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“Name is Vince,” he says. “I’ll be waiting on you tonight.”
We’re the only people seated at a table. Everyone else is at the bar. And no one looks like they’re eating or drinking.
“We’re afamilyrestaurant.” Vince clears his throat. “We treat everyone here like family. And we expect no trouble because we don’t give it.”
“I’m a family man, Vince.” Nikolai lifts his bottle toward Vince in a toast. “I just want a nice, quiet evening. Don’t give me any trouble, and I won’t cause any.”
Vince nods. “We have the best burgers in town. They come with fries or slaw. I’ll give you a minute to look over the menu.” He returns to the bar and stands beside Mercy, who stares at the widescreen, watching a soccer game but occasionally throwing a glance my way.
I don’t dare look at the bar as I study the menu, reading each word as if it’s an instruction manual on how to survive the evening. I order a plate of fries, and Nikolai orders a hamburger. When the food comes, I pick at my fries, but he actually eats his burger. He seems to enjoy it, and eventually, the room relaxes as people start laughing out loud, playing songs on the jukebox, and cheering the game on the screen.
Everybody seems to be doing okay except me. But something tells me that everyone here is pretending to be something other than what they really are.
Half an hour later, Vince leaves the check on the table as he buses our plates. “You folks have a good night. If you liked the food, be sure to leave a review on Yelp. I’m sure our boss would love it.”
Mercy calls out from the bar, “Drinks on the house. I insist.”
“You do have the best burgers in town.” Nikolai ignores her and drops his card on the table. “Not a lot of places left in the city thatstill serve them bloody and rare anymore. Consider this a gift to the owner.”
She takes the card and announces to the room, “Drinks on the house for the next hour.”
Nikolai holds the door for me and nods at Mercy. She gives him a big smile, but her eyes are wide with fear.
When I step into the passenger side of the car, he reaches over to buckle the seat belt. He pulls the belt forward until it locks, and then retracts it until the rough material presses hard against my neck, choking me slightly in the seat as he locks me in place.
42
EDEN
We ridethe elevator to the penthouse like strangers who haven’t been introduced. Nikolai stands in one corner while I lean into the other. I don’t dare look at him, but I can sense him glaring at me periodically.
I could’ve introduced Nikolai to Mercy. But I sat there like a terrified lump and said nothing. The last time I saw Mercy, I told her I was in trouble. Now she finally saw why.
Mercy is always fearless, with a sassy mouth. But not tonight.
She looked scared out of her mind. But behind the fear, there was unmistakable hate. She kept glancing over at Nikolai the rest of the evening, but he ignored her.
Like a coward without a spine, I kept the peace by staying silent. Why? I should’ve said something. I should’ve stood up for her. Why didn’t I?
I keep my eyes on the floor as the elevator continues moving.
The truth is, I know if I had done anything other than staying quiet, Nikolai would’ve shot the bar to pieces to get me back.Mercy knew who Nikolai was. I remember her expression when she saw Larissa’s credit card.
Once again, I’m the only one in the dark—a sheltered little dummy.
Mercy was right about me.“You gotta have some backbone in this city. Otherwise, someone’s bound to take advantage of you.”
The elevator doors finally open, and I walk into the living room. I’m determined to do something before it’s too late. But one look at Nikolai’s cold eyes, and I know it’s already too late.
My voice trembles as I cautiously tiptoe into dangerous territory. “Nikolai … I need to call my dad.”
His jaw clenches as if he bit into something bitter. His eyes lock on mine as he stalks toward me, and I back against a tall shelf.
“You can’t be serious.” His voice is a mixture of anger and disbelief. “Do you take me to be a fool?”
“No,” I reply in a shaky voice. “I don’t. But I?—”
Before I can complete my sentence, he slams his palm against the shelf, making both me and the rare objects on display shake.
