I turn to look down into Oni’s eyes and wink at her. “Oni, these are my cousins. I trust them both with my life. We can trust everyone out here right now,” I reassure her.
Her entire body relaxes at my side. I look around me, and this feels right; these are the people I will have in my life while I rise to the top. I can feel it in my bones.
Oni
I’m filledwith nervous energy. This is not what I signed up for. While Rico trusts his cousins and Mario, we’re to act as if we’re not a couple in front of everyone else.
I would be fine with that if we weren’t going out tonight. We’re going to an underground club. A place where there will be plenty of other guys. I’m not a fool and I’ve seen how possessive Rico can be. I feel like tonight is going to end in disaster.
“You look perfect,” Emilia sings as she hands me a lip gloss to put on.
I look in the mirror and shake my head. Why am I allowing this girl to talk me into this shit? If Rico ends up placing both of us in the trunk of a car to drive us into a ditch, it’s all her fault.
I swipe the gloss on and then look my reflection over. My braids are back down in a high-low style. I have on a jumpsuit that cuffs around the neck. Because the back and sides are out, I don’t have a bra on.
That’s just problem number one. I have on a thong and when I walk, I can feel my butt jiggling, so I know anyone looking hard enough will see it. That’s problem number two.
“You had this all planned,” I say to Emilia. “You went through my things and found this outfit, then you told Rico we would meet them there, knowing he would agree because we need to keep our distance. Are you really on our side?”
I narrow my eyes as I glare at her. I might end up breaking up with Rico because I’m going to kick his cousin’s ass for setting me up. She gives me a mischievous smile and pops up on the counter to sit and look back at me.
“I love my cousins with all I am. Those three always have my back. I would go to the ends of the earth for them.
“Rico and the rest of us know you present something he’s never had to deal with. You’re a weakness. He either learns to deal with it now, or it will come back to burn him later. I’m only helping him to learn his limits.” She shrugs.
I suck my teeth and roll my eyes. “Why me if I’m such a problem?”
“Because Rico has never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. You have to understand Rico has had his eyes set on my father’s seat for as long as I can remember. Papa wants to give it to him, but he wants to know he’s ready.
“My father has tried his hardest to trip Rico up with anything that would turn his head. He has never succeeded and then you show up and from what my father says, Rico turned his head.
“I don’t know why you.” She shrugs. “You’re pretty and smart. Rico loves to have smart people around him.
“If you’re a thinker, he either makes you a friend or treats you like an enemy. You know what happens to enemies. But you heard none of that from me.”
“Why tell me any of this?”
“I told you. I like you. I think you’re good for Rico. Besides, no one realizes how much I know. I’m to be seen and not heard, but you … I think you’re here to change all that.”
“I’m not too sure about that,” I murmur.
“We’ll see. Come on, Rico’s going to have a fit if we take too long to arrive,” she says and hops down off the counter.
“Oh, goody,” I cheer under my breath.
This is going to be a long night. I just hope I make it back without witnessing a murder or being killed myself. Why do I get myself into these situations?
***
Mario is waitingoutside the club for us. It’s not at all what I was expecting. It’s an old warehouse-looking building. A bunch of nice cars are parked outside like some type of car show. Cars I would normally case to take before the end of the night.
However, since my boyfriend is here and I’m trying to live a reformed life, I walk by the Lambos, Maseratis, and Aston Martins with appreciation. My palms itch, but I keep chanting in my head that I’m done with stealing cars.
“This is going to be an issue,” Mario mutters and shakes his head as we get to his side.
He turns to the bouncer and gives a nod. We go to follow him in, but I take one last look over my shoulder at the cars and the crowd still outside the club, seeming to be having their own party. There is one guy who catches my attention as he sits on the hood of one of the cars, taking me in.
I shake off the eerie vibe that comes over me and head inside. The music is thumping as we enter the club. There are people everywhere. Mario takes Emilia’s hand, and she reaches for mine.
