by Rachel Cade
Oliver finished with the necklace, and traced the thin gold chain with his fingers while admiring his handiwork.
“So Miss Pearson, would you like to be my pupil?”
*
Oliver smiled, recalling it over breakfast the next morning.
She sat across from him on the couch, not completely innocent, but innocent enough.
He’d asked a question, but she had yet to answer.
Instead she stared at him until his returned gaze sent hers skidding down his chest. It went all the way down between his legs and he almost raised a brow.
Was she trying to make him feel like a sex object? He almost chuckled at the thought, yet still he was intrigued by her blatant ogling. In the moment, it was best he didn’t mimic the gesture.
“I haven’t figured out if you’re the good guy or the bad guy in all this.” She wasn’t wearing a drop of makeup, but her features were so stark, she didn’t need any.
“As long as I’m on your side, it shouldn’t matter.”
“Is that the first lesson, teach?”
“Professor Soltesz has a much better ring.”
She smirked.
“It seems you had a productive evening last night.”
Elek poured a glass of orange juice next to his coffee.
Oliver was going over the morning headlines when he looked up from his tablet.
“I did. Miss Pearson did not disappoint me.” Oliver sipped at his coffee. “You don’t even offer me a good morning, just straight for the gossip.”
“Indeed, sir.”
Oliver had to laugh. “Add some fruit to breakfast. I’m in the mood to taste something sweet.”
Chapter Five
“Keep it simple, okay?” Oliver stated over the phone. “When you’re at an advantage, get the phone. Take the exit out of the back of the building by the kitchen.”
“This is the third time we’ve gone over this. I have it,” Nik responded.
“A car will be waiting for you in the alley.”
“What if he discovers his phone is gone before I get back?”
“He’ll be too busy in the spotlight to worry about his phone. But if, for any reason, that should happen, drop it for anyone to find it and get out of there, got it?”
“Yeah.”
“I mean it. Don’t draw any attention to yourself. What are you wearing, by the way?”
“My museum dress.”
“With better shoes I hope.”
Nik sighed. “What is it with you and my clothes?”
“It’s just going to be another thing I have to teach you.”
Nik stood in the middle of a crowded floor at the Great Steps fundraiser two hours later later.
So many young people attended that she blended right in, and the crowded chaos of it put her at an advantage.
It took and ten minutes of navigating before she found Griffith, his boisterous laugh rising over the music.
He was talking to a thin older white man near the buffet table.
There would be no better time than this, so she made her way over.
“Nikoletta?”
Nik was suddenly bombarded by Ms. Lowell’s presence, blocking her path to Griffith.
“I thought that was you. I had no idea you were attending this event.”
“Ms. Lowell.” Shit. “How are you? I had no idea, either. It was just a spur of the moment.”
“How did you like the City Hall trip the other day? I never got a chance to ask you.”
“It was good. I learned a lot.” Nik was staring over the woman’s shoulder at Griffith, praying he didn’t move.
“I’m so glad,” Lowell smiled brightly.
From what she could gather, it looked like Griffith was wrapping up his conversation.
“Do you know that guy over there, Powell?” Nik asked.
“I do,” Ms Lowell beamed. “Want to get introduced?”
Nik grimaced. “Kind of nervous. I’m not much of a people person.”
Her professor gestured for her to follow. “There’s only one way to change that. Besides, he won’t bite.”
Nik followed behind Ms. Lowell’s quick steps.
Snatched.
Nik slipped the phone down into her small bag as she made her way toward the kitchen.
Her heartbeat slammed against her chest as he feet quickly carried her to the alley.
The alley didn’t offer the freshest air, but Nik inhaled deeply as she saw the brake lights of a Mercedes waiting.
As she walked up to it, the driver’s side window lowered three inches and she recognized the eyes of the old man from the museum and the restaurant.
“Thank you, Miss Pearson,” he said as she slipped him the phone. “One moment please.”
The window rolled back up.
A minute and thirty seconds later, he rolled the window back down.
“A car will be waiting the next block over to pick you up.”
“I can get my own way home.”
“I was told to tell you it wasn’t up for discussion, Miss Pearson.” Nik tightened her jaw as he returned the phone to her. Then she rushed back inside.
Griffith was chatting it up with three teens on the opposite side of the room when she spotted him again. Her hands were sweating and against her better judgment, she opted to grab a drink, keeping her eyes on him.
There was a little bit of commotion a few minutes later and she realized people were gathered to take a picture around him.
Nik dropped her plastic cup in the trash.
“I love a good picture.”
While everyone gathered their spots to be seen, Nik bumped into several people as she made her way toward Griffith.
“Say cheese, everybody!” one of the photographers yelled.
“Cheese!” Nik was clearly blocked from the photo by a tall woman holding a baby, in time with the flash the phone disappeared from her hand, returning to Griffith Powell’s pocket.
She dispersed with the crowd, but instead of mingling, she headed straight for the front door.
Headlights pierced the darkness as she walked down the street.
It was over.
The weight of it was finally off her shoulders and she could relax. There was a chill in the air, but it was welcome, considering how stifled she felt in the building. A car was supposed to be waiting for her on the next block. This wasn’t the time to look a gift horse in the mouth.
She’d done what was asked. Now she only hoped Oliver was a man of his word.
“You can’t pick up your phone?” The question was asked when a tight grip wrapped around her arm.
Instinctively she pulled back, but Donnie snatched her toward him.
“You owe me, when I call I expect you to pick up.”
“Let go of my arm.” The street was empty except for a man walking in the same direction, who quickly turned the corner to disappear.
“I should dislocate it.” He snatched her closer for emphasis, causing her to yelp in pain.
“Why are you following me? I had until Friday to get the money for you.”
To an onlooker, they might have appeared to be a couple walking together down a dim side street.
“First museums, now this after school special bullshit? You trying to move up in the world?”
“Just let go of my arm. It hurts.”
“That’s the fuckin’ point. I want to know what you’re up to.” His mouth was right next to her cheek.
“I’ll get the money for you tonight, okay? I just want you to leave me alone.”
Donnie laughed against her face. “I’m never leaving you alone.”
“Excuse me, miss, are you all right? Is this man bothering you?”
Nik looked up to see Oliver in the middle of the street, speaking from the open window of the Maserati.
“What the fuck?” Donnie murmured. “Mind your fuckin’ business, bitch. Keep movin’!”
Nik shook her head, in the slightest way possible as she stare
d hard at Oliver.
The chances Donnie had a gun were at a hundred percent. All she needed was a few more minutes to talk him down.
Donnie laughed and shoved Nik away. She landed on the sidewalk, her hip scraping the concrete.
“You wanna be a hero like in the movies?” he taunted.
Nik’s skin burned against the concrete. When she looked up, she could see Oliver was staring dead at her from his car.
The Maserati backed up.
“Yeah take your ass on!” Donnie dismissed him with a shove of his hand.
Nik heard the tires squeal for a split second before the car started speed in a semi circle, right toward Donnie.
Nik’s eyes widened as the car jumped the sidewalk.
Donnie yelled out as Nik scrambled away against the ground.
Shaking, she watched the car halt inches from smashing Donnie’s legs into the building behind him.
And for the first time she saw real fear in Donnie’s eyes in the vehicle’s headlights.
“You’re fuckin’ crazy!” Donnie’s chest heaved.
The Maserati backed up a few inches.
Gnashing his teeth, Donnie reached into his waistband.
“Shit!” Nik hissed.
Before she could finish swearing, the car revved up again and Donnie took off in the little space he had, rushing down the street with the car hot behind him, speeding along the sidewalk and the street.
She could only cover her mouth as they disappeared around the corner toward the main street.
Blowing air out of her mouth, she fixed her foot back into her shoe and used a metal traffic sign to pull herself up.
As she hobbled up the sidewalk, she glanced down at her twice worn dress, now ripped at the hip where she’d fallen.
“Miss Pearson.”
She turned to see the car slowing down on the curb next to her.
Quickly, he exited the car and made his way toward her.
“Are you alright?” He gently touched her shoulder, concern marring his eyes.
“What happened to him?” she whispered.
Oliver looked her over as he spoke. “Get in the car,” he said softly, leading her to the passenger door.
She was finally in the Maserati, but a little too banged up and scared to fully enjoy it.
“Was he the one you got the loan from?” Oliver asked as he made his way through traffic.
“Did you run him over?”
He wouldn’t answer right away, and his face was completely unreadable at the red light.
“He’s a fast runner when motivated.”
Nik sucked her teeth. “Donnie’s not someone to fuck with.”
“So why’d you fuck with him?”
Ignoring his question, she turned in the backseat, looking for his black hummer. “This isn’t good at all.”
“Turn around and put your seat belt on.”
Nik’s heart pumped viciously throughout the entire drive. When they pulled into an underground garage she didn’t recognize, she turned her head to him in question.
Wordlessly, he got out and opened the passenger door for her.
“Come on,” he coaxed.
Closing her eyes hard, she accepted his hand and got out of the vehicle.
The garage was quiet and contained minimal cars, all of them luxury.
Oliver didn’t let go of her hand as he led her to an elevator.
When the doors opened, Nik heard, “Good evening, sir. Miss Pearson.”
For the forth time, it was the older man waiting for them as the doors opened.
But Nik was too busy staring around the room in awe to greet him.
She’d been transported into a turn of the century train station. The ceiling was domed and long covered in fall toned stained glass.
“Is she alright?” Nik didn’t realize she had a slight limp as she was led off the elevator.
“I hope so, but I can call you a doctor,” Oliver offered.
“I appreciate it, but I’m okay.” He led her a seat on a deep red lounge chair.
She sat and it immediately felt like heaven.
“Are you sure?”
“This place is fucking amazing.” Nik was so mesmerized at the ceiling, she didn’t realize he was leaning down in front of her. “I’m fine. I’m good.”
Oliver rested his hand on the chair arm, leveling his gaze at her.
“I’m fine, really,” she repeated, not knowing what else to say with his face consuming her vision.
“I need a name.”
Nik knew clever banter wasn’t going to redirect him.
She let out a breath. “Donell Jacobs.”
The old man offered her a red and white robe.
“Oh. Thank you.” She accepted it, wincing when she tried to get it over her shoulder.
Oliver helped her ease it over her arms.
“I’ll bring you some Tylenol, madam.”
“Elek,” Oliver said at her questioning expression. “He’s my assistant. We’ve known each other a long time.”
Oliver stood up. “Would you prefer cash or wire transfer?”
With everything that had happened, she completely forgot about the money. What was wrong with her? That was the whole point of this.
He began undoing his cuff links. “Have the Tylenol and take a shower. Elek will find something for you to put on.”
Leaning forward, he lifted her chin. “You’re nervous. Don’t be. You’re safe here.”
She must have looked a mess.
And she felt like one too.
Being taken care of wasn’t something she was used to. It made her feel weird, and honestly, a little scared.
“Cash is fine,” she answered.
Oliver let go of her chin. “You know, it’s not acceptable for you to go back to your apartment tonight.”
“I’ll give him his money back and everything will be fine. I’ve had to deal with him before.”
Oliver could hear the edginess in her tone.
“And what about the favor?” he asked.
She was silent.
Oliver let out a breath. “I’m sorry you were hurt tonight. I hope I didn’t scare you with the car.”
“Are you sure you didn’t run him over?” Her voice had changed to a whisper. Oliver realized it was because Elek had returned with a small cup of aspirin and a glass of water.
“I may have tapped him with the bumper.”
She looked down, but not before he saw a smile shadow her lips.
“You’re frazzled. A nice warm shower will help, miss.”
She accepted the glass and small cup from Elek. “Mi casa es su casa, hmm?” she said.
Oliver nodded. “Exactly.”
“I gave you the license plate number. You find out who that bitch is.”
“You got it, man. I’m on it.”
Donnie was in the living room of his apartment on a decent side of Brooklyn. It was close to midnight and he had no idea Oliver was standing in his hallway.
“She didn’t come back to her apartment yet?”
“No. That thot probably skipped town. I told you to leave her-”
Donnie was on speakerphone with someone, holding a cold pack to the back of his head.
“Jay. Shut the fuck up! And just do what I asked you!”
“Alright.”
The call ended.
Donnie quickly dialed someone else.
“Hello?”
Oliver was surprised to hear Nikoletta’s voice on the other end.
“Now you pick up the phone, after how many hours?” he gritted out.
“I have your money,” she answered flatly.
“Oh yeah? Bring it to me.”
