CHAPTER 16
Nirah
TAKING A FEW calming deep breaths in, I straightened out the front of my dress.
I ran my hands down my waist, outlining my curves as I stared at myself in the mirror. You got this, Nirah. You’ll be fine.
“Ready to go, Miss Nirah?” Cesar asked, standing in the doorway, and I slowly inhaled to calm my nerves. “Mr. Antonio had to be there ahead of time, so I will be escorting you tonight.”
“Okay,” I smiled. I grabbed my purse and closed my bedroom door behind me as I left with Cesar.
I was on edge the entire drive. I didn’t hear anything from Antonio for two days.
According to Cesar, he had business to attend to out of town.
And as for the event I was attending… I was still in the dark.
Neither of them would tell me anything, and I had asked for Cesar’s opinion on my dress, but he only said that it was perfect. Nothing more.
I gulped down almost two bottles of water on our way over here, and when it was time to get out, I could not calm my nerves.
“You have nothing to be anxious about, Miss Nirah,” Cesar assured me as he looked at me through the rear view mirror. “As soon as we step out of this car, I will not leave your side, even after we’ve found Mr. Antonio. Understand?” Oh, thank goodness .
“Thank God,” I sank into my seat. “I can’t do this without you,” I admitted, gripping the edge of my seat, and he showed me his comforting smile. “Promise you won’t leave me?” I asked, pushing myself in between the two front seats, and he turned his head slightly toward me.
“I promise.” That’s a relief . While driving, we passed many flashing camera’s and large crowds. Thankfully, the car windows were tinted. Cesar gave me a quick rundown of what to do. Ignore them. Don’t answer questions. Don’t smile. Nothing.
“Ready?” he asked, and I nodded.
Cesar stepped out and rounded the hood of the car. He stood at my door for a brief minute, and I smiled, knowing he was giving me a second all to myself. He eventually opened the car door for me, but before I could take my first step, I was blinded by flashing lights.
Cesar took my arm, hooking it onto his. It was overwhelming and intimidating, to say the least. Yelling. Flashing cameras. Squealing. Cameras clicking. White spots everywhere.
We finally got inside, and I gripped his arm for dear life. “You did amazing, Miss,” he cooed, and I smiled.
“Thank you, Cesar,” I softly chuckled, feeling relieved, and we headed upstairs. We got to the top, and I was amazed by the grand view below us. Wow .
The men were dressed in suits while the women were wrapped in beautiful dresses, some floor length, others stopping mid-thigh.
As I admired one of the women’s dresses, the man beside her slowly trailed his eyes up my body. He gave me a smile—which I hesitantly returned. This placed screamed elegance and money .
Waiters swiftly walked around with flutes of champagne and little snacks. I gently ran my hands down my hips and my eyes locked with the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen.
The soft music had become even softer. The lights had dimmed. The cool air had suddenly become hot. Because there he was. Staring up at me with big, wondrous eyes.
I know he is always wearing a suit, but oh my, he looked so handsome.
The way his tatted fingers wrapped around the glass in his hand while the other rested in the pocket of his slacks.
He was standing with three other men. One of the men spoke, and the other two smiled while nodding. Antonio spoke, and the men went silent.
I carefully walked down the stairs and he met me at the bottom.
“You’re not wearing any red,” he said, stopping in front of me, and took a sip of his drink. And cue the control freak.
I smiled at one of the women passing us, moving my finger to the slit of my dress. I could feel his gaze on me as I hooked the slit of my dress with my finger. Slowly, I raised it, revealing the red lace panties I was wearing.
His gaze burned into me as he followed my every move. As soon as I revealed it to him, I dropped my hand, straightening out my dress.
“I know how to follow instructions, sir ,” I murmured, and he rubbed his tongue on the inside of his cheek. “I need a drink,” I said, walking toward a waiter. I spotted Cesar to my right, and he gave me a comforting nod. I grabbed a flute of champagne, taking a sip.
Antonio immediately appeared next to me and put his arm out. I hooked my arm with his, and he led me further into the building. “You look beautiful, tesoro ,” he complimented, and I refrained from scoffing.
“Really?” I faked a gasp. “And here I thought all these men in here were gawking at me because I had something on my face,” I sarcastically shot back, and our walking came to a halt.
He only pinned me with a look, and I chuckled.
“Thank you,” I said, standing in front of him. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you how good you look tonight,” I said, running my hands down the front of his suit jacket. “Always so dashing,” I whispered up at him, and his tongue swiped across his bottom lip.
His eyes were glistening in mischief, and I could already tell what was running through his mind.
“Stop fantasizing about what’s under this dress and tell me why I’m here,” I said, and he finished the last bit of his drink, handing his empty glass to a passing waiter. I did the same with my empty glass.
My breath hitched as he gently gripped my waist, pulling me closer. He lifted his hand, gently brushing the back of his fingers down my cheek.
“Do you trust me, tesoro ?” he asked, and I stared up at him in awareness. I slightly parted my lips and smiled.
“Not one bit, De Luca,” I teased, and his grip on my waist tightened.
“I’m kidding,” I shook my head. “I thought we’ve been over this already,” I said, turning my head as I grabbed a flute of champagne from the passing waiter.
“You’re the only man I do trust,” I said, sipping half of my drink, and he gave me a single nod.
“You ready?”
My grip on the glass tightened, and my free hand came up as my fingers curled into a fist in front of my face. Samantha .
I swiftly turned around to find her staring back at me in shock. “You’re still with her…” Samantha forced through her teeth with a smile. “Amazing,” she sarcastically said, and I shook my head at her.
“Judy Blume,” I mocked, and I could see the wheels in her head turning.
Antonio lowered his lips to my ear from behind as he snaked his arms around my waist. “I need to go.” Again? “Stay with Cesar,” he said before kissing my temple.
He left with Samantha, and I turned around, watching them walk away as they conversed. Cesar instantly appeared at my side and put his arm out for me. “This way, Miss Nirah,” he said as I hooked my arm with his, looking at him in confusion.
“But he went that way,” I softly said, and Cesar put his other arm out in front of him.
“This way,” he repeated himself.
I followed him, and we walked toward a huge staircase. I lifted my dress as we ascended.
“Where did he go?” I whispered to Cesar, but he stayed silent. “Well then, where are we going?” I whispered, but there was no answer.
“You look beautiful, Miss Nirah,” was all he said as we reached the top of the stairs. I softly groaned.
“Thank you,” I mumbled, and he smiled. We stood on the first floor.
Up here were much fewer people than downstairs.
Women with partners or with bodyguards. There were two men at a closed-off booth.
I squinted my eyes as they stood up with smiles while speaking to another man.
The twins. Cesar led me to the edge of the railing.
It seemed as though this floor was built around a huge… boxing ring?
I stared down at the ground floor, and there were people gathered around the railings of both floors.
My head snapped to Cesar with wide eyes, but he kept his eyes on the ring.
There is no fucking way. It is not what I am thinking, it cannot be.
“You want to explain?” I asked Cesar and he slowly turned his head toward me.
“I can’t, Miss Nirah.”
A familiar voice spoke from behind. “Nirah.” I turned my head. Matteo . “You look ravishing,” he smiled and I returned it.
“Thank you.”
And once again, Marcus was shamelessly checking me out. Matteo put both hands in his pockets as he stepped closer to me. He slightly tilted his head to the side as he studied my face. “I guess Antonio is full of surprises, huh?” he smiled.
“You could say that,” I nodded and Marcus chuckled.
“Don’t worry sweet thing ,” he grinned and stopped next to his brother. “There won’t be any surprises with us,” he winked and I could almost thrill out of disgust. I looked up at Matteo and he gave me a single nod in confirmation.
“Everything okay?”
My head snapped to the left as a man I had never met before, stopped at my side. The twins glanced up at him and until Matteo met my eyes.
“Yes, everything is perfectly fine,” Marcus replied.
“Two is always better than one,” Matteo whispered to me—disregarding the man beside me—and I smiled.
“Not when that one happens to be Antonio,” I said, stopping a waiter. I grabbed a flute of champagne and smiled up at the twins
“It’s cute how you two need each other to satisfy a woman,” I nodded as I shifted my eyes between the two of them. “At least Antonio is a big boy who doesn’t need help,” I taunted before taking a sip.
“Yeah?” Matteo pressed, the muscle in his jaw ticking as he stepped closer.
Both Cesar—and the stranger—stepped in front of me, blocking Matteo.
I caught a glimpse of the stranger’s eyes and he was not pleased with them. The twins stepped back, stealing one last glance at me before disappearing.
The two men in front of me, smiled, sharing a warm greeting and I gulped down my champagne, handing Cesar the empty glass. “I’m going to kill him,” I rapidly nodded, and Cesar shook his head.
“Trust him.”