Page 11 of Doxed

Yesenia leads us to an outdoor courtyard at one end of the house.

It has a worn brick patio covering the ground, and tables set up around a beautiful fountain in the middle of the yard.

Vines climb the building, and potted lemon trees stand throughout the area.

It's beautiful, and with the sun setting, the hanging string lights are coming on.

Casting a warm, romantic glow over the tables.

Carlos is in the center, wearing a deep maroon velvet suit jacket and black pants.

His dark hair is slicked back and the white shirt underneath is partially unbuttoned.

He looks more relaxed here than at the club, and he smiles at everyone who steps up to say hello.

We walk to him and his smile grows ten times.

“The two most beautiful women here have finally arrived!” he says, holding his arms out wide.

Yesenia rolls her eyes, but she has a smile on her lips. “Happy birthday, papa.” She hugs him and then steps aside, someone grabbing her attention and they lean toward each other to whisper to one another.

Carlos watches me as I step toward him. “Happy birthday, old man.” I smile and hug him.

“No one speaks to me the way you do,” he whispers into my ear, wrapping his arms around my waist and hugging me back. We pull apart and he smiles down at me. “I like it.”

Carlos walks me around, introducing me to his friends and people who work for him.

When my feet have had enough, I excuse myself and take a seat at the table in the middle—the largest one—where someone has printed my name onto a name card in front of a chair.

“If my father’s business introduces him to women like you, then maybe I should take an interest in it,” a smooth voice says as he slides into the chair next to me.

Turning my head, I have to do a double take.

It’s a younger version of Carlos. They’re identical.

“Mateo Vicario.” He holds his hand out to me.

He doesn't look like Yesenia, similar of course, but if I hadn't known they were twins, I wouldn't have guessed it.

“Briar Anderson,” I say, shaking his hand.

As I'm about to pull away, he turns my hand and brings it to his lips, placing a kiss on the back while staring into my eyes.

“I guarantee I can show you a much better time than the bore over there. He’s all business all the time.” Mateo cocks his head toward his father.

Raising an eyebrow, I decide to entertain this. “And you’re not?”

Mateo smirks, and if I hadn't been invited here by his dad, and spent almost every night with him for the past few weeks, I would have fallen right into his trap, but I am, and I have, and that won't be happening anytime soon. “The exact opposite. We can go wherever you want after dinner. Italy, France, Asia, South America. You name it, I’ll charter the jet.”

I roll my eyes lightheartedly. “You have your father’s charm.”

“Mateo, leave Briar alone!” Yesenia snaps, sitting on the other side of me.

He opens his mouth to retort, but a clinking of glass and a throat clearing interrupt. Carlos walks to us and stands behind my chair, resting a hand on my shoulder as the hum of conversation dies and everyone directs their attention to the host.

“I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight.

Another year has come and gone, and I find myself even more fortunate than the year before.

That is thanks to all of you. I would not love the life I live if it weren't for you.” People clap lightly, but movement at the back of the group catches my attention.

Carlos continues his speech, but I pay it no attention.

Too focused on the man hiding in the shadows.

A man shifts on his feet, his hands in his pockets, but the way he stands looks familiar, but his face—his perfectly chiseled face—does not look familiar.

His tousled brown hair that hangs over his forehead and into his eyes is not familiar.

He doesn't look like everyone else here, though.

Although everyone else wears suits and shiny shoes, this man wears only a button up black shirt and slacks, and black Vans.

Then I see it, the tattoo on his throat.

I suck in a breath when I see the death moth.

It’s Dox. And he’s staring at me.

“Dinner will be out shortly, but for now, let’s have another round. Cheers!” Carlos finishes and squeezes my shoulder.

I break my eye contact with Dox and look up at Carlos. He’s smiling around at the crowd without a hint that I was eyeing up a client at his birthday dinner.

I look around for Dox again, not able to keep my eyes from searching for him, and find him retreating into the house. Again, he glances over his shoulder at me.

I pat Carlos’ hand to get his attention, and then stand. “I’m going to go to the restroom. I’ll be right back.” I smile, trying not to look as nervous as I feel. The moment I saw Dox, butterflies started up in my stomach, but it feels like they’re angry, more energetic—like bees buzzing around.

“Okay, inside, down—” he starts.

“I was just going to go to the one in my room. My bag is up there,” I interrupt.

Carlos nods and someone comes up beside him and touches his arm, pulling his attention from me. Perfect.

I try to walk as fast as I can without drawing attention to myself. I don't know what it is, but I feel drawn to Dox. I want to follow him. Talk to him. Why is he here?

Following the heavy smacks of his shoes on the marble floors, I track him through the house, but I can't see him.

I turn a corner at the end of the long hallway and see Dox hurrying through a set of double doors. Gripping the skirt of my dress, I lift it and pick up my pace, hurrying after him.

I’m so focused on the wooden double doors a few feet away that I don’t notice when someone steps in front of me and I crash into their arms as they catch me.

“Miss. Anderson, can I help you with something?” a sharply dressed guard asks.

My mind races for an excuse, and I remember what I was supposed to be doing. I look around his large body, glimpsing the door at the end of the hall when a crash behind me makes me turn my head.

Another of Carlos’ guards is shoving a man through a door.

His thick, tattooed arms are behind his back and I get a glimpse of ink black hair before they’re through the door.

The guard in front of me turns me to face him again.

And my brain stutters as I try to process what I just saw.

What's going on here? “I’m looking for a bathroom.” I look up at the guard’s face.

“Did Senor García give you access to his private wing of the house?” His eyes slowly turn to slits.

“I’m here, aren't I?” I pop my hip out with sass and cock my head. The best approach is to act confident right now. No one questions confidence.

“Very well.” He steps aside and I lift my skirt again, rushing through the doors that Dox slipped through. I want to ask what that guard was doing with that man, but I need to find Dox first.

The room is empty, and I check everywhere. The closet that is bigger than my apartment, the substantial room that has a sitting area the size of a normal living room, a wet bar. You wouldn't ever need to leave the room except to eat.

There is an open window, though. The wind blows the soft gauze curtain around and I stare at it for a long time. He’s gone, just like at the club.

Who is he?

Carlos is busy the rest of the dinner. Constantly being whisked away to talk to someone, and I stay near our table and talk to Yesenia and Mateo when Yesenia is off talking to someone as well. It seems these two only know how to work.

Finally, as people make their way back into the house to leave, Carlos saunters over to me, a big smile on his face.

“Thank you so much for celebrating with me tonight, Hermosa,” he slurred, his eyes glassy. He’s drunk.

“Did you bring me here so I could celebrate with you privately?” I ask, lifting an eyebrow.

He drops his head to the side, shaking it. “No, Briar. I brought you here because I enjoy your company and I wanted to spend tonight with you.”

I nod, accepting his answer. I’ve been on edge ever since I saw Dox. I can't forget the night he came to the club and my thighs clench again at the reminder. Why did he run away?

I slide my arm into Carlos’ and let him lead me into the house after the courtyard has cleared. “There was a man here, with a tattoo on his throat. How do you know him?” I step more into Carlos’ side.

His tongue darts out to wet his lips. “I don’t know who you’re talking about, but a lot of my staff have tattoos. He probably works for me.”

With the way he ran away, I'm thinking he’s not staff.

Carlos leads me to the stairs at the front of the house, but before he can take the first step, I pull on his arm. “Are you taking me to my room?” I look up at him, pulling back.

“Yes, I was going to walk you to your room, but if you wanted to stay up and talk or talk to Yesenia, you are welcome. Make yourself at home, Briar.” His caramel eyes look tired, but filled with happiness. All night, he had a smile on his handsome face. He had fun, and that makes me happy.

“I’d rather spend the night in your room. With you.” I raise my brows, watching him.

Licking his lips, they slide into a smirk. “Okay, Hermosa.”

Carlos shuts his bedroom door behind us while I saunter to his bed and reach behind me to unzip my dress.

The sequined fabric slips down my body and pools at my feet.

Carlos’ eyes flare as his eyes roam my body.

It’s nothing he hasn’t seen before, but before this, none of our encounters have been sexual.

He slowly undresses, folding his suit jacket and laying it on the bench at the foot of the bed. Carlos closes the distance between us and I push him onto the bed, following with him.

Our lips press together and we rid each other of the last of our clothes.

Our bodies connect in a slow and measured manner.

He’s attentive and follows the signals of my body closely.

I wish I could say it was passionate, but it’s just not.

We work together to reach the end, and then Carlos kisses my cheek and leaves the bed to take a shower.

When the shower turns on, I leap out of the king size bed and snatch my dress off the floor, slipping it on quickly and running for the door.

I softly close the door behind me, making sure that the latch doesn't click. Heels in one hand and my dress skirt in the other, I make my way through the dark mansion. The marble tile is cold under my bare feet and I duck my head as I pass a few guards standing at the front door.

Sex with Carlos felt like sex with a client. There wasn't any emotion there even though he made sure I got off, so I guess it wasn't that similar to my work.

I just couldn't stop thinking about Dox. I thought maybe Carlos could get him off of my mind for tonight, but he only made it worse. I spent the entire time pretending he was Dox.

Ugh! I waited until Carlos fell asleep and I snuck out of his room to return to mine. If he asks in the morning, I'll tell him I prefer to sleep alone. I just couldn't spend any more time in bed with him. I feel like I slept with my best friend, and not in a hot kind of way.

I can't wait to go home tomorrow.