Alpha Loren

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.

José laughed along with the rest of

then..." I said

I guess I could offer you a post-payment but it will

you, I don't have

said with a smirk as his comrades jeered around

it," I snapped.

boss empty-handed, Gringa?" he taunted.

do you want?" I asked with a sigh.

right. I couldn't risk failing this

a bit," he said placing an arm around

me to party with

as he

at

us and I give you Andrea's stuff. Fail and you go to him

guys," I said with a sigh taking a mouthful of

and took the can

me, Gringa," he said gesturing to the man by the speaker. "You know salsa?" he added as

everyone was still watching.

with a laugh. "I'm

on, beautiful. Don't mind them," he said taking my hand. 

ear, "Unless

I had recognised him from somewhere and he had recognised me too.

looked up at him and he gave me a cocky smile. He knew he had left me no choice. Andrea could under no circumstances find out who I am.

said putting my hand on his waist. "But I warn you, my dancing skills are nothing pretty."

will be the judge of that,"

switched off all sense of embarrassment,

kept getting so uncomfortably close to me that I felt like I was going

to an end and I immediately

up behind him and sitting with his legs spread widely and

jeers in the room as José looked up at me

is yours,"

eyes before

a deal. I danced with you, now give

you had to entertain us," he

I said looking around at the interested and amused expressions of everyone present.

my word," José sighed. "Get her the