Chapter 20: Arrogant piece of shit.

I know the drill, I ’ve known it my entire life so I have to do it even when I don’t want to, even when every part of me is screaming not to.

So I walk back toward him with each step feeling heavier than the last.

I stop in front of the desk and look at the ring, then at him hs expression tells me he’s waiting so I slowly lower myself.

My knee nearly touches the floor and humiliation burns through me.

I take his hand press my lips against the ring then try to pull away.

"Do it properly, Nerissa."

My jaw clenches as I bend my knee fully till it touches the floor, lower my head and kiss the damn ring again exactly the way he wants.

Then I release his hand and stand.

I don’t say goodbye, I don’t say anything I just turn and walk toward the door.

My hand closes around the handle and the moment I’m outside his office, I start cussing him under my breath.

"Fucking asshole."

I walk down the hallway.

"Manipulative bastard."

I pass the living room.

"Arrogant piece of shit."

One of the housekeepers looks at me and I smile politely at her slightly embarrassed.

"Good morning."

She smiles back as I walk past her and reach the front door.

My anger is still boiling bt beneath it is something worse.

Fear.

Because for the first time since I heard Olivia’s name attached to Lysander Sanchez...I’m wondering if Lorenzo is right.....could Olivia survive there?

And if she can’t...What the hell am I supposed to do?

——

By the time I get back to my apartment, Lorenzo’s words are still sitting in the back of my mind.

It should have been you.

It’s Olivia because of you.

I hate that they’re getting to me cause I know exactly what he was doing. He was trying to make me feel responsible for a decision he made.

And the worst part? It’s fucking working .

I throw my bag onto the sofa and start pacing.

Olivia can’t marry Lysander, i don’t care what Uncle Lorenzo says, i don’t care about tradition, io certainly fo not care about peace agreements.

There has to be another way.

I stop pacing as an idea idea hits me.

Lysander.

If he refuses to marry Olivia, the entire arrangement falls apart right?

Simple.

I nod to myself.

"Good."

I grab my phone.

Then pause.

I don’t have his number, i don’t know where he lives.

Hell, until yesterday, I didn’t even know he was the Sanchez Don.

I stare at my phone.

"Fuck."

I need someone who knows.

Someone Lorenzo trusts to track him....because I know my uncle enough to know there’s no way he will allow a Sanchez ouy on our grounds without supervision.

So I scroll through my contacts until I find the number of the one person I know is suitable enough for the job or atleast he will have some intail.

I hesitate for a bit before calling the number:

It rings several times... then Finally...

"Hello?"

"It’s Nerissa."

Silence.

Then a tired sigh.

"What do you want?"

I frown.

"Nice to hear from you too."

"Nerissa, I’m busy."

"I need a favor."

"No."

I blink.

"I haven’t even told you what it is."

"You’re calling me. That usually means trouble."

"I need information."

"What kind?"

"Lysander Sanchez."

Silence again.

This man is beginning to piss me off.

"I need to know where he is."

"No."

I roll my eyes.

"Why?"

"Because your uncle will kill me."

"He won’t."

"He absolutely will."

"He likes you."

"He tolerates me."

"Same thing."

"No, it isn’t."

I sigh.

"Listen, I just need his location."

"Why?"

"I want to talk to him."

"No."

"Why do you keep saying no?"

"Because I know you."

I stare at the phone.

"What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you don’t exactly have the best judgment when you’re angry...and I know you’re angry right now."

"I have excellent judgment."

"You once chased three men down an alley because one of them stole your purse."

"They stole my purse!."

"You were sixteen anf you had no weapon."

"I had a high heel shoe."

He sighs.

I pinch the bridge of my nose.

"I am not going to hurt him."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"Yes."

"You’re Lorenzo Luciano’s niece."

"So?"

"You’re going to be walking into a club asking for the Sanchez Don."

"So you’re saying he’s at a club?."

"I didn’t say that.."

"No?."

"Nerissa."

I sigh.

"Fine. I’m planning something."

"See?"

"But it’s not murder."

"That doesn’t make me feel better."

I lean against the kitchen counter.

"I just want to talk to him."

"About?"

"The marriage."

He goes quiet and I wait.

Finally, he says,

"You’re trying to convince him not to marry your sister."

I’m not surprised he knows about the marriage he probably was among the planning committee and encouraged it.....fucker.

"Yes."

"And what happens if he doesn’t listen?"

"I’ll figure it out."

"That’s exactly what I’m afraid of."

"Please."

My voice comes out softer than I intended, there is another pause nd I know I’ve got him.

He groans.

"Don’t do this."

"Do what?"

"Use that voice on me.

I smile. Nathaniel is our enforcer, a huge brute who has practically watched both me and Oli grow up....despite what my friends think I actually do see him as an older brother. Yeah true I’m not blind, Nathaniel is hot as fuck but it just doesn’t do it for me....so an older brother he is.

"Which voice?"

"The one that makes everyone feel sorry for you."

"It’s not my fault I’m charming."

"You’re a fucking menace."

"Just give me the location."

He mutters something under his breath.

I hear papers shifting then typing....a few seconds pass.

"He’s at a club."

I straighten.

"Which one?"

He gives me the name and address as I quickly type it into my phone.

"That’s it?"

"Yes."

I grin.

"Thank you."

"Wait."

I stop.

"What?"

"Don’t go there alone."

"I’ll be fine."

"Nerissa."

"I’ll be fin Nate."

"You don’t know these people."