Embaixador

by Marcus John Beltran

  “As my last request, however, before I leave this earth, I would like to enjoy my remaining time here with someone. There’s nothing you can do to stop it, so please just accept it. So what do you say, Mr. Maximino Jr.? You coming or not?”

  Jr. reluctantly replied, “Yes, I’m in.”

  “Nice! That’s my boy. I appreciate you lending an ear, but enough of all this mushy mumbo jumbo bullshit! Are you ready to party or what?”

  Jr. replied, “Uh, sure. What did you have in mind?”

  With a sly grin, I asked, “Feeling lucky? We’re going to start at a place where whatever should happen there, will always stay there. And I’m not talking Vegas. This place is better. Just sit back, little Jr., and enjoy the ride.”

  17

  Painting the town

  Off we went through the streets of beautiful downtown San Diego. From the gorgeous palm trees, to the smell of sea salt from the ocean, it was truly a sight. Jr. had never been to this side of town, to my surprise. He was amazed how different everything looked.

  “Okay so what’s this place that’s so great?” Jr. asked.

  I replied, “It’s called BL’s. It’s a club I like to go to get my mind of things.”

  “A club? What do you mean club? Like a stick?”

  “This is a club,” I replied as we pulled up to the valet of BL’s. We got out and I noticed Jr. was totally speechless. “Jr., welcome to BabeLand’s.” We went inside.

  Flashy cars, bright lights, and naked women were everywhere. Of course, I was immediately treated like royalty. “Mr. McCray, welcome back. Would you like your normal everything?” Marty, the club manager, asked.

  “Absolutely! This is Max, by the way, my good buddy.”

  Marty greeted Jr. and led us to my normal VIP spot, where we were showered with girls and champagne.

  “Damn! You really are a Rapaz Bonito. These women here are more beautiful than the girls back home. Estrondo!” Jr. said with excitement.

  I laughed and handed Jr. a glass of Champaign. “You drink, right?” I asked him.

  He replied, “Uh…yeah, man, sometimes.”

  “A Toast to you, Jr., and to the family from Portugal. Welcome to America!”

  Jr. smiled and thanked me as we drank together.

  An hour or so went by and I could see Jr. seemed bothered about something. For some reason, Jr. kept staring hard at two guys at the other table. The two guys stared back. Maybe he knew them.

  “Hey, man, you all right? Is something wrong?” I asked Jr.

  He replied, “Yeah, I’m okay. Just not used to all this, I guess.”

  I ordered a round of shots, to loosen Jr. up.

  “All right, gents, let’s give it up for the sexy X’tacy to the main stage!” the DJ announced. “Damn! That X’tacy’s ridiculous hot, right?” I asked Jr.

  He didn’t respond. He was staring at a corner, for some reason.

  Out of the dark corner, a striking young man leaned into the light with an eerie smirk on his face. The peculiar man stared right at Jr., as if he knew him, while giving an almost sarcastic nod, and faded back into the darkness. “Who the hell was that?” I said. “You know that guy?”

  Jr. looked all around, as if looking for someone. “Yes, I think so,” Jr. replied.

  Jr. continued to act uneasy, almost paranoid, and told me not to leave his side. He kept looking at me, and all around us. “We should leave, Caleb,” he said. “It’s a little too smoky in here, or something. Let’s go check one of those other places you go to? It’s too crowded in here for me.”

  I replied, “Yeah, maybe we will in a bit. I thought you were having a good time, though? I think you just need to loosen up a little is all.” I handed him another drink and a shot.

  Although reluctant at first, Jr. finally loosened up as we toasted the night. I laughed when Jr. said, “I’m feeling a little tipsy, no more for me.” I could tell he was feeling pretty good, unable to take his eyes off the girls onstage.

  Is that that same man across the way who smirked at Jr. earlier? I wondered. Yes, it is!

  A group of girls surrounded him, and I noticed he handed one of the girls a few drinks and pointed in our direction. The girl casually walked over to us and as she got closer, I was completely mesmerized by her beauty. She was by far the sexiest and hottest girl in this place.

  She was perfectly curved with long black shiny hair and gorgeous green eyes. That tan skin with luscious red lips made her irresistible. Damn. I wanted her.

  “Hey there, boys…” the girl said with a seductive smile, holding three drinks. Wow! How fine is this woman? I thought. My night was about to go from good to damn good. What I saw this girl do next, however, floored me. “I’m Siy’ra. Would you like some company?”

  “Uh…sure,” Jr. hesitantly replied.

  Siy’ra sat on his lap as they drank.

  Within a matter of moments Siy’ra started rubbing up on Jr., giving him his first lap dance. Jr. looked at me, confused, unsure of what was happening. I gestured it was okay and gave him the thumbs up. Jr. leaned over to me and whispered, “Caleb, whatever you do, don’t leave my sight, okay?”

  I laughed and replied, “I won’t, don’t worry. Just go with it and relax.”

  With Jr.’s night now set; I also grabbed a girl, along with a few more drinks. The party was on.

  “I’ll be right back; I’m going to get a lap dance with that girl really quick, right over there,” I told Jr., who looked at me and nodded.

  I took the girl I was with to the VIP booth for a few dances. Damn, these drinks are hitting me, I thought as I stumbled on the way back to our table.

  I got to our table and to my surprise Jr. was gone. Maybe he went to the bathroom, I thought, and waited. Loud music, hundreds of people, and smoke everywhere made it hard to focus. For nearly forty minutes I looked around and waited, and Jr. was nowhere to be seen.

  “Hey man, here you go… I saw this fall out of your pocket just now.” I turned around and it was that guy who was looking at Jr., who sent Siy’ra over. He was handing me my cellphone.

  “Really? Well, shit. Thanks, man, I appreciate it.”

  The man smiled, shook my hand, and said, “Hey, I’m Dain Stone. You come here a lot?”

  I replied, “From time to time. What’s up man, I’m Caleb McCray. Stone, huh? Are you in porn or something? Sounds like a porn name.” I laughed.

  “Porn? I wish. They tell me that’s my name because of how it matches me and my heart; hard as Stone, heart of Stone,” He grinned. Dain added, “Actually, Stone is my middle name. Mirtaza is my last. Dain Stone Mirtaza.”

  We talked for a bit as Dain bought a few rounds of drinks. Dain was young and intimidating, standing about 6’3” or so. He was clean-cut and sharply dressed. He had a pompadour, with dark fifties gangster, yet gothic attire. I could see his ears were pierced and he had unique sleeve and neck tattoos. He was very confident and smooth.

  “You come here a lot?” I asked.

  “Nope. First time.”

  “First time? Nice. What brings you out on this special night?”

  He replied, “You.”

  “Me?” I laughed. “Do I know you?”.

  “Oh, yes.”

  “I do? I don’t think so. What do you want with me?”

  “To kill you. As you asked.”

  Chills shot up my spine. Speechless, I watched him nonchalantly take another drink and chuckle. He casually pulled out cash and threw at the dancer on the main stage. With a wink, he handed me a wad of cash and a drink to join him.

  I couldn’t believe my ears. The room spun around me as I watched his subtle grin.

  Is this guy for real? This drunk fuck!

  Enraged, I threw my glass at his face. I grabbed his head and smashed it onto the stage, repeatedly.

  No, that’s not what happened. Oh, did I want to, though. I was about to smash his face, I should say. However, my curiosity got the best of me.

  “What the hell did you say?
Is that some kind of joke?” I said.

  “How did you know that?”

  “Max,” Dain replied.

  I cringed in disbelief.

  “So, you’re the supposed hitman that’s after me?”

  Dain laughed. “Yup. That’s me.” He handed me another drink.

  I was frozen. Is this really happening? I thought.

  I was drunk. I’m not really hearing this right now. I tried to get it together. I felt off-balance and held onto the table.

  Dain chuckled and helped me regain my balance. “Pardon my sense of humor, it’s a little dry. We’re all just having a good time here. To you,” he said with a smile, and held up his drink. He laughed. I laughed, and we toasted the night. He acted as if nothing was ever said. Whatever was happening, this guy was cool as shit. There was something about him. He had an alluring demeanor. Obviously, Jr. knows him and had to have told him of me. It’s clear this guy has a dark sense of humor. I couldn’t think. I took another drink and let it go.

  There was still no sign of Jr. I wanted to ask Dain how he knew who Jr. was and what was up with that odd interaction between them earlier. I got distracted, however, as a group of Dain’s girls joined us.

  After we all downed another round of shots, I noticed the girl sitting on my lap pulled out her cellphone. She checked her texts, then browsed through news articles.

  What the hell?

  “I’m sorry, can I see your phone really quick?” I asked.

  “Oh sure,” replied the girl.

  I read one of the articles and my heart stopped.

  The captured bank robber escaped?

  Jim escaped! Oh, fuck! My family! He’s going to go after them. If he couldn’t find me, he would target and turn to Tiana and Taylor! He’s going to seek revenge for bailing on him, and leaving him to his fate. He’s going to kill my family!

  I grabbed my cell and realized it was dead! Dain noticed, and to my surprise, pulled out the right charger from his pocket. Well, that was a little weird. I plugged the charger in and powered it on. I saw many missed calls and texts from Tiana, family, and friends. Scrolling through the logs, I saw a missed call and three texts from a random, unsaved number.

  I open the texts. It was Jim! “Yes, it’s me. I’m free. I said not to fuck me, and you did. You pussy! Now you and your family are fucked. I don’t have to know where you’re at when I know exactly where your wife and daughter are. Fuck a getaway driver!”

  Oh shit! No!

  I fell out of my chair in shock. My heart started palpitating as I tried to digest what I’d just read.

  “Hey man, you okay? What’s wrong?” Dain asked.

  “My family!” I replied.

  I called Tiana and there was no answer. I tried again and it went to her voicemail.

  Where the fuck is Jr.? I wondered. I felt for my keys in my pockets and they weren’t there! “Oh fuck! Oh fuck!” I said, looking frantically around the table and the floor for my keys.

  “My keys. I’m missing my keys, and I have to leave now!” I said.

  Dain started looking all around for them. Neither of us could find them.

  “Where did Jr. go? Did you see where he went?”

  Dain replied, “Yeah, I thought you knew. He and that girl left a while ago together. He told me to tell you not to worry and that he would be back. Does he have your keys?”

  “Do you have to leave? I have no problem giving you a ride, I was about to leave as well,” Dain added.

  I was confused as none of this added up. I just didn’t have time to think. Dain apologized for taking some of his jokes too far and said he would help me. Worrying about Jr. was no longer my concern. I had to get to my family. With no other options, I accepted Dain’s offer and we headed to my house, to Tiana and Taylor.

  18

  Dear John …

  On the way home I called Tiana’s cell over and over with no answer. It was almost two a.m. when we pulled up to my house and I noticed all the lights were on.

  “Tiana! Tiana!” I yelled as I dashed through the front door. “No! Where are they?”

  “Nalla!” I yelled, and noticed she was in the back yard.

  Like a madman I searched the whole house. Tiana and Taylor were gone. Maybe she went to her mothers for the night, I thought. What’s that? I noticed a letter pinned next to the front door with “To Caleb” on the front.

  I opened the letter and read it, and when I did my worst nightmare came to pass. The letter read: “Hello Caleb. Just a happy returning customer of yours, here… Next time I know of anyone needing a good getaway driver for hire, I’ll be sure to send them your way. Now enough of the bullshit! Yes, I have your precious wife and little girl.”

  My head was spinning. I couldn’t believe it.

  The letter continued: “Question is, how much are they really worth to you? How much are they worth to me? Oh, I’d say $80k worth. Well, a lot more than that, really. For you, however, I’m giving a great loyal friend discount. I told you not to fuck me and you did. Even still, I’m giving you a choice. It’s $80k in 48 hours, or you won’t see your family again. No one will. Meet me at Old Juniper square 222. McAndrews road. It’s a secluded, old barn. Text when ready. PS: Fuck you!”

  I will kill that piece of shit! I thought. I called Jim and he didn’t answer. I texted Jim, saying I had the money and wanted to meet, now. It was 1:38 a.m. and he responded. He agreed to meet.

  I didn’t waste a second as I ran outside, where Dain was waiting, and stumbled down the stairs.

  “Whoa! You all right? Take it easy, man, you’re drunk. Is that your dog?” asked Dain.

  I looked back and there was Nalla in the backyard, growling and barking at Dain through the side gate.

  She has never acted that way before to strangers, I thought.

  “Nalla, no!” I yelled.

  Suddenly, Nalla jumped the gate and charged toward Dain.

  Dain quickly got back into his car and shut the door as Nalla lunged at the window, snapping at him.

  “Nalla! No! What the hell has gotten into you?” I yelled, as I picked her up and put her in the house.

  “I’m sorry about that. Nalla never has acted that way before to anyone.”

  “It’s okay, man. She probably smells my dogs on me,” replied Dain.

  “Listen, I need your help one more time. My family is in serious danger. Can you take me to another place?” I asked.

  Being with a total stranger in this situation is unimaginable. But to have a total stranger help you save your family while drunk, is insane as hell. There was just no choice. Tiana and Taylor needed my help, and I quickly filled Dain in.

  “I’m so sorry to hear all of that. I’m not sure what I walked into here and it’s obviously deep,” Dain said. He’s not going to help me, I thought. “However, and against my better judgment, I will help you. Where’s this place and what’s the plan?”

  We headed to Old Juniper Square, and I tried to focus on some sort of plan and couldn’t. I had no plan, I had nowhere near the money he wanted, and I didn’t even know what to expect. It was as if I was on autopilot and I was just going. On the way I told Dain I couldn’t think and I really had no plan, and even worse, I didn’t have the $80,000.

  “What the fuck? Hold up. You’re telling me that I’m getting involved in a dangerous ransom situation right now? You never said that shit,” Dain said, worried.

  “Listen, I will make it worth your trouble. Or at least just drop me off in the area,” I pleaded.

  “I have no clue why I’m even considering doing this. You’re damn lucky that this is in line with my kind of business, and that I have been through this before. Besides, you’re still shit faced and can barely talk and will fuck this up. Don’t worry; I’m going to help you. We’ll talk about that repayment later.”

  It all happened fast from there. Just like that, we were at Old Juniper Square, and I could see the red barn ahead.

  The night was cold, dark, and rainy, giving off a cr
eepy feeling. There I sat, staring at the raindrops that crashed down on the windshield, trying to grasp what was happening. We got closer, and there in the distance was Jim’s car.

  “Okay, I have a plan. All you have to do is stay low and not be seen and keep a lookout. If something goes wrong, take this…”

  Dain loaded a pistol and handed it to me.

  “Wait, just how the hell are you going to pull off the having no $80,000 part?” I asked.

  Dain replied, “Just don’t worry; I will take care of that.”

  Still trying to sober up, all I could do was nod while I hunched down, out of sight. Dain nodded while he pulled his black hoodie over his head, grabbed an umbrella, and got out of the car. He walked back and opened the trunk, put a black satchel on his shoulder, and grabbed a brown bag.

  My heart palpitated and my palms were sweaty, as I watched Dain through the blur of the rain-soaked windshield as he walked toward Jim’s car.

  Jim got out with what looked like a gun and opened the back-passenger door. It was them! Tiana and Taylor got out, with Jim pointing the gun at them. I started to lose it and instantly wanted to run to them as I gripped Dain’s gun. Somehow, I kept it together, staying in the car, not taking my eyes off them. There they stood, Jim and Dain, a short distance from each other in the rainy darkness.

  Dain walked closer to Jim and stood there for what seemed like forever. The heavy rainfall made it too hard to make out what was said. “Stop right there!” I heard someone yell. It sounded like Jim. I saw Dain hand the brown bag to Jim. Jim opened the bag, looked inside, and closed it. Dain leaned close to Jim and appeared to whisper something in his ear.

  What I saw next I could not believe. Jim simply handed Tiana and Taylor over to Dain, got into his car, and drove away. “Holy shit! He did it!” I yelled. I got out of the car, and ran toward them. “Tiana!”.

  “Oh my God! Caleb!” Tiana yelled, in tears.