Page 38 of Playing for the Dark

I could be, but you’re playing. *Smirking emoji

Nash

Is she out of your apartment now?

#1 Receiver

Just dropped her back off at her apartment, Rookie.

Nash

Okay. I’ll head over to your place. Be there in 20. Send me your coffee order too.

I’m trying not to panic, walking up to Zamir’s door. I really just don’t want to run into Marcello out here again. I shouldn’t be scared to be on the fucking floor of the building I live in… but here I am. My main question is, why doesn’t Zamir get the same threats as I do? He’s been around Ellie a lot more than I have.

I’m in front of Zamir’s door, knocking with both our coffees in my hand, trying not to spill them everywhere.He opens the door, already smirking.Great, he’s in a mood already. God, he looks good. He has shorts on that have his strong thighs on full display and a cropped band tee on his top half showing the tattoos on the bottom of his stomach. These crop tops have to be stopped. I’m going to drop to my knees right here. I drag my gaze up, taking in his strong arms that are absolutely covered in tattoos as well, and then my eyes land on his glowing green ones. We stare at each other, letting the tension build between us.

He snatches his black coffee out of my hand, mocking me, “Are you done eye fucking me, Rookie?” I don’t know how anyone can drink this shit with nothing added to it, but to each their own I guess.

I deadpan, “No. I would like a couple more minutes. Turn around, let me see that ass of yours.” We’re alone in his apartment. I can stare if I want. He’s hot as fuck and sure as hell knows it.

We stop in the kitchen, which is pretty much identical to mine structure wise. The decorating is vastly different, though. I really do need to hit his guy up to decorate mine.

He takes a drink, and I watch his ink-covered throat, so fucking intrigued; his skin is a deep chestnut shade under all that ink. I just want to explore his whole body and appreciate all the time he was under the needles like it deserves. He pulls me back to reality by saying, “Spill, Rookie.” Marcello just told me to stay away from Ellie,so I’m guessing I’m allowed to tell Z, right?Probably not, but I need to tell someone.

“Marcello caught me in the elevator that morning after our fun film-watching night we all had.” I can feel my cheeks flushing just from the thought of the filthy shit we all did together. I’m fidgeting now, and Zamir looks so confused, so I blurt the rest out, “He grabbed me by the neck and told me to stay away from Ellie.” I look down at my feet, unable to keep eye contact with those piercing green eyes of his. They see too fucking much.

“And you’re listening to him?”Is he fucking high?

“Of course I am. I did one Google search of him before moving into this god-forsaken building, and I had plenty of answers on why I shouldn’t question that man’s authority.” I lean in and whisper, “He’s the head of the mafia here, Zamir. And he doesn’t even try to hide it. I shouldn’t be able to find that out on Google!”Technically, it was Reddit, but who’s keeping track?

A devilish grin takes over his face. “What if you’re looking at an ex-mafia man? Well, technically, not ex. Maybe retired is the better word. Or in limbo?” My jaws slack. What in the hell is he saying?

That has me speechless for a minute, but I find my wording. “What fucking universe am I in? The right dimension? No? Okay, cool.” I turn around to leave because I know I didn’t just hear that right. And if I did I don’t want to be here after finding that out. I thoughtmafia people kept that secret locked the fuck up. Under my breath, I mumble, “I’m being punked.”

“Nash, sit down,” he barks out, and I’m no less than running to one of the barstools under the island overhang.He’s so hot when he goes from joking to serious.

“You’re being serious right now, aren’t you? My dad is going to murder me. Oh my god, why would you tell me that? You can’t trust me with this info!” I’m spiraling, to say the least.

“Yes, I’m serious, Nash. I don’t know why I felt the need to tell you, but mainly because I don’t want you to fear Marcello. We’re normal people. We just do business the way most people wish they could.” He’s talking like he’s still involved in this shit.

I blurt before being able to stop myself, “Oh my god, you work for him?”

“No, not for Marcello, but all mafia folk know one another in some capacity, mainly to work together or to absolutely hate one another.” I’m still gawking at him, and he continues to blow my mind. “I’m from Chicago, so my family’s business is there.” He gives me a wink, hinting that it’s not actually a family business.

“This still doesn’t fix the issue here, Z. I can’t be around her; I’m not going against his orders. I’m not some trained killer like I’m guessing you are. The only thing I have going for me is my dad wanted me to take over the chief of police position in our hometown eventually, so he trained me for that.” I trail off,thinking of all the hours I put into that for absolutely nothing. It was purely to keep my dad happy… My dad who is still a cop.

I scoff internally. Maybe I’m more of a trained killer than I think I am.

1. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT - Loveless

Chapter 29

Zamir

We’ve moved over to my oversized couch, watching whatever is on ESPN. I have Nash tucked under my arm, and we’re both leaning into the corner of the couch. I could really get used to this. He wasn’t supposed to be growing on me the way he has, but we get along so well, and the sexual tension is off the charts.

Thinking back to what he said earlier, I knew Marcello was going to be an issue when it came to Ellie. I’d seen him watching her at the restaurant on multiple occasions before following her out to her car but just far enough away that she wouldn’t know he was there. I’m also not stupid enough to think he doesn’t know who or what I am.

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