AllFreeNovel
Share Us
They always say to trust your gut. Mine is screaming at me to turn around, waltz right back into Star of India, and tell Tara to forget the deal.
I know this was my idea, but the twisting in my stomach tells me Tara Mangal is going to be a thorn in my side, digging in so deep I won’t ever get rid of her. She’s already trying to defy me by testing my patience. She’s a fucking wrecking ball. The fact that she thinks she’s so damn funny and untouchable irritates the shit out of me. She doesn’t even crumble after I throw disgusting insults at her. I already know there will be times I’ll want to throttle her until she can’t talk back to me, which doesn’t bode well if I need her to remain alive for at least a year.
I don’t know why I’m willingly subjecting myself to this torture. Her snarky comments and demands made me want to bend her over the desk, push her face against the cold wood and put her in her place with my cock. Probably not the best way to solve problems but at least we’d both get a good fuck out of it.
My hands ball into fists, aching to punch something, anything, to release the anger she creates in me. Every day, I deal with men who kill people, men who think they can overpower me, and yet none of them make me snap like she does. My gut may be right; this might end in complete disaster, but I can’t change my mind now—this is my shot to get everything I’ve busted my ass for.
It’s just one year, Nix. You can do this. You’ve handled worse than Tara for thirty years.
As I turn the corner, my sleek black Lincoln Navigator comes into view. My driver, Rush, leans against it, working away on his phone. The sight of him only serves to piss me off even more—not because of anything he’s doing, but because seeing him reminds me of my father and his bullshit.
My father always said appearances were the most important thing. For the longest time, I thought he didn’t know how to drive because I never saw him behind the wheel of a car—in fact, I never even saw him in the front seat of one. Turns out he did know how, he just chose not to. It’s beneath us to drive ourselves around. You will always have a driver. His words echo in my head.
That was his view. Me? I’d rather drive myself. It allows me to come and go as I please, and I don’t have a shadow lurking around waiting for me. I even had to keep it a secret that I went and got my license when I was younger. I don’t want a driver, but Rush doubles as security, which is something I need working with the Snakes. Their rivals, the Draaks, are constantly trying to take out known associates so it doesn’t hurt to have the protection.
I hired Rush a few years ago as my driver and bodyguard because he has an extremely versatile skill set. He’s been well trained as security and isn’t afraid of anything. He’s also a quiet man, never getting in the way or inserting his opinion where it’s not wanted.
It’s only been a month since my father died, so sometimes I forget he’s not still here for me to impress. That I can do whatever I want. I can drive myself everywhere if I want to.
Rush straightens up as I approach, sliding his phone in his pocket.
“Let’s go,” I grumble.
“Something wrong, boss?” he asks, opening the door for me.
God, I really have to stop this. I’m not my father. I shouldn’t be such an asshole to everyone, but I can’t help it. To survive in my father’s world, I had to become cold and distant. It’s not something I can change at the snap of my fingers. It’s a dog-eat-dog world and the moment I go soft, the vultures will attack.
Soon enough, Rush won’t be worrying about me. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s about to get a new assignment—protecting my wife. Enemies of the Snakes will definitely see her as a way to get to me. It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve tried to destroy me. It definitely won’t be the last.
The firm won’t be mine if the bitch is dead before the year is up. I have to keep her safe or all of this would’ve been for nothing.
“That girl’s a pain in the ass, that’s for sure.”
Rush chuckles, closing my door before sliding into the driver’s seat. “Sounds like she’ll give you a run for your money.”
A small growl escapes me, but nothing close to what my reaction would be to anyone else commenting like that. Rush and I have grown pretty close over the three years he’s been working for me. We’re more friends than anything, but in public we’d never show that.
I met him one night when I went to the Snakes’ warehouse with my father. My father was doing some business, so I went wandering around, eventually finding myself in the basement. I’d heard rumors about their underground fighting ring, but never imagined anything like what I found. With a caged-in fighting ring in the middle and hundreds of people chanting his name, I watched Rush beat the everloving shit out of a man twice his size with ease. He was a vicious beast in the ring.
I knew right then I needed him on my payroll. I caught him after his fight, but he wasn’t interested in what I had to say. Once I finally convinced him to talk to me, he revealed that he fights for the money to keep his mom and younger siblings afloat. With the amount of money I waved in front of him, it didn’t take him long to accept my job offer. It’s better pay, less damage to his body, and slightly safer.
With his fighting skills, weapons, and computer expertise, it’s been the best investment I’ve made in a long time.
The engine rumbles beneath me before Rush pulls away from the curb in the direction of my house. I guess now’s as good of a time as any to tell my mom I’m getting married. Easier to escape her disappointment over the phone. Slipping my cell out of my pocket, I dial her number.
She answers on the second ring. “Nix, honey. I’m so glad you called. I have some ripe tomatoes in the garden, and I was wondering if you wanted me to make you and Reilly some fresh salsa?” My father never wanted her to do things herself, but two things she’d never give up are gardening and cooking.
“I’d love some, Ma. That’s not why I’m calling though.”
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. What do you need? Is something wrong?” This woman can talk a mile a minute if you let her.
“Slow down,” I chuckle. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m... I’m getting married.”
“Married?! Marnix Andrew Taylor! I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. Let alone seeing someone seriously.”Her shocked voice booms through the phone, making me pull it back from my ear. When she uses my full name, I know it’s serious. “Who is she? Why haven’t I met her?”
“Mom, please calm down.” I can’t talk to her when she’s like this. She’ll never let me get a word in.
“Don’t tell me to calm down. My only child is getting married and I haven’t even met the girl. It is a girl, right? Because I would still love you if it wasn’t. My baby can love whoever he wants. For a while there, I thought you were seeing that cute driver of yours, Rush. Wait, are you? Oh, he’s so handsome.”
