Page 45 of Mob Princess

14

Israel

Finally,the evening had come.

The evening of my parent’s anniversary party—and I couldn’t wait to get it over with.

I was tired of the back and forth. Tired of the judgment. Tired of Mom changing things at the last minute and Dad never putting his foot down. I swear, that woman was the weakest part of him. And that truth echoed a sentiment my father had preached to me my entire life.

Women are nothing but targets. Do better than I did.

My day at work had been long enough. But, to pile on an event where I had to plaster on a smile and act like things were okay? It felt a bit too much. My shoulders were already stacked with mounds of chips that weighed me down with every step. I slept with both eyes open to make sure my home wasn’t invaded again. I kept tabs on my enemies to make sure none of them became as bold and brazen as Bonnie’s uncle.

And Bonnie. She was a much different beast altogether.

I rose up the elevator with my hands slid into my pockets. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, enjoying the silence that came with such an encasement. Some days, I wanted to move into this elevator. Just ride it up and down with nothing but my clothes, a toilet in the corner, and some books. God, I missed sitting in my library and reading books. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a moment to sit down and enjoy something merely for pleasure. I missed my adventures. The love stories crafted between the pages of old books I stole from my mother’s library the day I moved out. Every time I walked by my library, it called to me. It called out for mercy and for a fresh start because all too quickly, my library had become my interrogation room.

How did my life get here?

Being born into something like this never got any easier. Every time I thought I was out of the woods with one thing, another thing would pop up and take its shot at me. I admired the tenacity of those around me. Those who wanted to take me down and mount my head on a wall for someone to show off at darkened dinner parties. I’d never give them the satisfaction, though.

They’d all die by my hand if it meant scraping together a life I might actually want to live.

All too soon, though, the elevator slowed to a stop. I felt my body weight temporarily shift and it made me raise my head. I looked at the Rolex watch on my left wrist and sighed. Damn it; I only had forty-five minutes to get ready for this damned thing before we had to head out. And while I knew Bonnie had probably been getting ready all afternoon, I wouldn’t have the luxury of showering off the stench of blood-caked beneath my fingernails before we walked out the door.

Such is life, I suppose.

“Bonnie,” I called as I got off the elevator.

“Yes?” Her voice was muffled and sounded like it came from the bedroom.

I climbed the stairs, looking around the empty room. “Bring me those diamond cufflinks from my top drawer.”

She poked her head out of my closet. “I’m telling you, those things are—wait. Where did you get that tuxedo from?”

I grinned. “You like it?”

I looked over at her, and my heart fell into my stomach. Bonnie mindlessly rummaged through the top drawer of my accessories right by the door. Her body filled out the beautiful black dress she’d donned for the evening. The sash she had around her bare shoulders sparkled like stars in the night sky. Her hair was piled high on top of the crown of her head, with wispy curls hanging softly against her face. And when she stood to look at me, with those diamond cufflinks in her hands, I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen in my life.

She looked at me in questions as she handed me the cufflinks. “Too much?”

I blinked. “Not nearly enough to outshine how beautiful you are.”

She blushed. “Here you go.”

Our fingers brushed together as I took them from her, sending a bolt of electricity down my body. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

I turned back to the mirror and watched her maneuver behind me. As I lifted my wrists and placed the cufflinks through the buttonholes, I fumbled around with the backs of them. I couldn't pay attention long enough to fix them. I couldn't stop looking at Bonnie in that fucking mirror long enough to finish dressing.

“Here.” She looked up and noticed my issue. Smiling, she moved to assist. “Let me.”

I turned to face her and watched as she voluntarily helped me get dressed. I mean, I thought my all-black tuxedo with my crimson red skinny tie made a bold statement. A powerful statement. One that would tell everyone at this damn party tonight that I wasn’t going anywhere. But I had nothing on how wondrous Bonnie looked.

She’d outshine me the entire night.

“There,” she said as she took my hands in hers. “All settled.”

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