Meow

The sweat beating down your forehead is warm and gross in the hot summer heat. Being outside at the peak of the day purely because that's when the clients wanted workers to be on the ground. Even in the shorts and tank top you're in, you're still close to over heating, hands overheating from the thick work gloves.

Fuck it. Against better judgment you decide to go into the main house on the estate, looking for cold water and to help escape the heat. Opening the heavy door and walking in feels almost wrong. Your dirt covered boots leaving little tracks as you walk. You've been working on the Danforth estate for weeks now but have yet to actually be inside any of the buildings. It's beautiful and sophisticated, as old money often is.

As you wonder through looking for the kitchen, the air conditioning makes your sweat covered hair cold against your skin. You haven't been in a house this giant in a long time, it's almost like a maze. You're not surprised by how quiet it is, only really ever seeing other workers on the outside grounds.

"What are you doing in here." There is a strong voice that makes you jump out of skin, not thinking anyone was around. When you turn around to face the voice, you're met with an intimating man with a strong stance. 

"Jesus fucking Christ. Do you have a habit of sneaking up on people?" You're heart pounding just a little from the shock of the interaction. You've never met any of the Danforths but with the way he's dressed it's obvious he doesn't work on the estate. He doesn't entertain your question, face set with showing no emotion, and arm crosses across his broad chest. He is a silver fox if you've seen any. The silver curls of his hair are so sexy. It's probably the least important thing to notice about him.

"I was just looking for some water." You say right before introducing yourself. You motion to outside when you answer him. You can tell that he could not care less about what you are actually doing, more caring about the fact that you are in his home uninvited. Beyond that you can't read his face, and have no idea what he is thinking. His stare is intense, but you hold it, not backing down.

"You need to go back outside." Is all he says, his voice commanding. You almost want to argue back, but you can't risk losing this job. So you just give a slight nod and head back outside. You can feel his eyes on you as you walk out. You feel a little defeated. Were this any other job you would insist on getting what you wanted but you've heard the rumors about how cut throat the Danforths are.

You are back to the flower bed you've been working on when one of the maids comes out. You are focused on your work, not even looking up at them.

"Excuse me ma'am?" You hear her voice and look up to see her holding a tray with a pitcher of water and a cup. The confusion on your face must be apparent because they instantly elaborate.

"Mr. Danforth had water brought for you." She says trying to answer your question.

"Mr. Danforth had water brought out?" Scrunching your eyebrows in confusion. He just kicked you out and is now having someone bring you water? She just gives you a curt nod in response. You stand up and dust the dirt off your knees. You hum a response before serving yourself.

You spend the rest of the work day thinking about Mr. Danforth, you don't even know his first name. You are exhausted by the time you get home, all gross and sweaty from being out in the hot sun. Double checking to make sure you locked your door before getting in the shower.

━ ◦ ❖ ◦━

The next day while your at the Danforth estate, your crew lead tells you that the job has been extended. You all get your asses busted because the client wasn't happy with the progress but they still extended your contract.

You're down working on the flowerbed that you've been working on when a shadow falls onto you. You don't have to look up to tell who it is. You can feel that same intense stare from yesterday.

"If you take a picture it'll last longer." You remark not even bothering to look up.

"Who are you?" His voice is steady and strong as he ask. Not so much ask as a demand.

"Aw you already forgot my name." Sarcasm lacing your voice when you responded. You have no idea what is happening or where this is coming from on his end.

"We run a background check on everyone who works on the grounds. Nothing came up on you. No previous addresses, no prior work, not even an emergency contact." When he says that it causes your head to finally snap up to look at him. He is towering over you, eyes like daggers on you. His stance intimidating as he looks down at you.

"Then you must not have that good of people working on it." You say trying to brush him off, like it's nothing you're worried about. You try to make your voice as neutral as possible.

"We have the best in the country." He stands firm in his stance, not wavering.

"Apparently not." You scoff back at him. In truth he could have the best in the world and they wouldn't be able to find anything on you. You and your old bosses made sure of that. 

"You didn't answer my question. Who are you?" He stated.

"One of your landscapers." You reply with a pointed tone, effectively ending the conversation. You don't care if he stays around, you go back to work. If that bothered him, you couldn't tell. Never looking back up at him. Eventually he walked away, not saying another word.

Why Mr. Danforth was looking into you (you should really figure out his first name), you have no idea. You had the one conversation with him. You can not think of any reason for him to be looking into you and your past. Unless he had heard something, but you made sure to have your past stay far away from you. Going to great lengths to secure that is locked away.

After that you don't have any direct interactions with him, but you notice him around. Seeing him watch you, not even bothering to hide his gaze. One day you decide to play into whatever game he is playing at. You knew he had been watching you so you decided to wear clothes that are a little more revealing than you would ever wear at work. You put on a show for him when you're alone working and know he's watching. Bending down in ways to accentuate how little your shorts off, slow to stand straight. The sun is beating down on you, sweat beading down your head and chest. You take a small towel you had in your pocket to slowly wipe the sweat away, dragging your top softly down while you do. When you look back to where you saw him, he is still staring at you. You give a small wink before going back to work.

When you get home there is a package at your doorstep, with no postage. You're heart stills, no one should have your address. Even your boss has just a P.O. box. You step around it going into your apartment to grab something to cover your mouth and nose before you open it. You don't know who this is from or what is in it. You slowly cut it open with your pocket knife, using the tip to open the box. Much to your surprise when you lift the lid you see a bouquet of flowers. Its gorgeous. You've worked around enough flora to know what luxury looks like. Fresh red roses, with baby breaths, white statices, and beautiful greenery to fill it out. There's a small note on top. 

"- T. Danforth"

Check mate. 

After some much needed research and a couple glasses of wine, you finally learned his name. Titus Chester Danforth. He is a twin and heir to the Danforth legacy. No marriages, or kids, and no known relationships. There isn't a lot about him online, just the bare minimum. Two can play this game. 

━ ◦ ❖ ◦━

The crew is on site but your not working today, you still stop by to try to talk to Titus. You walk into the main building like you should be there. You learned a long time ago that confidence can get you into a lot of places. You have no idea where he could be or even if he was here, but it doesn't hurt to try. You make your way through the manor door, hoping to find who you are looking for. 

"You aren't supposed to be here today." You hear his gruff voice behind. Somehow he managed to sneak up behind you. He really did have a habit of that.

"Of course you would know that." When you turn around to look at him you are meant with the same intense hazel gaze that has been following you. 

"Thank you for the flowers." You know that the underlying message is that he knows everything about you. It's a silent threat, and you both know it. He stands with his hands behind his back as he eyes look down at you. You can't help but look down at his thick thighs, it's a weak moment. Unfortunately he catches it and a sly smirk graces his face. 

"Glad I was able to get the right address." He thought he had you all figured out, but when he doesn't bring up your previous employers, you know he doesn't know everything. There is no way he could know your entire past. The El Caído family like to keep all their secrets locked away. 

 "Cute trick, but I call tell you don't know as much as you let on." When you say that, his smirk falls a little. You got all your answers in this short interaction. When you start to walk away he grabs your arm. When you turn to face him you can tell he's annoyed. 

"Who are you?" He stands firm in his question. You can't help but smile at his words. He doesn't know anything about you. He got lucky with your home address, hoping that you would give in thinking he knew all about you. With that you walk away, not bothering to look back at him, shit eating grin and all. 

━ ◦ ❖ ◦━

It's been a couple of days since you talked to Titus. You are back to work on the flowerbeds. Not even thinking about anyone who may or may not be at the estate. It isn't often that there is proper company when any workers are on the grounds. You are working away when you hear a car pull up. You don't think twice about it, until you hear an eerily familiar voice.

"Ah, thank you for having me over old friend." An insist chill runs down your spine. You know that voice, it echos in your dreams. Ignacio El Caído. By instinct you make yourself as small as possible, looking away making sure to hide your face as much as possible. You don't fully hear the conversation, every possible scenario running through your head. Why was he here? Does he know your here? Has he known where you are the entire time? Is your life just another item to check off his list?

You are on autopilot. Not fully processing what is happening around you, trying to make sure you are left unseen. The whole group of people walk inside, leaving you barely able to move, taking in the fact that your past is here in your present.

When you finally don't hear the voices anymore, you quickly pack all your stuff away. It's not as graceful as you want it to be but you make it your car and are able to run back home. The entire drive home all you can think about is whether or not Ignacio saw you. Your life is based on if this man saw you or not. You call out sick the next day. Hoping that maybe it will help your situation. You have no idea how long he is going to be in town or will be lingering around the Danforths.

It's late one night when you hear a knock on your door. You aren't expecting anyone or anything. So when you hear the knock you jump. If it's anyone from the El Caído family, you are dead. You grab your one of your guns and make sure it's loaded when you check the door. If you are going to go out, at least it will be with a bang.

When you finally open the door you are suddenly holding your gun to Titus. He stays cool, just looking at you like it's another Saturday night. You keep your gun trained on him. Is he here because of Ignacio? Did he send him on his behalf?

"Put the gun down you look ridiculous." His tone is calm, as if there isn't a loaded gun pointed at his head.

You slowly bring your gun down to your side. It's a conflicting thought. For some reason you trust him, even though you absolutely no reason to.

"What are you doing here?" Your voice is weak compared to usual power you try to hold.

"You haven't been at work." He stares at you when he speaks.

"I'm sick." Not even trying to sound ill.

"Being sick causes you to open the door with a gun?" He cocks his eyebrow as he looks down at you as he ask his question. 

"You should leave." Once you say that you start to close the door in his face. He puts his foot in the door causing it to stay open because he wanted it to. You don't move after, waiting for whatever is his next move is. There is small pause before anything happens. He pushes your door open, making you step back. He takes a step to crowd your space. 

"Who are you hiding from." It should be a question but the way he says it, it's more of a statement. 

"That's none of your business." You state.

"If you aren't at work tomorrow, your whole company is fired." His stare is intense, and you know he means what he is saying. After you are quiet and it's clear that you have nothing else to say, he just walks away, leaving you there at your doorway. 

Fuck. It's under your breath when the words leave your mouth. You can't just leave everyone high and dry. These people have families and this is a huge contract. You can't ruin that for them. You also need this job. It's good pay and has been low profile. Your boss was really cool with the lack of information you could provide, and even pays you under the table. But if Ignacio is still on the property and he sees you, you're dead.

━ ◦ ❖ ◦━

You pull up to the site with your sunglasses sat on your face. You stayed up all night trying to figure what you were going to do. You finally decided that you have to take the risk. Just in case you are packing your pocket pistol. It's small enough that you can keep in your waistband and it not be noticeable. You are putting all your cards on Ignacio already being on his way back home and whatever business he had is all taken care of.

You get through the morning perfectly fine. No sign of the El Caído family. You haven't even seen Titus today, but you are sure that he already has eyes on you. You start to finally calm down, now only sweating because of the heat. 

You are down back working in your flowerbed, it's almost done, when you feel blunt end of gun meet your spine. The cool of the metal is a sharp contrast to the warmth of outside. 

"We've been looking for you." You don't recognize the voice, it's probably just another one of the El Caído goons. You stand up with the gun pressed to your back. This man leads you to one of their cars. You enter the car and are met with Ignacio. 

"Mijita, how I didn't except to find you here." The sly smile on his face is sicking to you. He is taking great pride in knowing that you've finally been caught. He's learned from you. The man with the gun follows you into the car, still pointed at you no matter how you move. You have no words for him. When he can tell he isn't getting a response from you he gives a little head nod to the goon that got you in first place. It's a quick pistol whip to the head, that knocks you out. 

When you wake up, you are tied up to a chair in god no where's. Your head is pounding from the impact of the butt of the gun. You can feel the iron rise in your mouth. You have been in this situation before, just on the other end. Hell you ran these situations for the El Caído family. 

You don't dare say anything. You know this song and dance. As you look around, you wonder if the job ever made a difference, if running away from the El Caído family would ever actually change your fate. Would he have always found you? Were you always going to end up here while your life is in another person's hand.

"You thought you could hide from me?" Ignacio's voice chills through your spine. When he speaks he forcefully grabs your face, making you look him in the eyes. 

Still no words from your end. The longer you can hold out the better for you. Your hands are tied behind your back, unable to do anything. You look at him with as much power as you can. He wants you dead. When you look around, you don't even know the room you're in. 

When your head lolled back from the pain, you don't recognize the voice that had entered the room. The hit to your head are starting to finally impact you. No idea what is happening around you. There are whispers behind you, not being able to decipher what is being said.

Ignacio's hands slither down your shoulders, his grip is harsh and threatening. 

"It's your lucky day. By the grace of Le Bail you have been saved. How you managed it I have no idea." He whispers in your ear. You have no idea what he is talking about. You furrow your brows in confusion. What the hell is happening? Who the hell is Le Bail? 

He has started to untie your restraints. You are thinking of everything that could have been happening. You are up and out of the chair as soon as you can. The burn from rope is harsh on your wrist as you look ahead. 

When you look up from your wrist you see the same sly silver fox that has been unknowingly following you. Titus Danforth is there at the door of the room with that smirk on his face, shit eating grin and all. What the hell is happening.