Alpha Loren novel Chapter 166

I stepped through the deserted street of the town kicking up dust from the road as I went. All the buildings were warehouses or sheds or trailers- nothing like the beautifully decorated old buildings of the last Mexican town I had visited. It wasn't particularly big but I was walking for a good two minutes before I heard any sign of human activity. From one of the warehouses, I heard the faint thud of Hispanic music and the cheers and shouts or men.

I took a deep breath before striding over to the warehouse and took another deep breath before pulling open the door.

The air smelt like sweat, alcohol and smoke and as my eyes adjusted from the bright day outside to the low light I began to see exactly what I had stepped into.

"Jesus Christ," I muttered under my breath.

Closest to me was a pool table with three men no longer playing pool but intently watching me. Behind that was what appeared to be a boxing ring with two men inside and around it another six or seven men all now watching me. At the back was a further four men seated around a small table drinking and playing cards. All staring at me.

I stood motionless in the doorway for a few moments not entirely sure what to do. Somebody switched off the music and an awkward silence swept over the place.

"Did someone call for me? Our Lord and saviour, Jesus Christ?" a voice said. 

I scanned for where it was coming from before a man stepped out of the shadows.

"I'm flattered but I prefer José, love," he said with a wink.

I stared at him with wide eyes. He was tall with dark hair and dark eyes, a lot like many men. But his face seemed peculiarly familiar but I couldn't quite grasp the droplet of memory in the ocean of knowledge that was my brain that could tell me why.

"Y-your..-" I stuttered.

"Handsome? Dashing? Gorgeous?" he asked with a shrug. "But you're not here to meet a man, are you?" he said with a smile.

"I know you," I said, confidently.

"You do?" he asked with a glint in his eye.

"Yes. I don't know why or when but I've met you before," I replied racking my brain.

"Funny, I don't recall," he replied with a smile and hint of sarcasm. "Is there any reason, you're here, gringa?" he added raising his eyebrow after a few more moments.

"Andrea sent me," I replied shaking the thoughts out my head.

"Running errands for the boss, huh?" he replied. "So... that makes you his little bitch?"

"I'm supposed to collect something," I said looking around at all the eyes looking at me. 

"Have you got the money?" he asked.

"Money? He didn't say anything about money," I replied my heart beat raising.

"This ain't no charity, Gringa," José laughed along with the rest of the room.

"Oh...guess I'll just go then..." I said backing towards the door. 

"ay..ay...ay," he said. "Not so fast. I guess I could offer you a post-payment but it will cost you."

"I told you, I don't have any money."

"Not that kinda cost, babe," he said with a smirk as his comrades jeered around us.

"Forget it," I snapped.

"Do you really want to go back to your boss empty-handed, Gringa?" he taunted. "I don't like to think what he might do."

"What do you want?" I asked with a sigh.

He was right. I couldn't risk failing this test.

"Just stay for a bit," he said placing an arm around my shoulder. "Party with us."

"You want me to party with you?" I asked. 

"You got time?" he said as he chucked me a can. "Beer?"

I scowled at him.

"Here's the deal: entertain us and I give you Andrea's stuff. Fail and you go to him empty-handed," he said.

"Everything is a test with you guys," I said with a sigh taking a mouthful of the beer.

He smirked and took the can from me.

"Now dance with me, Gringa," he said gesturing to the man by the speaker. "You know salsa?" he added as the music began to play. 

I looked around, everyone was still watching.

"Yeh, no," I said with a laugh. "I'm not dancing."