Page 10 of Gamble with Me
I rolled my eyes and pushed the gas pedal, speeding out of my property. I could speed away from them, but for what reason? I would only create more trouble, which we really didn't need. Our lives were complicated enough without me acting like a spoiled child.
Mindlessly driving through the highway, I entered the City of New York. I left two days ago to charge my batteries and allow myself to think about my next moves, but my mind was preoccupied with a certain woman, and I couldn't concentrate on anything. I ordered my PI to get me everything on Valeria that could be found, but it didn't satisfy my curiosity. The hunger I felt for more about her was insatiable.
Turning around the corner of a narrow street, I slowed down, looking at the people outside standing on the sidewalk. Brooklyn could be a dangerous place to wander around in the middle of the night, but I wasn't afraid for my safety. I was a celebrity here—a legend.
My brothers and I were extremely powerful figures in the criminal underworld, and I could go anywhere in the city, knowing I was untouchable. It was both a blessing and a curse.
Ignoring a strange tingle in my stomach, I took another turn and stopped the car in front of a four-story modern apartment building that didn't match the surroundings. The developer started the new project in the heart of Brooklyn, and a black-and-white complex with huge French windows, balconies, and a glass winter garden on top looked like it was wrongly placed from some catalog into reality.
The buildings around this one were old and ugly, and they needed repairs and considerable investments to be habitable. They were mostly occupied by cheap hookers, drug addicts, and alcoholics. It was a poor neighborhood and surely not the place for people with some standards, yet lower prices attracted some buyers who couldn't afford the same luxury in, for example, Manhattan.
Chester Kellerman was one of those people. He was among the first investors interested in the project, but I would never have thought he would live here with his wife and daughter. I couldn't imagine a caring father allowing his little girl to come out from behind the small fence. She could be kidnapped or given drugs. Or worse, someone could kill her. This wasn't just irresponsible; in my eyes, it was absurd and idiotic to live with a family in a place like this if it wasn't absolutely inevitable.
Slowly, I got out of the car and closed the door. Out of the corner of my eye, I checked on Jamal, who parked the car about ten feet from me but stayed inside.
The street was empty, and only two old buzzing lamps provided some light. The eerie silence underlined the darkness that tried to eat the last remains of any brightness. It would be creepy if I didn't like it so much.
Hiding my hands in my pants pocket, I walked to the nearest lamp and leaned against it, staring at the building. The entire complex was hidden in the dark; only one balcony was enlightened by little colorful lights. Inside, behind the curtain, I saw a woman's silhouette walking around the room, and instinctively, I moved closer to get a better view.
For maybe two minutes, I watched her pacing back and forth, holding her hand next to her head, meaning she probably spoke on the phone. I didn't understand why I was so engrossed in watching the unknown woman through her window, but my heart stopped beating when she walked out onto the balcony. Her crying voice cut through my ears, and my stomach sank. It was Valeria.
She was on the second floor, and I heard her sobbing and talking, but I couldn’t comprehend the words. Yet, it didn't change the fact I was ready to rip to shreds anyone who hurt her and made her cry, her stupid husband included.
In the deepest corner of my soul, I hoped to see her, but this was too much for me. For two days, I couldn't stop thinking about her, and when I finally caught a glimpse of her and fed my obsession with a small bite of her perfection, I only found out she was miserable.
Clenching my teeth with anger mixed with helplessness, I moved forward. Not noticing an empty plastic bottle on the ground, I stepped on it, and a loud cracking sound cut through the silence of the night. I cursed under my breath. Lifting my head, I thanked God I was hidden in the shadow because Valeria swiftly walked to the nearest corner of the balcony and stared directly at me.
But she couldn't see me. At least, I believed she didn't notice me because I didn't have the strength to muse about what she would think about me snooping around her apartment.
However, for a split second, I was sure our eyes met. There were maybe twelve feet of space between us, but my entire body tensed, and something came alive in my stomach. My heart hammered in my chest like it wanted to burst through my ribcage, and my braingave up any effort to understand my foolish behavior. It was only a millisecond, but I instantly knew this wasn't the last time I was lurking in the shadows to see her.
It was just the beginning.
-6-
Valeria
It was him. Zyon. It had to be; otherwise, I had to admit I was losing my mind.
I only opened my eyes to the sunny morning when I heard the door close. Chester left the bedroom, and I could finally stop pretending to be asleep. We had a huge argument last night and said some nasty things, but he never allowed me to go to bed angry. He tried to justify his actions and explain everything, but I was at the end. There was nothing he could do to save our marriage. In our situation, filing for divorce was only a formality.
Releasing a deep, shaky breath, I turned to my right side. The weird moment from two nights ago didn't stop hunting me. I was one hundred percent sure I saw Zyon Zhumagulov under my balcony. But what was he doing there?
It was hard to admit I couldn't stop thinking about him. Never in my entire life had I felt such a strong attraction toward someone I had only met once.
When I met Chester, I was charmed by his intelligence and ability to talk himself out of anything. He was totally out of my league, and his interest flattered me. He took me to expensive restaurants, bought me gifts, and granted my every wish.
He was like a genie, and I was too young to see behind the curtain. He tied me to him with all the presents and promises, and six months after our first date, I found out I was pregnant. I was ecstatic about the prospect of a family, and when he proposed, I didn't hesitate for a second and accepted a massive diamond ring that felt like a heavy metalanchor right now. He sold me a fairy tale, and I bought it with everything like the naive little girl I was.
But our story turned into a nightmare, and I wasn't willing to continue in the charade. Our daughter deserved better. I deserved better. It had to end.
Listening to the sounds behind the wall, I knew Chester was making breakfast, and Zara was in the bathroom, preparing for school. He was playing the perfect, caring, loving husband. He knew he fucked up, and for the next few days, he would be the best version of himself. I knew the drill. If I cooperated, we would be a fairytale family. It was the same scenario over and over again, but I was tired—so fucking tired of everything.
I lost my spark, the will to live. I was just surviving, and I hated it. I wanted to enjoy life, its ups and downs. I craved an ordinary family with a man who cared for us, not the one who would change us for a pack of cards if it was an option.
Zara and I were better off without him. She was scared of his constant yelling. She was much calmer when he wasn't at home. She even peed herself a few times in fear around him, and instead of being a supportive father, he scolded and humiliated her. And when I tried to protect her, he accused me of being a horrible mother. It pained me that the man I once loved could say that to me, but what hurt me the most was his ignorance toward his child. It was outrageous, and I couldn't tolerate it anymore.
A gentle knock on the door woke me from my thoughts, and I lifted my head from the pillow. Zara stuck her cute face inside, smiling innocently.
