NERTHUS
Sun beams streaming into the room aggressively wake me up rather brusquely. As I stretch myself on the bed, I groan happily and get up in a good mood. After washing my face, I get to the kitchen to make breakfast as my attention gets caught by a movement outside.
I find the reason of my peaceful sleep practically camping in front of my door as I step on the little patio.
“Good morning, guys.” I shout happily, spotting the two men looking back at me with a frown. “How is your nose?”
My former abductor scoffs, pointing to his bruised face. “It is wonderful, thank you so much.”
I laugh, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you guys come in? I’ll make you breakfast.”
As the broken-nose-man seems to hesitate. His young colleague practically lights up. “Oh, that would be awesome. Thank you!”
He is already sprinting into the cabin, followed by our sulking friend.
The men take their place and look around in silence as I prepare our breakfast, humming.
“So, what are your names?” I ask, while roasting bacon.
“I’m Danny. And this is Giulio.” I nod, turning around and waving with my spatula. “Amber.”
Danny’s eyes sparkle while Giulio seems to be annoyed.
As I set the plates down with a smile, I get a round of thank yous before Danny whispers to Giulio. “Should we tell Moss?”
But he just clicks his tongue and shakes his head.
“Well, if there are more of you, just tell them to come in. I have enough bacon here to end world hunger.” I chuckle and Danny gasps looking at Giulio with big eyes. As he nods, Danny takes his mobile out of his pocket and texts someone, before putting his phone back down and digging in.
I watch them eat while I drink my coffee and hide my smile behind the cup.
“Have you been working for Arawn for long?”
Gulio just nods while Danny jerks up with enthusiasm. “All my life!” He says proudly, making Giulio scoff.
“That’s awesome. How is he as a boss?”
“Oh, he is the best!” He nods repeatedly as he starts gloating even more. “My family already worked for his father and now for him. And we are very proud to do so.”
“Nice.” I smile at him, my heart squeezing in my chest.
The bad boy with a golden heart for his people.
“Did you grow up in New York?” Danny asks me, dragging me out of my thoughts.
“Not quite. I came to New York as I was about 17.”
“Oooh. Where did you live?”
“Hunts Point.”
“Me too!” He lights up as he points to himself.
“Oh, really?” I put down my cup, hitting my nails against the material. “Are you still living there?”
“Yes, with my parents.”
I nod pensively as I turn my head to Giulio. “And you? Little Italy?”
He nods and I chuckle. “How fitting.”
His glare is disrupted by a knocking on the door and a man, I suppose is Moss, walks in with a smile. “Good morning, madam. I heard there was breakfast, and I didn’t have to settle for a ham sandwich. But please don’t tell my wife.”
I laugh, putting some bacon and scrambled eggs on a plate, pushing it in his direction. “It’ll be our little secret. And please don’t madam me, I’m Amber.”
He sits down with wide eyes and digs in hungrily. “Thank you, Amber.”
Giulio throws his napkin on the table and gets up with a groan. “Can I use the bathroom real quick?”
“Are you crazy?” Danny hisses, “go outside.”
“Oh, no. Please.” I wave my hands in front of me, wanting to stop him. “Don’t do it outside. You can gladly use my bathroom.”
Giulio grunts a thanks before he ruffles Danny’s hair. Halfway to the bathroom, he stops, staring at the sideboard.
“You have to be kidding me.”
Our heads snap to him as he steps closer to the furniture cautiously. “This. Is this…?”
“Oh, yeah. That is Arawn’s gun. He left it for me.” I turn around to Danny and Moss with a chuckle. “I was being a scaredy-cat. I’m not proud of it.”
The look on their faces has me gulp and lose my smile in seconds. Danny stares at me agape before he skyrockets out of his seat.
“I wanna touch it.” He shouts enthusiastically.
“Hey!” Giulio barks, making me flinch with Danny, who stops in his tracks. “He left it for her. Don’t you dare to touch it!”
“Ah, I guess it’s OK. Let him hold it.” I say nonchalantly, getting a death glare from Giulio.
“Do you even know what you are saying?! Do you realize what this is?” He says, his voice trembling.
I shrug, walking to the sideboard to pick up the gun and hand it over to Danny. “No. And he didn’t tell me. So… here.”
Danny takes it out of my hand and musters it, looking like he is about to explode. As even Moss comes over to get his hands on the gun, Giulio gives in too, and soon they are gushing over the weapon as I make myself another coffee.
“So, guys. How does this work? Will you come hiking with me too?”
***
Vacation days always pass fast, but in good company they practically fly.
Danny was the one that spent the most time with me, while it seems that Giulio wanted to cover the night shifts instead.
And who could blame him? I wouldn’t want to converse with someone who broke my nose either.
Danny was quite the funny guy. He was always trying to make me laugh and was quite interested in keeping the mood high. As we grew up in the same neighborhood, we had a lot in common and could gossip a lot too. Apparently, he grew fond of hiking like I did and loved to share an unhealthy breakfast with me in the diner. I found out that he was about 10 years younger than me, which impressed me but also made me sad.
This world just isn’t fair.
The most practical reason to have those men with me is that I can bring back my rental and get chauffeured back to my building comfortably. They help me carry my luggage up to my apartment and as they are gone it kind of feels lonely.
Even though I was deeply hurt by Arawn just ignoring me, they could at least take my mind off the pictures of him with other women forming in my mind.
Damn it.
I sigh heavily and put my purse on my couch as I spot a huge flat package leaned against one of my windows. Walking over to it, I pick up the note and read it with a smile growing on my face.
Now that I know your real address, I can finally get it delivered to you.
“Oh, Parker.” I sigh with a chuckle and rip the package open curiously.
A gasp falls from my lips, and I take a step back.
“You have to be fucking kidding me.” I whisper as I stare at the abstract painting that is staring back at me.
The one that I wanted to buy at the gallery.
That asshole!