I grit my teeth as I throw my cigarette on the ground, stomp on it, and turn to him. “The fact that you’re not eventryingto put an ounce of your trust in me right now, is baffling to me. Because you of all people know that I wouldn’t be so stupid as to indirectly put Cignette in danger by causing too big of a problem with her mother.”
He scoffs and raises his arms by his sides. “So it all just boils down toher, then, and not us or, I don’t know, oursafety.”
“Of course it does,” I tell him. “I wouldn’t let anything happen to the three of you.”
“And what aboutyou?” asks Varsha, then folds her arms across her chest.
I shrug. “I know y’all love me too much to let anything happen to me, so I’m not worried about myself,” I muse.
“I’m going to shove you in that dumpster over there and let you choke on trash-fumes just for being a disgustingly cocky bastard,” Alex says with a scowl.
Jayce chuckles, and Varsha simply rolls her eyes, although I do notice a smile at the edge of her mouth.
When we’d met at the gym earlier today, I’d told the three of them about what Miranda had done to Cignette, and why. And then, I’d also told them what I planned on doing tonight, and they’d agreed to back me up – of course they had – albeit being a little hesitant about it.
The thrum of an engine takes over the silence, and the alley floods with golden light as a car starts turning into it.
Me and the crew immediately take cover behind the massive brick wall that’s a bit further on the inside, and when I chance a glance at the alley, I see Miranda getting out of her silver Lexus with an air of arrogance that falls short only to the one her brother exudes.
Alex had learnt from one of the guards stationed at Miranda’s estate – who, in turn, had learnt from Steven, Miranda’s bodyguard – that she was going to have dinner atMario’sPlacetonight. All by herself, might I add.
I’d kept tabs on Cignette via text messages throughout the day. No one butMavehad been with her for most of it, and when he’d left for the day, she’d called and asked me to come over.
It’d taken every bit of my restraint to stop myself from saying yes, because really, all I wanted to do was be close to her. But I couldn’t, not tonight.
I’d told Cignette that I had to stay atFinesseand work on a few cars, and despite her having caught my lie – because let’s face it, it wasn’t exactly a good excuse to begin with – she’d refrained from calling me out on it, and had instead promised to keep her bedroom door locked and turn in early for the night.
Even though Miranda is here – right in front of me – I’d rather Cignette not take her chances and let her guard down. I’ve already gotten a glimpse of the things her mother is capable of, and with me indisposed tonight, I’ll have to worry about Cignette’s safety a little less, at least, knowing that she is secure in her room.
“She’s on the move,” Alex whispers, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I look ahead, and sure enough, Miranda says something to Steven – most probably asks him to wait in the car for her – before heading insideMario’sPlacethrough its backdoor. It’s something her and quite a few elites do when they wanna avoid media and spectator eyes alike, so that they can relax and have an undisturbed meal.
Like fuck I’ll let that happen.
The backdoor closes, and silence resumes its symphony.
I purposefully press one of my boots against the ground and give my feet a couple of twists, resulting in gravel to crunch under it.
Steven, who is about to make his way back to Miranda’s car, stops at the sound and brings a hand close to the gun attached to the holster on his hip.
I smirk, and slither out of the shadows before coming face-to-face with the guy.
I don’t know him that well. We’ve met in passing during my meetings with the Adler siblings, but other than that, I don’t know shit about him.
Not that I care, really. If something doesn’t interest me, I usually don’t go ‘round sniffing in its direction.
“Dorran?” he asks. He’s surprised to see me, and rightfully so, but doesn’t take his hand off his gun.
Smart.
“Hey, man,” I say, like I’m here to take a drag with him or something. From my peripheral, I notice Jayce sneaking out from behind the wall and making his way to the other side of the alley.
Steven appears thoroughly confused as he continues to look at me. “Hey…?”
I chuckle and take a few steps toward him. “You know what happens to those who see things for what they are, and yet, decide to unsee them and go about their business like nothing even happened?”
His brows crease as he stares at me.
