Thank god for a buttload of monster energy drinks and determination! I am trying to finish this puppy tonight! Not sure if it'll happen but if not today for sure tomorrow! Huzzah! Thanks for sticking with me for the explosion of updates today! xD I appriecate the support. I'd like to apologize in advance for any mistakes in this. I am running on an assload of sugar here!

Chapter 4

People in the stands were screaming. A line of cars were neatly settled side by side on the dirt track. All lights were piercing through the air, eased like spotlights on the events. In Santiago's opinion a bunch of trailer owners who liked seeing shit blown up. He personally liked that idea. Carlos was behind him as they walked in through the lower deck where the ground was nothing but a mound of sand and dirt. Carlos' injuries crippled him slightly to lean against the wall. But Santiago kept close watch on him. Carlos was still confused.

"Why'd you bring me here?" He wasn't all that much of a monster truck fan. But Santiago nodded in the direction of the last car. He reconized it quite clearly. "Boss..?"

Santiago smirked as he leaned against the wall next to Carlos. Their shoulders were touching faintly. But even the faintest contact made stupid butterflies flutter in his gut. That was always rare for Santiago.

"That's right.. 'Your car'.." Santiago answered the shocked plastered look on Carlos' face.

"Is she..?" Through the crowds cheers and shouts and the roar of the Monster truck, he heard the pounding of muffled metal and the shift of the trunk it answered all questions manifesting. Carlos let out a weak hoot. The boss was CRAZY! A complete genius! He liked that.

"Glad you're so fond of my work..~" Santiago was prideful to boast. His chocolate eyes met Carlos' light honey optics. He was the first to look away, as if burned by something hot. He recalled something his mother once told him upon touching a hot stove.

"If it's too hot, don't touch! You'll get burned!" Was her words exactly. What would this be considered? What degree? Probably third degree burns. And some scarring. But Carlos would be one sweet scar to bare.. He had to stop thinking like this.. It was getting dangerous. Santiago was the type to, on impulse snatch whatever he wanted.. Be it cars, drugs, alchole, women... Carlos...

STOP IT!

Carlos was a man.. Boy... WHATEVER, he was male! The same gender.. There was no way of sugar coating poision.. But maybe.. Maybe it didn't need the sugar..

It was Carlos' howl that brought him spiraling back when the monster truck's back tire's crushed Jessica's car and spun around to completely impail the structure like a discarded beer can.

Santiago gingerly slipped his hand into Carlos' sweat pant's pocket. The youth was shocked, inhailing to speak but when Santiago pulled out the set of keys he had a slight idea what Santiago was thinking. He awkwardly jeered after the heat of the hand disappeared. Santiago gestured the teen to stay put when Maero clambered out of the truck to bask in the screams and cheers. It was the sound of Santiago's clapping that caught his attenttion. The man was slowly walking towards him. Ringged fingers cupped to make his applaud louder. His baggy black cargo shorts shifted. Steeltoe boots crunching against the dirt. The voodoo doll tattoo was visible on his back calf, along with his demonic arm sleeves. It was obvious, Santiago was in a good mood.

"I'm gunna fucking kill you.." Maero's voice was low as he shoved an accusing finger in the man's direction. Santiago gave a shit face smirk, stopping in his spot to shake his head and reach into his back pocket.

"No you're not.." He corrected, tossing Jessica's keys into Maero's waiting hands. Things were falling into place as he stared at the feminine charms that dangled from the keyring. "Remember when you check the trunk... Not to fuck with my people- and offer me more than 20%.." There was a sense of satisfaction, the way he turned on his heel and walked towards Carlos. He patted the teen's shoulder, indulging on the grin on the youth's face.

"I could learn to like monster trucks.." Carlos threw the comment out in a balled cluster.

"Fuck yeah.."

It was gratifying the return of Carlos. Saints were patting him on the back, buying him rounds. It was good to be back. Felt like home. For the longest time all Carlos had was his big brother to look up to and with him gone he felt sort of lost. Being locked up was the worst of it all; riding on one roomer.. That Stillwater's finest criminal, Satiago Rodrigas was waking up. All Carlos had to do was kill someone. A lot harder than it looks considering he hadn't killed anyone at the time... But it was the thought of his diseased brother that spurred him forward. Landing to the point in meeting Santiago. His next plan was simple. A lot painful at that. Get stabbed. All he had to do was piss off one of the inmates. His brother talked so highly of Santiago. It had to be worth it.

"Do I know you?" Were his boss' first words. Strangly, he'd never forget. Since that day, Carlos had a strange impulse on wanting to show Santiago what he was made of. Impress if you will. Not an easy task considering Santiago was a hard ass and still is. But Carlos is and will always be determined. Within' time Carlos found himself growing more fonder of his leader. Looking up to him. He was great! Funny, strong.. Twisted.. All the qualities he liked. At first he considered this fondess to be brotherly. Strictly platonic.. But since that moment when Santiago dipped his hands into his pockets or touched his cheek.. He's found doubt in such claims.

What was wrong with him?! Santiago was his Boss! A man.. But that didn't stop Carlos from admiring. And at that moment, Santiago was looking pretty damn... admirable chatting with Pierce across the room. There was somthing dark about that hispanic.. Usually he didn't have a taste for punk rock.. But there was that way his black british logo'd shirt hugged his lean torso that made him not want to stop staring.

Sure. Girls were delicious. Curves and long hair.. Santiago had none of that and it concerned him. Carlos wasn't into guys like that. Wasn't into guys period. Maybe it was because he was a virgin and his hormoans were acting up or something.. It didn't help matters that Santiago oozed with sex appeal.

But the more he thought of it, the more the idea sounded good. He almost laughed. If Santiago ever did find out.. He'd end up in a body bag for sure.. He only wished that the stupid "Accident" didn't wrattle his brains.. or worse.. Wrattle his pinpoint of a chance of ever looking remotely appealing to Santiago. If he can't win his heart he could at least try to mirror his good looks; provide something good to look out... Somehow, maybe if he had boobs and a nice ass that'd be the case.

"Hey, short stack~.." It was Johnny's voice that made Carlos jump. He nearly spilled his beer. With a silent swear, he looked over at the smirking man. "Hola, Johnny.."

"Glad ta' have ya' back with the Saints.." Carlos ducked his head over the rim of his plastic red cup, there was shame in his honey optics as he kept Santiago in the corner of his vision.

"Boss almost had me resign.." He answered softly. Johnny gave his head a tilt. Smirk still in place.

"No kidding?" There was a type of sarcasem in Johnny's voice that Carlos had trouble pinpointing. But Carlos didn't take it as much of a threat but that didn't stop the questioning look on his face. Carlos didn't know Johnny really well as far as "hi, bye" sort of thing. He figured Gatt was an okay kinda guy because Santiago rolled with him.. Then again.. So did Trey.

"Guess I really let him down, huh?"Carlos' words shyly recoiled back into his mouth. But that didn't make them unheard.. Johnny let out a snort as Carlos raised the red cup to his chapped lips.

"Boss is really hard to understand, I get that.." Johnny shrugged as he leaned against the bar counter. "I'm sure he had his reasons.."

Reasons..?

What reasons could Santiago have for wanting to give him the boot? Other than the fact he let the man down.. The more he thought about it the more that familure swell ached in his chest. He couldn't figure out what was worse. Getting his ass dragged across Steelport or... rejected..

Santiago had TERRIBLE timing.. The man was already approaching the duo and already, Carlos felt like he swallowed a canfull of nails.

"I got a tip that Maero's back from his little trip.. I want to hit him where it hurts!"

This was Carlos' chance to prove himself! His expression lit up as he set the plastic cup down on the bar table top behind him.

"When do we go for the kill boss?" Carlos was more than eager to get back into the game so to speak. But Santiago appeared to have other plans.

"Carlos.. I want you to stay here.. Hold the fort down with Shaundi and Pierce.." His words were stern.. And made Carlos want to curl up.

"But.. Boss... I want to do-.."

"Carlos, what did I say?" Santiago's voice climbed with irritance, but there was also irritance in Carlos' when he heard it.

"I am not a child, Boss! I can do th-.." Santiago placed a warm hand on his shoulder. Sending a shockwave of warmth throughout Carlos' body. It burned up his anger.

"Carlos.. Please.. I want you to have time to heal.." His words were soft. And somewhere along the lines, Johnny had slipped out of sight. Awkwardly giving them time alone.

"Okay, boss.." Carlos faltered when the hand left his shoulder. He watched his boss gear up before starting for the stairs.

"Get ready everyone.. Tonight we hit them!"

With equal volume the chant was echoing and loud. Drowning out Carlos' soft cheer.

The wait was agonizing.. Carlos had never loathed time as much as he loathed it now.. His honey eyes were glued to the clock. Shaundi and Pierce were playing a game of beer pong with a few of the members to pass the time. Carlos passed his submerged in thought.

He kept straying to that night.. He could barely see, the pain; crippling and overwhelming.. It was Santiago's words that pulled him through..

"Hold on.." he could barely recall hearing. That hand that was in his, grasping.. Holding. He wanted so much to die.. He nodded for Santiago to pull the trigger. To realease him from this pain.. Santiago was reaching for the gun, but didn't commit the act.

Why?

He encouraged Carlos to pull through. To live. Surely that had to count for something, anything..

It was twelve o'clock when the doors bursted open and Carlos heard the sound of shuffling feet, a stagger even from upstairs. Carlos sprang to his feet with a life he didn't know he had at the time and started for the edge of the stairs. He swallowed a gasp at the sight of a thrashed Santiago tripping down the stairs. Carlos was quick to help him. To pull his arm around his shoulder and allow Santiago to lean on him.

"B-Boss?!"

"I'm fine.. I'm fine!" But Carlos felt Satiago grow heavy against him. And Johnny was helping Carlos drag Santiago towards the couch. Laying him across it.

"Fucker pussyed out and got away..~" There was anger hardened in Gatt's voice as he inahiled sharply. Carlos returned a worried glance towards Santiago. He shrugged it off like the chill of the night.

"Carlos, trust me.. It's not as bad as it looks.. I'm okay.." He sported a chalky bruise on his cheek and his ankle looked swollen, but other than that.. Nothing too serious looking.. Carlos found himself exhailing a sigh he didn't realize was held.

"This is why I wanted to come!~" Carlos was balling his anger, mashing it into his words and hurling it at Santiago. Each one pegged him, and Carlos made sure of it.

"I couldn't risk you getting any more hurt!" Santiago snapped back. Silencing Carlos abruptly. So this was the actual truth..

Santiago wasn't as dissapointed as Carlos thought..

Santiago was only worried. Carlos could feel Shaundi and Pierce exchange silent looks. He wanted more than anything to melt and ooz into the ground underneith.. Maybe get lost in the tiles.. or something.. Johnny saved him the hulmilation and hurded the two out, following them up the stairs to allow the two to settle things.

"Boss.. I'm old enough to handle myself.. I don't need you babying me.." Carlos spoke up without thinking. He must've been hella pathetic for Santiago to be treating him so differently than the other members. Even if he was the youngest, it wasn't even by much.

"I wasn't trying to baby you, Carlos.." Santiago ducked his head. Sweeping a hand through his messy black locks with a frustrated hand. Carlos payed enough attention to his actions over time to realize that it was a nervous habit of Santiago's. "I... Just couldn't lose you.. Not again.."

Again?

His thoughts strayed back to that night. Carlos lowered his stare with a hitched breath.

"Why didn't you pull the trigger?" Santiago shook his head at the question that Carlos presented him with. He was walking past him now..

"I said I'd make you a banger even if it killed me.." He answered dryly. "I meant what I said.."

So that was all.. It had nothing to do about caring or.. Wanting..

It made Carlos wish he had put the bullet in his brain..

Awwwe, Carlos, nooo! Santi' does care! He's just too stupid to admit it! D: .. Next chapter is rated M for sure. So stay tuned, kitties. :D