Chapter 4
KIRA
Tabby leans against the frame of her front door and sucks on a vape pen. She blows a thin layer of smoke up toward the ceiling. I tap my nails against my teeth as she looks at me, lips flat. “You hear about the new owner?” she asks, arching an eyebrow. “Can you believe that?”
I shake my head in surprise. Someone bought this building? Are they one of those big rental companies?”
“Nah, I don’t think so. It’s just some guy, apparently?” She shrugs a little. Tabby’s in her thirties and lives with her husband, Josh. They have a toddler and a dog, and she’s always saying she’s going to quit smoking. That hasn’t happened since I’ve been here.
But we get along. Most of the neighbors do, except for that old bat Mrs. Walker. Tabby’s got a part-time job at a car wash, but she’s looking to go back to teaching when the kids are older.
“What’s this mean for the building, though?”
Tabby only shrugs. “Who knows? Rent better not go up, but you know how it is with new ownership.” She shakes her head in disgust. “They’re probably going to jack up prices and bleed us for all we’re worth.”
“Or gentrify the place and hope we move on.” I chew on a nail, spinning out the consequences.
“I can’t afford to spend more on rent, and there’s no way in hell I’ll find a place with two bedrooms for what we’re paying now.
Which means sharing space with Gem, but she’s in the middle of her senior year, she deserves her own room, so I’ll have to take the couch—”
“Relax, girl, relax.” Tabby’s eyebrows shoot up, and she offers me her vape. “Take a hit and try not to panic. We don’t know what’s going to happen yet.”
I wave her away. “You’re right. I just can’t help it. I’m on like three hours of sleep over the last two days.”
“You work too hard, you know that?”
“I’m very aware.”
Another door down the hall opens. Brian lumbers on, frowning at us. He’s dressed to go to work in khakis and a black coat. “How’s it going with you two?” he asks.
“Gossiping about the new owner,” Tabby says, hitting her vape. “You excited for rent hikes?”
I groan as they discuss their theories. Brian lives alone at the end of the hall in the smallest unit in the building.
He’s a nice guy, but he spends too much time on his video games and not enough on grooming.
He helps shovel out the front when it snows, though, which I really like, and Gem says he’s nice and not creepy. That’s a big win.
“I gotta head to work, but if I hear anything, I’ll let you two know. Did either of you talk to Mina yet?”
“That’s on the agenda,” Tabby says. “If anyone knows what’s going down, it’s the mayor.”
Brian nods seriously. “Ask her before you freak out.” He glances at me. “You got a shift today?”
“Dogs won’t clean themselves.”
“Good luck.” He walks off, head down.
Once he’s gone, Tabby sighs. “I’ll ask around some more, but you need to catch some sleep. When do you have to leave?”
I check my phone and stifle a groan. “An hour.”
“Go, get out of here. I’m making lasagna tonight. I’ll bring you some leftovers.”
“No, Tabs, don’t do that, we’re fine.”
“Gem’ll eat it if you don’t. Get some sleep.” Tabby waves, vape in her mouth, and shuts her door behind her.
I step back inside and pause on the threshold.
A new owner. Fuck me straight in the face.
This is the last thing I need. My life’s balanced on the edge already, and one small change could send me teetering into straight-up poverty.
I pretend like I don’t want Tabby to go to the trouble, but her occasional leftovers seriously keep me and Gem going.
If I lose my amazing neighbors and we have to move further away from Gem’s school, now her commute is even worse—
I’m spiraling. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. I have fifty-five minutes before I need to leave, which means a solid forty-five-minute nap at best.
Keep it together. Don’t mess this up. Gem will graduate soon, and things will be okay.
Just keep it together.
The rumors are wild, but even Mina doesn’t know anything, and she’s just about the nosiest busybody I’ve ever met in my life.
The old owner, Mr. Lambert, won’t return anyone’s calls, which makes the mystery so much worse.
Over the next few days, I hear that someone’s going to knock the building down, or they’re going to turn it into a nightclub, or they’re putting in a roof deck and a sauna in the basement.
It’s all total speculation, and I do my best to focus on what matters.
Getting Gem to school. Getting my butt to work. Buy groceries, clean up, pay bills, make sure Gem’s doing applications. Get a little sleep. Do it all again.
“You’re twenty-three, Kira,” Mina says one morning in the hall. She’s an older Korean lady with just about the nicest smile I’ve ever seen. But that smile’s deceiving. She’d cut my head off if I so much as showed an ounce of disrespect. I like her a lot. “Ever think about having a little fun?”
“I didn’t know you were aware fun existed.”
Mina huffs. “I went out when I was your age. My girlfriends and I tore up the city back in the day.”
“I don’t doubt it.” I grin to myself, picturing a young Mina Park going buck wild in the ‘80s. She was probably beautiful. Honestly, still is. “But you know how things are.”
“Gem would understand. She’s a smart, independent girl. She could handle herself for a night.”
“I appreciate the concern—" More like sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong, which is her natural state. “But honestly, I’m fine.”
“Sure you are, dear, but it’s not too late to live a little.” Mina turns away. “By the way, I heard the new owner is coming to check out the building this morning. Rumor says he’s a young, eligible bachelor.”
“I’m not sure why you’re telling me that last part.”
“Oh, no reason!” She beams and waves as she walks out.
I watch her go. An ugly uncertainty roils in my stomach.
Mina’s just trying to tease me, but the prospect of meeting the new owner leaves me deeply unsettled.
There are too many variables and uncertainties, and I have to get ready for my shift at the diner.
I’m covered in dog hair, stinking like animal shampoo, and practically dead on my feet.
Gem gets home late today, thanks to chess club.
I don’t have space in my head for anything else.
I spend a few minutes whipping together dinner, mostly for when Gem gets back. She’ll have to heat it up, but she can handle a microwave. I start the shower, lay out my work clothes, and consider injecting a pot of coffee straight into my veins, when there’s a knock at the door.
“Mina, I really don’t have time for gossip,” I call out when the person in the hall bangs again. I grumble to myself and stomp over, annoyed that I’m losing precious time.
When I pull it open, my jaw drops.
This can’t be happening. I stare, trying to make sense of the beautiful stranger standing in front of me. Except I know him, or at least in a way.
It’s Stellan from the diner.
He’s looking at me with that confident, completely easy smile.
His head’s tilted to the side and he radiates a strange, masculine energy.
His shirt clings to his chest and his pants show off his muscular thighs, and it takes a beat before I realize that I’m checking him out.
Which is not something I do. Men are just window dressing to me.
They’re mannequins and customers, nothing more.
Except here’s an extremely beautiful man, one who saved my life, suddenly outside my door.
“Are you stalking me?!” I blurt out before I can think better of it.
That’s just about the dumbest thing I could say.
Stellan’s smile only gets bigger.
“Would you like it if I were?”
“Absolutely not. Only psychopaths and weirdos want an actual crazy stalker.”
“Which one are you then? Psycho or weird?”
“What are you doing here, Stellan?”
“You remembered my name.”
“Hard to forget.”
“You’re right. I’m a very memorable man.”
My jaw grinds with frustration. I’m starting to come back to my senses as the shock of seeing him on my doorstep fades. “Seriously, what are you doing here?”
“I came to introduce myself.”
“We’ve met before, remember? That casual brawl in the diner?”
“Not just to you, but to all my tenants.”
“Right, okay, but—” I start, stepping back. My eyes go wide in pure terror. “Did you just say your tenants?”
“That’s right. Didn’t you hear this place sold?”
“I did, but—”
“And the new owner is going around introducing himself.” He holds out a hand. It’s big and rough. Tiny scars cross his thumb and I catch a hint of tattoos peeking out from his dress cuff. “Hello, my name is Stellan Corsetti. I bought this building.”
“Oh my god,” I groan, covering my face with both hands. “This is crazy. It’s crazy, right? I mean, this has to just be some bizarre coincidence.”
“Would it make you feel better if I said yes, completely, this wasn’t planned at all?”
I think I might be sick. I stare at him, head pounding, stomach like a stormy sea. “You know this is insane, right?”
“Not really.” He leans against my doorjamb. “I’m saying hello to all the residents, but I have one particular question for you before I move on.”
“What?” I whisper the word, terrified of what he’s about to say.
“Will you have dinner with me?”
His smile is shockingly attractive. It looks almost practiced. I feel like my guts fall onto the floor. This makes zero sense. Who buys an entire apartment building just to ask a woman to dinner?
Who the hell is this guy?
“I told you already,” I manage to say, my teeth nearly chattering. “I don’t have time to date. It’s nothing personal.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes. I’m sure. And honestly?”
His eyebrows raise. “Keep going,” he says encouragingly.
“After this crazy shit, I don’t want anything to do with you.”
There’s a moment when I think he might kill me. His expression doesn’t change, and he doesn’t move closer. But there’s a tightening around his lips, and his fingers curl ever so slightly into fists. I think back to the diner, to how he easily took out those men like it was nothing.
Who is this guy? Who has the resources of a billionaire and the street toughness of a brawler?
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” he murmurs, his smile beginning to fade. “Here’s the deal. I’m going to come back in a few days and ask again. For every week you deny me, I’m going to double your rent. I’m going to keep doubling it until you agree or until you’re homeless. How does that sound?”
I nearly choke.
“I own this place now, Kira. I absolutely can. Just think about it.”
“That’s illegal. I mean, it’s wrong. It’s evil. You can’t force me to have dinner with you.”
“I definitely can, and I have no problems doing it.” He steps back from my doorway. “Have a good night, Kira.”
I’m about to scream at him. Fear and rage slice into me.
If he does this, I’m fucked. I’m beyond fucked.
My life is over. I’ve worked hard to keep us in this apartment.
We need a steady address so Gem can keep going to Central.
We have applications, groceries, bills, a dozen other expenses.
If he really doubles my rent, I’ll have to find a new place, but that could take forever.
And who knows if I can afford a two-bedroom anywhere else.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Gem’s voice stops me cold. It’s like ice suddenly shoved into my mouth. I look over, a dozen rage-fueled curses dying on my lips. She’s still in her school clothes, her backpack slung lazily over one shoulder, smiling uncertainly.
Stellan turns to her.
Run! I want to scream. Run, Gemmy, run! But instead, Stellan offers her his charming smile.
“You must be the sister. My name’s Stellan. I’m the new owner of this building.”
“Oh, wow! I heard someone bought the place. It’s great to meet you, Stellan.” Gem shakes his hand, her eyes big and bright, totally unaware that she’s touching a literal monster.
“Where do you go to school? Somewhere nearby?”
“Central! Takes forever to get there, but it’s totally worth it.”
“That’s one of the best in the nation. You must be pretty smart to have tested in there.”
“I got lucky.” Gem beams at him.
I quickly step forward and take my sister’s arm. “Alright, Gem, we don’t want to waste more of Mr. Corsetti’s time. And you have applications to do.”
“College? I’m sure you’re going to get in wherever you apply.”
“Thank you, Stellan, but it’s so competitive these days. You should see the other girls at school.”
“Okay, okay, come on, Gem, it’s getting late.” I practically shove her inside and slam the door behind me.
“Nice meeting you!” Stellan calls out, smirking at me.
I glare at him, steadying myself. “Don’t you ever talk to her again.”
“Your sister seems like a nice young lady.”
“I mean it. Leave her alone.”
“Don’t worry, Kira. I’m only interested in you.” He turns away. “Have a nice night. I’ll be seeing you soon.”
I linger in the hallway. Anger and confusion war through me. This man suddenly holds power over me, and I absolutely despise it. I’ve done nothing but fight to survive, and I’ve done a damn good job up to this point. Gem has everything she needs, and she’s thriving.
While I’ve been getting through the day. But that’s all I’ve needed. And we’re so close to being done.
Now Stellan’s here, ruining everything.
I storm into the apartment. Gem can tell something’s wrong but doesn’t push it. I have to skip the shower thanks to Stellan and throw my diner clothes on while still stinking like a dog. Hopefully, nobody can smell me over the stench of partially overcooked eggs.
This situation is bad. If Stellan really does raise my rent by double, I’m screwed.
So why not just have dinner with the guy? He’s attractive. Clearly, he’s rich. And he saved me from that asshole the other night.
But he’s dangerous. It doesn’t matter if I find him attractive. This is the kind of man I’ve been telling Gem to stay away from for years.
I can’t bring him into our life.
There’s just no room for him or anyone else.
Which means I need another solution to this problem or else I’m going to find myself homeless in just a few weeks.