CHAPTER XIII

“H ow is everything going?” Uncle Malik asked me during our monthly check-in.

“It’s fine. Just... still getting used to everything,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

“I understand. I’m sorry, sweetheart.”

I sighed, the weight of my situation pressing down on me. “I know. Are you any closer to finding out who’s after me so I can come back home?”

“Not yet. But I might have a lead. I hope to have more for you on our next call.” He offered me a flicker of hope, and I clung to it like a lifeline.

“I miss you,” I whispered, my heart aching with the distance between us.

“I miss you too, kiddo. Just hang in there. We’ll get you home,” he reassured me.

“How’s Kara?”

Uncle Malik let out a heavy sigh. “She’s really struggling with the news of your supposed death. The last I heard, she’s been in therapy, and it seems to be helping her cope.”

My shoulders slumped and my heart sank, and a lump formed in my throat as I thought about her pain. I missed her so much, and it hurt to know she was suffering.

“But you know her. She’s tough,” he added. “Try not to stress too much. I’m keeping a close eye on her.” Knowing he was there for her, like a guardian angel watching over her, brought me some relief.

The phone beeped, reminding me that our time was up.

“You’re strong, Winter. More than you give yourself credit for. You will get through this; I promise.”

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see me.

“Love you, kid,” he added.

“Love you too.”

And then the call disconnected.

I was about to toss my phone aside and get lost in my violin when it beeped again.

Tabi

Hey! Can we meet for coffee tomorrow?

Me

Sure. Same place and time?

Tabi

Yes! See you then.

I turned the screen off only to hear a knock at my door. I pulled it open, grinning when I saw Liam standing there with his arms loaded, like a human snack tower.

“What is all this?” I asked, chuckling and pointing to the yum-yums in his arms.

Liam’s face lit up with a mischievous grin. “Netflix date night, baby,” he teased, juggling the snacks his arms.

“Well, I’m not going to turn down free food and fun.” I stepped aside to welcome him in.

Liam strutted to the kitchen like he’d done so many times and dropped a box of popcorn, a bag of M&M’s, Butterfingers, and Mega Stuf Oreos on the counter.

“Something’s missing,” I said, studying the items.

Liam pulled out two twenty-ounce bottles of Crush soda from his hoodie pocket and set them on the table. Then he pulled out a bag of gummy worms and tossed them in with the rest of the treats.

“Gummy worms are essential,” I joked.

“You know it,” he agreed with a wink, opening the bag and popping a gummy worm in his mouth, letting it dangle. He ripped open the popcorn bag, threw it into the microwave, and pressed start.

Leaning back against the counter, he crossed his arms. “So, how’s work treating you?”

“Good,” I responded, reaching for a large bowl and cups from the cupboard. “How about you?”

He shrugged. “Same shit, different day.”

I paused, a cup in hand. “You know, I don’t even know what you do.”

All I knew was that Liam worked all hours of the night, but I’d never bothered to ask what his job was.

With a casual shrug, he glanced over his shoulder, keeping an eye on the popcorn popping in the microwave. “I’m a messenger boy.”

“A what?” I chuckled.

With a playful grin, he turned to face me. “I pick up packages and deliver them to clients.”

“Really? That’s an actual job?” I inquired.

He laughed. “Yeah, Winter, it is. It pays really well, and I set my own hours.”

“That’s cool.” I tore open the candy bags as the microwave signaled its completion.

Liam removed the popcorn, held the edge of the bag, and shook it. “Fuck, that’s hot!” he muttered, blowing on his fingers.

“Well, duh, genius. You just pulled it out of the microwave,” I teased.

“Ha-ha, smart ass,” he retorted and tapped my ass with his foot.

As I prepared the bowl and crumbled the Butterfingers, I asked, “So, what kind of packages do you deliver?”

“It varies,” he replied, pouring the popcorn into the bowl. “Legal and financial documents, small parcels, written messages, digital content, and sometimes food.”

“Food?”

He leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially, “Yeah. With hidden messages.” He reached past my shoulder, snatched a popcorn kernel, and tossed it in his mouth, grinning as he chewed.

“Huh,” I said, pausing for a moment, adding the M&Ms into the bowl. “Is it dangerous?”

“Not really since I can refuse any job. It’s no different than being an Uber driver. The late-night jobs pay more, though, so they tend to be... well, let’s just say they’re often important.” He grabbed the drinks from the counter and set them on the coffee table in the living room. He then flopped onto my couch like a deflated balloon right as his phone went off. He sighed, tossed his phone beside him, threw his head back on the couch, and groaned.

“What’s the matter? I join him, sitting down next to him with the popcorn and cookies.

“God, Winter. I fucked up,” he admitted, stuffing a cookie into his mouth.

“What do you mean?” I asked with concern.

“By fucking one of my clients.”

“How did that happen?” I asked, not surprised since I’ve known him to be a player.

“We started talking and had drinks,” he explained. “And I ended up in her bed. I can’t believe I crossed that line. Now she wants to go out on a date, and I’m freaking the hell out.”

I raised my eyebrows. “And you’re worried about this because…?”

“Because she’s one our biggest clients. What if it gets awkward? What if she thinks this is a regular thing? I could lose my job over this if anyone finds out, or if she says anything.” Liam ran a hand down his face, clearly exasperated.

“Okay, but you don’t have to commit to anything beyond one date,” I suggested.

“What if she expects more? She might think we’re in a relationship or something after just one date,” he protested.

“Liam, you’re overthinking this. Just be honest with her and don’t lead her on,” I reassured him.

He rolled his head to the side to look at me. “Come with me,” he begged, his puppy dog eyes practically glistening with desperation.

“What?” I almost screeched. It was like Kara all over again. I was done being someone’s wingwoman!

“No. No way.” Then it clicked. “Wait a minute. Did you come over here to tease me with my favorite thing to do and my favorite snacks to bribe me to go with you?”

He gave me a sheepish look. “Kinda. But I also really wanted to hang out with you,” he quickly added.

“No, Liam. That would just be too freaking weird.”

“Come on, Winter,” he whined.

I shook my head. “I said no.”

“You suck. What kind of friend are you?” He said with a pout.

“Oh, come on.” I gently pinched his cheeks and shook his face from side to side. “You’ll be just fine. Next time, keep it in your pants.” I patted his cheek.

“You still suck,” he huffed, grabbing a pillow and tossing it at me like it was a grenade. I laughed, dodging it just in time.

“I’ll make you a deal,” I said as I nudged him with my shoulder. “If I don’t hear from you fifteen minutes after your date starts, I’ll text you pretending I have a major emergency that will force you to leave. But if you text me before the fifteen minutes is up, well, that means things are going peachy.”

He rolled his eyes but cracked a smile. “Fine. Thanks, Winter.”

“You’re welcome.” I shot him a teasing grin, glad to see the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit.

Liam leaned over and snatched the TV remote from the coffee table. “You ready to kick off this veto war?” he asked, as he flopped back onto the couch.

I turned to him, my lips twisting into a wicked grin. “Oh, you know it. Game on.”

* * *

I listened to people yapping on their phones as I walked past them, the honking of horns blending with the distant notes of a street musician playing a lively tune.

When I crossed the street almost two blocks from my destination, I felt like someone was watching me, but I didn’t see anyone suspicious.

The bell above me jingled as I entered the shop. I looked around and saw Tabi in the back booth. She held up a coffee and a muffin as I smiled and walked toward her.

“Hey,” I said, sliding into the booth and setting my purse beside me.

“Hey. I got your usual,” she replied with a grin, handing me the coffee mug and muffin.

I took a bite of my muffin when she said, “I heard what happened with you and Nico.”

I swallowed and blinked. “What did you hear?”

“That he chased after you.” Tabi leaned forward with a concerned look in her eyes. “Did he do anything to you?”

I wiped my mouth with a napkin and took a sip of my coffee before answering. “He was rough with me and was pissed that I disrespected him in front of his clients.”

She sits back with a horrified expression.

“What?” I asked, worried what she would think of me.

“Winter, you have to be careful. Nico is not what you think. He’s not just a normal businessman.”

“What do you mean?”

“All I know is that he is not afraid to hurt anyone who crosses him. He doesn’t care if you don’t have a penis. You have to be careful around him, Winter. Keep your head down and just do your job,” she warned me.

“I wasn’t trying to piss him off, but I didn’t care for the way he spoke to me.”

Her expression softened. “I know, but you have to pick your battles when it comes to men like Nico.”

We ate our muffins in silence until I broke it, wanting to know if she knew more than what she was letting on. “Is he into something illegal? Are we safe working there?” I asked.

Tabi slowly chewed her muffin while keeping her gaze down.

“Tabi,” I said with force.

She slowly looked up and said, “Just don’t piss him off. The men in the club are dangerous. Stay clear of them and stick to Enzo as much as you can.”

“Enzo’s basically my shadow.” I tried to laugh it off, but it came out strained.

She grabbed my hand from across the table. “Listen, I’m not trying to scare you, but I’ve worked in enough places like this to know to keep my head down. Plus, the girls at the club talk. If you see anything that you’re not supposed to see, ignore it and keep your mouth shut.”

“Like what?” I asked in a low voice.

“Just look the other way and make sure you never tell a soul. Otherwise...”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “Otherwise what?”

“Otherwise, they will make you disappear.”

I gaped at her. “What the hell? What kind of people are they?” I whisper-hissed.

“All you need to know is that they are very powerful. Just do what you’re supposed to do, and you’ll be fine.”

Oh, yeah, okay. That sounds easy enough, only I’m already on Nico’s radar!

“I should’ve kept my mouth shut,” I groaned, taking an aggressive bite of my muffin.

“Look. I’m not trying to freak you out, and I’m sorry if I did. But I care about you. Just don’t give him a reason to go after you.”

I leaned back and sighed.

Too late.