NINE

MARWA XAVIER NIXON.

Fuck. Me. Sideways.

The tires of the dark purple Lamborghini screeched as he stopped in front of our building, the car glinted in the daylight attracting the attention of every spectator and then he stepped out.

And my mood was ruined, instantly.

Puffing out the toxic smoke feeling my lips curl into a snarl at Victoriano's excessive flamboyant entrance.

He didn't have to be here, actually, I specifically bade to his twin that I didn't want him in my face.

The movers were already done with loading my shit to their mansion, the apartment was empty and Enzo and Dal left for a business transaction with the Triad.

It was an ordinary day till now.

Vincentius sent the movers this morning to get some of Enzo's shit as he assured me that he'd do, nevertheless, he wasn't able to keep his annoying brother the hell away from me.

I was irritable and bitchy, I mean was I supposed to be happy that I was practically being forced to leave my apartment and live with these fuckers? No.

My boot-clad foot stepped on the bud of my cigarette I bossed out of the balcony to face whatever shit Victoriano had to spew. I headed for the door thinking that it was about time I got settled in their place and called Mama to check on her.

"Good afternoon, Amor." And fuck, there he was, leaning against the door frame.

He looked as perfectly idiotic as he always did.

Soft jet black strands gleamed in the rays of sun that shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Dark blue eyes zoomed on me with keen interest as if I was to rip his head off and spit it out. I would've if I could. Yet, he didn't look one bit scared, no. He was excited.

He was hot until he opened his mouth.

The fucking asshole.

Rolling my eyes, arms folded firmly across my chest at the unwanted intruding dickhead's appearance, "You tend to show up in places you shouldn't. Didn't your brother tell you to stay the fuck away from me?"

His eyes twinkled with mischief and mine hardened with malevolence.

Head tilted, pink full lips pulled in a wolfish grin, "Oh, how you wound me, Mi Amor." Tapping his chin in mock thinking, "I just wanted to see and welcome you to your new home. No need to be snappy." He said acting as if I was the one being unreasonable.

I snarled, "Don't ever fucking call that my home and leave. I don't want you here." He was getting on my nerves just by being here.

Chuckling, "Well shit. We don't always get what we want, now do we?" He tipped his back with a dark brow shrug imitating my words from the other day.

My hands balled into fists, anger coursing through my veins. "Leave." I spat out the word with enough venomous intent to have one of my men cower but Victoriano fucking Martinez wasn't one of my soldiers.

"No."

"If you won't then I will."

Gripping my phone tighter, I attempted to step out the door just to have him block it, his big frame taking up the whole space. "Move." My nails dug into my palm with force. Why can't he just fucking leave me alone? I happen to dearly like my solitude.

"No."

"Victoriano," I warned.

"Marwa." He purred.

"Move."

"Say please." He chuckled all too fucking amused...but I wasn't. I truly did not have the time, nor the patience to deal with him.

I glared, utmost with hostility shining through my brown orbs. "You bett-" he raised his hands chuckling. The deep rumbling baritone sound rattled my mettle at how rich and genuine it sounded. Fuck.

Leaning down to meet my eyes, "No need to start threatening me. Your mother was the one that asked me to check in on you and I obliged." He confessed, factual.

I was sure my eyebrows melded in hairline by now. Like what in the actual fuck is happening in the world?

"Now, you're friends with my mom. When did that happen?" I asked, suddenly intrigued and slightly irritated.

My mother wasn't the nicest nor the meanest person on earth, she was just normal but less trusting than some. I blame it on my Arabian genes. We were unduly nice at times but rude too.

I knew that shutting her off these few days was shitty but I needed my time alone. I needed to get my levelheadedness in check. Someone had a target on my back and now, I have to deal with a bunch of swines that would protect me.

Protect my ass.

I wasn't fucking weak.

I was my father's daughter and one of the highest-paid professional assassins in the world and at twenty-one. I took targets all over the world and was undoubtedly stronger than most.

My training didn't go to waste and it would never.

I wasn't fucking weak.

Dark, deep and vivid royal blue sapphires softened in my direction and my will to take my next breath died in my throat. Why was he looking at me like that?

His fingertips grazed my arm softly. Slowly, his touch burned into my skin embedding itself in my brain. Sensual and tender. Too soft for a hulking man like him. Too soft for someone that was my nemesis.

I willed myself to talk hoping that my voice didn't betray me, "Why would she do that?" Why am I not slicing his fingers off for touching me? I averted my eyes elsewhere, my jaw clenching tight.

His hand landed on my forearm tightening ever so slightly, "Amor, your mother was never our rival, your dad was. Don't question my motives. I listened to her just because I respected her, she's a nice person and I happen to admire her. Nothing more."

A large warm palm cupped my jaw, those eyes twinkled with mischief. "Plus, I have better things to do than watch over you." He added, an impish smirk taking place on his lips.

And now he's back to being a serial manwhore.

"Like what? Screwing every pair of pretty thighs opened to stick your dick in?" I snickered tipping my head to the side out of his grip.

It sickened me to no end to be touched by anyone but why not him? And why is he being....sweet?

More importantly, what the fuck was wrong with me?

He smirked, flirty , "The only pretty thighs I want to get in between are yours, Amor." Yep, still an asshole. Cue the eye roll.