Page 11 of The Greek's Destruction

“Nina, if I get up from this couch, things will not go as smoothly as they have been.”

I halt my steps at the directness of his tone. Never in the years I worked for Zar did I see this side of him nor would I have ever suspected this type of behavior from him. I don’t know why, but something in the pit of my stomach is telling me if I defy him, and keep going, he will be on me before I can make it out of the room. Against my better judgement, I slowly turn, then go over the far end of the couch, and sit, putting as much space in between us as possible.

“Drink,” Zar orders.

“I’m good,” I tell him, grabbing one of the decorative pillows, then hugging it close to me.

“Suit yourself,” he says, taking another sip, then sitting the glass down on a coaster. “How well do you know Trent?”

Why are we back on Trent? Yes, I know he accuses Trent’s family with being part of the mafia, but I don’t believe it. Trent owns strip malls, I know that for sure. And yes, his family has money but it wasn’t from anything illegal.

“I know him well enough,” I answer.

“But not well enough to know his family belongs to the mafia?”

I sigh, ready to get up and end this conversation. “His family is not part of the mafia. I’ve met members of his family and friend, they are not the mafia types. They are everyday businessmen who make their money the right way.”

Zar regards me before shaking his head and laughing. “Everyday businessmen, that’s rich. You really have no idea.”

I didn’t see shit funny and I’m beyond pissed he’s laughing at my expense. “Since you know so much, then you tell me how you know his family is in the mafia! I think you’re just jealous and saying all of this, so I won’t fuck with Trent anymore!”

His laughter abruptly stops as he swiftly twists his body to face me. “You want to know how I fuckin’ know? I know because his family is the reason why I couldn’t be with you the way we both wanted back then!”

“Wh...what,” I stammer, confused as hell.

“His family and mine were at war,” Zar divulges, picking up the glass again, then finishing off the contents.

“War, I don’t understand.”

“My family, the Kourakos, is one of the largest Greek crime families in the States. I run this region and Trent’s family, the Ganino’s, wanted it. We went to war over it and a lot of people lost their lives, mostly on their side. The elder Ganino finally called a meeting to wave his white flag. Trent was there but he was young and clearly doesn’t remember who I am. With what happened earlier, I’m sure he’ll find out who I am, and it may start another war.”

I sit there speechless as I gawk at Zar. He and Trent were both part of crime families? How could I have not seen it? But then again how would I have known? I thought Balthazar was just a strip club owner and Trent, owns strip malls. What the hell have I gotten myself into?!

“I can’t do this. After finding this out, I don’t want anything to do with either one of you. I can’t have a war started because of me,” I shriek, snatching up the glass of liquor, then swallowing it all in one gulp, frowning as it burns my throat going down.

“It’s too late for that,” Zar says, taking the empty glass from my hand. “I thought I was doing the right thing by not pursuing you back then. I didn’t want you mixed up with the shit that was going on but somehow it’s happened anyway. Trent’s going to take the whole ordeal as a sign of disrespect, plus with me pulling my gun on him, he will retaliate for that. My only priority now is to keep you safe.”

My eyes bulge. “Why do you have to keep me safe? I’m the innocent party here.”

“Don’t you get it, Nina? It doesn’t matter what you and Trent had going on, now that he knows you and I are connected, he will use you to get to me and I can’t have that. He will hurt you, to hurt me,” Zar states, letting out an exasperated breath.

“Trent wouldn’t hurt me,” I defend, only to be met with Zar’s deadpan expression.

“You don’t know this world, Nina. Trent would kill you if he even suspected you were trying to play him dirty. Think about it, the man who his family fell to shows up at the woman’s house he’s been sleeping with and you make him leave. How would that look to you? These people are killers, Nina.”

“But I didn’t ask for any of this? This is all your fault! Why did you have to come here tonight? And what about you? Your part of a crime family, so that makes you a killer too,” I scream, throwing the pillow at him. I jump up, getting ready to make my escape, but Zar grabs me, pulling me down onto his lap.

“You’re damn right I’m a fuckin’ killer. I will kill any motherfucker who dares to threaten my family, my business, and you! Hell, I’ve killed for you before, so offing Trent’s pussy-ass will be a walk in the park,” Zar hisses as I struggle in his arms.

Wait did he just say he’s killed for me? Stopping my efforts to get out of his clutches, I ask in a low voice, “Who, who did you kill for me?”

It takes Zar a few seconds, but he finally answers, “Chris”

I gasp. Oh my God!! I thought he had a talk with Chris then banned him from the club. He killed him?

“Why”

“Because he put his hands on you and was about to kidnap you,” he easily responds.

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