Chapter 42 #2
Nikko’s eyes narrow until they are just slits as he grips my cheek and tugs my neck back, kissing me for everyone to see.
“Try to flirt with someone again, I dare you. You forget I’m about to be a world champion, baby, which means I can kick anyone’s ass, and I will.
” I shudder at his dark confession. I shouldn’t like it, but I do.
His hand slides down to my neck. “If you keep acting like a brat, I’ll treat you like one.
I’ll bend you over my knee and turn this ass red. ”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I mutter, even as desire rolls through me at the idea.
“Try me,” he retorts, and I can tell he’s serious, so when I lean back, I make sure not to make eye contact with any of the servers.
I order for both of us since Nikko doesn’t care what he eats. He should be on a diet, but with me, he can sneak a few extras since he works it off later between my thighs. I’m just leaning over to tell him that when a soft, feminine voice reaches me.
“Oh my gosh, it is you!” We both turn around, and I eye the woman at our table. Her shoes are from last season, and her skirt doesn’t match her shirt, but she’s pretty in an old-money way and fluttering her lashes at Nikko.
My body hardens as old insecurities rise, along with memories. Faiz would openly flirt and then sneak away to fuck them in a situation like this. I know it’s not fair to compare Nikko, but I can’t help it. Nikko just stares at the woman.
“Do I know you?” he asks bluntly.
“You’re Nikko, right? The boxer? I love watching you,” she purrs, moving closer. “I’m Shelby. This is my friend’s restaurant.”
Ah, so I can’t kill her unless I don’t want this food again.
That pisses me off even more, and I surge to my feet.
“I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be back.
” I nod at her and Nikko, who tries to catch my hand as I pass.
Once I’m behind the wall that leads to the kitchen and hallway, just a short distance from our table, I listen.
I have to know.
She brazenly slips into my seat. “My name is Sarah, can I get your number? I’d love to keep in touch.”
“I am on a date with my boyfriend,” Nikko declares loudly as he leans back, tugging his hand away when she goes to touch it. “Firstly, I would never give you my number. Secondly, please do not come back to our table. You make him uncomfortable.”
“I didn’t know you were dating someone,” she reveals. “Boyfriend . . . Do you want a girlfriend as well?”
“Sheila, was it?” Nikko says, genuinely confused, which makes me grin and cover my lips. “I am dating the most perfect man in the world, so why would I ever need anyone else? Please leave and do not approach me again.”
She huffs and saunters away. Something in my chest loosens. He was given a chance, and he didn’t take it. In fact, he seemed annoyed.
Pushing away from the wall, I straighten my shirt and walk back to the table, but as I step past to go to my seat, Nikko’s hand snakes around my waist and tugs me onto his lap.
My eyes widen as his hand slides into my shirt, caressing my side, while the other one grips my chin and turns until I look at him.
“I don’t need anyone but you. Keep testing me, I don’t care. It won’t make a difference. I’m not him,” he vows, and my eyes widen. Was that what I was doing? Testing him?
Yes.
Kissing me softly, he keeps me on his lap the entire meal, feeding me as everyone stares. Before long, our pictures will be spread online, but he doesn’t seem to care, and neither do I.
I drop Nikko at the gym and head over to Julies, collapsing into his desk chair as he looks out at the skyline. “You should thank me, you know.”
“Why?” I ask tiredly, my eyes closed.
“For getting you two together. You were so determined to keep him at arm’s length.
Why do you think I agreed to that bet and made us go watch him?
” I open my eyes, and Julies is smiling.
“I saw the way you two looked at each other. It was obvious, and I know you. My friend would never make a move, still messed up from Faiz, so I made it happen.”
I frown, and he sits on the edge of his desk, covering my leg with his hand for a moment. “I want you to be happy. We all do. I like Nikko.”
“He’s not from our life,” I say.
“So? Who is?” he scoffs. “He makes you happy, and that’s all that matters.”
“What if I can’t keep him safe?” I murmur.
“He’s a big boy. He can protect himself. Stop worrying so much, Zia, and just be happy,” Julies replies as he crosses his arms. “A connection like that doesn’t happen often.”
“You don’t believe in love,” I tease. It’s something we’ve talked about a lot. We were close before, but after Faiz, we only grew closer, and I actually treasure Julies’s friendship.
“I do . . . for a night.” He laughs. “Just because I don’t want it doesn’t mean I don’t want it for you. You’re a forever kind of guy, Zia, always have been, and Nikko is a one-person kind of man. He’s simple in a good way. He’s good for you, so stop making up excuses and just enjoy it, okay?”
“You’re going to lose the bet,” I respond after a while.
“I knew it the moment I accepted it.” He laughs. “Doesn’t bother me.”
The door bursts open, and we both push to our feet, our guns drawn in an instant despite being forty stories up with guards between us and the world.
We both sigh, putting our weapons away when Faiz storms in, kicking the door shut on Julies’s secretary’s face. “You wouldn’t answer my calls,” he snaps as he stalks over, glaring at me. “It’s important.”
“It always is,” I grumble as I sit once more.
“This is my office,” Julies barks. “Don’t do that again.
” His tone is cold and deadly, and for a moment, Faiz freezes.
Despite Julies’s outlandish behavior, he’s a man who spills blood easier than ink.
He survived his family and their business and came out on top for a reason.
He isn’t someone to fuck with. He smiles, and it’s gone. “So, what’s so important, brother?”
“I know someone has been attacking you,” Faiz says, looking at me.
“Someone is always attacking me,” I scoff as I pull out my phone.
Nikko: I miss you.
Nikko: It’s been an hour, but I miss your face so much.
Nikko: Come back quickly.
Nikko: Or send me a picture to get me through the day.
I have to bite back my smile as I type out a response.
Zia: Go back to practicing or your dad will kick both our asses. I’ll see you tonight.
“Are you listening?” Faiz snaps, and I lift my eyes to his red face.
“Not particularly,” I admit as I put my phone away. “Why are you here again?”
His eyes blow in anger, his hands fisting at his sides. “Someone is targeting you, Zia. It isn’t happening to any of the other families. I’m worried. We need to find out who.”
“We?” I snap.
“We, the four sons. No matter what happened, we are a united front. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Let us help before you get hurt,” Faiz pleads, looking genuinely worried.
“Despite who is saying it, I agree,” Julies remarks. “I was going to talk to you about it today. I’ve heard rumors. Is it getting bad?”
“Bad enough,” I admit. “There have been a few. It’s evident they are gunning for me.
I had some mercs try to track them down, but they came up empty-handed.
Very annoying. Whoever is behind it is connected and wealthy.
They want me out of the picture for some reason.
I have been trying to think of why. The only reason I can think of is to stop the expansion of Xander Enterprises into new territory. ”
“Who would gain from that?” Faiz paces. “We need to find out.”
“A few.”
“Is that really enough reason to kill you?” Julies scoffs.
“Money is a big motivator, you know that.” I sigh as I stand. “I have been considering setting a trap, drawing them out, and ending this. I’m tired of their games.”
“Then let us help,” Faiz pleads. “Please, Zia, I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you. Let us help you.”
I share a look with Julies, and despite it all, I might need their help. Whoever is coming for us is growing desperate, and desperate people are more dangerous. I have something to lose now, and I need to keep him safe, which means ending this quickly.
“Fine, then let’s make a plan,” I concede, and they both grin, excited for the bloodshed that will come our way. “Someone call that drunkard who is our fourth.”