I have so many questions running through my head. The machine starts beeping like crazy. Fredrico gives my hand another squeeze. Just then, Uncle Claude comes into the room.
“Relax, Oni. We just need to speak with you,” Fredrico says.
“How are you feeling, cub?” Uncle Claude asks, also looking sad.
“I’m fine. I’d be better if you guys didn’t come in here looking like someone died. What’s going on?”
Emilio clears his throat, drawing my attention. I look to him as he sits calmly in the chair in the corner of the room.
“First, I want to thank you for what you did for my daughter. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s hard to catch me by surprise, but you have continued to do so since you arrived.”
I go to fold my arms under my breasts, but the movement causes my shoulder to burn with a new ferocity. I wince and move the arm connected to the burning shoulder back to my side. However, I don’t take my glare off Emilio.
“Emilia is my friend. I wasn’t going to allow her to be hurt or worse. I did what needed to be done.”
Emilio nods. “You have a lot of heart. My brother and Rico are right, you’re very smart. Smart enough to make more of your life than stealing cars.”
“You mean smart enough to stay away from your nephew before you have me killed or some shit,” I bite out.
Emilio chuckles as he tilts his head and stares at me. “You have misunderstood me. I believe Rico has too. My intentions have always been to see how you both would handle pressure. Whether either of you was ready for what this world would bring your way.
“I knew my nephew was in love with you from the time you stepped into Fredrico’s sitting room. Rico was trying too hard to make it seem as if you meant nothing. When I told him you could never be more than a bed toy, he almost lost it.”
“You said what?” Uncle Claude growls.
Emilio waves him off. “I told him Oni was just a piece of ass. Nothing could ever come of him and some black girl,” he says the words so nonchalantly and shrugs.
“Asshole,” I say under my breath.
Fredrico has to restrain my uncle as he tries to lunge at Emilio. A part of me hopes Uncle Claude will knock Fredrico over to get to this asshole. The other part of me notices the bruise on Fredrico’s face and bandage on his head and hopes he doesn’t get hurt.
Unlike his brother, I like the old man. He has been nothing but nice to me. I sag in relief as my uncle regains control and begins to pace and mumble to himself.
“Can you get to your point?” I say dryly.
“You have become my nephew’s one and only weakness. I know Rico. There is no getting rid of you. Only in death will he leave you alone?—”
“So you do plan to kill me.”
“If you would stop cutting me off, I could explain to you what my intentions are,” he says in frustration.
“Okay, fine. Speak.”
“Neither of youse are ready. Rico needs more time to rise into his role. You need to learn not to end up like this.” He points to me in the bed.
“You are sixteen. There’s plenty of time to get involved with Rico and become the woman he needs by his side. However, now isn’t the time. You will both be dead within a year at this rate.
“Your own friends will be your undoing. I need you to take a step back from Rico because he doesn’t know how to do it on his own. If you do as I say, you will want for nothing and when the time is right, you will be right back in his arms,” Emilio says.
“Why should I trust you? How do I know you’re not trying to get rid of me so you can marry Rico off to Juliana?”
“Juliana Abato isn’t good enough for my nephew. She and her father are going to die like the filthy pigs they are. You can trust me because I’m sending you to my home with my brother and daughter.”
I look to Fredrico curiously. He gives me a weak smile. I lick my dry lips and try to figure out what’s not being said. I know better than to believe Emilio is doing this out of the kindness of his heart.
“What do you want in return?”
“The only thing I ask is that you don’t contact Rico until I tell you it’s allowed. That means absolutely no contact, Oni. None.”
