Chapter 4

Zero percent toxins!

The medical report shook in my hand as I read it over and over again. The nurse passed the ring to me, a wide smile on her face.

“Miss, you're truly lucky. That diamond ring is so beautiful. Your husband loves you so much,” she said.

Without a word, I pushed myself off the seat, taking the ring from her. I couldn't say a word. I could still remember what they had said. Did they say all that intentionally yesterday?

I wasn't sure what to believe. The ring stayed in the passenger seat. I couldn't put it on, no matter how much the medical report claimed I could.

Back in my office, I stared at it in between my fingers, the report flashing through my mind and the words of the two people I trusted most. Plots to kill me.

I shut my eyes as I felt a pang of headache. For hours I had not gotten enough sleep and my brain has been constantly working. My phone dinged, and I picked it up to a message from Benjamin.

[Hey, love. I've replaced the old ring.]

Followed by it was a picture of a new ring in a box, glittering behind the camera.

[I can't wait to put it on you. I'll leave you to work now. I love you.]

Reading those words ached my heart. Benjamin always sent me messages when I was at work. It wasn't at every minute of the day, but at specified hours.

I loved it. It always made me feel he still had me in his heart, but now I didn't feel butterflies. I felt dread. Fear that all this while he was so good at hiding it.

He was so good at killing me while kissing me good nights and promising forever. The telephone on the table rang, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I wiped the tears off my faces, sniffling before picking it up. “I'm sorry, Miss Lucille. I know you requested not to be disturbed, but...” Kristy paused, the fear dripping out of her silence.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Giovanni King Russo,” was all she said, and my heart dropped to my stomach.

“Stop them!” I ordered.

Kristy's voice shook. “They are already headed for your office. We couldn't stop them,”

I heard the footsteps approaching my office. Slowly, I placed the telephone down, swallowing hard as the footsteps came to a halt before my office.

“Would you need me to knock, Miss Lucille?” his voice rang through the hallway into my office, thunderous, sending a shiver of fright through my spine.

“Come-”

Before I could finish, the door was opened by his personal assistant as they both strolled into my office as though they owned it. Before they shut the door behind them, I saw the other body guards in at ease outside the door.

Giovanni's eyes remained sharp on me, his lips curved up in a smug smile. For a man known to be ruthless, he was extraordinarily handsome. His cologne quickly overshadowed my air freshener.

He took a seat without an invitation. “Miss Lucille, they always complimented your customer service. I didn't expect them to be lying,” he said.

My gaze sent daggers his way, but he didn't flinch. In fact, he seemed amused. One thing I hated about him. How calm he was despite doing horrible things.

Giovanni King Russo, the man I stood before the jury to speak against. I knew I was driving myself head first into danger when I chose to take up a case that went directly against him.

I won, nonetheless, but his eyes have followed me ever since. For the past six months, he has requested an appointment, but I refused seeing him.

I didn't know what he wanted, and I didn't want to know. He was a dangerous man. A Mafia who killed with no mercy. Even though he hasn't been convicted for that, I could see it in his eyes.

My client disappeared only a week after the case was in his favour. Some say he had made it rich after the settlement and decided to elope, but I couldn't buy it. Giovanni had a hand in it.

“Are you scared of me, Miss Lucille?” he asked, his amused gaze boring into me.

“I can never be scared of you,” I said, fortunately keeping my fear in check.

He smiled. “Perfect. I thought you will after making me lose billions,”

I wasn't sure if that was a warning. He signalled for his assistant, who handed him a file. “Handle that,” he tossed the file on the table.

I leaned back, a smile on my face. “I thought my refusal to approve your appointment was a sign that I don't wish to have any business with you,”

“Turning down a client now, Miss Lucille?” he said, tilting his head.

“You're not a client,” I said firmly.

He smiled but stayed silent. His gaze made me self conscious, and I sat up, adjusting my jacket. “You didn't seem to have gotten enough sleep last night,” he pointed out.

I instinctively brought my hand to my face. I had covered my eye bags with make up. Didn't I do it right?

I stared at him. He was trying to throw me off. “I do not appreciate being insulted in my office, Mr. Russo,” I said.

The side of his lips curved up. “Name your price to take on the case,” he said.

“Nothing because I won't,” I told him, locking eyes with him.

He didn't blink and so did I. “You're the only one I trust to take on the case,” he said.

Like that was to convince me. “My answer remains the same. You have a lawyer,” I said.

“Dead,” he simply said.

I raised a brow, trying to understand. “He is dead, Miss Lucille,” his assistant bowed.

My eyes quickly dropped to Giovanni. “You killed him,” I said.

“Anything useless deserves to die,” he said calmly, like a life didn't matter.

“Do you agree to take on the case?” he asked firmly.

Even if I wanted to, this truth only gave me conviction to refuse. “No,”

“I'll give you time, Miss Lucille,” he said, rising.

“I would never agree,” I said.

“You will. I always get what I want, Miss Lucille,” he said.

“I'm not one to be forced to do your bidding,”

“I don't force no one. You will come to me willingly.” He locked eyes with me, his smile unwavering.

Once the door shut behind him, my muscles relaxed. It flared up again when I got a call, Harvey breathing heavily as he called desperately. “Mommy, help!”