“Shane; what is wrong?” She asked me; a little worried now in her tone. The towel loosely stayed on my waist.

“He wants me to start the family business here…. he wants me to start dealing… controlling… Stretch the name here in LA…” I slipped out; not taking my eyes of the ceiling top. There I said it; and she didn’t say anything back to me. It was driving me crazy not hearing anything from her; I turned and faced her. We both locked eyes for couple of seconds then she got up and off the bed. She wrapped her body with the white sheets.

She walked to the window; arms crossed. Thinking about what I just said to her. I stayed on the bed. She turned around suddenly; her brows creased together. “So; what does this mean?” She asked sweetly.

“It means a whole lot of shit is going down… pretty soon…” I said. “First; I have to meet with the Garcia’s… talk to them; see if they want to join us… we need men first…” I informed her. She shake her head with a hand cover her eyes; like someone who is having a migraine. Her worried face slowly breaks my heart.

“Shit… Ah; fuck…” She said. Clearly not ready for this. Honestly; I don’t want to talk about this right now. But I do want to inform her with what’s happening.

I got up and moved to her near the window. I realized that soon she can’t be near a window; when once this has all started; when I start to create my own hell. I tucked one end of the towel tightly to my waist. I held her hand and led her to the bed.

“Don’t worry about this…” I said softly.

“Shane…” Her voice was desperate. “How can I not worry about this…?” She said to me. “You’ll be meeting with thugs…. The Garcia’s; I’ve heard of them… they’re brutal Shane…”

“Carmen… Please…” I said; I didn’t want her to worry. “I know how to handle this…” I said rather smugly. She took her eyes off me; and I touched her hair… so soft and long.