Page 85 of Burdens
Tension lingered in the air and I didn’t really know how to dissipate it. In any other circumstances, I would simply take myself out of it and leave the room, but I didn’t want to leave Noah alone.
Just as I opened my mouth to suggest grabbing something to eat since I was starving and I figured they might be too after traveling, a sharp knock echoed through the room.
Instantly, all of us went on high alert at the intrusion, each one instinctively reaching for a weapon.
Good to know everyone came prepared.
I swiftly made my way toward the front door, everyone trailing behind with their weapons drawn as it swung wide open.
I let out a sigh and lowered my gun when Nassim walked in, large brown bags in each arm, a sweet and savory smell wafting off it.
I had completely forgotten that I’d called him earlier both to get him to come and avoid more of Kai’s relentless interrogation.
I’d barely had time to settle in my seat when he and Valentina had followed me outside, taking the seats opposite me around the outdoor tile table. While Valentina had remained silent and looking anywhere but at me, Kai had launched into asking me a series of questions.
The Academy’s rigorous selection process paled in comparison to Kai’s endless probing about who I was, where I came from, about my family, to which I gave vague answers. But he’d just kept going, no matter how much I’d tried to steer into not talking.
At one point, I hadn’t known whether to laugh when he didn’t get the hint or shoot him to get him to stop talking.
Who knew one person could talk this much?
So instead, I’d excused myself and had called Nassim to stall for a little while until Jamal walked out and I’d hung up on him without another word, knowing Noah needed me.
“Such a warm welcome,” Nassim said, an amused smile playing on his lips.
“Sorry, I forgot you were coming,” I said, clicking the safety back on my gun.
“Don’t be, it turns me on being on the other end of a barrel,” he teased, shooting a playful glance at his wife who was tucked behind him.
Daniela rolled her eyes and smacked his shoulder, a slight flush creeping up on her cheeks. “We’re in company, stop saying shit like that,” she muttered under her breath.
Nassim chuckled and blew her a kiss before turning his attention back on me and the others gathered behind me.
With a casual wave, he greeted them, “Hello, everyone with their guns still pointed in my face, I’m Nassim, and the exquisite woman behind me is my wife, Daniela.”
“I like him already,” Kai said from behind me.
This should be interesting.
I shook my head, leading the way back into the living area. Everyone followed suit, exchanging handshakes and proper greetings before filing into the living room.
I plopped down on one of the sofas, Noah taking the seat on my left. Nassim and his wife squeezed onto the same one, while Jamal and Kai occupied the other sofa. Valentina, on the other hand, chose to remain standing, leaning against the wall.
Although she was mostly quiet, I liked her.
Her presence commanded attention, not in a way that she sought or demanded it, but because you couldn’t help yourself but respect her.
Her expression remained mostly stoic, except for the rare softening when her gaze met Kai’s, but I could tell she’d been through a lot beneath her unfazed facade.
Because she reminded me of myself.
She also didn’t trust us, which I wouldn’t either if I’d just met strangers asking me to overturn decades of a cartel.
We all dropped our guns onto the living room table, Nassim pushing some of them out of the way to clear a space for bags he was holding before placing them onto its wooden surface.
“There’s sandwiches inside withl7am bel ber9o9?1 that I grabbed from a juice shop on the way here, some fruits and water bottles. Help yourselves,” Nassim offered.
I didn’t need to be told twice. Not only was I starving butl7am bel ber9o9was one of my favorite dishes I’d discovered when I’d moved to Morocco for work, so I immediately reached inside of the bags and grabbed a paper-wrapped sandwich, the scent making my mouth water.
