Page 75 of Nemesync
Why was he so cautious about him being the one to come with me to do shopping? Elijah didn’t understand either and shot him in an interrogative look.
“Eli, I’m coming back soon, you know what to do to prepare for this.”
Without waiting for an answer, he heads toward the elevator; and I follow.
Just before the doors close, I catch a glimpse of Elijah’s tense back. He quickly turns around, meets my gaze, and nods, his gaze warm yesterday, turned cold now.
“He’s not a bad guy. Circumstances molded him into this,”
“What does he have against me?”
He’s looking back at me, with a soft smile. “You know, it’s not my story, Little Z. All I can say is that he’s not just what he lets people see willingly.”
Of course, he’s not just that monster he lets people see. He held me until I fell asleep yesterday, so I know that something else is on his mind.
“Why do I have to buy an outfit?”
“Tomorrow, you’ll be a stripper or exotic dancer for that event, Zanae. You need an outfit. I know it’s not what you expected from this mission, but you said you were willing to do anything to achieve your goal, so I hope that’s the case.”
My stomach tightens. Exotic dancer? Me?
“Who says I know how to dance?”
The elevator doors open. He steps out, extending his hand towards me, and replies, “You know, I mean you no harm. You’re finding a place in my heart, and as a man, I can assure you that you don’t need to be a great dancer to be good for this mission. You’re stunning; you’ll need to use that. And if someone crosses the line, we’ll take care of it.”
I smile tenderly at what he says and follow him without a word. I trust Niko, I trust him a lot. He never used my weaknesses against me, never talked about it either.
I sneak into the passenger seat without a word, and as he starts the engine, music kicks in. “So, Zanae, I’ve heard rumors about your secret love affair with music,” he grins, wiggling his eyebrows.
I playfully gasp, feigning shock, “I thought I hid it so well...”
He laughs, a deep, genuine sound, “Well, the headphones every time I see you, are enough of a proof. Seems like you and music are like Elijah, Ben and I.”
“We are. It’s my partner in crime for everything.”
And it helps my mind to stay in a silent state.
But I’m not going to say that.
“Show me. I’m all ears.”
“Oh, you have no idea what you’re getting into, Niko.”
He bursts into laughter, and I can’t help but join in, “You know what, let’s see if my music taste can please you. Prepare to be amazed and put your belt on,” he says, turning up the volume.
The car ride becomes a musical battlefield, with Nikolai who was determined to prove the superiority of his playlist, which is good by the way, but not as good as mine obviously. Sometimes I forget that this man is a dangerous man, he’s so lovable, and just so kind.
We arrived in front of a garage door a few minutes after. “You told me about shops, not a garage? Are you going to murder me Niko? I thought Elijah was the only one wanting that.”
He opens my door and extends his arm, which I take without overthinking it. The contrast between him, well-dressed, and me, in a poor pair of jeans and hoodie is absurd. “Promise. I don’t want to take that will from my best friend, just wait and see, Little Z.”
The door opens, andWaw.
Several people are sorting clothes on large racks. The walls are white. Clothes are everywhere, and colors abound.
“Mio Tesoro!!” shouts a woman running towards Nikolai.
“Julia. Let me introduce you to Zanae.”
