Three days since I've arrived at Florencio's house.

To not overstep my boundaries, I've fallen asleep on the couch, ended up in his bed in the morning each time.

I tried to accept it and pressed myself to him, basking in his body heat.

He suddenly got up, leaving me alone. I scooted to one side of the bed, and curled into a ball.

I watched as he stretched. My eyes roamed over his body. I couldn't help but flush. Hard, lean, and tall.

I looked at the clock. Eleven am.

My eyes shut when he turned around.

I felt the bed dip. He gently tugged on my hair. "I know you're awake."

Embarrassed, I opened my eyes but continued to look down. "Where are you going?" I asked quietly.

"I have to meet Sam." Florencio had a piece of my hair wrapped around his finger. I knew he wasn't going to tell me more.

"Okay," I mumbled. Florencio dressed fast and was gone.

He was very attentive towards me these past few days. He asked if I was thirsty or hungry constantly, if I was bored. I tried to forget what he did when he wasn't taking care of me.

I felt like a baby. My eyes started to ache and I blinked hard to get rid of the feeling.

Mom still hadn't texted or called me. Gina did text though, asking where I was. It was pathetic she was using Gina to communicate.

I sat up and rubbed my tired eyes awake.

I wondered to the kitchen and ate yogurt. Florencio had eggs, cereal, even pancake mix but it was all unopened. I didn't want to invade his space and touch his things.

I almost fell asleep eating but my phone ringing woke me up. I pulled my phone out of my sweatpants pocket and answered it, not looking at the caller ID.

"Sweetie?"

I perked up at the voice. A smile I couldn't control spread on my face.

"Grandma," I practically sobbed. "Hi. I'm here." If you didn't reply quickly, she hung up. I needed her to know I was listening.

"Oh, Parker," she said softly. "Are you crying?"

Tears fell in my yogurt. I wiped my face, taking a deep breath. The tears stopped flowing.

"No. I just woke up so my voice is all weird," I lied. She needed to know I was okay–because I would be. I just needed more time.

"Your mom called. I know you're lying."

Damn.

"What'd she say?" I asked cautiously. The fear that my mom had messed up the story somehow built up inside me. What if I made her upset? Made her leave the house?

"She said you ran away with your boyfriend," she replied. "Boyfriend? You've never been with a boy."

I had to resist rolling my eyes. Was it that unbelievable I was... involved with someone.

"He's not—never mind." Not wasting time, I jumped right into the story. "Grandma, she was so mean to me," I said desperately. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I don't talk to her, get in her way, never ask questions." I stopped talking to catch my breath. "She's still so angry with me."

I learned from a young age I couldn't turn to my mom. She was simply just there.

Grandma sighed. "She hasn't changed at all, has she?" I heard some shuffling before her alarmed voice came through the speaker. "She hasn't touched you at all, right? If she has Parker, tell me right now."

I shook my head. Remembering she couldn't see me, I responded.

"I know you two are always on bad terms, but I didn't know it was this bad again..." I heard footsteps. "I'm at the airport. I booked a plane ticket after your mom called me the night you left."

Happiness exploded in me. "Are you here?" My voice was excited. "Mom is picking you up, yes?"

"She is. I think I see her car. She's going into work late today. When she leaves, I'll call you to come over. Got it?"

I nodded excitedly. "Yes. I can't wait to see you."

"I love you, Parker." Her voice filled me with an unfamiliar warmth.

"I love you too."

-

Florencio came back four hours later.

Two of those hours was me contemplating if I should touch his food. Almost everything in his fridge and pantry was unopened. Did all he eat was yogurt?

I made grilled chicken and a side of garlic pasta. I wasn't a cook and decided that I'd let him lie to me that the food was good.

He'd taken such good care of me and I wanted to do something nice. He wouldn't let me clean his room, bathroom, the dishes... I had no way to thank him. Saying the words didn't feel like enough. I needed to show him

I opened the front door eagerly and frowned. It was Sam.

He pinched my chin. "Hi, Cutie."

My arms crossed over my bra-less chest. "Oh, hi." I became uncomfortable.

"Don't worry," he said, pushing past me into the house. "Florencio is just talking to Max outside."

Max? Meeting him felt like years ago.

"You know who he is, right?" Sam asked.

I turned to look at him. "Yes." I wanted to hide. "I'm going to use the restroom." I jogged upstairs and slipped on a bra.

I've had Florencio all to myself and now that he had company, I was annoyed. Maybe I'll just stay in here. My fingers brushed through my tangled hair.

"Parker?" The door opened and Florencio was there.

I bit my lip. "Hi."

He closed the door and walked to me. "I see you've decided to eat something other than cereal and yogurt." His big hands caressed my arms. "Why aren't you eating?"

Being taken care of was foreign and even after four days, I still had trouble giving Florencio full control.

"I made it for you," I admitted shyly. Before he could say anything, I leaned up and kissed him.

His thumbs stroked my cheekbones. I hummed and gripped the front of his shirt. His teeth bit my bottom lip, tugging.

Needing to breathe, I pulled back and looked down.

Florencio pulled my face up by grabbing my chin.

"Sam is scarfing down the food you made." He laughed.

My nose scrunched up. "It was for you," I repeated. I thought about it for a second. "I didn't try it. Probably tastes bad."

"Never." He stared at me until my face heated up. "Thank you."

I nodded quickly. "I just wanted to do something nice."

"You don't have to do anything for me." He let go of me and sat down on the bed. "I'm sorry. I should've told you about Sam and Max."

I shrugged. "It's okay. I have to leave later anyways."

He looked at me. "You talked to your mom?"

I rolled on my feet. "No. My grandma is in town. She's here to fix... things." Grandma couldn't make everything better but maybe she could calm my mom down for the next few years.

"Come here, honey," Florencio instructed after a few minutes of silence. I walked until my legs pressed against his knees. His hands played with the ends of my shirt. "Do you feel any better?"

Yes. I liked his nurturing side.

I just nodded.

His hands dragged up the back of my thighs and excitement filled me.

Florencio could always tell when he made me flustered. He let out a breathy laugh.

I placed my hands on his shoulders and slipped my hands under the fabric of his sweatshirt.

He suddenly grabbed the back of my knee and pulled it on the bed. I had no choice but to put the other leg up, straddling him.

"Florencio." He stooped his movements.

I reached behind me and unclipped my bra, taking it off. His heated gaze stopped me from taking off my shirt. Being bold backfired on me.

Florencio noticed this and pulled me forward, kissing me. He kept it slow, staying with my inexperienced pace. His hands were hot as they went under my shirt. I loved it when he grabbed my hips and pulled me closer to him. My hips were pressed on his. I shifted to get comfortable and he groaned.

He slipped his tongue in my mouth. I shivered and moaned at the sensation. He swallowed all the noises I made. I jumped when he palmed my breast. I relaxed a few seconds later, focusing on the feeling he was giving me. The feeling pooled in my lower stomach. My bottom unintentionally moved against his.

"Fuck," Florencio said roughly.

I pulled back. "Did I do something wrong?" I was a melting mess on top of him and I would feel ashamed if he didn't feel the same.

"No," he answered. He grabbed my hips and pressed me down onto the hardness in his pants. I gasped. "You could never do anything wrong." He rocked up into me. My legs tightened around him. He was big under me. The feeling was addicting. I moved shamelessly, grinding myself on him.

Florencio stared at me the whole time. "You're beautiful. Just like that, honey," he encouraged me, meeting my messy movements.

His lips went to my jaw, neck, sucking harshly. He bit my sensitive skin, making me arch my back.

My body stuttered as the feeling between my legs became an unbearable throbbing ache.

"F-florencio," I whined. His teeth scraped down my neck and to my chest. His bit me through my shirt. It hurt but it was the kind of pain you begged for.

"Fucking perfect." He grabbed me roughly, forgetting to be gentle with me, and threw me down on the bed. He covered me in seconds. He forced my leg over one shoulder, grinding himself into my center.

My nails desperately scratched at his shoulders. I needed more of the euphoric feeling he gave me.

Florencio had barely pressed his lips to mine again when I heard someone whistle.

Florencio got off me in a flash and shoved a pillow to my chest. His face was red as he also threw the blanket on me.

"Sam," Florencio growled. He kissed my forehead before going out into the hallway. I heard him yell something in Spanish.

Sam laughed. "I'm sorry, on me. Go back in there and wrap her like a burrito."

Some more talking and a bunch of, I don't know what you're sayings, from Sam.

Florencio came back into the room shortly. I was still as he left me, covered by a blanket and pillow.

He pulled the things off me and I giggled.

"I didn't want anyone to see you," he admitted, not looking at me.

"Me either." I crawled over to him and kissed his cheek. Being affectionate with someone was different for me, and I prayed I was doing it right.

I got up before he could do anything and ran into the bathroom, grabbing my bra on the way there. When I came back out of the bathroom, Florencio wasn't there.

I left the room, went downstairs, and became suspicious when I didn't see anyone.

"Parker?"

I spun around, my heart about to jump out of my chest.

Familiar blue eyes met mine.

"Hi, Max," I greeted. "How are you?"

He got up from the couch. "I'm okay. I didn't have to come but I remembered that you and Florencio were... so I came."

I flushed. "Yeah."

He smiled. "I wanted to see you."

My eyebrows knitted together. "Oh. Thank you."

"How have you been?" His smile was contagious and I tried not to reflect it.

"I've been great," I lied. After a minute, I laughed awkwardly. "I'm sorry, I have no idea what to say."

"It's alright," he laughed. "Let's sit and talk?"

I nodded. "Sure."

We sat down on the couch. Max sat close to me. I scooted over and pulled my knees to my chest. I smiled brightly.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Why aren't you with them?"

He looked at my knees and back up to my eyes. "I'm just here to supervise, make sure Florencio isn't screwing us over, boss's orders." He shrugged. "He's never done that before though. I have trust in him he won't try now."

"In him?" I teased.

Max frowned slightly. "I do. In this business there's few people you can trust. Florencio is one of them. I know he won't take a bullet for me, I wouldn't for him, but we trust each other – thats enough."

"Oh." I shifted. "I never realized how serious this was."

His face turned cold. "Of all people you should know important this is."

My smile faded. A twisted feeling settled in me.

"I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into to. Why do you think Florencio keeps you on such a short leash? You tweak anything in his world, it's over. For both of you."

I gulped. "oh."

Max sighed. "I'm not trying to scare you, Parker. You just need to know that this isn't normal, our work."

"Y-you told me you were poor in college when you started doing this. Do the 'bosses' seek struggling people out?" Desperate for money and living, I would do anything.

Max's jaw ticked. "I'm an illegal immigrant."

I let out a soft breath

His eyes fell. "The college thing was a lie. David, my boss, he said he'd bring me over here and I'd have a good job too."

"How old were you?"

"Fifteen," he said gruffly.

"What about your family?"

"My mom is poor, dad was some no good tourist who knocked her up." He played with his fingers. "Older sister is a prostitute. The men she'd bring home were awful." He shook his head, like he was trying to get rid of the memories. "We do this because we need to. I'm doing this so my sister can stop being beaten by men who aren't shit."

My throat thick, I couldn't say anything.

"This is serious, Parker." He swallowed. "I'm sure Florencio feels the same way. Of course, there's the majority who are just assholes. Money hungry. You're lucky you didn't run into one of those."

I thought about Florencio's mother. I imagined a starving girl, stealing just so she could live another day.

"I hope it gets better," I said sincerely.

Max shrugged and got up. "I should go join them."

-

When Florencio, Sam, and Max were done talking, my grandma had texted, saying I could come over now. I checked the time on my phone. Eight pm.

We had a lot to talk about. Your mom ended up being late to work. - Grandma.

I texted her back, saying I'd be home close to ten.

Florencio found me on the couch.

"That took longer than expected," he apologized, sitting next to me.

I moved closer to him. "It's okay. My grandma just texted me. Can you drive me home?"

-

Florencio's POV

"I'm sorry, on me. Go back in there and wrap her like a burrito."

"She's a shy person!" I yelled in Spanish, ignoring his burrito comment. "Why would you just open the door and then fucking whistle? What are you five?"

Sam stared at me amused, the little shit.

"I have no idea what you just said," he laughed.

"I don't care! Maybe listen and you'll magically be able to translate it."

Sam looked at me uncertainly, a small smile on his face. "Sorry, could you repeat that?"

I wasn't too mad at Sam but I knew Parker was insecure when it came to anything intimate, even though I've made it clear I'll have her anyway, and I didn't need Sam walking in on us to make her ashamed of what we were doing.

I said one more thing, something that would make even Max flustered, who's first language was Spanish so he knew all the dirtiest slang, and went back into my bedroom.

Parker looked at me, under the blanket and pillow. Her eyes were light. I felt relived she wasn't embarrassed.

To my surprise, she kissed my cheek and ran into the bathroom.

I sat there for a second, waiting for her, but I remembered I needed to talk to Sam and Max about business.

I went downstairs and Sam followed. Max was sitting patiently on the couch. "Get up," I said. "Let's talk."

Max shrugged, looking up at me with big blue innocent eyes. The look left me distraught. I didn't know Max personally, but I almost asked him how he managed to look how he did. I couldn't remember the last time my eyes looked like his.

Max said in Spanish, "can I stay here and talk to Parker?"

I was so unfocused, it took a minute to understand what he said. The fog cleared and now I was irritated. He's only met Parker once. They're not friends. Merely acquaintances.

"Do whatever you want," I said bitterly. Max didn't even need to be here. I wouldn't dare screw over his boss, David, my best co in all this.

Me and Sam retrieved to a guest/office room downstairs.

"So is Parker swaddled?" Sam asked me seriously.

I picked up a lone pen on the desk and threw it at his face. The writing side hit his cheek, leaving a blue dot.

"Don't talk about her." I blew out a breath and sat down on the desk chair. She clouded my mind and I needed to focus on this.

"I mean she's right down the hall getting all cuddly with Max. She's up here," Sam defended, tapping his head

I rolled my eyes. "She wouldn't."

Sam's head cocked to the side. "I think she would. Max is more handsome. Probably nicer to, no?"

I bit my tongue to keep myself from cursing him out. I took a deep breath, calming down.

"He's desperate," I finally said. Then as an afterthought, "He won't ever get to where David is."

Sam grimaced. "Shit, the kid is right outside, Florencio."

"I'm only a year older," I bit out. "Also, I'm looking at this realistically. He can't leave the country, how could he ever do what David really needs him to do?"

Sam nodded, knowing it was true.

"Max can't even drive around safely, if he gets pulled over, he'll get deported." This conversation wasn't supposed to be about Max, but Sam put the thought in my head that he was... everything Parker wanted.

Sam dragged his finger along an empty bookshelf, wiped the dust on his pants. "David wouldn't help him?"

"You know he wouldn't," I retorted. "He's helped him so much already, if Max got deported, he'd probably be happy he's off his hands."

"I feel bad for him," Sam said quietly, sitting on the desk. "Don't you? He's nice, takes a lot of shit, you wouldn't even help him?"

I knew first hand the expenses of trying to bring an immigrant here legally. Maybe I was bitter, but if I couldn't do it for my mom, I didn't see the point in doing it for Max.

"No. I would have to bring him back here illegally. What if we got caught?" I rubbed my chin. "Then this all goes downhill. Simple solution though, don't get involved."

Sam shrugged. "I guess. Hey, what makes you so valuable? I'm the reason you're doing any of this and you're the more successful one."

"I'm American. I speak Spanish," I stated. It was obvious. I could travel out of the country, knew the language of our suppliers. It was a connection people looked for. Although I was American, they appreciated my Mexican heritage.

Sam sighed loudly. "Business here is bad for white guys, isn't it? All these people you're involved with—"

"Rudy is white," I mused. Also we lived in California, the Hispanic population here was huge, Sam was hanging with the wrong crowd if he wanted more money.

"He's not nearly as made up as you," Sam scoffed.

"I have your parents to thank," I said. I was extremely grateful for Sam's parents. They were successful in this world and had taken me under their wing when my parents died, which was after I graduated high school. Being friends with Sam for so long, I always suspected his parents did something like this, and wasn't surprised when they introduced me into this world.

Sam was skeptical and hated his parents for it, I did too for a while, but I soon realized that I was successful this way. A side job turned into my life.

"I told Parker all about your college life," Sam told me, doing something on his phone. "And high school life."

My eyes narrowed. "What'd you tell her?"