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The salesman’s relief grew as he smiled. “We do. A few, actually.”
“Perfect.”
I turned the car around, trying not to let the pestering thoughts ruin my mood. I was fine. I was just working too much. The suffocation would pass. It always did. Then, things would go back to normal.
Normal…and boring. Routine. I was drowning.
Despite that I was going back to the dealership, I pushed the car just as fast down the narrow roads. I chose this place for a reason. It was the perfect location outside of the city, away from the masses of people that I couldn't stand to be close to anymore. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, the salesman’s tie was just about undone. We got out, heading inside where the manager was waiting.
“How did she drive?”
“Like a dream.” My eyes scanned the showroom, and I couldn’t help but walk over, sliding my hand down the length of the sporty hood. “This one. My last two cars were black. I think I’ll do matte black this time. She’s gorgeous.”
“Excellent choice, Mr. Carmelo. Would you like it delivered, or would you like to drive it home today?
My teeth bit into my lower lip. Adrenaline was still pumping through my entire being at the speed my new car could climb. I wanted it. No, I needed it. I had to get back to that place where thoughts didn't overpower me. Cars were my one love, and this one was going to wipe my past clean. At least for now.
“I’ll be taking it now.” I dangled the keys of my current ride, annoyed when my head of security, Gabe, hung up his phone and stood in place.
“Of course, Mr. Carmelo. Anything else I can help you with while we’re getting your new car ready?”
My hand lowered as three men in suits walked through the door and headed towards me. It’d been a while since I saw them, but there was no mistaking their presence, or why my own security wasn’t obeying.
“Aimon.”
I paused at the greeting. “Parker.” One of my eyebrows rose to my grandfather’s main man. He was a doctor and former special forces. He didn’t take any shit, which told me his reasons for being here weren’t good. He never left my grandfather’s side. Not unless he had to.
“Which one are you here for?”
I crossed my arms over my chest, forcing a half-ass grin as my head gestured to the two-seater sports car behind me.
“Nice. Very, very nice. I’m afraid you’re going to have to put it on hold. Master Carmelo is requesting your presence.”
“He can wait. I’ve been busting my ass for him for almost two months straight. I deserve a weekend to myself.”
“I wasn’t asking if you wanted to go. You’re going.”
“Is that right?”
At his silence my teeth ground. “Gabe, come get my keys and take my car home. I’ll drive the new one to see my grandfather.”
“No.” Parker’s hand came up, swiping the fob from my grip to put it in his suit’s pocket. “You won’t be needing a new car. I’ll have the old one returned to the penthouse’s garage.”
His hand wrapped around my bicep causing me to immediately jerk back, but I didn’t disarm his grip. It was like a vice.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“Don’t make a scene, Aimon. If you’ll follow us, we can do this in a civilized manner.”
“It’s Master Aimon to you. And I said let go.” Harder, I pulled away. The three dark-suited guards stepped in closer, crowding me in. They were as familiar to me as my own, but my guy did nothing to protect me. Gabe stood in the showroom of cars like a statue. No one helped. Their surprise was as great as my own.
“I said I was fucking going. Did you not hear—Get your fucking hands off me.”
The painful grip had my eyes narrowing and my temper soaring through the roof. I only had one rule to those who knew me: no touching. They knew better, yet they weren’t holding back which told me I’d finally pushed my grandfather further than he was willing to allow. Even though I’d grown up in his home, we’d never been close. Especially since my parents’ death. I’d barely been a teen then, but he didn’t care. He groomed me, molded me to be unbreakable and hateful like him, and for a long time I allowed it.
“I’m trying to be nice here, Parker, but I’m about to knock your ass out. I’m not telling you again. I can walk by myself.”
The pressure eased, but it didn’t disappear as the men backed off at his order.
