Nik: OTW
Me: I’m also turning on my location for you.
I don’t like using my bodyguard often but today feels like one of those days. I’m not prone to anxiety attacks, therefore I always follow my gut. Some things just don’t sit right. I finish my check in with my non-profit organization, Liam’s House, about our upcoming gala to raise more funds for affordable houses. My cousin is on top of everything. Penelope Downsbury assured me that I have nothing left to do but grab the missus and don a tux.
I park in the Founder’s garage since the general public doesn’t really know where it is or have access to it. It’s not the norm since parking in front of the cafe is much more convenient. I need to move differently than usual until I can shake the uneasy feeling. Pressing lock on the FOB, I head to the elevator and check in on my wife.
Me: Send nudes.
Dat Azz: First of all, I’m working. Second, that would have me one notch from having my ass on the internet.
Me: I wouldn’t leak them.
Dat Azz: Somebody would.
Me: Video chat me and show me your tits
Dat Azz: Aren’t your late for your “meeting?”????????
Me: I’m not a sex addict. I know where to find great pussy and pretty tits that’s all.
Dat Azz: I should feel flattered, no?
Me: Highest form
Light from the outside shines when the elevator door opens to deposit me outside. The island air ruffles my tendrils once I step outside and slide my shades into place. Smiling, I look down at my phone waiting for Karessa’s response to pop up. I don’t get to read it because I’m cracked in the back of the head hard enough to make me dizzy and lose my balance. I crash to the ground, breaking my phone in the process.What the fuck.I roll to my back to see what the hell is happening. My attacker pushes his gun to my forehead. My vision is still blurry from being hit hard, but I know I don’t know him.
“Give me your watch.”
“Take it and leave me alone.”
“It’s not about the items. I just need it to look like a robbery. I might blame it on the low-lives from the states.”
My stomach drops and I feel a bevy of emotions but the main thing that keeps repeating in my head is what I express.
“Why?”
He leans on my chest with a smile coloring his face. “I have a message from Hale. You should’ve left your wife.”
That statement knocks away the shock and pisses me the fuck off. I hit his wrist and punch him in the face. It stuns him enough to get him off me. My movements are slower than I’d like due to my head but I’m able to kick him in the gut before he starts to fight back. I take advantage of him dropping his gun to try to deliver another blow but it’s obvious he has a skill level I don’t possess. We struggle for the gun. He elbows me in the jaw and gets the upper hand.
The click of the gun echoes in the empty space. I stop breathing and this moment has me thinking of all the important people in my life; my mom, Oran, and now Karessa. This isn’t fair to me or them.
The asshole’s smile enhances the scar indenting his cheek. I’d rather not have this ugly mug as the last thing I see. I pivot to give him my right side to better my chances of surviving the shot, but it never comes. Instead, I hear a body drop.
Peeking, I see Nikolai smiling down at my attacker's prone body. He puts the lid back on his needle.
“It’s a paralyzing agent,” he explains and he grabs the guy's ankle. “He will feel everything I plan to do to him but can’t move or react.” His blue eyes shine as he looks at me. “I’m glad you contacted me when you did. I woke up thinking today was a good day to torture someone. Can you walk?”
Nodding, I stand and walk in his direction. The fury still pushes through my veins. The need to retaliate is still strong. I yell and start stomping the guy, concentrating on his face until Nik pulls me off him.
“Trust me, boss. He’ll suffer before I turn him over to the Bishops. My priority is to get you to the hospital.”
Nik lifts the asshole and slings him over his shoulder while he escorts me to the elevator. He throws the guy in the trunk. Then opens the door for me.
“We’re going to leave your car here. Mutherfuckers like him have backup plans. I’ll check your car and home while you’re at the hospital.”
I pat my pocket for my phone out of habit but remember it fell. Nikolai reaches into his pocket and pulls it out, showing me the cracked screen.
