Page 22 of The Zenda Vendetta (TimeWars 4)
“I’ll be fine.”
I chugged the beer the waitress stuck in my hand, and I grimaced at the taste. I hated beer, but beer mixed with liquor brought me out of my head sooner… and I needed to be far away from my thoughts. Randall would chastise me if he saw me giving in to my emotions—using a crutch to deal with it. He taught me better than this.
“Come on. Let’s go,” Nico said, standing with his hand on my elbow. “I’m taking you home.”
“I’m tired of being manhandled today.” I pulled my arm gently from his hand, trying not to take my anger out on him. “But since you said it so nicely.” I glared at Luca, then followed Nico to his Porsche and climbed inside. “Wait…” I held the door open, “I should drive my car.” I stood and stumbled three steps before Nico took hold of my shoulders and stopped me.
“That’s not happening. I’ll drive your car and have someone pick me up from your place.” I shrugged my shoulders and then continued walking with his arms holding me steady. I wasn’t drunk, not even close, but if it made him feel better, then by all means. Nico reached into my front pocket and lingered before pulling my keys away in his fist. The beep from my car drew me from my thoughts, and I got in the passenger seat. I don’t recall ever sitting on this side of my car, and it felt weird. Like the vantage point tilted, and I didn’t like it.
Nico turned on the car, and our ears bled at the loud blast of music coming from the speakers. I pushed the button, turning off all sound. “I’m going to torture the person who drove my car here.”
Nico laughed and pulled out of the car park. “You don’t have to torture everyone.”
“I don’t. Some people torture me.”
I think I dozed off because when I opened my eyes, Nico was opening my car door and helping me get out. My instinct kicked in, and I tensed. I put my hands up to fight, and Nico flinched, expecting a hit. Some people ran from danger, others ran towards it. I was the latter. “It’s just me. Calm down.” He ran his hands gently down my forearms, reassuring me until the haze lifted.
“I’m good.” I nod.
There were downsides to being a killer. I was continually paranoid, and I woke up most nights with my knife in my fist.
I walked through the garage door and turned off the beeping alarm while Cannoli screamed bloody-murder in the kitchen for his wet food.
“You spoil him.”
“Pshh. He wouldn’t have it any other way, and if I tried, he’d remind me of it daily. He’s more of a drama queen than a king.”
Nico chuckled and tossed my keys into the bowl, picked up his phone, and tapped his fingers across the screen. “Mind if I stay for a moment? I’ve got Vito coming to get me.”
“Make yourself at home.” I threw my boots into the closet and wet a washcloth to wipe away the makeup.
My face felt fresh, my hair in a bun, and my button on my pants undone. I walked into the living room and found Nico sitting on the couch with Cannoli, his long fingers wrapped up in Cannoli’s fur, making him purr.And I spoil him?I know the pants that Cannoli is rubbing against are worth more than someone’s monthly income.
“Feel better?”
“No, but I’ll make do.” I give a weak smile, sit next to him, and reach over his lap to scratch the fur-ball.
“I might have to get me one of these things.”
“A pussy… cat?” I said, purposefully dragging out the word. I didn’t see Nico as a cat person. Hell, I wasn’t until the shit-head wouldn’t leave me alone.
He chuckled. “Yeah. It would be nice.”
“Hmm. Well, I’d let you have him, but you’d return him within the week.”
“I’m good,” he said. “Max told me about your upcoming predicament and asked if I could help.”
“And what secrets did Max tell you?”
“Your mom. He wanted to see if someone at the firm could pose as your love interest.”
Laughter burst from my lips, and I put my hand up to muffle it. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I’m sure I know a few singles there that wouldn’t mind.” He didn’t seem happy about the proposition.
“No. I’d rather be set up on these random dates with strange men than have to pretend and be kissy-kissy with some man I don’t know. I’ll just introduce you to my mom and call it good.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes as the words rolled off my tongue.Good job, Charity.