𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 99: 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥?

𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°

"Then don't be a monster." Nevena's voice didn't shake. "Be the man who gave his buddy a contact card and told him to call if he ever needed you."

Antonio exhaled slowly, controlled— and dropped his hand. He stepped back. Just one step and turned away from her.

He walked to the decanter. Poured two fingers of whiskey and drank it standing, staring at the drawn curtains.

"She arrested me, put me in cuffs," he said. "And dragged me to court in front of my own men. Made a spectacle."

"She also did the same with me. I respected it." Nevena cut in.

"Forgive me—but I'm not that merciful." Antonio obliged.

"I don't mean you forgive her. But she's facing the panel alone. They're going to bury her."

Antonio set the glass down. "You think I can stop that?" He turned. "I'm not a politician, Tourist. I don't own judges. I own casinos and hotel contracts and a few people who owe me favors."

"But you know people who know people." Nevena pressed calmly. "That boy gave all his shells because he loves his mother. Don't disappoint him."

A long silence followed. Then Antonio walked to the window. Pulled the curtain back an inch.

Nevena exhaled, half relieved that he was considering the boy. "Thank you," she said.

"Don't thank me yet," Antonio retorted in a low voice. "I haven't saved anyone."

She held his gaze. "You don't need to say it out loud."

A knock landed on the door. Three quick raps. Startling Nevena.

"Come," Antonio echoed. The door opened. One of Antonio’s men (Reed) leaned in. "El muchacho está en el elevador.{The boy is in the elevator}"

Antonio nodded and Reed disappeared.

Nevena stared at him hollowly and moved away from the door, unable to interpret what they'd said.

Seconds later the door clicked and Junior slipped in. He looked between them and the heavy silence. "Buddy?"

Antonio blinked and turned back to the boy. "You paid?"

The boy nodded and went back to where he was sitting, keeping the card on the table. Antonio walked over and crouched down, eye level with him.

"Here's how this works," he began. "No need for the shells. I will get your mother out. But you do exactly what I say. No questions. No running off on your own." He glanced at Nevena. "And your bestie stays away from me after this. No visits. No calls. No running into me at places she shouldn't be."

"Are you guys fighting?" Junior asked innocently.

"No—I just need some time to myself," Antonio lied.

"But what if I call with Bestie's number? Or I need her to bring me to you? Or the three of us coincidentally end up in the same place?"

"She can always drop you at the door and leave," Antonio croaked, not looking at Nevena. "About the call—I will get you a phone. And if we eventually end up in the same place, she doesn't need to acknowledge me."

"Are we breaking apart because of my mother?" Junior looked at Nevena, then back at Antonio.

"Not really."

Nevena walked over to the boy and clutched his shoulder warmly. She'd already given up on owning Antonio, and he'd just broken the last straw.

"Bestie?" The boy moped, teary-eyed.

"It's okay." Nevena forced a smile. "Adults at some point need some time to themselves."

"Deal." Antonio held out his hand.

Junior shook it with mixed feelings. Nevena watched the two of them, Antonio's nonchalance. She felt something crack inside her chest. She didn't know if it was regret or disappointment.

"This doesn't change anything between us," Junior assured Nevena. "I'll still be your bestie."

"I know." Nevena put a hand on his face.

The boy didn't look up; he leaned into her. And that was enough.

Antonio held her gaze a second longer. Then he stood and pulled out his phone. Dialed.

"I need a cover for a panel hearing. Detective Breanna Stewart. I'm sending a car to pick her up."

---

*THE HALLWAY*

The door clicked shut behind them. Junior held his briefcase in one hand, the other stuffed in his pocket. His suit was still crisp, but his eyes were red.

Nevena knelt in front of him. Brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. "Cheer up. We did it," she whispered.

Junior's face crumbled. "I didn't mean for it to go this way. I wish I could—"

"No." Nevena cut off his doubt. "I'm proud of you."

She stood. Took his hand and continued to the elevator. They walked down the reception marble corridor together. The front doors opened and morning rays flooded in.

Nevena looked around. The cab was gone. A black SUV waited at the curb. Engine running.

A man walked up to them almost immediately. "Mr. Hunt's orders," he said. "He'll take you home."

Antonio watched from above as they pulled away and exhaled. "Nothing should happen to them on the way."

"Trust me on that," Reed replied behind him.

---

*Sophia's Apartment*

Sophia didn't wait for the front door to close entirely before charging at the two. "Where did you guys disappear without even telling me? Nevena, I expected more from you. I thought something bad must have happened."

"Morning, Sophia," Nevena managed and headed toward her room. Junior dumped right onto the sofa in the living room.

Sophia's jaw dropped at their attitude. She hastily grasped Nevena's hand and pulled her back. "Didn't you hear what I said?"

Nevena winced softly, but Sophia was so blinded by rage she barely noticed. "Leaving the house without notice—don't you think that's stupid?"

"I'm sorry." Nevena apologized without any strings attached.

Sophia blinked. She had expected a counterattack, some fire to push against. Instead, she got nothing but ash. Her grip loosened. The rage didn't vanish so much as collapse inward, replaced by confusion.

She released Nevena's hand and watched her disappear into the room. She turned to Junior, but his face was just as sealed shut.

Sophia swallowed and went in to talk with Nevena. She slipped in without knocking. Nevena was curled up on the bed on her side, a pillow covering her face.

Sophia concluded she must be tired and turned to leave—but the sound of a whimper pulled her attention. With careful steps she walked over to the bed and removed the pillow.

The face behind it was soaked. Eyes crimson.

"Hey," Sophia said quietly. "Did I say something to hurt you?”