It was eight o’clock in the morning on Friday when Nick arrived at my house. He rested his back on the Range Rover, fiddling with his keys.
The muscles in my shoulders were tense for forty hours now, constantly on the lookout for the son-of-a-bitch who abused my girl. Nick told me at Nadia’s vernissage that Adrian checked out of rehab. According to Ty, the elaborate mental fucking Adrian went through at the rehab facility was too much for him to take.
I hadn’t left Nadia alone for five minutes since. It was irrational at first, considering that Adrian was eight thousand miles away. Ty ensured Nick that Adrian came back to live with him. Despite wanting to contact Nadia, he listened to Ty and stayed put.
That was until last night, when Ty called to say Adrian was gone. We had no way of knowing where he went, but I could feel it in my bones that he was on his way to apologise and beg Nadia for forgiveness.
He truly was fucking suicidal if he thought he could arrive in London and leave unscathed. There were no lines I wouldn’t cross to keep Nadia safe.
“Do you think he’s coming here?” Nick asked, then shook his head dismissing the question. “Of course, you do. What now? Should we call the police?”
“And say what? Nadia never pressed charges. They won’t do shit,” I took a drag of my cigarette, resting my back on the BMW. “We wait.”
Nick roughed his hair, frowning. “How long? What if he doesn’t come? We have to do something to keep him away for good; we can’t live like this. Nadia should press charges, and he should rot in jail.”
If only it were that easy.
“That won’t happen. He won’t get more than two years. It’s not worth putting Nadia through the stress, even if she would agree to testify. We both know she won’t. She believes he can change.” I took another drag. “When he comes here, he’ll either go to her apartment or come to you. When he shows up, you call me straight away.”
Nick bobbed his head. “Should we tell Nadia?”
That was a question I was obsessing over all night. There were many reasons against it, and only one in favour. It won.
“I’ll tell her later. I don’t plan on letting her out of my sight until this is over, but if she knows Adrian might be coming, she won’t make it difficult.”
“Good point. I’ll tell Amelia. I wish he would just stay away.”
I didn’t. I wanted him to come. I wanted to skin the fucker.
“Let him come, and I’ll make sure it’s the last time he tries to get in touch with Nadia.”
Nick cringed. “I’ve seen him fight, Thomas. Sorry to say, but I don’t think you can take him on.”
Thanks, mate.
Granted, I was at a disadvantage. Adrian was taller, broader, stronger and a pro. The vital difference between us? I hadnoscruples.
Plus, no one said I had to play fair.
We weren’t in the olden days, and the fucker sure didn’t deserve a gentleman’s duel. No holds barred.
Nadia was the most important person in my life. She was the girl who breathed life into me, and she was the girl who showed me the way and pulled me out of the numbness. There wasn’t much I wouldn’t do for her and massacring Adrian’s face was a piece of cake.
Adrian wasn’t around yet, but the adrenaline pumping through my veins at the mere thought of serving the fucker some justice could have annihilated a small city.
But just in case…
“Good thing you and Scorpio have my back.”
“Always,” Nick patted my shoulder, and opened the car door. “Are still on for the concert tonight?”
“Sure. Nadia’s looking forward to it.”
The door to the house stood open, and Nadia looked around, wrapped in a red, silk robe.
“You better go,” Nick said, waving at his sister. “I’ll see you later.”
“It’s a bit early for a friendly chit-chat, isn’t it?” Nadia cocked an eyebrow. “What’s going on?”