Chapter One-hundred Thirty-Six: Viva Los Campos Part Seven

Chapter 136

Viva Los Campos Part Seven

Ivy entered the “Queen Cleo” Villa. She wore a short black cheongsam, high-heeled sandals, cat-eyed sunglasses, black opera gloves, and a feather boa. A young white butler led her, Yoshi, and Blair into a foyer that had painted paneling and wainscot, upholstered walls, highly detailed and decorative ceilings highlighted with gold leaf and supported by classical columns, hardwood flooring with an ornate design, chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, and potted palm tree plants on each side.

Yoshi’s eyes were wide as saucers as he had never been accustomed to such elegance.

They walked past the dining room, which featured an ivy mural, a ten-person table, fine silverware, glasses with napkins folded to resemble roses, and a grand crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling.

The butler led them through the living room with painted paneled walls and a tray ceiling. It also had a grand piano, antique armchairs, a sofa, a glass table, and large windows overlooking the city.

The private deck had terracotta tiles, a fire pit, several lounge chairs, a pool, a hot tub, a personal bar, and a glass railing overlooking the city.

Ivy’s bedroom had a queen-size canopy bed with green drapes, ornate carvings, a green bedspread, and ivy green Egyptian cotton sheets. There were two antique nightstands with lamps that had green lampshades, an antique vanity, and a huge walk-in closet. A personal bathroom with pink marble flooring and a ceiling, a jacuzzi, and a glass walk-in shower with a drop-in tub was connected to the room. There were separate sinks, a toilet, a bidet, and a personal vanity.

Yoshi and Blair shared a room with gray-striped walls, gray carpets, two twin beds, and a personal bathroom with a sink, shower, and toilet.

Yoshi: “WOW, BLAIR! LOOK AT THIS ROOM! We get to be roomies!”

He grinned. Blair forced a smile.

~

The Gold Arachnid Casino was the casino attached to King Spire’s Palace. The entryway was a vast archway adorned with polished marble, gleaming glass, and ornate metals, reflecting light. Upon entering, there was a gold fountain with a sculpture of a nude black man with his arms up in the center of a fountain with meticulously maintained foliage.

The casino was an ample, airy space with wide aisles and large gaming areas that created a sense of splendor and freedom. There were roulette tables, poker tables, and slot machines. Gold, flashing lights arced across the ceiling, gold glitter between the arcs, and a glittering drum light in the center with crystals and golden spiders. The flooring had a carpet with black, gold, and green accents and large golden spider designs.

There was a bar with a black marble countertop, gold upholstered barstools, paintings of nude black men behind the bar, and sculptures of the same man. Adjacent to the bar were golden stairs with ornate balustrades leading to the VIP rooms.

Ivy stepped through wearing a dark green cheongsam with gold trim, a gold peacock embroidered on the front, a gold armlet on her arm resembling a peacock, green lotus drop earrings, and black high-heeled sandals. She had a white boa draped over her shoulders and carried a face with a peacock and fur on the trim. Her hair was done in a bun with a gold hairpin and a dangling peacock.

Blair followed, dressed in a powder blue tuxedo, blue cumberbund, a powder blue shirt with ruffles in the center, a blue bow tie, powder blue tuxedo shoes, and a powder blue top hat. Yoshi followed wearing a bright orange tuxedo, orange cumberbund, an orange shirt with ruffles in the center, an orange bow tie, orange tuxedo shoes, and an orange top hat.

Yoshi: “Uh-oh, look out ladies, here come the sexiest studs!”

He winked at Blair.

Jordi and Gina came through. Jordi wore an ivory Italian-cut suit, a light purple pressed shirt, a dark purple tie, and white Oxfords. Gina wore a dark purple evening gown with a wide keyhole neckline accentuating her large breasts, a slit going up the left side, a gold choker with a large purple gem in the center, black opera gloves, a diamond bracelet, teardrop gold earrings, and black strappy sandal heels.

Their arms were interlocked as they strolled through the casino. Gina leaned on Jordi’s shoulder. Blair glared at the two and marched toward them.

Blair: “Jordi! Is that you?”

He asked sharply. Jordi turned to face Blair.

Jordi: “Yes?”

Blair: “You owe the Donati family a few hundred dollars for the food you stole from us!”

He snapped. Jordi blinked. Gina looked up at him.

Jordi: “I never stole food. I would recall if I did.”

He said slowly. Blair growled at him.

Blair: “LIAR! When you came to my grandmother selling your stupid seeds from that rip-off company, you told her you were hungry! She cooked food for you, and you stole it!”

He snapped. Jordi reddened with humiliation and hated that Blair screamed this loud enough for everyone to hear.

Jordi: “...I’m sorry! I was hungry! My grandmother just left, and my grandfather was a chaotic mess!”

He whispered hoarsely. Blair rolled his eyes.

Blair: “SO?! There are food banks for bums! You didn’t have to sell your sob story to my grandmother about being starving!”

He barked and folded his arms across his chest.

Jordi shook his head.

Jordi: “That was… six years ago or more?! WHY are you harping on this and bringing it up?! She did something kind for me! Not many EVER do anything kind for me!”

He fired back.

Blair: “Because you didn’t deserve it, thief!”

He spat.

Jordi felt his fury soar. He recalled that time of his life when it was hard for him, and he had to rummage through trash cans at school and around restaurants to eat. He took a part-time job selling seeds door-to-door and told Concetta and Demetrio Donati of his plight. Concetta cooked food for him and his grandfather, which he never forgot.

Jordi: “Your grandparents helped me… I didn’t steal anything from them. I’m sorry my difficult time inconvenienced you, Blair!”

He hissed through clenched teeth.

Blair: “You still are an inconvenience! Get out of my sight! Your grandmother left because she was sick of looking at you!”

Jordi’s eyes blazed with fury. He quickly delivered a left hook to Blair’s jaw, sending him crashing to the floor and his tophat flying. Blair looked at him with burning tears in his eyes.

Jordi: “And I am sick of looking at you! Most are! Read the room!”

He nodded to Ivy, who was looking for Tristan, and marched away.

Jordi and Gina approached the bar. He pulled out a chair for her. She thanked him and sat down, and he sat with her.

Jordi: “Purple dragon martini, please. And for the lady?”

He smiled at Gina.

Gina: “A Tinkerbell.”

The bartender nodded and started making their cocktails. He poured ¾ oz of lemon juice, 1 ½ oz of white rum, ½ oz of crème de violette, and 1 oz of peach liqueur into a cocktail shaker, shook it vigorously, and poured it through a strainer into a cocktail glass adorned with a purple edible flower. He handed it to Gina. Gina’s eyes lit up, and she took a sip.

The bartender then poured 3oz of vodka, 1½ oz of cranberry juice, ½ oz of blue curacao, and ½ oz of sweet and sour mix into a cocktail shaker and shook it vigorously for a few seconds. He poured it into a chilled martini glass and topped it off with lemon-lime soda. He slid it to Jordi, who thanked him and paid him. Jordi sipped his drink. He cleared his throat, withdrew his package of cigarettes, took one out, and then lit it up with his lighter. He offered one to Gina. She shook her head.

Gina: “Jordi? Why did Blair say you stole from his grandparents?”

She asked softly. Jordi paused.

Jordi: “...I was selling seeds, and Concetta made something for the kitchen. It smelled good. I said I was hungry.”

He shifted in his seat.

Jordi: “I haven't eaten properly since my grandmother left Grandpa and me.”

He hung his head.

Jordi: “I dumpster dived and ate from the trash. My grandfather was a wreck. I was a teenager and had no way of working to earn enough to buy food.”

He explained and rubbed the back of his neck. Gina knit her eyebrows.

Jordi: “Concetta cooked Grandpa and me a ton of food. I never forgot that. It was always me looking out for others.”

He drew a long breath.

Jordi: “I think this was a case of ‘the healer needs healing.’ ”

He concluded. Gina took his hand. Jordi grasped her hand.

Gina: “I never knew it was that bad, Jordi… I’m sorry…”

She said softly. Jordi smiled.

Gina: “You should ask for help when you need, hon.”

She said to him, locking her gaze on him. Jordi looked away and sighed. Easier said than done, he thought as he sipped his drink.

Gina: “I would have helped you… You know Daddy has lots of money.”

Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Well, that’s water under the bridge now.”

He said wryly as he raised his glass.

~

Celeste and Jaxon strode through the entryway. Celeste wore a long green sequin evening gown with a plunging neckline, spaghetti straps, and a slit going up the right side of the dress. Additionally, she wore gold strappy heels, dangling purple gem earrings, and a gold armlet, and her hair was styled in a half bun. Jaxon wore a black suit jacket, black pants, a red silk button-up shirt with gold dragons and the buttons undone to expose his dragon chest tattoo, sunglasses resting on his head, and black loafers.

Tristan and Deimos followed. Tristan wore a double-breasted black Italian-cut suit, a light blue pressed shirt, a dark blue tie, and black Oxfords. His hair was in a low, soft braid. Deimos wore a black suit jacket, black pants, a purple silk shirt with the buttons undone to expose his platinum chain, and cowboy boots. His hair was tied back into a low ponytail.

Jaxon: “What do you want to do, babe? Go on the slot machines or play some Texas Hold ‘Em?”

He asked her and draped his arm around her.

Celeste: “Neither. I came for the food and Percy told us to meet him here and get dressed to the nines or some bullshit.”

She drawled. Jaxon smiled at her and kissed her.

Tristan: “None of us are gamblers. We still haven’t found Trevor or Dieuseul.”

Deimos: “I’d just bail, but he comes in handy when you and Jaxon are kidnapped.”

He nodded.

Celeste: “It happens a lot!”

Jaxon pouted.

Jaxon: “Don’t remind me, babe!”

He whined.

Deimos: “Well, I booked a massage for Tristan.”

He smiled up at him.

Celeste: “You’re going to let a masseuse massage him?”

She tilted her head. Deimos vigorously shook his head.

Deimos: “Fuck no! I will be giving him a massage from head to toe! I will treat him like the prince he is at the spa!”

He said doggedly. Celeste glanced at Jaxon and smiled at him.

Celeste: “I shall follow suit. I will give him a full massage and a deep foot massage!”

She wrapped her arms around Jaxon. He shivered.

Celeste: “Let’s get our boys in the spa and pamper them like the princes they are.”

She began.

Celeste: “We’ll get them in the Roman baths with some tea and massage their shoulders and feet.”

Deimos: “Isn’t there a separate area for women and men?”

He asked.

Celeste: “Like I give a shit! Anyone who doesn’t like me in there can kiss my ass.”

She huffed.

Jaxon: “Well, Tristan and I get the final say, and she stays. If others don’t like it, off with their heads.”

He laughed.

Tristan: “In this spa, there is a tea lounge. Perhaps you could bring up a cup of tea, Deimos?”

He grinned.

Jaxon: “Tea is fine.”

Ivy approached them and laughed.

Ivy: “Of course, Celeste is always so crude and crass! I wouldn’t expect less from Miss Snack Thief!”

She held her fan up to her face.

Celeste: “Well, in a few minutes, you’re gonna cry. I asked my magic eight ball.”

She said dryly.

Ivy: “Yes, leave it to a simpleton like you to refer to a toy.”

Jaxon: “Why don’t you get bent, Poison Ivy? There is nothing wrong with her, but you? Annoying!”

He huffed.

Ivy: “Jiro, don’t you have better ways to waste your time than to simp for her?”

She rolled her eyes. Jaxon glared at her.

Jaxon: “Funny you say that. You’re doing that for a man who hates you, and you came here for him.”

He countered, his tone as sharp as hers.

Tristan: “I know what you’re doing here, Ivy. You saw this on a Hallmark movie and figured if you show your face, I will fall in love with you, right?”

He asked scathingly. Ivy’s eyes lit up. He figured it out, she thought.

Ivy: “Maybe?”

She said, feigning innocence. Deimos rolled his eyes. Tristan clicked his tongue.

Tristan: “No, not happening. I can barely stand the sight of you. What you did to Chelsea was pure rotten and pure evil! What happened to her was preventable if you hadn’t intervened with your idiocy!”

He snapped at her. Ivy walked backwards, putting her fan on her face as tears filled her eyes.

Tristan: “You and I are DONE! We’re OVER! It’s all over! Life is not a Hallmark movie, Ivy! There are consequences! There aren’t always happy endings, and you won’t always get what you want! May as well deal with it!”

He hissed at her as he walked toward her. Ivy fell on her ass.

Tristan: “You caused the death of a good friend of mine. I will never forgive you for that. I hate you.”

He spat. Ivy’s bottom lip trembled, and she broke down crying.

Celeste: “Told ya so.”

She said dryly.

Tristan: “We’re done here. Enjoy your life, Ivy.”

He said as he marched away with Deimos. Celeste and Jaxon followed. Ivy reached out, wailing for Tristan.

Ivy: “TRISTAN! NO! NOOOOOOOO!!!”

She bawled into her hands as the man she loved with her heart and soul walked away from her.

Ivy: “How could this happen?! It worked in ‘Los Campos Love’!”

She cried. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Blair with his punched-in face and crinkled-up tophat.

Blair: “What’s wrong, Ivy? Did those beatnik jerks bully you again?”

He knit his eyebrows. She gaped at him.

Blair: “What worked in Los Campos, love?”

Ivy: “It doesn’t matter anymore. This was a wasted trip!”

She cried. Blair pursed his lips.

Blair: “Those beatniks ruin EVERYTHING! They ruined our romantic getaway!”

He cried. Ivy wiped her eyes.

Ivy: “Let’s just go home.”

She whined.

Blair: “A-Anything for you, my sweet pea!”

He cooed at her. Ivy rose and threw her fan down.

Ivy: “Get the private jet ready.”

She huffed and stormed out.

~

Desiree stood in Minerva’s villa by her pool, where butlers were fanning Minerva. Desiree wore a black suit, white pressed shirt, black tie, and high-heeled dress boots. Alfie broke into a sweat as he nervously went through the work reports.

Minerva: “Nice to see you’re out of the infirmary, Desiree. You were of no use to me there. What are you doing here? Are you here to bring Jiro to me? Where is he?”

She asked flippantly. Desiree inhaled sharply.

Desiree: “I am here to cover for Jordi. His grandfather is in the hospital.”

She said coolly.

Minerva: “...And? Jordi is not going anywhere, and why does his grandfather being in the hospital concern me?”

She asked sharply. Desiree pursed her lips.

Desiree: “Jordi will want to be by his side, and I am here to cover for him.”

Minerva glared at her and sat up. She pointed her forefinger at him.

Minerva: “You will do no such thing. You work with him to get Jiro for me. And don’t tell him about that old man. He is here to do a job for me, and until I get Jiro, he is not to leave, and neither are you.”

She said acidly. Desiree drew a long breath.

Minerva: “Get Jordi on duty. This wasn’t a trip for pleasure but business. This villa doesn’t have Jiro, Desiree.”

She folded her arms.

Desiree: “Well, it has everything… I never saw such a place.”

She whistled and looked around. Minerva narrowed her eyes.

Minerva: “But not Jiro!”

She pounded on the armchair with each syllable. Desiree nodded.

Minerva: “Get Jordi on duty and get Jiro for me.”

She ordered.

Desiree: “Will do, Ma’am.”

She said tersely and left.

~

Dieuseul was on the upper floor, overlooking his casino from his balcony with his men. His gaze was locked on someone, and he smirked.

Dieuseul: “Percy got good taste.”

He muttered and curved his mouth into a lustful smile.

Dieuseul: “Damn, that is one fine boy.”

He muttered.

~

Jordi was at the bar with Gina. Desiree walked to them and waved.

Desiree: “Hey, Jordi!”

She yelled. Jordi turned around, and he brightened when he saw Desiree. He rose from his seat and rushed to hug her.

Desiree: “Whoa, there, boy!”

She laughed awkwardly and hugged him back. Jordi felt good about seeing his friend, but was uneasy about something he couldn’t explain. Gina folded her arms and pouted.

Gina: “Excuse me?! He’s taken!”

She snapped and wrenched Jordi from Desiree. Desiree put her hands up.

Desiree: “Look, lady, I don’t play for that team! I ain’t into men!”

She said doggedly.

Gina: “I saw how you were looking at him!”

She snapped. Desiree rolled her eyes. Jordi shifted his eyes.

Jordi: “Gina, Desiree isn’t into men… much like Savina.”

He said firmly but gently. Gina pouted.

Gina: “Don’t talk about my sister! She’s mean! She hurt my feelings!”

She stomped her feet.

Desiree: “I’m sure a lot of people do.”

She muttered.

Jordi: “Desiree, is something wrong? You look like something is bothering you.”

He knit his eyebrows. She forced a smile.

Desiree: “You have to get on duty. We have to find Jaxon for the Queen of Hearts.”

She said dryly. Jordi twisted his mouth and nodded.

Jordi: “I will do that, but you can talk to me if something bothers you. We can talk privately if you want.”

He reassured her.

Gina: “No, Jordi! She will want to sleep with you!”

She whined. Jordi rolled his eyes.

Desiree: “Listen, girly, I don’t wanna sleep with him. I ain’t into men.”

She rolled her eyes. Jordi drew a long breath and rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “She’s not into men, Gina. Please stop this.”

He said firmly. Gina’s bottom lip trembled, and she broke down crying. Jordi drew a long breath and hung his head.

Desiree: “You got yourself quite the crybaby, Jordi.”

She laughed a bit. Jordi glared at Desiree.

~

While Jordi and Gina left Desiree for him to change into his work clothes, Desiree spotted Jaxon walking toward the buffet. She smirked tightly. She marched up to him, subtly stuck something in his neck. Jaxon froze and felt himself drift off. Desiree grabbed him and hoisted him over her shoulder. Easy as pie, she thought as she carried him out of the casino. Dieuseul gazed at them as she left. Dieuseal left the balcony and descended the stairs.

~

Desiree carried Jaxon into Minerva’s bedroom, which had a king-size canopy bed with posts decorated with ornate carvings, blue curtains, and antique nightstands on each side of the bed. There was also an antique vanity. Minerva marveled at him.

Minerva: “Desiree, you got Jiro on your first day back. With Jordi, I had to wait days.”

Desiree: “Look, Jordi’s grandfather is not well.”

She said firmly. Minerva waved her hand.

Minerva: “I couldn’t care less, Desiree. He will be punished when I get my hands on him.”

She smirked tightly as she loomed over him.

Minerva: “You’re excused, Desiree.”

She said, tersely nodding to the door. Desiree nodded and promptly left.

~

Celeste was frantically looking for Jaxon around the casino. She knit her eyebrows. He was going to get some food for me, and he’s not here, she mused. She bumped into someone.

Celeste: “Jaxon?!”

She raised her head to see Jordi standing before her, wearing his black suit, white pressed shirt, black tie, and black zip-up boots.

Jordi: “Oh, hello again!”

He smiled. She looked up at him with worry in her eyes. Jordi noted this.

Celeste: “Have you seen Jaxon?”

His smile faded, and he looked away.

Celeste: “Jordi, is your boss here? Did you take him to your boss?”

Jordi vigorously shook his head.

Jordi: “NO! I didn’t take him to her! I know she wants him, but I never intended to take him to her!”

He said fiercely. Celeste bowed her head. Jordi sighed. So he goes missing when Desiree shows up, he thought.

Gina marched up to Jordi and took his arm.

Gina: “Excuse me?! He’s taken!”

She spat.

Celeste: “I am looking for my boyfriend! I am not interested in yours, and Jordi is a friend!”

She fired back.

Jordi: “Gina, would you please return to our room?”

He said gently. Gina’s bottom lip trembled.

Gina: “Why?!”

She whined.

Jordi: “Because I am working right now!”

He said with a trace of an edge.

Tristan and Deimos showed up.

Deimos: “Oh, it’s Jordi and his crybaby girlfriend.”

He said dryly. Jordi sighed. Gina pouted.

Tristan: “Have either of you seen Jaxon? Celeste is worried about him.”

He nodded. Jordi flicked his gaze to the group.

Jordi: “I think I have an idea.”

He said firmly. Tristan raised an eyebrow.

~

Jaxon’s eyes fluttered. Where am I? He wondered. A red glow surrounded him as he healed himself. He grunted and opened his eyes to find himself bound to a bed. It was a queen-sized bed with a plush headboard and footboard. His hands were tied behind his back and secured to the headboard, and his ankles were tied and resting on the footboard with his shoes and socks removed. Oh God, not this again, he thought and winced.

He gasped when Minerva strolled into the room. She wore sheer black lingerie with a garter belt holding up her stockings and heels. She wore a dark blue silk robe with fluffy blue trim over her shoulders. Minerva smirked at him.

Minerva: “Hello, Jiro. Do you like this villa?”

She spread her arms out. Jaxon struggled against his bonds and bared his teeth at her.

Jaxon: “NO! I don’t like it, and I don’t like you! Let me go!”

He screamed and struggled against his bonds. Minerva folded her arms and threw her head back to give a bitter laugh.

Minerva: “I agree; this villa is lacking, but you complete it, Jiro!”

She chuckled. Jaxon panted and glared at her with fire in his eyes.

Jaxon: “I am NOT working for you, lady! I told you that! My mind is made up!”

He hissed and thrashed around.

Minerva clicked her tongue and gently pressed her forefingers against her forehead as she shook her head.

Minerva: “Yes, Jiro, I knew you would resist.”

She sighed.

Minerva: “But fret not, I have ways to change your mind.”

She said loftily as she held up a wand with a long feather attached and waved it around. The color drained from Jaxon’s face, and he gasped.

Jaxon: “N-No… NO!”

He screamed and arched his back.

She smirked and brushed the feather across his soles. Jaxon erupted into laughter.

Jaxon: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAHAHAHAAA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!! FUHUHUHUCK OHOHOHOFF, LAHAHAHAHAHADY!!”

He howled with laughter and threw his head back, laughing hard.

Jaxon: “AHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! STAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He laughed hard as tears welled in his brown eyes. He whipped his long mane from side to side as he laughed hard.

Minerva laughed, loving his reaction. She held his toes back and brushed the feather over his soles. Jaxon screamed with laughter.

Jaxon: “NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOOHOHOHOHO!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!”’

He laughed between short, ragged breaths.

Minvera stopped, and Jaxon panted. He leaned over, panting and gasping for air.

Minerva: “I could do more…”

She purred and started undoing his belt. Jaxon’s heart thundered in his chest. Where is Celeste?! She has to save me, he thought.

Jaxon: “NO, LADY! NOT THERE!”

He screamed.

The door opened, and a butler entered. Minerva swung her gaze to him, glaring at him.

Minerva: “Excuse me? I specifically requested not to be disturbed!”

She spat. The butler cleared his throat.

Butler: “I had to make an exception, ma’am.”

He stammered. Minerva raised an eyebrow. He stepped aside, and Dieuseul strode in. Jaxon raised his head to look at Dieuseul slowly. His heart thundered in his chest. Dieuseul locked his gaze on Jaxon and smiled.

Minerva: “What do you want?”

She asked flippantly.

Dieuseul: “I want… him.’

He pointed to Jaxon, who knit his eyebrows and thrashed against his bonds. Please, Celeste, save me, he thought.

Minerva: “He’s mine.”

She said coolly. Dieuseul glared at her, his amber eyes burning like coals.

Dieuseul: “Listen, lady, you don’t have a say. I own this hotel; my men could come here any second and bust you up. We could do this the hard way or the easy way.”

He said icily to her. Minerva glared at him and bared her teeth.

One of Dieuseul’s men in suits entered to untie Jaxon and return his socks and shoes. Dieuseul put his hands on Jaxon and held him close.

Dieuseul: “Good choice.”

He chuckled and looked down at Jaxon. He then took Jaxon in his arms, leading him out of the villa. Celeste, where are you? Jaxon wondered as his fear accumulated. Minerva angrily threw her feather wand down.

~

A few minutes later, Jordi entered the villa with Celeste bolting ahead. She went out to the pool area where Minerva was lounging and pouting. Alfie gulped when he saw Celeste. Celeste marched up to her.

Celeste: ‘Where do you got Jaxon hidden?!”

She spat.

Minerva: “Oh, it’s you. Jiro was taken from me by the ‘King of Diamonds.’ ”

She said dryly.

Minerva’s eyes widened when lifted, and she screamed when thrown in the pool. Alfie shrieked and grabbed a lifesaver. Minerva splashed around.

Minerva: ‘ARGH! DAMN YOU!’

She growled.

Alfie: ‘I am coming, Minerva, darling!”

Celeste kicked Alfie into the pool.

Alfie: “EEEEEEEE!!!”

He crashed onto Minerva. She shoved him off. Jordi, Tristan, and Deimos joined Celeste.

Tristan: “We inspected this place. He’s not here.”

Celeste: “She said some ‘King of Diamonds’ took him! I have no time for this cryptic bullshit when Jaxon is in danger!”

She stomped her feet.

Minerva crawled out of the pool, and Celeste shoved her back in.

Tristan: “Not really, Celeste! She means Dieuseul took him!”

Minerva: “It’s not hard to figure out, you simple-minded fool!”

She spat. Celeste grabbed Minerva’s drink and dumped it on her head. Jordi turned around and snickered. Minerva stood there, seething.

Desiree ran in.

Desiree: “What the fuck is this?!”

She snapped. Celeste braced her legs apart.

Celeste: “YOU!”

She growled.

Minerva: “Pack your bags! We’re all leaving! If Ichiro wants to pursue his foolish revenge on this Percy, so be it! He can find his way back home!”

She snapped as she started to get out of the pool. Celeste shoved her back in.

Minerva: “DAMN YOU!”

She splashed around.

Desiree: “Well, uh, can I tell Jordi his grandfather is in the hospital now?”

Jordi turned to her, gaping at her owlishly.

Jordi: “WHAT?!”

Desiree: “Oh, your grandfather is in the hospital, and some chick named Ashley found him. I came to cover for ya, but Minerva told me not to tell until we got Jaxon.”

She explained. Tristan clicked his tongue. Jordi’s bottom lip trembled, and his face of grief and worry turned into an angry face.

Jordi: “YOU kept that from me because Minerva told you to?!”

He snapped at her. Desiree put her hands up.

Desiree: “Whoa, whoa, chill, Jordi!”

Tristan: “Right, when he’s told his grandfather is in the hospital, he should ‘chill.’ ”

He said dryly.

Jordi: “...You chose doing her deeds over helping me?! After I tried to help you COUNTLESS TIMES!”

He barked at her. Desiree put her hands up.

Desiree: “Nothing personal, Jordi. It’s work.”

Jordi nodded and sneered at her.

In a flash, he shoved her into the pool. Tristan smiled and nodded in approval.

Desiree: “JORDI! WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM?!”

She rasped.

Jordi: “It’s nothing personal.”

He stormed out. Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos followed him.

~

They stood outside her villa. Tristan consoled Jordi.

Tristan: “Do you want to be by your grandfather’s side, Jordi?”

He rubbed his temples.

Jordi: “He’s in the hospital. He’s in excellent care, and I will thank Ashley properly when I return home… Right now, you guys need my help in getting Jaxon back.”

He nodded.

Tristan: “We would understand if you had to leave.”

He reiterated. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “I wonder how he got there and why I wasn’t notified sooner…”

He cupped his mouth.

Jordi: “I want to help you guys. It’s the least I could do. Minerva and her cronies can leave without me. I don’t… want to be around them right now.”

He said with strain.

Celeste: “I don’t blame ya.”

She huffed.

Deimos: “Do you know where Dieuseul’s hideout is?”

He asked Jordi. He shook his head.

Jordi: “No. I was kept out of the loop. Ichiro would know.”

Celeste knit her eyebrows. Tristan put his hand on her shoulder.

Tristan: “We’ll find him, Celeste.”

Deimos: “And Trevor. I hate to say this, but I want to go home.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Celeste: “Okay, I have to change into something more practical. Kicking ass in an evening gown is something that happens in video games!”

She nodded and they left.