MICHAEL
¿Qué tiene de malo matar a tus amigos?
Six months ago, I never would've imagined I'd be in Switzerland, meeting a girl from a mafia with mental disorders and—least of all—taking part in a fucking kidnapping. Although, that's nothing compared to murder. 'Remorse?' Not at all. I'm already used to this. Death is always around me... 'what difference does it make if there's just more of it now?'
—We move out in five —Aitor announces over the radio.
He and Aida are dealing with the guy at the club while I wait in the car with two of Nefertary's men. We had a week to study Razetti, confirm the info Ibagon gave us, and, while we were at it, discover Brayan's latest obsession. He made things easier for us. Who would've thought threesomes with twins would be his weakness? Sometimes I think a millionaire's life is just insane—none of us are ever normal.
From a distance, I spot them coming out the back door, heading our way. The guys don't waste time and get out to grab him. A good scare will knock the booze right out of him. The horror on his face is so predictable... When he resists, Mendes punches him to stun him. They keep moving until, finally, they toss him into the car, and we take off immediately.
—Tie him up. And cover his face too —the brothers follow the order—. What about the bodyguards?
—Unconscious. Completely useless —'one of the many reasons I'd never waste my money on them.'
—What about the father? —Aida asks.
—Steven's handling that as we speak. He's probably getting more action than we did.
—Of course! —Aitor mocks—. As if this idiot was a walk in the park. Aida wouldn't have managed alone—the guy wouldn't even look at her.
—It worked out in the end, and that's what matters. Besides, we were told we're in the big leagues now. You should be excited, not stressed —she tells her brother.
—Excited?! Maybe you are, since you go after anything that moves. I don't see what's so thrilling about seducing some dude, ugh.
—Drama queen. You were totally enjoying his kisses —she throws a jab, and Mendes rolls his eyes before looking at me.
—Next time, you get to be the sexual bait.
—I don't mind. Unless he prefers a pair of gender-swapped clones —I cross my arms.
—So funny, aren't you?
I don't reply—no point provoking him. He'd lose his shit, and everything would go to hell. Being a spoiled, compulsive brat is just part of his personality.
I pull out my phone and text Ibagon to let her know we're on our way. The tension between us is getting worse. That mutual trust we once had? Gone. "It's always better to join the enemy," or so I figured—this way I can know what she's planning and if she tries to get rid of us. We're both a danger to each other. From fucking her a few months ago... to now following orders like one of her useless employees. 'Life really does spin in unexpected ways.'
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The ride to the cabin was long and boring—mostly because someone wouldn't stop whining the entire way. Though, for the Mendes twins, it was probably the best part. They couldn't stop amplifying his fear with comments they'd most likely say even if he weren't one of Nefertary's playthings.
What caught me off guard was seeing Ibagon at the entrance. Her style is more of the "wait for them in the room" kind. One of the men beside her joins the others in dragging the cheap Italian knockoff into the elevator, and finally, I don't have to listen to his bitching anymore.
—You never cease to amaze me with your efficiency. You'd be perfect if you didn't lose your minds sometimes—that last bit was definitely aimed at Aitor. And she's right, not that I'm agreeing with her. But when you know someone well enough and someone else points out something you already knew... it's hard to deny it.
—As if your opinion matters...
—My opinion always matters —she steps closer to him until they're face to face, like they're about to kiss—. Haven't you realized that yet, darling?
—You think I'm one of your puppets? —The seconds drag like hours.
These two just glare at each other with pure rage. I've never understood why Aitor can't stand her. 'Was it because of Lucia or what?' Besides that, they used to get along... or at least it seemed like it. I was about to say something when Ibagon offers him a tight-lipped smile and turns around, walking toward the elevator.
—You coming? Or would you rather miss out on the fun? —I can feel the twins' eyes on me, waiting for my answer. I roll my eyes and follow her.
We take the elevator. The small space is tense, and the stupid background music makes it worse. 'Why play the typical on-hold melody like when you call a company and they take hours to help you?' Not that Ibagon seems to mind it one bit. The sound of the doors opening feels like freedom for my ears. We all head into the main room.
—Feel free to eat and drink whatever you want.
Aitor immediately grabs a bottle of vodka. Aida and I sit on one of the sofas while Nefertary walks to a wardrobe at the back of the room. She pulls out two suits like the ones forensic teams wear when dealing with crime scenes or bagging evidence, though their texture reminds me more of the ones in Money Heist. She hands one to Mendes, who gives her a look that screams, "what the hell is this?"
—Are you familiar with flogging, Aitor? —she asks in a playful tone.
—A well-known method of corporal punishment —he answers casually.
—Exactly. So I need someone on the whip. Wear that so you don't get messy.
—But it's white —Aida cuts in—. The blood will be too obvious.
—If you don't want them to see you bleed, wear red or black. But if you want your opponent to see their blood on you...
—Then white is the best choice —she smiles at Aitor with satisfaction.
—Especially when the blood you'll be seeing is your own son's.
I figured as much. Sometimes her actions are so predictable. But 'is it because she wants them to be? Or does she actually trust us?' I haven't figured that part out yet.
—Where am I supposed to change?
—One of my men will take you to a room once we're done here. The game starts in half an hour, so don't take too long —he grabs his vodka bottle and walks out without looking back, leaving us alone.
—Then Aida and I will take our leave —I announce.
—What's the rush?
—None. I just have no interest in watching someone die. It's completely meaningless to me.
—So you'd rather participate?
—No —she bursts out laughing like I just told the funniest joke ever.
—You're so adorable, Michael —her smug smile sparks my anger.
—Let's go, Aida —I say, standing up.
—Mich… I actually want to stay —'Angry?' Of course. My best friend just decided to stay with her. Not that I blame her—Aida does enjoy watching others suffer. Watching it. Causing it. I can't be selfish about that.
—As you wish, then —just as I was about to open the door...
—Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"
I just want to live while I'm alive
It's my life
She finishes reciting. I freeze—completely still—as if I've just heard something I've spent years burying, something that still haunts and devours me as if it were the first time.
—Are you really sure about this? —she had asked me for the fifth time that day.
—Aida, it's going to be the same.
—Messing around and killing are two very different things —Aitor chimed in calmly.
—It's just to scare my stupid sister, not to kill her. Did you take care of the nanny, Aitor?
—Of course, that sleeping pill's already kicking in.
—Did she see you? —his sister asked.
—Nope. I was like a flea —he said proudly, baring his tiny teeth, missing one of his fangs.
—Now it's your turn, Aida. Trick her like you always do —with a big playful grin, she ran off toward the house.
About eleven minutes later, I could already see Cansú's brown curls in the distance, smiling at me. The moment she came into this world, I stopped being the center of my parents' attention. So I was going to take it back. That little girl wasn't going to steal that from me.
We were all already on the small hill our mother always told us to stay away from, saying we might fall into the lake or have an accident.
—Wanna play with me, Cansú? —she hesitated, glancing around—. Nothing's going to happen. And if it does, I'll protect you. Okay? —she nodded.
—You have to close your eyes and open them only when Michael finishes singing, okay? —for being two, she's not that dumb... since she listens to Aida.
—I'll guide you. Just don't open your eyes or you'll lose.
Aitor grabs her arm and leads her to the edge while I start singing the lyrics to It's My Life by Bon Jovi. I stand behind her, ready to say the final word. It takes just seconds to come out of my mouth. My hands move in milliseconds—a small but strong push that sends her over the cliff, straight into the lake. I watch her struggle to stay afloat. The little drowned screams... they're hers. 'Now I'll finally have my parents back.'
—Should we help her? —he smiles when we can't see her anymore. We should be scared. We should be... but instead, we're like kids watching cartoons.
—No. Bad kids don't deserve help.
The Mendes kids went back home, just as we'd planned. They'd be ready when their parents returned from their trip. They were never with me that day. I was thankful we lived next door and that each of our mansions had such thick, private vegetation—just like my parents always said.
The rest was up to me. I went back home and headed to the living room, where the nanny was passed out on the couch where she always had her tea. I took the cup, dumped the rest into the sink, washed it, and poured a fresh one. She always made a bit extra just in case she felt like having more. Silly old woman. Then I started crying, calling out to her—but she wouldn't wake up because of the pill. I kept at it for an hour and a half until my parents got home. "
At four years old, we knew we weren't normal. That we were different. We never said anything. It was our secret. And Cansú's death was chalked up to the nanny's negligence. We weren't even suspects. Especially when luck was on our side—a robbery happened just a few hours later.
—Wh-where… where did you hear that?! —I barely manage to speak as I turn around to face Nefertary.
—Does it even matter?
—You know... everything? —I ask, completely overwhelmed. Furious, because that was supposed to be a fucking secret.
—I told you my patience has limits, Mich.
—How do you know? —her face lights up with a cynical smile.
—What would your parents think if they found out? What if someone just gave them the benefit of the doubt… just one chance...
That's all it takes for me to snap. I walk up to her and wrap my hands around her neck. She keeps laughing like a lunatic.
—Michael, stop —Aida begs, trying to pull me off her as I squeeze tighter—. Please, Mich.
—Please, Mich —she repeats Mendes's words with difficulty, still laughing—. Your "friend" is such a hypocrite!
I let go of her reluctantly, but her last words hit me. My gaze shifts to Aida. Could she really do this to me? Throw away years of friendship?
—Lorenz, I...
—I...? —I repeat. My voice doesn't even try to hide my rage—. What, Aida? —I walk up to her, closing the distance. She steps back until she hits the wall, giving me the perfect chance to corner her.
—I didn't have a choice —her voice trembles, and her eyes fill with tears.
—You didn't have a choice? —I grab her hair hard. She winces but looks away—. Was it your secret or Aitor's life?
—Of course, and to cover up the stupid mistakes that idiot made, you had to speak.
—Michael, please —her pathetic plea only makes me grip her harder.
—If she told me just to save her brother —Nefertary says as she slowly walks toward me— imagine how easy it would be for your enemies. Your world would fall apart.
—Don't listen to her, Mich.
—Mich, if she talked now, what makes you think she won't do it again? And if... if next time she ends up talking to the wrong people... —I feel her hands on my back, her breath brushing against my ear—. Who's going to save you?
'Who's going to save me? Who even could? Who?' Only I can save myself. Only I can keep living life the way I always have. 'They're just collateral damage, right?' There's always some. I can feel something waking up inside me—that same thing I felt when I watched Cansú drown in the lake. That beast that...
—Michael, please.
Mendes pulls me out of my thoughts, but the fury is already burning. My hands move on their own, smashing her head against the wall, over and over, until crimson liquid stains the concrete. I hear the door creak open, but I don't care. Not until I stop—until I get tired and let her go. Her body crumples to the ground, her half-open eyes staring blankly. I take a few steps back, gasping for breath, as someone brushes past me to check her pulse. Osoclu locks eyes with me.
—Her pulse is weak —he says as he stands.
—What are you going to do, Lorenz? Let her live... or finish it?
Ibagon offers me a dagger. I just stare at it for a few seconds, trying to process what I've done, until my trembling hand takes it without thinking. I kneel beside her. I take a deep breath and, without another thought, draw the blade across her throat. Blood spills over her pale skin, and her final breaths drown within her. I stand. My mind is blank. My body should be tense, but all I feel is relief. Though I notice... my cheeks are wet. Am I... am I crying?
—What about Aitor? —this time it's Demir who speaks—. Is it him or you?
—Do I even have a choice? —I say, eyes fixed on Aida's body. I wipe away the tears, then turn toward Nefertary—. Where is he?
—Room "R" —her voice is colder than I've ever heard it before.
I start laughing like a maniac, the way Ibagon used to. Gotta find the humor in life, right? Why not mock myself? I've spent years holding back, and now I get to taste freedom. Why did I ever hold myself in check? What was the point? In the end, the bitch standing in front of me is freer than I've ever been. I stop laughing and just stare at her, getting lost in those eyes—somewhere between gray and blue, just as cold as winter. 'Thank you... thank you for saving me. I didn't know I needed it until now.'
—So... what are we doing here?