An Engagement Of PARALLELS

4. REYNA

By the time I'm halfway from my home, I'm already fighting not to sleep in the cab. The day was hectic but the meeting that took place early in the morning was more exhausting.

Work has never been an issue for me. Its the negotiations and confrontations that comes with my job, that sucks the air out of me. I don't want to be the one stuck in the middle of the argument that Maverick is having with his dad and I definitely don't want to choose sides.

The city flashes away in front of my eyes as I put my head on the glass of the window. When I come across the buildings I'm almost too familiar with, I tell the driver to stop.

I pay my fair,get out of the cab and start walking on the sidewalk a few minutes away from my house. Its nighttime but there are enough people on street to make me feel safe. I take the turn to my house and grab the keys from my purse.

Luna, my pet pomeranian, is barking unusually slow and meek from the inside of the house and that unsettles me. I get inside and close the door behind me. My hand traces the path to the switch board and I hit the lights on.

I almost fall over at the sight of three men sitting casually in my living room.

All familiar faces.

There's a storm brewing in their eyes as three pairs shoots daggers at me.

"You all have no business coming here." I manage.

The growl that rumbles through the one sitting closest to me is visceral. In two long strides his body is pressed against mine and he grabs my neck cutting air to my body. He pushes me against the wall and pins me there. "Don't speak to me like I'm one of your workers, girl."

I hold his hand that is on my neck with both of mine but to no avail. He is so much stronger than me.

"Careful Enzo, we still have to take care of the business with her." The one in the middle- I guess his name is Adam, says.

I pinch Enzo with all my might and he drops his hand cursing and then tries to slap me but in a swift moment I grab his arm and twist it to the point that I'm sure will cause a ligament rupture in the least.

Enzo scurries to the corner, crying and cursing in pain while the two other men watches him in dry amusement.

I let out a resigned sigh. "I have already paid this months share. Why are you here?"

Adam brushes his brown hair out of his face. "We need more. Its not enough."

"I do not have any more money. You know that. I have to manage my work image and this house. You take everything else." I argue the words tumbling from my mouth.

"Well then steal. We know who you work for. You seem smart enough to manage a dime here and there, I'm sure it wouldn't run your billionaire boss dry."

My eyes go wide with shock as realization hit me but I maintain a poker face. "Maverick is not an idiot, he'll know."

The man sitting next to Adam jumps out of his sofa so aggressively that the thing moves an inch backwards. He grabs my arm painfully tight and shake me. "Don't give us excuses. And its our money. Do you know how much your father owes us?" He spits. There is sheer hate in his eyes.

"But I'm paying you for it, aren't I?" I shout equally loud.

This time the guy manages to punch me in the face, making me fall on the chair nearby.

"Holden, you fucker! Not the face." Adam yells.

I risk a glance at Adam. He is holding on to something that my eyes can't catch. Holden has hit me squarely on the face and my eyes are watering badly.