Page 77 of His Black Onyx

Chapter 38

Nate

She stands with her back straight and her head held high, displaying a confidence that surprises even me. Once again, I'm baffled at the transformation this petite girl has gone through since we first met.

Big George seems equally surprised—and confused—to see her daring to speak to him at all. He looks at me first, raising an eyebrow before turning back to her.

"No one ever told you?" he asks incredulously.

She shakes her head. "No. No one ever tells me anything."

The men join in a dark chuckle, and I exchange a quick look with Lailah. A hint of a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth as she looks at me, suggesting a subtle nod. I don't know what to make of it. Is this a gesture of approval? Did Malia impress her by speaking to Big George of her own volition?

Or does she know? Does she know what happened last night?

Would it matter?

"Well, you have little to worry about, young lady," George responds, a thick condescending tone in his voice. "The boys will escort you when the day arrives, at least five of them. The Scivolas are holding a little reception in your honor. A celebration for you and Flavio to properly meet for the first time."

He pauses, casting a look in Lailah's direction.

"And we'll just hope that none of them will notice our deceit. But then again, why would they? They last saw our Lailah years ago, only meeting her briefly, and since then they have seen nothing but pictures," he adds. "There is no reason for them to suspect anything amiss."

The expression on Lailah's face darkens, as does mine. George speaks about her as if she was replaceable, and while that's exactly what this plan entails, we all know that there is only one Lailah. Malia is not Lailah—but I'm beginning to think that's a good thing.

Because Malia is collected and attentive in a way that Lailah isn't and has never been. She's a smart observer, and—if the situation calls for it—I'm sure she can be just as cunning.

Or at least I hope so.

"The boys will stay with you during the reception," George goes on, now looking back to Malia. "And to sign the papers-"

"Papers?" Malia interrupts him. "What papers?"

"For the contract," I explain. "To seal the deal."

She looks at me, her eyes filled wide in fear, visibly unsettled by the prospect.

"What happens after the reception?" she wants to know, still looking at me.

"The Scivolas have graciously offered to host the boys for the night," George answers. "And you, obviously. You'll stay with them, with Flavio, and the guys will leave the next day."

Her eyes widen in horror. "Will I... will I have to-"

"No," I cut her off. "That's where the other part of the plan comes in."

"The murder," Lailah adds from the other side of the room. All eyes move to her, as if it's the first time anyone notices her presence. "You'll take the first step that very first night."

"What step?"

"You'll poison him," I say. "There's Scotch in the Scivola's communal room that only the Scivola men are allowed to drink. And we're certain they'll take quite a few big gulps that night."

A deep crease appears between Malia's eyebrows.

"Won't that raise suspicion?" Her eyes dart back and forth between me and the boss. "If they all die the first night I'm there, I mean? I thought you said it would be a silent killing that would not raise any questions?"

I shake my head. "I didn't say it wouldn't raise any questions."

"Besides, they won't die that night," Lailah adds. "They will only sleep, a lot. And not very well. The drug you'll give them will kill them slowly, over the course of a few days. It will wear them down, at first only weakening them and making them ache a little, as if they're about to get the flu or come down with a virus. Their respiratory system will slowly fail, only providing them with a minimum amount of oxygen over time, enough for them to stay alive and go about their lives—until one night, they'll stop breathing in their sleep."

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