Page 16 of The Greek's Destruction

“Zar,” Alistair calls.

Zar stops, slightly turning his head to look back at him.

“You need to call Father and Grandfather before this shit escalates.”

Zar grunts as he continues out the kitchen. After saying a quick goodbye to Alistair and Xander, I rush to the living room and grab my purse, shoving my gun inside. What a shit show this had turned into I think to myself as I close the door behind me.

As Zar and I pulled away from the house, a black SUV came up behind us. I was about to panic thinking it was more of Trent’s men coming to finish us off, but Zar put my mind at ease when he let me know it was his men, Hendrix and Frankie, following us. During the ride, I questioned Zar about any and everything, trying to get information out of him.

I twisted in my seat, admiring his side profile as he weaved in and out of traffic before I asked, “Where is this cabin you’re taking me to?”

“It’s on some property I bought out in the country. It’s listed under a different name and I use it when I need a break from the city.”

Nodding, I also questioned, “So, this is how your life really is? People trying to kill you. Cleanup crews?”

Balthazar glanced over at me, then back at the road. “Not always. Most time its peaceful, but we do get the occasional rival Family, gang, Cartel, or other assholes who want to move in on our territory. We do what we must to stay alive. You’re safe with me but I must warn you, being with me will put you in some positions that you’re going to have to put on your big girl panties and handle that shit. This life is not for the weak but I know you, Nina, you don’t take shit from anyone and are quick to pull your gun if you have to, which fits right into the connection we already have.”

“I don’t know about a connection, it’s probably lust, or some residual feelings from the past that’s still lingering,” trying to convince myself more than him.

Zar side eyed me, gripping the steering wheel, causing his knuckle to turn white. “I call bull shit! You can keep believing that shit if you want to, but deep down you know the truth just as well as I do.”

The rest of the ride was silent as we both were in our thoughts.

A little over an hour later, we were pulling off the highway onto service road. After a few twists and turns, Zar veered off onto a dirt road with trees on both sides. I tried to memorize the way we were going as Zar took several turns. When he took the last left turn, the trees gave way, and a beautiful large one level cabin sat before us. Zar drove his car onto a large circular driveway, then pulled in front of the house...

“This is your safe house,” I ask, in awe of the beautiful lawn, intricate landscape, and wildflowers. Large mulberry and pine trees are on each side of the cabin.

“Yes,” Zar answers, shifting the car into park, then shutting off the engine. He grabs the door handle, then adds, “It could be yours, too.”

He opens his door and gets out before I can react to his statement. While I was willing to see how things would play out for Balthazar and me, the whole ‘it could be yours to’ comment was a little premature. I have my own home; if I couldn’t get back in it no time soon, I could always stay with Janae and Chris. If I started to crowd their space, I could always get a suite at one of the hotels not far from Mystique. Going back to my momma’s house will never be an option for me.

I sigh getting out of the car. Balthazar’s men are at the rear of the vehicle getting my suitcase and bag out while he has walked up the pathway to the front door. He presses his hand against a security panel that immediately opens the door when it recognizes his prints.

“Impressive,” I state, coming to stand behind him.

“We can have this added to your house if you like.”

“I’ll think about it,” I tell him, already making a mental note to call my alarm system to see if they had this version.

Balthazar opens the door then steps to the side to let me enter first. I hold in my gasp as I walk into the main entrance. It was simple with a crystal light fixture hanging from the ceiling, but the white, black, and russet brown art deco that made the room pop, caught my attention. Not to mention the picture of me laughing. Walking over to the portrait, I stare at it, remembering what occasion it was taken from.

“Why do you have a picture of me in your cabin, Balthazar?”

He comes up behind me, staring at the picture from Katie, one of my bartenders, birthday parties at the club.

“Because I bought this house, knowing that someday you will be here with me. You might’ve though that night was just a one-night stand, but not me, Nina. In my eyes this isourcabin. We’ll talk about that later. I’m sure GeeGee, has made us something to eat.”

“GeeGee,” I ask, moving my head to the side.”

Balthazar chuckles, taking my hand in his. “Yes, GeeGee. She’s been in my family for as long as I can remember. She was my nanny years ago, and when I moved here from Chicago, she insisted on coming with me. She and my mother are very close. You’ll love her.”

I snicker as his eyes lit up talking about GeeGee. “I can’t wait to meet her.”

“GeeGee,” Zar calls out as we wind through the hallways, coming to the modernized kitchen. A stoutly built older black woman stood over the stove stirring a large pot.

“Balthazar, quit calling my name like you’re the damn police,” she fusses, removing the spoon, sitting it on the counter, then turning towards us. “What took you so long? I thought you would’ve been here long before now.”

Zar releases my hand as he goes over to the older woman, hugs her, then kisses her cheek. “I’m sorry GeeGee, but we had to take care of some things at Nina’s house.”

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