Chapter 44
FORTY-FOUR
It was Faiz’s idea, and despite how much I hate it, I know it will work. It’s the perfect place to attack us with the four sons together. Two birds, one stone.
If they want our downfall, this would be the place to do it. I just hate that I have to work with Faiz. I want this to be over so I can crawl into Nikko’s arms.
We’ve posted everywhere in hopes of gaining their attention, and now all we can do is wait.
“It’s nice having us all together,” Chan comments casually. “Drinking and murder? My two favorite things.”
I grin and toast him as Faiz leans in, draping his arm along the back of my seat. I shift forward to avoid it. “He’s right. It’s been too long.”
“Don’t push it,” I warn him as I sip my drink, scanning the club’s inhabitants. I wonder if any of them are working for whoever is determined to dethrone and kill me.
I have much more important things to focus on, like Nikko and our future.
A hand lands on my thigh under the table, and I spare Faiz a narrow-eyed look as I remove it.
“Don’t touch me. The trap doesn’t require that.
The only reason I’m working with you right now is because I need to, but I will never do anything that will make Nikko uncomfortable or second-guess our relationship, understood? ”
“You are always so loyal,” Faiz taunts, eyeing me hard. “I loved that about you, still do. No matter what I did, you never gave up on me when everyone else did.”
“Yes, well, I was a fool,” I reply.
“No. Not a fool. You are a good person, kind, loyal, and loving, but never a fool. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way.
I don’t want you to change that because of me,” he explains, and I glance at him to see him smiling sadly.
“I know I fucked things up badly between us. I’m just trying to find my way back to who I was before this .
. . this life got to me. I want to be someone you are proud of again, even if it’s only as a friend.
I want to be the person you always said I could be before power, money, and drugs got to me.
I know people change, but I hope you never do, Z.
Even after everything I did to you, you still have that same kindness, and this world needs it.
I’ll admit I’m jealous it’s now for Nikko, but I’m happy for you as long as you are happy. ”
“I am,” I admit. “He makes me really happy.”
“Good.” He nods, sitting back. “That’s all that matters.”
“I had to find out from your social media that this is why you aren’t with me.” Nikko’s familiar, furious voice makes my eyes widen and my head swing around to see him towering over our table. His arms are crossed as he glares at me, ignoring everyone else. “Why did you lie to me?”
“I didn’t.” I stand before sinking down as I swallow. “It’s not what you think. We’ll talk later, okay?” Worry crowds my heart, making it speed up. He can’t be here when they get here. Nikko could get hurt, and I would never forgive myself.
“No, we’ll talk now,” he snaps.
“Who’s that?” Chan whispers to Julies.
“Z’s new boyfriend,” Julies replies. “Hey, Nikko.”
“Hello.” He nods at Julies and then swings his gaze back to me. I wince, knowing this looks bad, especially when he glances at Faiz then back to me.
“Hi, Nikko, long time,” Faiz jokes, and I elbow him. “What? I can’t even say hello?”
“No,” I bark before softening my voice. “Go home, baby, okay? I’ll be there soon, and I’ll tell you everything.”
“You didn’t think I’d let you or understand?” he asks, looking hurt. “Why did you keep this from me?”
“You’ll never know. How could you? You’re just some poor boxer.
You know nothing about his life,” Faiz teases.
He’s being cruel, but I know why. He spotted the same thing I have.
Ten men entered the club, their eyes sharp.
They are clearly professionals, and despite his feelings for Nikko and me, he knows I care for him and is trying to keep him safe.
“Enough,” I shout and lean toward Nikko, worried though I try not to show it. “Go home, okay? I’ll be there soon.”
I glance past him to the men who are spreading throughout the club, the lumps at their hips making it obvious they are packing. “Chan, get him out of here now,” I order.
“Shit, what? I want to join the fun,” he grumbles as he stands, and I lean back in my seat, sliding my hand to my gun. “Baby, go with Chan right now,” I demand, brooking no room for argument. He frowns as Chan tugs on him, dragging him to the back corridor as the first man approaches our table.
“New friend?” he asks. He isn’t familiar, but that doesn’t surprise me. They are probably paid hitters since the others failed.
“What can I say, when you’re this handsome, they flock to you. I bet you don’t have that issue.” I indicate his face with a smirk, and his eyes narrow. “You aren’t my type, keep moving.” I wink.
“I’m not here to talk, Zia Xander,” he mocks.
“Thank fuck because your voice sounds like you snorted helium,” I taunt, making Faiz and Julies laugh.
“Oh, I’m going to enjoy this,” he growls as he reaches for his hip. “My employer wanted it to be fast, but I think I’ll make it messy and long. Hope you understand.”
“I do like it messy. Sorry to ruin your plans though. The only one dying tonight will be you.” I smirk at him. “You should have brought more men.”
I kick the table out, and it smacks into him and the two men at his side, knocking them back as I climb on top of it, pulling my gun out and firing.
All three crumple to the floor, and I trust Faiz and Julies to have my back as I slide over the top, roll across the floor, and flip the next table, ducking behind it as bullets rain across the area I just was.
Over it all, I hear Julies’s whoop of excitement, which makes me grin.
I chance a glance back to see Nikko being dragged down the corridor, kicking and yelling, by Chan and four of his men. Peeking over the table, I fire some shots to make the mercs duck as I see my men stream into the bar, cleaning out the bystanders.
“Remember, we need some alive!” I yell as I see Julies laughing manically and firing into the crowd.
Shaking my head, I glance over to see Faiz to my right.
He nods, and together, we roll out from behind our cover.
I come up firing, shooting three. They hit the floor before they can even get a shot off, and I dive over the bar as one aims at me.
Bottles smash over my head, and the bartender screams, ducking.
“Sorry, cutie,” I tell her as I grab a bottle, take a swig, then spew it into the face of the man heading my way. I grab the lighter then use it on him.
His cries fill the air, his face on fire as he rolls back over the bar.
I shoot him, leaving him to burn, then I glide across the floor to avoid rogue bullets and come up at Faiz’s side.
He’s panting and grinning, and we share a look, speaking without words as we duck out from behind the booth and aim.
Four more hit the floor, and I duck back as bullets smack into the leather booth.
“Zia!” My name makes me whirl around, and I see Nikko rushing back into the bar, looking terrified. My heart stops as I see the closest man turn and aim at him. They don’t care who he is. He’s just in their way.
Leaving my cover, I sprint and slam into the man as the gun fires. I spare a glance to see Nikko ducking, the wall exploding over his head. Snarling, I ram my fist into the man’s face as fury like no other takes over.
Blood splatters me as I grin and crush his face with my bare hands, pulverizing him as he screams and bucks, trying to get away. When he stops moving, I get to my feet, knowing I’m covered in blood, but I grip Nikko’s face. He’s pale and wide-eyed.
“Are you okay?” I ask just as pain explodes in my shoulder, spinning me. Turning quickly, I fire at the man who shot me as Nikko grabs me.
“You’re bleeding!” he exclaims as I push him behind the closest table and grin.
“Stay here, okay? I’m almost done, baby, promise.” Kissing his cheek, I stand and yank my jacket off, letting it drop.
“That was my favorite jacket, assholes!”
“Zia!” Faiz tosses me a clip, and I slide it in, heading to the four remaining men huddled near the door.
I spray across the table, hearing a pained grunt, knowing I got one, then I grip the wood and leap over, knocking them back.
I shoot one in the chest, then I notice one is gripping his leg, so I kick his gun away before I turn to the other two.
Smashing my gun into one’s face, I duck to avoid the other’s hands.
Julies drags him back with a laugh as he snaps the man’s wrist, making him drop the gun.
I leave him to Julies as I knock the other out and look around.
Music still pumps through the club, but it’s empty except for us and the bodies on the floor.
“Clear?” I call to my men.
“Clear, sir,” they reply, and I watch as Julies snaps the other’s hand. Faiz is kicking away guns, checking those on the floor, while Chan snorts a line off a dead man’s back. I roll my eyes just as a noise makes me turn to see the one who was shot in the leg crawl past me.
“It looks like we have a runner—er, crawler,” I tease, watching as the man sobs and tries to pull himself to the door.
Idly, I fire at his other leg, and he screams.
“If they are alive, tie them up,” I order. “We want to talk.”
Putting my gun away, I head back to see Nikko on his feet. “Are you okay?” I ask worriedly, checking him over. Adrenaline is still pumping through me, and I hesitate when I realize my hands are covered in blood. “Nikko,” I prompt.
“You’re shot,” he whispers, eyeing the wound, and he seems to come out of his shock. “Fuck, baby, you’re shot!”
“I’m okay. It was through and through,” I assure him as I kiss him. He doesn’t pull away, which I’m grateful for. I never wanted him to see this, but I guess it’s good he did. “Wait here, okay?”
My face goes cold as I turn away, finding the men already tied. Faiz waits for me next to them, and I prowl over. There are three of them, all bleeding from somewhere and looking pathetic.
As I pace in front of the three men, I ignore my injured arm. “Who hired you?” I demand.
“We’ll never talk,” the one on the right hisses, so I raise my gun and blow out his brains. The others jerk as he falls.
“I’m not very good at this negotiating thing, I much prefer killing, so let me ask again. Who hired you?”
“I don’t know—” He hits the floor before he finishes the sentence, so I crouch before the third.
“You better know or you’ll end up like your friends,” I warn slyly.
“I can find out. Please, don’t kill me. I can be useful,” he begs, his face pale.
“So you don’t know.” I sigh as he begs and cries. “How irritating.” Standing, I fire without looking, and his sobs cut off.
“Find any clues,” I order my men who are waiting. “Find the money trail and clean this up. Catch any stragglers.”
“Yes, sir,” my guards reply and hurry to do just that. I know they were stationed outside, so I’m not too worried.
“Shit, Z, I’m sorry. I thought this would work,” Faiz admits.
“So did I. It shows they are getting desperate though. Don’t worry, I’ll get them.” Nodding at him, I look at the other three. “Go home, I’ll deal with cleanup.”
Leaving them to their own devices, I walk over to Nikko before I spy the body of the man who spoke. He seemed to be in charge. Really, I should have left him alive, but he was annoying.
My shoulder tugs as I crouch, the pain making me grit my teeth.
Holding my aching shoulder, I lean over and find what I’m looking for, then I pocket it while no one else is looking before I stand and hold out my good hand to Nikko.
“Come on, baby, let’s go home.”