Read Club Alpha for Free Online Page A

scowls, and I smile through my pain.
    “You deserve that and more, you masochist.”
    We glare at each other. “You know—I'd kick your haughty ass if I thought I could take you.” Tallinn's dark eyebrows rise in mock challenge.
    “That is the operative word— think .”
    Tallinn extends his middle finger in a salute and one of the stewardesses gasps at his crudeness.
    Tallinn gives her an appreciative head-to-toe appraisal, and I shake my head. “What is a gorgeous girl like that doing working as a flight attendant for you?”
    “I enjoy beauty.”
    Tallinn rolls his eyes. “Oh boy, must be nice.”
    “It is.” I hold up my highball for another round.
    Tallinn eyes my tall glass. “You should be a heifer with how much booze you put away, Paco.”
    Vaco . Cow. Ah. “And you should be jailed for how hard you worked me.”
    “Sissy,” he comments, smirking. Tallinn leans back and grips the seat's arm rests. Looking around the large cabin, he says, “The lactic acid should break down, and you'll be feeling better in about twenty-four hours, ya infant.”
    “I am not complaining. I just assumed…”
    “That you were in such great shape from your kung fu, you'd kick ass in weight lifting.”
    I think of all things I could share—and decide against it. “Precisely.”
    Tallinn chuckles, scrubbing a large hand over his face.  He leans forward, hands dangling between his knees. “Tell me, Paco—would you want me to go easy on you?”
    I give him a level look. “No.”
    He mock shoots me. “Bingo, you're not the type, pal.”
    I raise an eyebrow.
    He explains. “There's two types of dudes. There's the dudes that want to look good—threatening, nail the chicks, those ones.” His discerning eyes meet mine. “Then there's the guys that want to be good because it feeds them, dig?”
    “I do dig,” I say.
    Tallinn grabs his ribs, howling with laughter.
    I cross my legs, grimacing again. “What?”
    “I get my rocks off whenever you try to sound relevant.”
    “I am relevant.”
    “Ah-huh.”
    I drum my fingertips on my thigh and he watches. “You nervous?” Tallinn asks.
    I nod.
    Tiffany returns with my highball glass. I stock cheap whiskey on the flight. For reasons unknown, Chivas Regal never gives me the aftereffects of some of the better whiskeys.
    I swirl the amber liquid inside the thick crystal. The spherical ice cube tumbles inside, making a pleasant musical sound as it spins.
    “I do not like to fly.”
    Tallinn grins knowingly. “No shit?”
    I scowl. “There is nothing remotely interesting in leaving perfectly good ground.”
    “Yet, you'll sign up for an unpredictable fantasy thing—where your ass can be in constant danger?”
    Said like that, the idea makes little sense. I can't support the logic, so I simply nod.
    Tallinn shakes his head.
    “We going to your place in Maz?”
    I nod. I love this home the best of all of my residences, probably because of the memories. They say scent is the strongest memory trigger, and for me, the smells of el centro never change. Shrimp, beer, beach, and exhaust collide with warmth, sea air, and good food.
    My house is a tangerine oasis on a cliff overlooking Olas Altas Beach, where cliff divers dot the view. This area of Mazatlán feels very Mediterranean.
    “Paco?”
    I look up. “I apologize. I was lost in my thoughts.”
    “We staying at the orange?”
    I smile. “Yes, though mi casa is really tangerine.”
    Tallinn shrugs. “It's a big place. Looks like a huge fruit balanced on a cliff.”
    I think of it from his perspective. Perhaps.
    “Work out tomorrow?”
    I nod. “Yes, you are my personal trainer.” My lips quirk.
    “Listen, Paco—no offense, but the minute I'm done torturing your ass, I'm going out to find where all the tequila is, hombre.”
    “I don't think that's ever an issue. I have a fully stocked bar…”
    He waves a hand of dismissal. “And a bartender, and, and… whatever. No.” His eyes meet mine. “I think I want