Anya beamed with pride as she frosted the cake she’d taken from the oven. This was going to be a birthday Sergio would never forget. His attentiveness and patience had won her heart. Though she’d never forget Brick, she was finally ready to move on. Tonight, she would tell Sergio she was ready to take the plunge and move in with him. But first she would entertain and entice him with a sexy little birthday strip-tease she’d learned from a burlesque-dance DVD.
“Would you keep an eye on my stew while I take a shower and get dressed?” Anya asked. “Sergio will be home soon and I want to look nice.”
“Not a problem. Go make yourself beautiful for Mr. Sergio; I’ll make sure your dish doesn’t burn.”
Anya showered and changed into a black patent leather, body-hugging strapless dress with a long, side zipper that she planned to unzip slowly during her striptease. Beneath the dress, she had on a frilly push-up bra and a thong with a removable rose petal in front. Sergio was going to love the second phase of his birthday celebration.
• • •
Paloma brought out the pollo guisado. “This was prepared by the hands of your fine lady,” she told Sergio.
“With Paloma’s help,” Anya added. She wanted to devour all the food that had been prepared, but feared if she ate another bite, her tummy would protrude unattractively during the burlesque routine she planned to entice Sergio with after the meal. She declined the chicken stew and asked Paloma to hold off on the rest of the food. “Bring out the cake next; I want Sergio to have a slice before he gets too stuffed from all this food.”
Sergio tasted the chicken and nodded his head in approval. “This tastes like my mother’s cooking,” he commented.
Flattered, Anya smiled, though she knew he was only teasing. “Stop messing with me, Sergio. Seriously, does it taste okay?”
He took another mouthful and he closed his eyes blissfully. “It’s delicious.”
Anya watched with delight as Sergio devoured the food she’d cooked. Paloma cleared away the dishes and brought out the coconut and chocolate birthday cake, which Sergio raved over.
“How much longer is it going to take for you to make up your mind about settling down, ma-ma? After tasting your cooking, I’m interested in more than shacking up; I’m ready to make it official and tie the knot.”
These words were spoken half-jokingly, and Sergio and Anya laughed together. Despite the laughter, she saw earnestness in Sergio’s eyes and wondered if he really was thinking about marriage. She hoped not because she wasn’t ready. At least not yet. What she was ready to do was to take the birthday celebration to the next level.
“Your presents are in your bedroom. Are you ready to join me upstairs?” she asked, forming her glistening lips in a sensual pout.
Eager to oblige, Sergio wiped his mouth with the napkin and stood. Joining hands, they exited the dining room. “You look so good in that dress, baby. I can’t wait to peel it off of you,” Sergio murmured as they climbed the curved staircase.
In Sergio’s room, a bottle of his favorite champagne was sitting on ice and two gold-rimmed flutes bearing Sergio’s monogram set next to the gold ice bucket.
In the center of the bed, a gift that was wrapped handsomely in navy paper and tied with a small gold ribbon was placed in the center of his bed.
“What do we have here?”
“Open it and see.”
Anya watched with eagerness as Sergio unwrapped the present. He took the pen out of the cushioned box and appeared to be impressed with the luxury writing instrument. “This is classy,” he said, inspecting the pen. “It’s perfect for the new life I’m building. It would have never occurred to me to invest in something like this, and you’ve saved me from embarrassment.”
“What do you mean?” Anya asked.
“I don’t think my business associates would take me seriously if I went around with a disposable pen in my suit pocket. This beautiful accessory makes a statement.”
“What’s it saying?” Anya teased.
“It’s saying, I’m gonna replace this nigga’s gun.”
“What?” Anya looked puzzled.
“One stroke of a pen can solidify a deal faster than discharging a full round of bullets from a gun,” Sergio said wisely.
“I’m so glad you like it. Happy Birthday, Sergio.”
“Thank you.”
“Now, it’s time for your second gift. Would you like a drink before I present it?”
“Sure, why not?” Sergio moistened his lips and furrowed his brows as he wondered what Anya had in store for him.
Anya popped the champagne bottle and poured the sparkling liquid into both flutes. She handed Sergio a glass and then took a quick swig from her glass. Next, she clicked a switch on the entertainment system and “Rocket” poured through the speakers. Swiveling her hips, Anya began her practiced routine.
Grinning, Sergio gulped the contents of his glass and leaned back, ready to enjoy the show.
Anya dramatically extended her left arm, caressing her flesh with the fingers of her right hand. The burlesque moves included hip rolls and sexy slaps on her thighs. By the time she began daintily tugging on the zipper, pulling it downward, a half-inch at a time, Sergio was sitting on the edge of the bed, urging her to take it all off.
But Anya continued to taunt and tease, taking forever to remove her dress, and when she did, Sergio was so worked up, he announced that the show was over and lifted Anya up and tossed her on the bed. He tore off her bra in split seconds and when his large hands worked on the elastic band of her rose-bud decorated thong, Anya surprised him by pulling off the rose, exposing the easy access to her private parts.
“Damn, that’s sexy.” He hurriedly rid himself of his clothes, and in seconds, he was naked and straddling her. He covered her mouth with his. His tongue was sweet, like champagne, and Anya closed her eyes, savoring the taste, and feeling a sense of peace. She felt safe and protected in his arms. It was time to allow herself personal happiness. It was time to finally let go of her feelings for Brick.
Sharp raps on the bedroom door startled Anya and Sergio.
“What is it?” Sergio barked.
“May I speak to you, Mr. Sergio? It’s important,” Paloma said on the other side of the door.
“One moment,” he said impatiently. Sergio got out of bed and retrieved a robe. Anya covered her nudity by pulling the sheets and duvet up to her chin.
Sergio only cracked the door open. “What is it, Paloma?”
“Mr. Majid is here. He says there’s been some kind of emergency involving one of your workers, and he needs to speak to you. I told him you’d gone to bed for the night, but he said you’d be upset if he didn’t alert you to the situation.”
“He’s right. Thanks, Paloma. Tell Majid I’ll be downstairs in a few.” Sergio closed the door.
“What’s going on?” Anya asked.
“Something has come up and Majid is here. It has to be bad news for him to drive here to tell me in person. I’m sorry about this interruption, baby, but it’s an important business matter.” Sergio put on a pair of briefs beneath his robe. “Hopefully, the matter can be resolved quickly.”
Sergio exited the bedroom and closed the door behind him.
Anya resented Majid’s intrusion. She disliked the man intensely and sensed that the feelings were mutual. She could tell Majid resented the time Sergio spent with her. If she wasn’t in his life, Sergio would have been at the club tonight, spending his birthday partying with Majid and the boys. She wondered if Majid had made up an excuse merely to interrupt her and Sergio’s private celebration.
With time to kill, Anya got out of bed and tidied up the room by picking her dress and heels off the floor. She hung the dress in Sergio’s closet, mixing it in with his vast collection of suits and casual clothes. She stuck her heels and purse in a spare shoe drawer and stood back with her arms folded, observing Sergio’s overflowing wardrobe. She wondered where she’d store her clothes when she and Sergio set up housekee
ping together. More than likely, Anya would use one of the spare rooms for her personal closet space.
Sergio had brought up the M-word today, and she returned to bed, imagining what it would be like to be his wife. Sitting up in bed, naked, she took long sips of champagne while waiting for Sergio to return. When forty minutes passed without Sergio even checking on her, she felt somewhat offended. She was also bored and the boredom brought on a sudden appetite. Deciding to try out portions of the feast that she hadn’t tasted yet, Anya put on one of Sergio’s oversized T-shirts and crept along the hallway to the back stairs that led to the kitchen area. Sergio always received guests in the main room, which was quite a distance from the kitchen. No one except Paloma would know that she was scrounging in the fridge like a starving beggar.
Surprisingly, Paloma wasn’t in the kitchen, and Anya assumed she was still tidying up the dining room. The woman was a meticulous worker and kept Sergio’s home spotless.
In the microwave, Anya heated up her own creation of Dominican chicken stew and also an exotic-looking dish of rice, lamb, and vegetables that Paloma had prepared. She sat at the island scarfing down the meal that was scrumptiously spicy and sweet.
Being nosey, she wanted to question Paloma about Majid’s visit—find out if she knew any details. Surprisingly, Paloma still hadn’t returned to the kitchen. Anya washed out the dishes and utensils she’d used before searching for Paloma. Barefoot, she padded toward the dining room. When she neared that area, she heard voices. Angry voices. She tiptoed toward the sound of the voices, and covered her mouth in shock when she saw Sergio and Paloma, on their knees, side-by-side, with their mouths taped and their hands tied behind their backs.
Holding a gun, Majid paced in front of them. A man named Hassan, who was one of Sergio’s bodyguards, stood next to Majid. He also held a gun.
Dear God, what’s going on? Anya’s heart rate accelerated.
“This muthafucka is going legit and trying to leave us hanging,” Majid said bitterly.
With the tape across his mouth preventing him from speaking, Sergio could only shake his head in denial.
“Yes, you were,” Majid yelled hoarsely. “Man, I got eyes and ears everywhere. I know about the sneaky move you’re tryna make.” Majid was so angry, he was practically frothing at the mouth.
Natalie! That no-good, treacherous bitch set us up! Anya surmised that Natalie had gone back to Majid, reporting that Anya had mentioned that Sergio was considering going legit. What Natalie didn’t know was that Sergio was going to give Majid a top position in his business venture. And that’s why Sergio was shaking his head while Majid accused him of betraying their partnership. If only Majid would remove the tape from his mouth, Sergio could explain.
The duct tape could not contain the mournful moans that escaped Paloma’s lips. She had nothing whatsoever to do with the beef between the two men. She was merely at the wrong place at the wrong time, and Anya couldn’t bear witnessing Paloma trembling in fear.
“Go upstairs and bring that stuck-up bitch down here,” Majid ordered Hassan. “She’s gonna get it right along with her man and this maid-bitch.”
Hassan left the room and went in search of Anya. Ohmigod, they’re gonna kill all of us. Her stomach seized and dread inched up her throat. As she hid in the shadows, she made eye contact with Sergio. He was trying to use his eyes to communicate with her. His frantic eyes kept darting to the left, trying to give her some kind of signal. Suddenly, she realized he was telling her to save herself—to flee in the direction of his gaze. And she remembered the hidden safe room that he’d shown her several weeks ago. A room he said no one knew existed.
CHAPTER 27
With no landline on the premises and with her cell phone zipped inside her purse, which was stowed in a cubby inside Sergio’s closet, Anya had no way of calling for help. But she had to do something. What were her options? Thinking fast, she decided she could either explain to Majid that Natalie had given him incorrect information or she could abandon Sergio and hide like a coward in the safe room. She couldn’t leave Sergio helplessly tied and gagged without at least trying to save him. Maybe she could reason with Majid and explain that there’d been a huge misunderstanding. Sergio was a good man and she could vouch for his loyalty to his crew.
Even though Majid’s very presence radiated danger, she couldn’t stand by and allow him to hurt Sergio over some inaccurate information that he’d gotten from that dumb-ass Natalie, who was trying to win points with Majid by throwing Sergio under the bus.
And poor Paloma! The housekeeper was completely innocent. She’d only been in the country for a little over a month. She was trying to make a better life for herself and had worked late tonight to earn extra money. If Anya hadn’t asked her to work overtime, she wouldn’t have even been in the house when Majid and Hassan arrived. Feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt, Anya decided she had to say something on Sergio’s behalf.
Terrified but willing to risk her life, Anya took one brave step forward but instantly froze when she heard the unmistakable sound of a gunshot followed by the ominous thump of a body hitting the hardwood floor. Oh, dear God! No! A quick, stolen glance and she saw Paloma’s lifeless form, facedown with blood pouring from a wound in the back of her head.
Majid turned cold, malevolent eyes on Sergio. “Do you see what you made me do to your housekeeper? All of this because you allowed that bitch, Anya, to make you weak. You let her get into your head and turn you against me. When Hassan brings her downstairs, I’m gonna pistol-whip her and rearrange that pretty face—beat it beyond recognition,” he said vehemently, holding his deadly gun up and waving it around. “I’m gonna bury this gun deep inside her whoring cunt before I pull the trigger,” Majid threatened, his lips curled in hatred.
Anya shuddered. Majid looked positively evil. She didn’t understand why he despised her so much, but she believed his hatred for her had been an instant reaction on the first night she’d met Sergio at the club.
Majid suddenly ripped the tape from Sergio’s mouth. “I’m running shit, now, yo. So, start talking. What’s the combination to the safe?”
Sergio flinched at the sight of Paloma’s dead body. “Why would you do that, man? You’re taking shit too far. I was planning on bringing you and a few others on board with the new company after everything was established.”
“Tell that shit to some other sucker,” Majid said sneeringly. “Now, what’s the fucking code?”
“I’ll tell you; I’ll tell you. But you have to promise you won’t hurt Anya.”
“Man, I’m not sweating that ho. All I want is the money that I helped you make. You been paying me peanuts and I want my share of the dynasty you wouldn’t have been able to build without me. Give me the numbers,” he growled. “I’m not going to ask you again.” Majid pointed the gun at Sergio.
“Eleven-two-sixteen,” Sergio blurted, and then exhaled in relief. Without warning, Majid raised his gun and pulled the trigger, blowing a hole between Sergio’s eyes.
Eyes bulging, Anya covered her mouth to smother a gasp. Shock and fear flooded her body and she tried to creep backward, but her legs felt weightless, threatening to give out. Unable to move, she leaned against a wall, trembling from the shock of what she’d seen. No, no, no. Not my sweet Sergio. This can’t be happening!
Anya heard Majid running up the stairs, anxious to grab the money from Sergio’s safe. She realized he believed she was in Sergio’s bedroom and was also eager to torture her before taking her life. When his footsteps no longer echoed on the marble stairs, she fled to the kitchen pantry and pulled on the shelving unit that doubled as a secret, reinforced door.
The safe room was soundproof, an impenetrable fortress. No one could get in unless she opened the door, which could only be unlocked from the inside by using the combination of numbers that Sergio had given her with his last breath. Majid would be in for a rude awakening when he was unable to open the safe and also unable to locate Anya.
Panicked,
Anya looked around the room that was equipped with a portable toilet, nonperishable snacks, bottles of water, soft drinks, and Sergio had even stocked the room with top-shelf liquor.
Her darting eyes landed on surveillance equipment and she let out a sigh of relief when she spotted a disposable cell phone that was connected to a charger inside the safe room. She picked up the phone and called 9-1-1. In a surprisingly calm voice, she reported the murders, gave the dispatcher Sergio’s address, and clearly spelled out the names of the victims as well as the murderer and his accomplice. She hung up and turned off the phone, killing its signal after the dispatcher began questioning her about her connection to the murders.
The surveillance equipment inside the safe room didn’t have audio, but she didn’t need sound to interpret what was going on. Majid was inside Sergio’s bedroom, his face contorted as he yelled at Hassan. Most likely, he was blaming his sidekick for Anya’s escape. She saw Hassan leave the bedroom in search of her, and she watched as Majid went inside the walk-in closet and worked on the combination lock that failed to pop open. Angry, he kicked a wall and exited the closet.
His eyes darted around Sergio’s bedroom as if the mystery of the combination was something he could snatch out of thin air. He took the bottle of champagne out of the bucket of ice and helped himself, guzzling the bubbly straight from the bottle. After he emptied it, he lowered his head, scratching his chin, deep in thought. His lips moved menacingly as he most likely cursed Sergio for giving him the wrong numbers to the safe and for having the last laugh.
Majid returned to the closet and fiddled with the combination again. Hassan reappeared, holding out his arms in defeat with a look of exasperation on his face. Majid stared at Hassan in disbelief, his eyes glittering with rage. He smacked Hassan on both sides of his face and then sent him out of the room again, probably ordering him to check the grounds.
Eight minutes had elapsed since Anya had called 9-1-1 and she wondered how much longer it would take the police to arrive. A few minutes later, while Majid tinkered with the safe, Hassan ran into the bedroom, his mouth stretched wide, yelling something. Majid quickly pushed the pine wardrobe against the wall, concealing the safe. To Anya’s amazement, Majid eased deep in the recesses of the closet, hiding behind Sergio’s numerous suits that hung in the closet. Hassan looked around trying to find a hiding place and opted for slithering under the bed.
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