Chapter Eleven - Metallic rainVanyaXerxes
“THIS IS VANYA.”
“Are you ready to come home yet?”
I should’ve hung the phone up. The safety of my office didn’t prevent the memories from flooding back in. But with one glance up and seeing all I had accomplished, I was ready to do battle with whoever I needed.
“What are you calling me for, Johnathan?” I rolled my eyes and had to admit, knowing I had people on my side gave me more confidence than before.
“What am I calling you for? That list is so fucking long Ana—”
I rolled my shoulders back my anger now the fuel for me to put this asshole in his place. Him sending someone after me to drug me pissed me off. When Xerxes told me to give him time, I’d agreed. But with this fool calling me I couldn’t lie. I wanted him out of my life and off earth as soon as possible. “My name is Vanya. Don’t call me that bullshit ever again.”
“Is that the type of language that you are using now? You see how you’ve been since you’ve left the family? You’ve fallen so far from grace—”
“SHUT UP! God would you open your eyes to how you’ve been manipulated your whole life? How we both have been? Fuck, what is wrong with you? It’s like you crave this shit.”
“You sound just like the ghetto hood rat they always said you were going to turn into. All those times I thought that maybe they were wrong, you just proved them right.”
I chuckled because he absolutely wouldn’t be able to have a full conversation without bringing up the Kennedys. “Oh yeah? Like when they said that without them, you would’ve been a thug? That college was going to be too hard for someone of your intelligence so they made you get your real estate license and work for them for years for free? Hmm? Is that the type of solid decision making our dear parents provided for you? You were in the top twenty percent of your class. You could’ve gone a lot further than you did. But ignorance equates to compliance. They couldn’t let you get too far away or around people who were too different from them. Otherwise you might start thinking for yourself and then where would they be?”
“You disgust me. You have shamed the entire family with everything that you’ve done. You need to come home and make it right. We’ve already discussed how you can make—”
I straight out laughed at him thinking I owed him or the Kennedys anything. “I’m not making anything if it means it’s for their betterment or yours. Besides, if I’m so terrible, why do y’all want me around? You should be trying to keep me as far away as possible.”
Johnathan scoffed loudly through the phone like his disappointment was supposed to hurt my feelings. “And to think I thought you were a good wife. I’m sure that—”
“I don’t care about what you think, how they feel or anything else. I’m free of all of you. I’m done with all of you and I don’t want to hear from you again. If you contact me again, I’ll be filing harassment charges.” I hung the phone up frustrated and glanced up at my door to see Navi standing there.
“Anything I need to know?” She was very calm despite the way she heard me yelling.
I propped my elbow on my desk before placing my hand on it. “Yes. My original family is crazy and if anyone with the last name Kennedy calls in here, don’t let them through.” I looked up at her to gauge her reaction to my request.
Her face remained relatively passive but the way her forehead creased showed she was curious. “Okay. There seems to be a story there.”
“I don’t think you would believe me if I told you.”
“I grew up in a whorehouse until I was school aged.”
That caused me to sit up in my chair because I know I hadn’t heard her correctly. “Wait, what?”
She giggled sarcastically and leaned against the door frame. “Yeah. Our mother was trafficked into the country we believe. Or brought from somewhere else to a tiny house in Georgia. We were born there and didn’t know much about the outside world.”
“You don’t sound… devastated about any of this.”
She smiled her eyes still slightly secretive. I wouldn’t press because I could understand not wanting to give too much of your pain away to people you didn’t know.
“Neither do you. I’m going to assume that based on the type of woman you are, you’ve been through hell. But you didn’t let it break you. You don’t walk around afraid of your own shadow, at least not in public. The shadows at night might haunt you, but you’re willing to put them down if necessary. The scars are there, but it’s not something that I show to just anyone. That type of vulnerability can get you killed. I’m not in the habit of dying.”
“You are… complex.” Because what the hell else could I say to that?
She shrugged before standing up fully. “Kindred spirits wouldn’t you agree?”
“Maybe. I don’t want to be unprofessional, so please don’t hold it against me if I lose my shit every once in a while.”
Navi laughed for the first time since she’d been here and it made her even more beautiful. “I would be more surprised if you didn’t.”
“It’s time for lunch. I’m going to work through it but take an hour or more. I don’t even have a lot of things going on and I feel bad that you haven’t had a lot of work to do.”
“It’s peaceful. I’m happy that there are a few deals in the works, but I won’t ever frown at having a second to breathe.”
I cocked my head to the side completely surprised by her statement. “That’s… really healthy.”
Navi did the grin thing that made me feel as though I wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “I’ve been working since I was seven years old. I understand more than most that sometimes you have to rest. I’ve thrown myself into work trying to prove that I could be normal. Trying to run away from the bad that seems to follow me wherever I went. And you know what it got me?”
“What?”
“Nothing. Well, not nothing, I got money. I got things. And that pissed me off more.” Navi looked angry and now I was wondering if something was wrong with me because I was confused. Money gave you options. Goals gave you a purpose. Things were the physical reminder of your hard work. But now, I was concerned I’d been looking at life all wrong.
“Having money pissed you off?”
“What it represented. What I gave up to have that money pissed me off. And I realized I was turning into a pawn of a system that was better off dismantled than my labor being used to further it.” I had to wonder if I had Natasha Romanov working with me because she was sounding really anarchist in her speech.
“So we are dismantling capitalistic systems of oppression today?” We both laughed and now I couldn’t be pissed at Frankie for having Jerica. I liked Navi and considered her a friend.
“We’re no longer neglecting ourselves in order to feed into the machine. Having enough is better than worrying about abundance.”
“I can agree with that but I guess I feel like a hypocrite.”
“Why?”
“Because I have an abundance so it’s easy for me to say.” I bit my lip waiting on her judgement. I wasn’t sure why I thought it would be negative, but that was always my baseline.
“And you see and work with people who don’t to give them foothold into the American dream. That’s something to be proud of.” We’d discussed the down payment assistance I gave to home buyers and she had matched my percentage from her closings.
“Thank you. I don’t know why that made me feel better.”
Navi looked at me with understanding and I felt like I was over sharing. “Because you’re not used to hearing people be appreciative of what you do. I was that way. I’ve had to learn that it’s not wrong to be praised for doing a good job.”
“How long has it taken you to fully accept it?” I knew I shouldn’t have pried but I couldn’t help it. I was craving to hear how people handled normalcy after being in ridiculous situations.
Navi looked like she was calculating something in her head and I stood silently waiting on her answer. “It’s been like eight months since I started hearing it so I’m still a work in progress.”
To me she’d done a remarkable amount of work if only five months had passed. But just like I needed to hear the positive, I was sure she did, too. “Well, you’ve been great help around here even when it’s something mundane. I feel very normal not talking to the walls, so I appreciate you. Whatever you spend on lunch, treat yourself and then expense it.”
Navi smiled at my words before nodding and she pulled out her phone. “You want me to bring you something back?”
“No, it’s unnecessary. We’ll probably get out of here early today.”
She hesitated like she had something to say but couldn’t say it. I didn’t push her because I knew she had shared a lot. “I won’t be far so call me if you change your mind. But just in case your ex is stupid, keep the door locked, okay?”
I appreciated her concern and agreed to do what she said. After I followed her out front, I locked the door before going back to my office.
I went back to work still thinking about everything that Navi had revealed. She had me rethinking a lot because I’d gotten the things and while it had been good, the idea of more was still out there. To be honest, it was within my grasp if I wanted to stop being scary and take it.
Xerxes.
I had to admit that I’d used what he did to mask how I felt. To mask what I wanted. Which was him. I wanted him despite whatever perceived danger that was around him. Frankie and the other women I’d met at her wedding were confident enough in the men that they’d chosen. Part of me felt like I was insulting Xerxes’ ability to protect me. And I knew that was something that just wasn’t true. I didn’t know how to make it right, but I would.
The phone rang giving me something else to do instead of focus on how I was messing up. Putting a smile on my face so it could be heard in my voice I picked up the phone.
“Flourish Realties this is Vanya speaking.”
“Is this Mrs. Kennedy?”
“No, this is Ms . Kennedy, how may I help you?” Despite my disdain at their mistake, I kept the smile on my face because I hoped it was an honest mistake and not some bullshit.
I hated that people still played these games. Especially the people who ran in the same realtor circles and knew I’d been divorced far longer than I’d been married.
“Are you alone right now, Ms. Kennedy?”
My instincts told me to hang up the phone but I didn’t listen to it quickly enough. “Who is this?”
“I wonder how Xerxes would feel if you were found in pieces today.” My antenna went up at the joy that I heard in his voice. Like he was excited at the way he was making me uncomfortable with his words. His voice was deep and measured. Like he knew exactly what and how to convey this threat so I was terrified.
“Pieces?” I’d tried to sound strong but I couldn’t help that my voice cracked slightly. My eyes darted around the room to see if there was someone or something about to appear out of nowhere.
“There are so many ways we could get to you right now, Vanya. Because what type of man would allow you, something he values, to be left all alone? How soon do you think he can get to you, Vanya? Before I make my way in that building and lift that pretty skirt you have on? Beautiful pleats on it. Very classy. Are you going to risk driving your car home tonight? Even with the little addition we’ve added to it?”
My eyes went to the door and the entire panel of glass that was at the front of my building. No one was coming inside the door, but I was still going to be prepared. “Who is this?”
A sadistic chuckle filled my ear making me feel like I was speaking with evil. “Me? You will find out soon. I’m going to go now. Make sure you call him and tell him to hurry. My patience is growing thin.”
The line went dead and I gripped the receiver before putting it back on the cradle. I immediately picked up the cell phone Xerxes had given me when we first started working together and dialed his number.
“My day vas going well but it has improved by an infinite amount seeing your name on my screen. Tell me, zibā, how are you?” His voice held the normal charm, but it did nothing to soothe me after the call I just had.
“Xerxes—”
“What’s wrong?” The playful sound that had been in his tone had dropped and it held a hardness I had only experienced that night in my apartment. And in front of my ex. Xerxes was moving around and I knew he was coming to me.
Should I want him to come?
“Xerxes, they’re saying there is something on my car.”
“Who are zhey, zibā ? I know you’re scared but I vouldn’t allow anyzing to happen to you. No one has been close enough to your car to put anyzing on it.”
I looked down at the key to my car before picking it up toying with the idea I had. “I don’t think you should come here. I don’t know if they’ve put a tracker or a bomb or what on my truck. I’m going to remote start it—”
“Don’t! Even with zhe ballistic glass zhat I had zhe windows replaced wiz, it could still leave you vulnerable. Is your secretary back from lunch yet?” His tone was panicked but immediately went back to the normal, measured cadence.
I stopped pacing briefly to glance around my office. “How did you—”
“The answer, Vanya!” It was the first time he’d ever snapped at me and I knew he wasn’t playing with me.
“No. She’s not.” A tear slipped. I hated that it had because I felt like I was going to lose control.
“Don’t let anyone into your office until you see me, do you understand?” The background of the conversation changed and I could hear him say something to Shoaib in Farsi as he waited for me to speak.
“Of course but—”
“I’m walking to my helicopter and Quentin is getting Navi on the phone. I understand you’re worried, but I will be in front of your office door within ten minutes.”
“Okay.” I bit my lip but now my concern was shifting from myself to Navi. What if she tried to walk into the door and they hurt her? What if they’d tried to hurt her when she left?
“I know you’re scared, baby, but I made a promise to you and I don’t break zhose. I need you to be the girl zhat was helping her best friend beat up a woman for disrespect. Zhat woman might be scared but she still handled her business, just like I know you can now. Right?”
I swallowed deeply feeling like I was going to pass out. “Right.”
“Good. Deep breath. Shoaib already has the helicopter in the air and I’m not far away. I know you are worried about Navi but Quentin has her on the phone and she is safe. Do you see anything outside?”
I knew better than to get close to any of the windows near the front of the building so I peered out carefully through my office door, making sure I was still safely guarded by it. From my point of view, I saw nothing different from before except that Navi’s car was gone.
“It all looks fine.”
“Do not leave until you see me at the door.” I was nodding like he could see me despite us being over the phone. “Vanya!”
“Yes. I hear you. No opening the door. What if it’s—”
“Nobody but me.” His words held a tone of finality that ensure I was going to comply with whatever he was asking.
“Okay.”
“Six minutes, zibā and zhen I’ll be at zhe door. All I need is for you to be brave for six more minutes.”
I nodded shoring myself up for whatever was to come. “I can do that.”
“I know you can. Tell me about the last property zhat you found for the horses, beautiful. I didn’t have time to read zhe paperwork, tell me about how perfect it is for me now.”
I could hear him moving around voices shouting as they moved from wherever he was to get to me. I tried to focus on what he requested but I couldn’t. One word of worry and this man was getting on an aircraft to make sure I was okay.
“Is it big enough or will I need to build somezing, azizam ?”
“It’s big enough.” My eyes darted through my door, past Navi’s empty office to the parking lot in front.
“I need more information, azizam . Tell me all about it.”
So I did. I used the property that I’d found for Xerxes and the description of it to keep myself calm despite the danger I felt I was in. I felt like a sitting duck, but I had to be smart enough to listen to the advice that had been given to me. Xerxes told me to stay put, so I did. He wouldn’t have me out here crazy and he’d been in situations more dangerous than this far more often than me. I didn’t want to think about the what ifs of him being wrong. I had faith that he wasn’t. I told him about the trees, the almost hundred acres I’d been able to find for him just south of Charlotte, in a little town called Pageland, South Carolina. I’d chosen this property instead of one in Lancaster, which was a twenty-three minute drive instead of almost forty because of the cost. And the people of the town could use some revitalization to the area. It was also about forty minutes away from Camden, South Carolina, which held the Carolina Cup horse race. It wasn’t anything of Xerxes’ horses’ caliber, but it wouldn’t stop some locals who wanted better bloodlines to line up in order to do business with him.
I told him all of this against the background humming of the helicopter. Of hearing the way Quentin and Shoaib were getting whoever needed to be here organized to ensure I was good until they got here. This man, this mythological legend was rallying an entire army to ensure I was good. A tear crested at the overwhelming feeling of protection his desire to come to my aide gave me. I’d seen it from him personally, but to witness him mounting his forces to keep me safe? That was something so moving I don’t think I could put it into words.
I kept my eyes on the parking lot hearing him thank me for finding him such a perfect property and how he couldn’t wait to tour it. The background sound changed again and I knew he was in the car.
I wasn’t sure if it had been ten minutes or longer, but slowly I could tell things were happening in the parking lot. Cars were driving by slowly, but making it more than obvious they were there. All of them were dark with dark tint and stayed along the perimeter of the lot. Waiting.
“If you see cars, zibā, do not be afraid. Just a few friends to ensure no one can zhink to harm you or try to extract you from zhe building to hurt you. I’m almost zhere.” Xerxes’s voice was as soothing as his words were reassuring.
“Okay.”
I realized now he had to have eyes on this place. Which was so outta hand but damn if it wasn’t smooth as hell too. Despite me not being his, he hadn’t pulled back from me. He’d kept his careful, watchful eye on me the whole time.
“We’re here, zibā. Wait until I’m at zhe door to leave your office.”
He didn’t wait for my agreement, but he kept the line open while I heard him put the phone down. He was back speaking in Persian and I could hear the metallic click of what I could only assume were weapons.
I tried to half listen to him and keep my ear out to what was going on outside. People liked to make jokes about Xerxes and his weapons, but now I was wondering if there was a drone with a bomb or machine guns loaded on it to step in and save the day.
I heard tires screeching from multiple locations of the building and watched as the cars, that had been discretely forming a perimeter around the parking lot, opened up so a large black SUV could make its way through.
By the speed in which it was moving, I knew who it was.
I heard Shoaib and Xerxes arguing, the harshness of their voices letting me know this wasn’t something small. I was sure he had almost forgotten I was on the phone by the way the two of them were going at it. Normally it would’ve been funny, but when Quentin chimed in speaking Farsi as well I knew it had to be serious.
It was confirmed when I got a glimpse of the customized running boards on the side of the SUV. I wasn’t sure why he felt confident enough to roll through here so brazenly, but he did. The SUV was pulled up to the front walkway of my building not close enough to impede the door being opened, but enough that I didn’t feel as scared to walk out to him. Shoaib and Quentin’s doors opened and from the look on Shoaib’s face he was pissed. He went to open Xerxes’ door, his eyes trained to whatever was around him and I wanted them to hurry and get inside the building. He was too vulnerable where he was and I felt my heart was going to explode from fear of him getting injured.
I ran to the door and tried to rush him inside as Shoaib and Quentin protected him while his focus was directly on me. His face was still hard, and I could see his eyes flickering over me through the glass and still checking the front of the building. And my God he looked like a sexy warrior. His black suit and stark white shirt were crisp. His buttons gleamed in the light like they were black diamonds peeking through as his tie swung back and forth. I couldn’t take it any longer and reached the front of the door just as he was getting ready to knock on it. I smiled at him through the tears that had fallen and I had to admit I hadn’t felt right until I saw him. I got the lock flipped to open the door when the first bullet rang out.
“ Malake-am rā mohāfezat kon (Protect my queen!)!”
I snatched the door open at the same moment Xerxes screamed out. I was hoping they would come inside, but Xerxes turned with his hand on the door, pulling it closed to keep me behind the glass. He whipped out the biggest gun I’d ever seen as he kept one hand on the door before glaring at me as if to dare me to open it. Shoaib and Quentin were already returning fire and once Xerxes released the door, he pulled out another weapon with his now free hand and began pointing toward the others. The noise of it was far louder than anything I’d ever heard. Dolby surround sound didn’t have shit on the real thing. The gun that must’ve been used to end that girl’s life in the Consortium building had to be a pew-pew. These were boom booms and I wondered how long before this place was swarming with police.