CHAPTER 10
Nirah
I WOKE UP Wednesday morning feeling calmer than usual, which, in my case, meant something bad was going to happen.
My whole day went by smoothly, and I finally got back home after my shift at the cafe. It was almost seven when I started to get ready for the club.
I had a quick bite to eat, and halfway through my meal, my doorbell rang, and I groaned, getting up.
I wiped the sauce off my hands with a paper towel before tossing it into the bin. I opened the door but no one was there, except a little package. I looked around before bending down.
It was addressed to me, so I cautiously picked it up. I put it down on the kitchen table before grabbing my keys. I slowly cut through the tape on the box, pulling the top flaps back.
I gagged, covering my mouth as an awful stench hit my nose. I took a step back before gathering myself. Hesitantly, I opened the box and looked inside. Oh—my—God.
* * *
‘I’m always watching’. Silvia translated the little white cardboard card, flipping it back and forth.
“This was the only thing in the box? Except for the… well, you-know-what,” she whispered, and I nodded.
I came straight to the club to tell Silvia—who was in our dressing room—about the little package I received earlier on.
“Yeah,” I nodded, holding onto the sides of my arms as goosebumps rose on my skin.
“Do you have any idea who could’ve sent this?”
“No,” I shook my head. “Sylvester is the only person who comes to mind, but he’s never done something like this before.”
“Maybe he got someone else to do it.”
“No. Sylvester works alone. He wouldn’t risk it.”
She looked at me wearily, then hesitated. “What?” I asked, tipping my head forward.
“What if it was… him ?”
I knew she was referring to Antonio. “He wouldn’t,” I shook my head defensively. “Come on, Silvia. You don’t seriously believe in that Devil crap, do you?”
She only shrugged her shoulders and lightly scrunched up her face.
After I told Silvia about the proposal, she decided to do some research of her own to make sure that he was who he said he was. She wanted to make sure that I’d be safe if I agreed.
Unfortunately, we were both in for a jaw-dropping surprise. Rumors danced around the city of the infamous Made Men. Two dangerous brothers in particular. They were vile, deadly, and ruthless as they ran the city.
No one dared to put a name to a face, but as soon as their eyes fell on Him , they didn’t dare to meet his gaze.
Behind closed doors, everybody knew exactly who they were, but as soon as they were questioned, they didn’t know a damn thing.
It was amazing, yet sad, how much fear these brothers instilled in people.
I’d only been in New York for three years, but according to the rumors, they’d been running the city for almost a decade.
“I don’t know, Nirah, but it’s a possibility. You can’t deny that he isn’t really the most open, talkative, or friendly man. He’s also filthy rich, and no one knows what he does for a living. Not to mention you saw his gun.” I had, in fact, caught a glimpse of it once .
“Marco carries a gun too,” I quickly shot back. “Nothing wrong with a little protection.” I heard exactly how ridiculous I sounded as soon as I uttered those words. I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Maybe he just hates human contact. Nothing wrong with keeping to yourself.”
She sighed— heavily . “You should ask him.”
“I am not asking him,” I laughed, and her shoulders slumped. “Seriously Silvia? You want me to walk up to him and be like ‘ Hey, by the way. Did you send a— ” My throat closed up at the thought, and she put her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m just trying to look out for you.”
“Yeah, I know, and I’m incredibly thankful for that.”
With an uneasy gut feeling and my mind racing through a million thoughts, I finally left the dressing room. I had to take over for London because, unfortunately, Theo got sick again.
I cleaned one of her tables, and my heart dropped to my feet as Antonio stood with Cesar at the entrance.
I couldn’t help but stare at him as they conversed.
When Antonio left Cesar’s side, I hurried over. “Is he always like that?” I asked, stopping in front of him.
“Like what, Miss Nirah?”
“Like he shoves a stick up his ass every morning.”
Cesar let out a faint, breathless chuckle, shaking his head. “I can assure you, miss, he does not.”
“Why, because you’re up there so much, you know exactly what’s going on?” I smiled, resting my hands on my hips.
He only pinned me a look, and I broke out in a broad smile, gently rubbing my nails up and down the stubble along his jaw. “I’m kidding,” I leaned up to say, and he shook his head in disapproval.
I crossed my arms over my chest, turning my back on Cesar, and both our eyes landed on Antonio.
“Oh no, he’s coming back, act natural,” I whispered to Cesar. “He’s walking normal. Do you think the stick fell out?” I glanced up at him before he and I both broke out in a mischievous snicker.
When Antonio reached us, I mustered up false courage. “Ah, it’s my prince charming. What can I get you on this fine evening?” I asked, heading over to wipe the table.
“An answer,” he vaguely said, sitting down at my table.
I stopped, standing up straight, and noticed Cesar was gone. “Mm,” I paused in thought. “False. To get to the other side. Large sex on the beach. Red,” I said, spitting out random answers.
“Nirah,” he warned.
I sighed, plopping down in front of him. I stared into his beautifully green eyes, trying my utmost best to stay focused. His dark hair really made his eyes pop, and his olive skin tone complimented his features so well.
He pulled out his cell phone, and I watched his thumbs run across his screen. My phone vibrated, and I looked down the screen. “Save it,” he said, and I nodded.
“Where did you get my number, you creepy stalker?” I asked, slipping my phone back into my pocket.
“Silvia.” Yes, of course.
I was hesitant about the entire proposal until this morning. Whoever sent it knew where I lived. And if they’re anything like Sylvester, they’re heartless, and that scared me.
Ever since I met Antonio, I felt some sort of comfort. Maybe it’s just my daddy issues kicking in, but I felt safe with him—even though he was a stranger. Crazy. I know.
“Okay fine,” I breathed. “But if we get married, then I want a wedding. An actual wedding.”
He nodded. “Done.”
I still felt unsure, but after the package I received, I needed to get out of my house.
“Good. If I’m only doing this once, then I might as well do it right,” I sighed, getting up.
He was reluctant to speak. “You don’t sound happy about it.
“Yeah, well, I’m practically selling my life away,” I shrugged my shoulders. “When do you want to do this?” I rested my hands on my hips, and I could tell he was carefully deciding on his next few words.
“You are aware that I’m not forcing you to do this.”
“I know,” I confirmed. “How would this work, exactly?”
We went over the basics, and he seemed surprisingly keen to proceed with this agreement. He didn’t hold back, and neither did I—with my questions, of course.
“We can discuss details on Friday after you’re settled in.”
“Settled in as in…?”
“After you’ve moved into my house.”
My eyes grew wide. “Moved into your what?”
“I’m starting to think you don’t really know how marriages work.”
“No, I know; I just—nothing. Never mind,” I shook my head. “But do I have to move in before the wedding?”
“Yes. And we will be expected to follow some family traditions as well.”
“ You follow traditions?” I couldn’t help but snicker, and he nodded. A mischievous grin spread across my face. “Well, since we’re following tradition and all,” I slowly said. “It would only be right that you kneel and ask me to marry you.”
He raised a brow at me. “I don’t kneel for anyone,” he said as though the word repulsed him.
My heart thumped in my chest when I picked up on the intensity of his voice.
Something flickered behind his green eyes, drawing me in. I didn’t like it. Maybe Silvia was right.
“It was worth the try,” I shrugged my right shoulder. “And by the way,” I said, throwing the rag over my shoulder, standing in front of him. “The package you sent. Not very funny. At all.”
“Package?” he asked, genuinely confused, and I nodded.
“Yeah. The one you sent me earlier. I’m guessing it was to scare me or something, but it was just weird and creepy.”
“I did no such thing,” he shook his head.
“You’re kidding, right ?” I hopefully asked. It had to be him because if it wasn’t, then it simply meant that someone else was out to get me, and I’d be completely vulnerable. I had no clue who it could be.
“No, Nirah, I’m not,” he sternly said, and from the tone in his voice, I could hear how serious he was being.
I frowned. “ Oh .”
“What was the package?” he asked, and my head snapped up.
“Uh, no—nothing,” I shook my head. “Forget I said anything.”
“What was it, Nirah?”
I swallowed hard. “It was…” I reluctantly trailed off, looking down. “A human eye,” I thrilled. “With three needles in the pupil.”
I didn’t look up at him—too embarrassed by the accusation itself. I felt guilty, almost. Ever since I met him, he had done nothing but help me, yet here I was, accusing him of such cruel actions.
When I eventually met his gaze, I could tell he was taken aback, but he masked it well. “And you thought I’d send that to you?”
“No—I just—I don’t know,” I sighed, shaking my head. “I’ve just been all over the place, and now Silvia got this thing stuck in my head, and well, forget it,” I stammered. “It’s stupid.”
“And what could that be?” he asked, but now his tone had shifted from uncertainty to being laced with amusement and interest.
“I think I’ve offended you enough for the night,” I said, and he rose to his feet, standing mere inches from me, and I anticipated his next few words.
“I’ll pick you up on Friday at eight.”
“I actually have to perform at eight so nine. Be here at nine.”