POLISHED

Lazar's POV 

I was nervous. I could not stop sweating in places I thought were impossible to, although the air was cool and the air conditioner was on.

I could see her questioning gaze as the faint sound of Miriam’s footsteps echoes across the polished marble floor while she explores the penthouse.

The corner of her lips twitched ever so slightly, her curiosity spilling over into every corner.

I watched her from the side, mimicking her walking step while pretending to be relaxed, but the truth was I was anything but relaxed.

I could see the suspicion in her eyes. One moment it was gone, then it was back again when she asked me why I followed the back entrance instead of the front entrance.

I was a mafia lord, keeping a poker face and lying was part of my job but I was caught off guard by her question.

I had no idea how to respond.

Suddenly my phone vibrates, breaking the tense atmosphere. The screen lights up with the name I have been expecting: Rodosov.

Gosh he was such a life saver.

“Excuse me a moment,” I tell Miriam.

She flashed me a smile but I could see how forced it was and my heart ached.

I did not mean to lie to her and keep so many things about myself a secret. 

Keeping her in the dark eats at me. Every time she looks at me with those trusting eyes, every time she believes another excuse, I feel the weight of my lies pressing harder.

I tell myself it’s for her protection, that it is the best option to hide my true identity from her. The less she knows about my world, the safer she is.

But deep down, I know it was only half the truth. The other half? I am selfish. I don’t want her running from me once she learns who I really am.

But tonight has made one thing clear: she can’t stay in her old life anymore. Whoever tried to harm her will try again. They will keep coming until they succeed, unless I keep her close, under my protection, in a place I control.

This penthouse. In my territory.

She doesn’t realize it yet, but the fire gave me exactly what I needed. It gave me a  reason and an excuse to bring her here, to keep her safe without argument.

I really do hope she understands. Maybe one day I will tell her who I truly am but….but for now, it was too early. 

She walks to the piano located at the corner of the living room, running her fingers along the keys without pressing them, like she’s testing the idea of playing.

She glances at me, a smile on her lips, this time more genuine and it felt like my heart was doing backflips in excitement.

Knowing she was comfortable and safe, I glanced on the screen one last time and picked up the call.

The smile on my face drops the second I answer. “Rodosov.”

“Boss,” his voice comes through, low and rough. “We have questioned the men.”

I grip the phone tighter, my patience already thin. “And?” I asked.

“They all say the same thing. They don’t remember anything. One moment they were on guard and the next thing…they woke up with me standing over them.”

I clenched my jaw angry with how incompetent they were. That was just impossible. My men are not rookies. They are trained, disciplined and very sharp, or so I thought..For all of them to blank out at the same time? No. That doesn’t just happen. Something does not add up.

I grind my teeth, forcing my voice to stay even. With Miriam only a few feet away, humming softly as she presses a key on the piano. I can’t let her hear the storm brewing inside me.

“Incompetent fools. They had one job. One.” I growled.

Rodosov doesn’t answer, wisely letting my anger burn without interruption.

“They should all be dealt with. Make sure they understand what happens when they slack off at an important task. I don’t care how. Just make sure it never repeats itself.” I ordered.

I gave them such an important job and they allowed themselves to be played, what if something had happened to Miriam?

“Understood.” he replied.

I exhale slowly, taking a few deep breaths to calm my raging anger.

I glanced back into the living room and Miriam was still standing by the piano, tracing the curves of the polished wood, looking so angelic and beautiful.

She has no idea how close she came tonight to being taken from me. The thought of it makes my blood boil.

“Have you found out about the fire?” I asked.

“Yes.” Rodosov replies, he clears his throat before he continues. “According to the fire crew and the police, it looks like it started from an electrical issue in one of the apartments. That’s the story they’re going with. But they’re still investigating.”

I don’t believe it. Not for a damn second.

“Dig deeper,” I ordered. “Every detail, Rodosov. I don’t care if you have to tear that building apart brick by brick. Find out who was behind it. And listen carefully…watch for spies. If someone is testing us, I want to know who it is and what's their motive. No excuses.”

“Yes, boss. We’ll get to the bottom of it.” He replies firmly like the trained shoulder he was.

I end the call and slip the phone back into my pocket. 

Although I looked composed I was raging inside. Someone targeted Miriam tonight. Someone dared to touch what’s mine.

My mind flashes through a dozen scenarios of her being  kidnapped in the confusion, dragged out of the building while my men lay unconscious, her body lost in the smoke and flames. Or worse, me walking into that apartment and seeing her dead. The image is enough to make my vision darken with a dangerous heat rising in my chest.

I force a deep breath through my nose, holding the fury I felt in place like a wild animal on a chain. I can’t let Miriam see me in such a manner.

“Lazar?” A soft voice pierced through the noise in my head.

I turned around to see Miriam looking at me with a worried expression.

“Are you okay?” She asked.

“Yeah I am fine, it's just work.” I replied walking towards her. Schooling my expression back into something calm.

“Oh! I have to say this piano is beautiful.” She said as she played a few notes, her eyes sparkled with excitement as she played.

“You are so beautifully baby.” I complimented her. “It was imported. If you want, it’s yours.”

Her lips part slightly in surprise. “You can’t just give someone a piano like it’s a cupcake, and this must be expensive.”

I shrug, trying to hide the tension still running through me. “I don't care how much I spend as long as it's for you. I can do anything.”

She shakes her head, a small laugh slipping out. That laugh… it grounds me, for just a moment. Pulls me away from the violent storm in my chest.

My eyes lingers on her as she presses down on a piano key, the soft note filling the room. She smiles faintly at the sound, completely unaware of the darkness circling around her.

Unaware of the blood that stains my hands.

I clenched my fist, trying to keep my anger in check but it felt like it was an impossible task. Whoever dared to target her… they wouldn't live long enough to try again.

And as much as I try to push it away, a cold certainty settles in my gut: tonight wasn’t an accident.

No.

It was a message.

And I intend to answer it. 

Suddenly my phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was a message from Rodosov.

“Malik has agreed to meet up.”