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When he stayed silent, I stepped back and rushed to my bedroom. I need to find a way to get her out…
* * *
As soon as I hopped out of the shower the following morning, the commotion in the hallway outside my bedroom caught my attention. What’s going on?
I slipped on a t-shirt and some sweatpants before pressing my ear to the bedroom door. I listened intently but could only hear vast murmurs and noises. I groaned, curiosity getting the better of me.
Taking a chance, I grabbed the door handle and when it opened, relief flooded my body. I peeked out, noticing the hallway was empty except for one guard at the top of the stairs who was heading down.
Creeping out of my bedroom, I slipped out and quietly followed the crowd.
When they entered the living room I stopped, staying hidden behind the wall and only peering inside.
Antonio stood in front of his staff in a perfectly fitted black suit, both hands behind his back and an expression that gave away no clues as to why he had seemed to call this meeting.
I turned with the intention of sneaking to his office, where I saw the weapons, but his tone made me freeze. That was his murderous tone. Was I dying? Did I finally do it? Did I push him?
“I’d like to make something clear.” He started, and I slowly turned, going back to spying. Antonio allowed is eyes to lock with each of theirs, one at a time. “When I give you an order, you follow it. Blindly.”
Some of them glanced around, already knowing that.
“With that being said… Nirah is my fiancée. You don’t talk to her. You don’t touch her, and you don’t even look at her. Do I make myself clear?”
They all murmured yes and their understanding, some nodding obediently.
“And… you most definitely don’t point a fucking gun at her head.” He lifted his right hand, fingers gripping the roots of a decapitated head that had been violently sawed off.
I gagged, my hand flying out to slap across my mouth. I’m going to hurl.
Dark, frightened eyes attached to the head stared back at us, his face pale and lips purple. Blood puddled on the floor beside Antonio’s shiny black shoes, and one of the staff workers rushed out, vomiting all over herself.
“Rafé thought it’d be wise to point a gun at Nirah’s head and grab her with force. Make the same mistake he did, and face the same consequences.”
A daunting silence fell over the room, darkness filling the space.
His fingers uncurled and the severed head dropped to the floor with a wet splat, making everyone collectively jump back.
“Clean this mess up.” Antonio swatted his hand before pulling out the handkerchief from his pocket. I whipped around and leaped up the stairs, taking them two at the time.
My stomach churned when I entered the bedroom, slamming the door shut behind myself. My back pressed to the icy wall. What the fuck? He just severed a man’s head off, oh my— I need to get out of here.
Pacing up and down, I fought between trying to get the image out of my head and scolding myself for not running to his office to grab a gun when I had the chance. It was too late now.
“Think, Nirah. Think!” I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, unable to stop pacing.
Everything stilled for a moment.
I glanced around the room. How did Antonio know that Rafé… surely Rafé didn’t confess to Antonio what he’d done because of the goodness of his heart.
A rapid flood of goosebumps crept up my nape and bare arms. Does Antonio have his men secretly watching me?
I rolled my shoulders back. No, Nirah, focus! You need to get Silvia and get out.
CHAPTER 5
Nirah
It was three in the morning when I had my elaborate plan to kill Antonio.
