Chapter 7 Kira
KIRA
New paint appears in the hallway. The hole in the wall near the stairwell gets patched. The handrails get tightened, and the flickering light in the foyer gets swapped out. The old carpet ends up in a dumpster. New carpet gets put down in its place.
Every day, workers show up. “They fixed my leaky sink,” Tabby says, so happy she’s fighting back tears. “Joshy almost passed out when he saw it. No charge either. Even Brian said they came and repaired a bunch of stuff he’s been complaining about forever. And did you see the basement?!”
I sigh and nod. “I saw the basement.”
“Free laundry.” She groans and leans up against the wall, giddy with joy. “No more lugging it down the block. Can you imagine?!”
I genuinely can’t.
Every day, life in this building gets better. Even Mrs. Walker seems like she’s in a better mood. Under any other circumstances, people would be right to assume these changes mean huge rent increases.
But Stellan made it clear: that isn’t going to happen.
I don’t get it. None of it makes sense. He’s taking care of my friends in this building and making all their lives better. Even Gem’s reaping the benefits. She doesn’t have to live in a total shithole anymore. And the laundry situation really is a huge deal.
All the while Stellan’s trying to grind me into dust.
The deadline keeps approaching. A second rent doubling notice appeared under my door at the two-week mark. He appeared after my grooming shift to ask me out, and I had to tell him off again. The worst part is he doesn’t even get angry. It feels like some big game to him.
Mina can’t stop gushing. “Stellan is the best landlord I’ve ever had. This is incredible. I can’t believe how lucky we are.”
“Lucky, yeah, that’s how I feel,” I mutter, but nobody seems to notice.
Everyone’s too happy with the new situation.
Except for Gem. My sister’s busy finishing up her applications, but she’s always been perceptive. One night, after the second doubling notice, she corners me in the kitchen and gives me one of those serious-not-playing looks she has. One day, she’s going to make a great politician.
“What’s wrong? Something’s up with you.”
“I’m fine. Just the usual stress, but I’m handling it. I always say you don’t have to worry.”
She shakes her head, undeterred. “It’s the new owner, isn’t it?”
I stare at her. “Why would you say that?” I try to laugh like she’s totally crazy.
Gem’s still not buying it. “Every time he comes up, you look like your dog died. You hate that guy, and I don’t know why.”
“It’s nothing, okay? Don’t worry about it.”
“Kira—
“Focus on school. Focus on college. That’s the goal, right? That’s why we’re doing all this.” I hug her tight and squeeze. “That’s why I work days and nights.” A little guilt can’t hurt, right?
She sighs. “I love you. I’m just worried.”
“I know. I love you too, Gemmy-bee. But I’m fine.”
Except I’m not fine. Not at all.
The world feels like it’s moving forward. The apartment building is getting nicer. My neighbors all have a much-needed break on their rent. Gem’s finishing her applications and getting ready to move out to college.
While I’m stuck treading water.
Stellan’s the reason I might drown. At least, I want to blame him. But I’m not totally sure it’s all his fault.
Could be that I’m too damn stubborn and he’s not as bad as I think.
He shows up early during my overnight shift. Pam gives me a meaningful look and nudges me behind the counter. “Your man’s here again. He always sits there and watches you, you know that?”
“I’m aware, thank you.”
Harry pokes his head out from the back. “Want me to get rid of him?” He cracks his knuckles menacingly. “I can handle him, if you want.”
“It’s okay, Harry, nobody wants to see you get your ass kicked.”
He disappears back into the kitchen with a laugh.
“Seriously though, I can take his table if you don’t want it,” Pam says earnestly. “He’s hot and helped you out and all, but I know that’s not always enough.”
I hesitate, looking over at Stellan. He’s not looking back. Instead, he’s hunched over his phone with his brows knit like something’s wrong.
Maybe it’s the look on his face. Or maybe it’s the fact that he’s helping out people I care about without having to be asked. “No, it’s okay, I’ll handle it.” I grab a mug and the coffee pot and march over to where Stellan’s sitting.
He glances up. His face softens when he spots me looming over his table. God, I hate this bastard so much. He’s threatening to destroy me, and I believe he’ll really do it, all while giving everyone else an enormous gift.
The message is clear: do what I say and you can have all this too.
“Coffee,” I say, dropping the mug down with a rattle and filling it.
“I see that.”
“I have a fifteen-minute break in a couple of hours. If you’re still here, I’ll drink some coffee with you.”
“That’s not dinner.”
“It’s as close as you’re going to get.”
He pretends to think it over. “This won’t lower your rent.”
“Didn’t ask you to.”
“I’ll be here.”
“You don’t have anything better to do?”
“Not right now.”
I glare at him a moment longer, trying to figure out what this guy really wants from me, before marching off.
He’s a problem. Stellan’s much too rich and powerful. This whole bizarre blackmail courtship game makes zero sense. I feel like I’m caught in a trap and my only option is to gnaw my own leg off to escape.
True to his word, Stellan sticks around. I spend the next couple of hours ignoring him. The diner isn’t very busy and the minutes drag past. Finally, I tell Pam I’m taking my fifteen, drop my apron in the back near my locker, and march out to slide into the booth across from Stellan.
Pam wordlessly comes over, pours me some coffee, and walks off.
I stare at Stellan. He looks back with an amused smile. This man’s confidence is never rattled. Even when he has to know how much I want to kick him right in the smug little teeth.
“How’s a guy with the resources to buy an entire apartment building have the time to sit around in a dump like this?”
Stellan laughs. He turns his phone screen down and slides it away from him. I like that gesture. He’s trying to be present.
“I’m my own boss.”
“Seems strange though. Not sure what you’re getting out of it.”
“Time spent near you isn’t enough?”
“I’m not that interesting.”
“I disagree.”
“Why are you helping everyone back at the building?”
He tilts his head to the side questioningly. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“The improvements. Painting, railings, carpet, laundry, all that stuff.”
“The place is a piece of shit. I’m making it better.”
“But why? You lowered everyone’s rent. Who the hell does that?”
He takes a sip of his coffee and places it back down carefully. “Did you stop to consider that maybe the building isn’t about profit?”
“Yes, obviously I thought about that, but that only makes me wonder what the hell it’s really about.”
“You know what?” He stares at me, smile vanished. The intensity in his stare sends a whirlpool in my belly. I have to look away. “Have dinner with me.”
“If I do, will you raise the rent? You’ll have gotten what you wanted.”
“I don’t care about the building.”
“You’re dumping money into it, though.”
He sounds slightly frustrated, which is a surprise. “That’s all for you.”
I sit back. My hands shake when I lift the coffee mug to my lips. It’s hot, but I don’t care. I need the caffeine, and the heat helps wake me up.
All for me?
But that makes no sense.
“You’re trying to ruin my life. Don’t pretend like you’re fixing the building for me.”
“I’m trying to get you to have dinner with me. If I happen to help people in the process, what’s it matter?”
“Now you pretend like you actually are trying to do something good.”
“Whether I’m trying or not isn’t important. All that matters is the outcome of my actions.” He leans in closer. “Have dinner with me, Kira. Don’t make me raise your rent.”
“Tell me what you do for a living.”
He tilts his head. “My family owns parking lots.”
“Seriously?”
“It’s good business.”
“You don’t get apartment building money from parking lots.”
“Very good business.”
“You’re full of shit. What do you do for a living?”
He doesn’t respond. Only stares at me grimly, like he wants me to know but he can’t say the words out loud.
I’ve known men like him. Flashy men with nice cars and obscure professions. They’ve been universally terrible people.
Only Stellan genuinely seems different.
I hate it, but he does.
There’s an edge to him. He’s clearly dangerous. But the things he’s doing for my neighbors are really hard to ignore.
“Why do you keep rejecting my dinner offer?” he asks finally, clearly changing the subject.
“I told you already. I don’t have time for dates. And I also don’t like being blackmailed.”
“Dinner is simple.”
“I have a feeling nothing is simple with you.”
“You’d be surprised. I’m a man of very clear tastes. I’ll tell you what I like, when I like it, and how I like it. There won’t be any guessing.”
“That’s the problem. You probably think that means everyone’s got to cater to you, right? You say what you need and there it is, set forth on a silver platter. Must be nice.”
“You really don’t know me at all.”
“Let’s keep it that way.”
“Have dinner with me.”
“No, thanks.” I take another drink of coffee. He looks about as frustrated as I feel. Nothing’s been resolved, and I don’t feel like I’m any closer to figuring him out.
But I do know some things.
He’s attractive. Obscenely attractive. When he talks, I keep staring at his lips.
They’re lightly wet, like he licked them recently.
The stubble on his cheeks and chin suggests he hasn’t been home in hours.
His clothes are expensive, but rumpled. The tattoos are all extremely well done but very dark.
His hair is too light to be Italian, but he’s got the olive-toned skin and square jaw of the men I grew up around back in the day.
Beautiful, rich, and dangerous.
And still a freaking mystery.
His phone starts buzzing. He frowns like it’s a rat scuttling across the floor, but he eventually excuses himself and answers it in front of me. I lean back, curiously sipping my coffee, as he grunts into the receiver.
“How bad? Right now? Which one? I can be there in five minutes. Don’t go anywhere. Don’t touch anything either.”
He hangs up and stares at me.
“Your parking lot’s calling?”
“Actually, yes. I have to get going. I’m sorry. This was nice.”
“Nice? Really?”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night.”
“No.”
He pushes out from the booth and stands. I forget sometimes how tall he is. I feel small as he starts to walk away.
“Hold on,” I say quickly and push myself to my feet. “The offer you made. About getting Gem a driver. Was that for real?”
He narrows his eyes. “Absolutely.”
“I pick the company.”
“Whatever makes you comfortable. I’ll be back tomorrow night. Give me the details then.”
“Fine.” He starts to leave. “Thank you,” I say very reluctantly.
He doesn’t answer. Only walks out into the night.
I sink back down into the booth, feeling deeply conflicted.
Stellan’s handsome. I can’t pretend like I’m not very, very attracted to him. But the guy’s trying to blackmail me and that’s really not great.
Accepting that ride for Gem is probably a terrible idea.
But I can dirty myself for her. I’ve been doing it for years now. What’s it matter if I burn my final shred of dignity? If it means making Gem’s life easier, I’ll do it.
And I know where that logic leads. The obvious conclusion to my problem. I just don’t want to take that leap. Something keeps holding me back.
A very, very bad feeling.
Like if I take the plunge, I’ll never come up for air again.