He looked up at me with a subtle nod while giving me a small smile. My heart squeezed knowing my brother seemed like a shell of himself. He became a quiet kid growing up because my parents were always so hard on him, but now it seemed he was even more withdrawn. We moved around the store and I allowed Carson to get what he wanted. I had another job tonight. It had been a few days since my wedding but a week since my last job and I needed to release some building frustration. Not much had changed between us since we married. Nazai always was on the go since taking over. I didn’t know the ins and outs of what their family did, but I did know they made people disappear and were connected to some powerful people.
My parents always used to complain about them stealing business from them. They hated the Tavarez family and getting married to the new leader was the ultimate smack in the face. That fact alone brought a smile to my face. It was my final fuck you to them and I hoped they were rolling in their graves.
Once Carson got what he wanted, on Nazai’s dime, we left the mall and went to grab something to eat at a hole in the wall seafood place. Silver Stone, since it was by the water, had some of the best seafood.
“Carson,” I called out after we were seated and our drinks were ordered. The two of us had been here enough times to know what we wanted without menus.
His eyes lifted and he gave me his attention. “I know a lot of changes have happened to us lately and we haven’t had the chance to talk about everything. How do you feel about living with Nazai now?”
One of his shoulders lifted. “It’s fine I guess. I like his game room.” He gave a shy smile.
My back straightened. “And Nazai, how is he toward you?” I leaned into the table. After what happened with Maddox, I was on edge about living with someone other than us two. We had been at Nazai’s house for a month and my brother hadn’t complained, but most of the time he didn’t. He was taught it was better to not be seen or heard.
“He’s nice.” Again, he shrugged and avoided my eyes.
“He hasn’t tried anything, has he?” My throat was tight as I asked.
Quickly, he shook his head. “No.”
For a second I studied my brother to gauge if he was lying to me. Satisfied that he was telling the truth, I nodded.
“Good, good.” My hand raked through my hair. “I know I dropped the ball with Maddox.” He tensed at the name. “But it won’t happen again. I plan on making him pay, painfully, for what he tried to do to you.” A dark haze covered me. My body grew tight and my muscles tensed.
“Cash,” he called out, his eyes locked on the table.
I didn’t realize I had blanked out until I looked down and realized I had grabbed the knife on the table and held it tightly. My knuckles were white.
Blinking slowly, the fog started to lift and I looked up at him. “Mom and Dad were pieces of shit, but they made sure I was always able to protect myself and handle business. My point is, I’m going to make Maddox pay and anyone else who fucks with you, okay?”
He nodded with a slight smile forming on his face. “I’m glad we don’t have to run anymore.”
Sighing, I didn’t disagree with that. I looked away, watching as our waiter spoke to the table not far from us. “I hate to admit it but Nazai’s to thank for that. One good thing has come out of this marriage.”
“Do you like him?”
I gave my brother my attention back. Nazai’s touch was like a ghost haunting my mind. I tried to brush it off, but anytime I thought about his hands on me my skin flushed and my nerves became jittery. I always felt itchy, as if ants were crawling under my skin. My heart raced uncomfortably. I didn’t know how to handle the feelings forming inside of me.
“I tolerate him,” I answered thickly, rolling my shoulders back. My fingers tapped on the table.
The waiter came back for our food order. The two of us got a seafood boil. My stomach rumbled soon as the order left my mouth. It felt good not having to be on edge and look over my shoulder. Not to mention, I could openly go to places I was used to and not worry about being bothered.
“We need to get you in school soon,” I stated. Now that we were stable, I wanted some stability in his life, wanted him to live a normal life.
Your life isn’t normal.
I pushed that thought away. What I did I was born to do, literally. Since I had been able to walk and talk properly, I was trained to be a killer, both physically and mentally. I endured it all so Carson wouldn’t have to. He wasn’t meant for this life, but I breathed it, craved the rush taking a life and watching it drain from someone’s eyes brought. No matter what it took, I would always be my brother’s keeper too.
____
The door to my bedroom opened, causing my face to ball up.
“You don’t know how to knock?” I finished pulling my black leggings up. I was about to leave for a job and hoped to be gone before Nazai got back from wherever he was. Outside of when I first moved here, he didn’t question when I would disappear. I knew he could see my movements from this collar on me, but I paid that no mind. Part of me hoped he would chase me and learn my secret. I had grown to love the high I felt when I pushed him.
One corner of his mouth kicked up. My body heated as he scanned me with mirth in his eyes.
“Why should I have to knock in my house?” He cocked his head, narrowing his eyes. He dragged his tongue slowly across his heavy bottom lip. My body shuddered.
“What do you want?”
