back her short blond hair with a smile—. I'm glad someone around here praises my food, and doesn't just chew it like a beast.
Deran grabbed a croissant and shoved it into his mouth, taking a big bite, and then threw another one to Ethan.
Smurf was a little surprised. Her sons were always kind of distrustful with strangers, but now, with Ethan, their usual attitude had changed, she couldn't help but wonder what had happened at the beach.
Smurf put the spatula down and sat in a chair.
She slowly cut the steak, bringing it to her mouth with the fork.
—What fun things did you guys do surfing today?
Deran imediatly started talking with great enthusiasm, while Ethan turned into a human weapon. Smurf noticed how her son's eyes lit up and smiled to herself. Even though she had joked with Job today, she knew Ethan was definitly straight.
She knew very well her son's sexual orientation, but she didn't want to mention it.
Now it seemed like Deran would be very disapointed.
But from what he had said, Ethan wouldn't be a burden. Hearing Deran's words, Ethan quickly waved his hand.
—Deran exagerates! those guys weren't much, a lot of muscle little brain.
—By the way —Baz said, drinking beer and clearing his throat—. What weapons do you need?
Ethan got serious.
—A Glock 17 and an AR-15 will do, you can get it.
The more comfortable a weapon was, the better. For him, the Glock 17 was always the one: light, reliable, and felt right in the hand. Almost like he was born with it.
The AR-15 was another story, nothing better to keep bad guys down with more than enough force to make anyone think twice before sticking their head out.
Baz nodded.
—No problem, easy to get.
Baz and Criag's dealer friends were important in the area, they had been making deals with them for years, but even if they were friends, they couldn't help them directly. Helping outsiders against one of their own wouldn't look good if word got out.
After dinner and resting a while, Craig and Deran, exited, started making calls.
—Hey, Ethan, hope you're not getting sleepy, —Baz said with a pat on his shoulder—. You'd better be able to handle your liquor, 'cause they won't let you go until you puke. Plus, there'll be some pretty girls around, so just relax and enjoy yourself.
Ethan grabed a beer and took a sip with a smile in his eyes.
—You dont have to worry, I know how to have fun.
After Craig and the others made a dozen calls, he told Baz and Ethan to set up in the backyard.
Smurf, with a glass of red wine in hand, was sitting on the couch, watching them amused. The atmosphere seemed relaxed and cheerful, but Ethan sensed an unexplainable aura of violence coming from everyone, including himself.
The job in Mexico; it was a serious matter.
It would put huge pressure on all of them.
They would face sicarios on mexican soil, only them and some idiots would think of attacking them in their own territory.
That's why Baz and the others were partying that night: they wanted to release stress and have fun.
Craig threw some pieces of wood into a nearby metal bucket and sprayed it with gas.
—Swish!
Ethan lit a thick match and tossed it in.
The wood blazed in the bucket, the flames dancing over his face.
I wonder what Siobhan and the others are doing. They should have finished patrol by this time. Brock is the sheriff, so he must be sitting in his office now that he has the chance.
That belly of his is definitly gonna grow.
And Hood, I wonder where he went.
He left no contact info and smashed his phone when leaving. This guy plans to continue his exile.
—Ethan, hurry up, the girls will be here soon! —Craig shouted, pulling him back to reality.
—Alright, coming.
With the preps done, they lit seven or eight beer barrels in the backyard, on some tables there were bottles of tequila, a small basket of lemons and a small plate with salt.
A big plastic box on the ground, nearby, was full of ice and beer.
Ethan grabed a can of beer and pointed at the tequila.
—Baz, you sure we'll be ready tomorrow?
Baz put down a big speaker and wiped the sweat off his face.
—Sure, we'll be there tomorrow afternoon. Plus, we'll decide when to start once we're in mexico.
—Dont worry about anything now, just have fun, and take a pretty girl to bed.
Meanwhile, Deran straddled the roof of the house and flipped a switch. The plant branches on the wall suddenly glowed with the vibrant colors of neon lights.
A timely sea breeze came in, swaying the leaves.
—Geronimoooooo! —Deran shouted, jumping from the roof, his messy blond hair waving.
—Bang!
A huge splash of water burst, falling just half a meter from the pool's edge.
Ethan and Baz exchanged a look and flipped the lunatic the finger.
One after another, doors opened and girls started entering the backyard with laughs and cheerful screams. Some wore tiny bikinis barely covered by open shirts or tied tops. Others, in super short denim shorts and tight blouses, moved with confidence, like they had been born for this kind of parties.
The smell of tanning lotion mixed with the chlorine of the pool and the smoke from the grills. Someone turned up the volumen of the music and the beats felt in the chest like fast heartbeats.
A brunette with endless legs hung herself from Craig's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. By his side, a blonde with a mischievous look poured herself a double drink without asking. Several were already taking off the extra clothes to get into the pool, splashing those around.
Ethan watched from a corner, beer in hand, while the vibe got filled with that wild and careless energy.
Baz laughed out loud when he saw one of the girls climb up the railing with a bottle in hand.
—Welcome to paradise brother —he said with his arms open.
And the night was just starting.
—Seven, eight, nine, ten...
—Oh! —the cheers resonated.
Craig, with his seventh shot of tequila in his hand and his eyes wide open, said:
—Hey girl, you mind?
Ethan walked up to the blonde in the blue bikini with a pinch of salt in his hand.
The girl in the blue bikini took a deep breath, inflating her chest.
—Of course not.
—Hey Craig look at this —said Ethan while shaking the salt from his hand over the girl's chest, then taking a slice of lemon and putting it in his mouth.
His tongue licked the salt quickly, making the girl laugh.
Seeing this scene, Deran's eyes shined with regret.
Ethan drank the tequila in one go; the spicy taste went down his throat.
Immediately he leaned to the girl and began to eat the slice of lemon.
She felt fresh, incredibly flexible and full of life. The spicy taste neutralized instantly. This was the right way to drink tequila.
While Ethan enjoyed the charm of the tequila, Craig forced himself to drink in one go and fell backwards. The people behind him quickly helped him aside.
The man with the ponytail, euphoric, wanted to show Ethan his strength. While the crowd watched, they joined in a drinking contest, ten rounds each time.
Just on the third round, Craig collapsed.
Ethan finished his slice of lemon, let go of the slim waist of the blonde and exhaled deeply.
This time he hadn't cheated. Thirty two shots of tequila had left him incredibly dizzy.
Ethan jumped forward and dove head first into the pool. The cold water wrapped him suddenly, clearing his mind and bringing back energy. He swam a couple strokes before coming to the surface and reaching the edge. He sat on the border, squeezing the excess water from his hair with both hands.
—So you having fun? —Job's voice sounded behind him, with a mocking tone—. You better be ready for tomorrow.
Ethan looked sideways at him, smiling calmly.
—Sure, no problem —he answered, shaking the water from his arms—. The real question is if they can keep up with me.
Job laughed low and turned his gaze to the improvised dance floor where a group of attractive men were dancing too close with each other. Some of them didn't take their eyes off Job, with bold smiles that said more than words.
—Well seems like you got admirers over there, why don't you take something and relax, wouldn't hurt before the job. —Ethan said with sarcasm, pointing with a nod of his head to the guys that kept staring at his friend.
Job turned to him with pursed lips, like he didn't know if to take it as a joke or serious.
—Well… a drink wouldn't hurt now —he said finally, shrugging.
Ethan stood up from the pool edge, dripping water, and bumped his fist with a complicit smile.
—Wouldn't expect less from you.
Job left for the handsome men.
Job wouldn't miss a party and when Ethan sent him a picture of the place, he closed his laptop and came running.
Ethan looked around and stopped when he saw Deran, Smurf's youngest son.
Deran was sitting alone in a corner, half hidden by the shadow of an umbrella. His gaze was set on Job and the others, laughing without filters and moving freely, like if they carried nothing.
Ethan noticed it instantly. He didn't need more to get it. He smiled and shook his head, walked out of the pool and layed on a lounge chair nearby.
Some subtle steps were heard, and the girl in the blue bikini appeared from the other side of the garden.
The pool's reflection illuminated her figure: clear soft skin, marked curves and a face as delicate as it was provoking. Her long legs moved with confidence, like if she knew exactly the effect she caused. The tight top barely contained her generous chest, and the wet shine of the bottle she carried in her hand made the scene stand out even more.
She arched a brow playfully while lifting the tequila bottle.
—You remind me… —she said with a mocking tone—. I saw you this morning staring too much when I passed with my motorcycle.
—And how could I forget? A girl in blue bikini with a bike… hard not to notice.
She smiled, tilting her head, and walked closer, until the scent of salt and tequila mixed.
—You gonna keep staring like this morning or you gonna talk to me now? —she asked with a tilted smile, while putting the bottle on the table.
Ethan looked her up and down, not bothering to hide it.—Hard to focus when a woman shows up on a bike and steals all the looks.
She arched a brow, amused.
—So you were staring… I knew it.
—Would be a crime not to. A powerful bike, a gorgeous girl in bikini… doesn't happen everyday where I come from. —Ethan took the bottle and poured into two empty glasses nearby.
She accepted the glass and clinked it against his.
—I like people that don't get intimidated by me. Most don't even know what to say.
—Maybe cuz you enjoy having them nervous.
The girl laughed low and walked even closer. She rested a hand over his wet chest, feeling the warmth under the skin.
—And you? You nervous?
Ethan held her chin softly, forcing her to keep eye contact.
—On the contrary. Just thinking how bad the night could end if I keep up with your games.
She stared boldly, biting her lip.
—Depends… you like dangerous nights?
Ethan didn't answer. He pulled her to him and kissed her hard. She responded immediately, tequila still burning on her lips. The bottle fell to the floor with a dull thud as they stood up between kisses and laughs.
—I'm Naomi by the way.
—Ethan.
Ethan took her hand firmly and, without letting go, guided her inside the house.
They entered one of the hallway rooms. Ethan pushed the door with his shoulder and closed it with a loud slam. He pinned her against the wall, kissing her harder, while his hands traced her waist still wet from the pool drops.
—So this is your game… you meet a new girl and right away take her to bed after making her laugh and saying some clever lines —she murmured, smiling playfully.
—No, but it works tho. —said Ethan, brushing his lips against hers—
She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body against his.
—Only cuz you're cute...
Ethan lifted her with ease, making her laugh muffled, and carried her to the bed. He laid her gently on the sheets and leaned over her, kissing her slow, like savoring every second.
—Sure you can keep up with me? —she asked in a defiant whisper, while her fingers played over Ethan's shorts.
—Trust me, —he answered, lowering his voice with a dangerous smile— I never stay behind.
The laughs melted into kisses, and the rest of the night was lost in the heat of the room, the tequila forgotten on the table and the bodies searching each other nonstop.
The next afternoon, two Toyota trucks roared out of the residential complex and headed toward the border.
Ethan drove with energy, while Smurf, by his side, seemed lethargic.
Craig climbed in and collapsed on the backseat.
In the front truck were Job, Deran and Baz, with Baz driving and leading the way.
After a while, Craig said grumpy:
—You know? In Oceanside, our family has a nickname.
Ethan looked through the rearview.
—What is it?
Craig sat up.
—People that know us call us beasts, but without doubt you would be the apex you know.
Smurf looked at Ethan from the corner of her eye and crossed her legs. She had heard how the girl last night had begged for mercy, without doubt if anyone was a beast it was Ethan.
Craig yawned again.
—I think this nickname fits you. Beast.....Morgan, that poor girl was still wrecked this morning, she left her bike and went on a cab, don't think she's coming back for it in a few days.
Ethan turned the wheel to avoid a car in front and rolled his eyes.
—It was damn four in the morning.....At four —said Craig, staring at him resentful, with dark eyes— You didn't stop until four, we couldn't sleep, our rooms are next to yours damn bastard.
—How can you let us sleep, right, Smurf?
Smurf coughed, put on her sunglasses and said nothing.
Ethan scratched his head awkwardly.
—Sorry, I lost control without meaning.
—The thing is, how can you be with so much energy, like nothing happened —Craig pulled a Joint from his pocket—. If you're not a beast, who is?
Ethan lowered the car windows, while Craig relaxed, the border wasn't far..
Shortly after, they arrived at the border between United States and Mexico.
The checkpoint to enter Mexico was easy and without obstacles, but there was a long line in the opposite lane. From now on they were in enemy territory.