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I’ve only hadone death threat in my life.
My father quickly got rid of it.
It was a small price to pay for being the daughter of the notorious Nicolas Abernathy.
And really, part of me was disappointed that not more people hated me enough.
After that, his threat was so widespread no one even dared utter my name for fear of him finding out. He tore an entire empire apart to kill the threat and he didn’t even break a sweat.
I often think about how loving that father was, and how he eventually paled in comparison.
Some days, I would lie awake and wonder if I would ever make a man cower in his boots and command everyone’s attention just by entering a room. For what it’s worth, I was able to command men who worked for me, but it was never enough.
I wanted The Company. I wanted my name above the door. I wanted a female to run the game and show that testicles meant nothing in business, and money came to those who took the risks.
Naturally, when word of my father’s demise came, I took the bull by the horn, and with it, I got my wish for people to hate me enough to want me gone. It’s just a shame it’s happening when I’m not the threat I want to be. That doesn’t, however, change my approach to the situation.
Fresh off a kill, I feel like the adrenaline is yet to drain. Using that, I roll with the punches and decide that while everyone looks deep in thought, I’m not going to sit here and worry.
“Someone want to pull the trigger now, or do I need to take myself to the graveyard and bury myself?”
The look Beckett and Sebastian fix me with is equal parts horror and dismay.
“They’re not going to get you,” Sebastian says, while Beckett remains silent.
“Sorry if I don’t believe that.” I cross one leg over the other and settle back. “Isn’t this the way of our lives?”
They’re both yet to look away, but it’s Beckett who sighs first.
“How are you so okay with this?”
I laugh. It’s soulful given my predicament, and it feels good.
“Natalia,” Beckett starts, sitting forward and rubbing his hands together. “Someone is after your blood. They’re in this fucking building.”
“Yeah, and your point is? Do you want me to go and cower in the corner? Sorry, but no. If someone wants me out of the equation, let them have at me.”
I know from the paleness on Beckett’s face he doesn’t agree. While his expression remains stony, he can’t hide fully what my reaction to all of this means for him.
“Not on my watch.”
“Well, sorry, honey, but under your watch, someone’s got quite intimate with me.” I lean forward and toss the pile of photographs towards the head of the coffee table. “Here’s a refresher in case you forgot.”
“I don’t need to look at those again!” he shouts, kicking the table with so much force the drinks on it spill and Sebastian scrambles to salvage the images. Getting up, Beckett starts to pace. “I’ll do anything to keep you safe.”
“What, until I expire in less than five months?”
I brandish that fact quite proudly because, really, what’s he going to do with me at the end of those six months? I highly doubt he’ll cast me out like I won’t retaliate. He narrows his gaze on me for a moment before he shakes his head, sniggering.
“Yeah, don’t worry. I’m counting down the days.”
“Who said you’ll be leaving in five months?”
Beckett’s retort is quick, and Sebastian relaxes back, allowing yet another round of this back and forth. He pinches the bridge of his nose but leaves us to it.
I crinkle my nose. “I think we’ve already had our fill of one another. Any longer than six months and there’ll be none of London left to rule.”
I deliberately don’t statewhowill run the city. I think he notices that too but doesn’t react. If I never had to leave, I wouldn’t, but I can’t do it at this capacity. It’s either Beckett or me, and I’m not exactly the type to give up.
