Pushing away from the wall, I straighten my shirt and walk back to the table, but as I step past to go to my seat, Nikko’s hand snakes around my waist and tugs me onto his lap. My eyes widen as his hand slides into my shirt, caressing my side, while the other one grips my chin and turns until I look at him.
“I don’t need anyone but you. Keep testing me, I don’t care. It won’t make a difference. I’m not him,” he vows, and my eyes widen. Was that what I was doing? Testing him?
Yes.
Kissing me softly, he keeps me on his lap the entire meal, feedingme as everyone stares. Before long, our pictures will be spread online, but he doesn’t seem to care, and neither do I.
I drop Nikko at the gym and head over to Julies, collapsing into his desk chair as he looks out at the skyline. “You should thank me, you know.”
“Why?” I ask tiredly, my eyes closed.
“For getting you two together. You were so determined to keep him at arm’s length. Why do you think I agreed to that bet and made us go watch him?” I open my eyes, and Julies is smiling. “I saw the way you two looked at each other. It was obvious, and I know you. My friend would never make a move, still messed up from Faiz, so I made it happen.”
I frown, and he sits on the edge of his desk, covering my leg with his hand for a moment. “I want you to be happy. We all do. I like Nikko.”
“He’s not from our life,” I say.
“So? Who is?” he scoffs. “He makes you happy, and that’s all that matters.”
“What if I can’t keep him safe?” I murmur.
“He’s a big boy. He can protect himself. Stop worrying so much, Zia, and just be happy,” Julies replies as he crosses his arms. “A connection like that doesn’t happen often.”
“You don’t believe in love,” I tease. It’s something we’ve talked about a lot. We were close before, but after Faiz, we only grew closer, and I actually treasure Julies’s friendship.
“I do . . . for a night.” He laughs. “Just because I don’t want it doesn’t mean I don’t want it for you. You’re a forever kind of guy, Zia, always have been, and Nikko is a one-person kind of man. He’s simple in a good way. He’s good for you, so stop making up excuses and just enjoy it, okay?”
“You’re going to lose the bet,” I respond after a while.
“I knew it the moment I accepted it.” He laughs. “Doesn’t bother me.”
The door bursts open, and we both push to our feet, our guns drawn in an instant despite being forty stories up with guards between us and the world.
We both sigh, putting our weapons away when Faiz storms in, kicking the door shut on Julies’s secretary’s face. “You wouldn’t answer my calls,” he snaps as he stalks over, glaring at me. “It’s important.”
“It always is,” I grumble as I sit once more.
“This is my office,” Julies barks. “Don’t do that again.” His tone is cold and deadly, and for a moment, Faiz freezes. Despite Julies’s outlandish behavior, he’s a man who spills blood easier than ink. He survived his family and their business and came out on top for a reason. He isn’t someone to fuck with. He smiles, and it’s gone. “So, what’s so important, brother?”
“I know someone has been attacking you,” Faiz says, looking at me.
“Someone is always attacking me,” I scoff as I pull out my phone.
Nikko: I miss you.
Nikko: It’s been an hour, but I miss your face so much.
Nikko: Come back quickly.
Nikko: Or send me a picture to get me through the day.
I have to bite back my smile as I type out a response.
Zia: Go back to practicing or your dad will kick both our asses. I’ll see you tonight.
“Are you listening?” Faiz snaps, and I lift my eyes to his red face.
“Not particularly,” I admit as I put my phone away. “Why are you here again?”
