“Yeah, I guess it has.” She replied, not missing a beat.
“You’re all grown up.” My fingers lingered behind her ear as I stared at her. “I hardly know the girl in front of me.” I cocked my head to the side trying to choose my words. “Or maybe I knew the girl the woman standing before me once was. I’d like to know who are now, though.”
“Everyone says I’m a pain in the ass.” She said. Her words were accompanied by a little nervous laugh.
“Probably.” I smiled. “Still, I’d like to come to that conclusion on my own. You okay with that?” I dropped my hand from her ear shoving it back into my pocket as I waited for her to reply.
“Sure.” She whispered. I smiled at her before throwing my arm around her shoulders and bringing her against my side.
“Good, but can we start tomorrow? Because I’m freezing my balls off and I’m pretty sure your lips are turning purple.” She laughed and I decided I really liked the sound of her laugh.
“Okay, Mikey.” She said pressing herself against my side. I know she was only doing it to seek warmth, but I let myself enjoy the feel of her anyway. We walked briskly back to her car and cranked the heat once we were inside. The ride back to Anthony’s apartment was a quick one not allowing much conversation. She pulled up in front of Anthony’s apartment and left the car running. I guess she wasn’t coming in.
“Thanks for getting me out of there tonight.” I said as I unclasped the seat belt.
“Anytime.” She twisted her body in her seat so that she was facing me. “Give me your phone.”
“Why?” I asked as I lifted my hips and pulled my phone from my pants pocket. I handed it over to her. Nikki rolled her eyes, her fingers maneuvered my phone quickly before she handed it back sporting a pretty smug smile. I glanced down at the screen. She had stored her number in my phone.
“Call me when you’re ready to get to know me.” She said.
I leaned over the center console and pressed my lips quickly to her cheek.
“I will.” I murmured against her cheek. I regretfully pulled away, allowing myself one more glance of her before getting out of the car and walking into Anthony’s apartment. I heard her car peel away from the curb as I closed the door.
I turned around and flicked the lights on. Anthony was sitting on the edge of the couch staring at the gun that was on the coffee table. I didn’t think he realized I was standing there. He didn’t look at me or try to hide his gun. He remained perfectly still as if he was in another world. I wasn’t sure how to approach him or if I even should, I was afraid that if I startled him, he’d shoot my ass.
“Nikki drop you off?” He asked. I sighed a breath of relief maybe I wasn’t meeting my maker after all. At least not tonight.
“Yeah.” I said. He leaned over taking the gun in his hand. He did something to it something like they do in the movies. I wasn’t sure if he was putting the safety on or off. Fuck. I should’ve read a handbook or at least watched The Godfather before coming back here. He tucked the gun into the back of his jeans before he shrugged on his leather jacket. He lifted his eyes to mine. He was a scary motherfucker.
“Be sure you want to work for Victor.” He said his voice cold. “Because once you do there is no getting out of it. You will be at his mercy. You’ll be feared. You’ll be detested. You’ll be all alone. Forget about the people you love because they’ll never look at you the same. You won’t be respected and the life that maybe you thought you wanted will be your biggest nightmare.”
I didn’t say a word. What does someone say to that? He brushed passed me and walked out the door, closing it quietly behind him. I fell onto the couch allowing Anthony’s words to sink in. I don’t know what happened to him. I don’t know where he went from eagerly working for Victor to hating that he did. His words made me wonder what exactly he had done for him and what had caused him ultimately to resent the man he worked for. The same man I had agreed to work for. The thing was I didn’t have to worry about the people I loved looking at me any kind of way. They were all dead. I’d probably be best suited for this job. Time would tell.
Chapter Six