Page 79 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

“You’ve got five minutes before I pull out of your driveway,” Toya threw over her shoulder, still wiping her face.

Monique’s eyes blazed with tears as she ran to her bedroom. She wasn’t mad at her friends. They were only looking out for her. She knew that. She was mad because what they’d said was true.

Their fear, anger, and confusion were warranted. Toya and Meka had stared at her like she’d gone and lost her mind. Had she lost her mind over some good sex? Was she being too nonchalant about all of this?

Why had her anger from before dissipated? Why was she no longer pissed off with Orazio? Had a few sweet words from Orazio made her lose her damn mind? Monique sighed as she slipped her shoes on.

She stared down at her leggings and sleeveless top. Racing to her closet, she threw a colorful kimono on to jazz up her outfit. She rushed over to her vanity. A horn honked outside as she stared into her mirror, fixing her hair and makeup.

“I need to hurry,” Monique mumbled. “Because those heffas will leave without me.”

She settled on some brown lip gloss, dangling silver earrings, and a silver bracelet. After lotioning her hands, she sprayed on a little perfume. Another honk had her grabbing her purse and racing toward the front door. After locking up, she slowly walked toward Toya’s car.

Meka rolled down her window and hissed, “If you don’t hurry yo ass up.”

Why did she feel like a child who was in trouble with their parents? She was a grown-ass woman. Monique lifted her chin. What the hell was she looking down for? If she wanted to be with Orazio, that was her choice.

It wasn’t like she was trying to marry the man. She just wanted to date him. He made her feel good. Except for the whole, kidnapping thing. Monique climbed into the backseat, slamming the door shut behind her.

Before she could even buckle her seatbelt, Toya was quickly pulling out of the driveway, nearly giving Monique whiplash.

“Are you trying to kill me?” Monique yelled.

“No,” Toya drawled. “I’ll leave that to the men you choose to date.”

Ouch. Low blow, Toya. Low blow.

“Too soon?” Toya asked as she sped down the street.

“Drive slowly,” Monique told her. “There are children in the neighborhood. And the sign says five mph.”

“Oh, you can readthatsign,” Meka started. “But you can’t read the warning signs and red flags around Orazio Cattaneo?”

Monique opened her mouth, only to shut it and lean back against her seat. She didn’t have to respond to that.

“Now, she’s quiet,” Meka stated.

There was no point in her talking. She wouldn’t be able to make them see things her way. She didn’t even understand why she saw things her way. Should she just cancel the date with Orazio and end this before it began?

Perhaps that was the best course of action. This date felt doomed anyway. It would be best if it didn’t even happen. Blinking back tears, Monique decided it was best not to let this go any further. She had to end it.

She pulled her phone out of her purse to do just that.

Chapter Sixteen

MONIQUE

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Staring down at her phone, Monique realized she had a text message. During the chaos with her friends, she hadn’t heard her phone ding. She checked the message. It was from Orazio. A smile immediately spread across her face when she saw his name. She opened the message.

Orazio: Missing you already. Can’t wait to see you tonight. I promise to be on my best behavior, Rosa.

Awww. Her heart melted. She really wanted to see him again. Yeah, it was crazy of her to want that. But she couldn’t help it. She read the message again, still smiling. Screw what her friends thought.

She wouldn’t end this with Orazio. Not yet. Not before they got to know each other. She started to text him back something just as sweet. But then she remembered her current predicament and thought it would be best to text him a warning instead.

Monique: I told my friends about our date. Well, I actually told them everything. Now they’re angry and heading to your casino to let you know they’re angry. Sorry.

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