Troublemaker [BxB/GxG Mafia AU]

Chapter 28: The Charm of Mexico.

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico__

The heat was relentless.

Harsh sun rays sliced through massive tarps strung between the rickety brick buildings, their worn fabric snapping overhead in the wind. Every inch of the narrow market street was crammed with shops, while rapidly spoken Spanish kept flying past as vendors shouted over each other, trying their best to snatch the unassuming tourists before the next could.

Amaya Maranzano knew she had minutes to come up with a quick plan. A plan to get rid of the annoying squad of Falcons who kept tailing her from behind.

Especially Luca Castelli.

She hated when this happened. Luca was practically babysitting her at this point! And she knew better than to argue with him about it. Luca was entirely too loyal to Jake Maranzano.

Amaya fumed, detesting the sweltering heat and the clumps of dust that kept kicking up whenever she took another step, sticking onto her shoes, her skin, and the back of her throat.

"I'm not babysitting you."

She turned, scowling at Luca over her Prada shades. But in his defence, he did look just as miserable as she was by being here.

"And I," she pointed at herself, "need the restroom."

Her plan worked. Luca gazed around at the crowded market, his expression tightening. Nothing here even came close to "sanitary"

"Maybe we could go back to the hotel?" He offered, looking every bit like a man approaching an annoyed tigress.

"And waste another day? I think not." She snapped back.

"Miss. Maranzano," Luca sighed. He was clearly having second thoughts about bringing her here. The child was worse than her two fathers combined. "I don't think we'll find anything from here." He mumbled.

"Look! There's a café!" Cried Amaya, skipping down the dusty lane.

The place looked as though one puff of strong wind could tear it apart. Besides, an entire crowd of Falcons entering at the same time could cause unwanted attention to themselves, even if they were dressed like tourists.

"We'll wait outside." Luca grunted. "Be quick as you can."

Amaya Maranzano nodded, pushing open the wooden door with a tinkle.

The inside was a few degrees cooler than the outside. Not to mention a LOT more quieter as well. Potted snake plants and flowering borgernvilla clustered around the open roof centre. The air smelled of freshly brewed coffee and a hint of cinnamon spice. A couple of tourists sat around the few tables, aming their sweat drenched faces towards the lazily spinning ceiling fans.

She wandered towards the colourful counter, admiring the cool red terra-cotta floor that had worn off due to years of foot traffic. The wall tiles screamed a riot of hand painted designs and Amaya could hear a radio somewhere, its volume reduced to a soft background noise.

"¿Baño?"

She looked up, startled. Behind the counter was a woman of curly brown hair and ample bosom. She was vigorously cleaning a shot glass with her scrunched up apron.

"Hallo?" The woman translated when Amaya didn't answer right away. She looked as though she was quite used to seeing blank faced tourists.

"Hi," said Amaya brightly, edging a little closer, "Uhh..I was just wondering...if-"

"I know that look, señorita," the woman gave her a grim smile, waving her hand towards the back of the room. The many bangles on her wrist jiggled sharply, "It's the second door through the hallway."