Page 20 of The Deity of Death

Omar leans so far back in his seat, the fat around his neck creates multiple new chins. Seeing fear in the eyes of one so powerful ignites the flames of pride in my heart.

“Don’t do this, Malik,” Nasir whimpers.

His pleas fall on deaf ears.

“Every man standing in this room accompanied me on the day we came for you, Nasir. If you didn’t care about anyone but yourself, perhaps you would have been able to save his life.” I turn my attention to Melina. “Cover your ears and shut your eyes.”

She does, and though I didn’t give him the same instruction, Henry does too.

“Malik, no, wa—” Nasir launches forward to try and stop me.

I squeeze the trigger twice, both bullets aimed directly at Omar’s heart. He’s dead before his body falls motionless.

Tears stream down Nasir’s cheeks, and he drops beside his father’s corpse.

“Your father’s empire is mine now. Do you understand?” I don’t threaten Nasir with the gun. I don’t have to. “You’re going to pack your shit, take Omar’s bloated corpse, and fuck off. And if I see you again, Nasir, I’ll do to you what I should have all those years ago.”

Melina keeps her eyes and ears shut tight, even while I help her up from her seat. Henry is less concerned about seeing Omar dead.

“The bastard is dead,” Henry Remington announces while I cradle Melina into my chest. He turns to me and sets a reassuring hand on my elbow. “Long live the king.”

14

MELINA

Malik should terrify me. The way he strolled into danger with swagger and confidence and never once allowed his calm bearing to slip. Hell, he shot a man right in front of my eyes—even if they were shut tight the whole time.

Yet, he doesn’t. I haven’t felt threatened by him once, and today, he proved I never have to. He protected me with reckless disregard for what it meant for himself, even if his aim was to take over Omar’s empire. Anything can come of this, regardless of all the best-laid plans, but the way he holds onto me and pulls me tighter to his side says he just doesn’t give a damn.

“How long has this been going on?” Dad gestures between us, emphasizing whatever our budding relationship is.

I coil my legs over Malik’s, and his hand instantly latches onto my bare calf. We’re at his dining table, with stacks of papers, empty whiskey glasses, and the gun that ended it all sitting atop it.

“Since the night we met.” Malik’s eyes gaze deep into mine.

At his behest, we’re in his home for the night. Everything we left at the hotel should be considered lost until the dust settles regarding Omar’s death. Neither Dad nor I see any issue with it. He’s doing as he promised and ensuring our safety.

“It would be wrong of me not to give you some praise, Henry,” Malik continues, but his attention never breaks from me. Not for an instant. “You’re an awful businessman, but I feel your talents lie in producing offspring.”

I burst out laughing. What a silly thing to say, though I don’t believe his jab was fully in jest. Dad has a laugh of his own, pouring another round of drinks for all three of us.

“Yeah, well, I’m used to dealing with empty suits that want papers signed. I bit off a little more than I could chew coming here,” Dad admits. His honesty lets me believe he trusts Malik.

“Wouldn’t it be prudent then to let me be your bulldog?”

Dad’s eyes nearly pop out of his head at Malik’s offer. “Why would you want to go and do something like that when you’ve just claimed an empire of your own?”

“Because bureaucracy bores me. I’m in control of oil; you’re in control of turning it into a product. Why not keep to the same arrangement, only I won’t be a middleman?” His hand slides up my leg and to my knee. Every inch closer to my intimate parts makes his chest rumble with excitement.

“Same deal, you say?” Dad sips his drink, eyes tilting to the ceiling while he contemplates the offer.

“Right down to the marriage,” Malik adds, but it’s directed straight at me. “If you’ll have me, of course.”

An actual proposal from a man I actually want to be with? My heart starts doing cartwheels in my chest, and I squeal in excitement.

“A thousand times, yes,” I screech, flinging my arms over his shoulders. The sudden motion sends Malik’s hand up my dress, and his knuckles graze the wet patch between my thighs.

I force my moan down so as not to make Dad uncomfortable, but Malik doesn’t hold back his howling. A wide smile explodes over his face, and he leans in to kiss me. I yield, even with my dad in the room.

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