Page 280 of Nemesync
Niko squeezed my hand. “You’ll be a great leader the day you’ll take the lead for the Lebanese. And in the meantime, you’re under our protection. The Zennites aren’t only our men now, they’re yours too. You’re our family, Zanae, even if you’re not Russian or Italian, you’re our Little Z.”
Family protects family.
After that Niko went to the bathroom, threatening me to scream my lungs out if someone bothered me.
Alone on my seat, I found myself the prey of a man, who approached me with confidence.
Why are men so pushy? Can’t you go out without constantly thinking about getting laid?
God, give me strength not to kill him right here.
“Hey there, beautiful. You look like you could use some company,”
I raised an eyebrow, unamused, “I’m perfectly fine on my own, thanks.”
“Come on, don’t be shy. A pretty lady like you shouldn’t be alone. Let me buy you another drink.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his audacity. “I said I’m not fucking interested, and not fucking alone. Besides, my company is more than enough for me.”
He leaned closer. “I can keep you entertained. I’m sure your man won’t mind.”
That’s when I subtly look at the back of Elijah, still on the phone, “Trust me, he would.”
He could literally rip his heart out…
The man, however, didn’t move but smiled harder at me. “Where’s this ‘scary man’ of yours then?”
“Go elsewhere, you asshole.”
He blinked in surprise and a bit of anger, “Beautiful women like you shouldn’t curse.”
I smiled, leaning toward him, “Piss. The. Fuck. Off.”
Before he could respond, Niko smoothly inserted himself into the conversation.
“You better step out of her vision.”
The man, oblivious to the man in front of me, chuckled, “What are you going to do, tough guy?”
Niko’s response was eerily calm. “You really don’t want to speak to me like that again, or I’ll bury a bullet so deep in your stupid head that no one will recognize your dead body,” he said, a smile playing on his lips. “And don’t ever bother any girl again, or I’ll call her man. Trust me, you don’t want us on your tracks.”
“Okay man. Calm down, I’m leaving.” The man excused himself and left us alone.
“Easy Niko, Easy.” I said, laughing at how quick the man rushed outside.
“I don’t play with your security anymore, Zanae.”
I put my hand on his arm and smiled at him, “I’m okay Niko, he’s just a man in a bar, no worries.”
He squeezed my hand on his arm, “You know I love you, right? Never doubt it, I’ll always protect you.”
With a smile, I whispered a soft “thank you.”
Niko was one of the few constants in my life who always brought me happiness.
And he’ll forever be a part of my new normality.
Elijah joined our table a few minutes after that. “What did I miss?” he asked, his eyes lingering on mine.
