\[Nadia’s POV\]
Shock rolls through me as Rosco’s question echoes around us. There isn’t a hint of care in his voice, and it is so cold that it sends a chill racing down my spine. Why did he hate me so much? Why? What the hell had I done? One dumb mistake in the past, and I was his enemy. No! It had to be his fucking wife's fault.
“I was worried about you,” I say slowly, my voice shaking perfectly. “I saw what happened to the beach house on the news. How could I possibly..."
“Who wants your care?” He snaps, stepping over just enough to hide Denali from view.
Was he actually making it clear that he thought I would hurt her? What had that bitch told him?
Narrowing my gaze, I peek around Rosco’s large body to take in the bitch standing in the doorway of her room. Her face is pale, and she is slightly hunched. IVs stick out of her hands, and her skin is covered in scratches and blisters. She’s a sight, but if I had to guess, I would say the bitch did all this just to look pathetic and gain more of Rosco’s affection.
“Nadia,” Rosco snaps, drawing my gaze back to him.
“Yes?” Was he actually going to let me speak? “What is it?”
“Why are you still here?”
His question is like a fucking knife stabbing me straight in the heart, and it just deepens my hatred toward the bitch named Denali. If the pictures Anastasia provided me weren’t enough to break them up, then I would have to take more drastic measures.
"Rosco!" Naomi gasps, coming to my defense. “How could you possibly talk to Nadia like that? I know that you’ve been through an ordeal and you’re still worrying over Denali, but she isn't."
“She is,” he counters, his voice dripping with venom. “I’m positive she was the one who spread those fake photos of Denali.”
“Nadia?” Naomi repeats. “How could you possibly say that?”
“Because she is the only one who would benefit from ending my marriage.”
Damn, he was good, but I wasn’t going to give in to anything. I was innocent until proven guilty, and I covered my tracks well.
“How can you accuse me?” I whine, tears beginning to prick at my eyes. “Just because she has a past, you don’t want to accept you…”
“She was a virgin when we got together!” He roars, punching the wall beside him. “Now, do you want to continue to try to insult her?”
Eyes widening, I take in the hole that he has created with his anger. Goddess, he was really obsessed with her. He was so blinded by her that he wouldn’t even accept the truth in front of his face!
“SHE ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK!” I shriek, unable to control my anger anymore. “YOU!” I continue, moving forward, only to be stopped by Rosco’s arm. “WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU DONE TO MAKE HIM BELIEVE YOU? TELL ME!”
I couldn’t stand aside and allow this to continue any longer. She was the daughter of the one that Rosco hated the most! How could she possibly stand beside him? I wouldn’t stand for it!
“THAT”S ENOUGH!” Rosco snarls, throwing me into Naomi, who quickly straightens me out while I watch on in disbelief. “If you dare to fucking appear in front of Denali and me again, I will make sure you are destroyed,” he says darkly. “I’ve humored you until this point, but you’ve gone too far!”
"Rosco!" I yell. “She’s the daughter of your enemy! How can you possibly defend her? Have you not stopped once to question if all of this is to…”
“SHUT THE FUCK UP! Get her out of here,” he snaps, turning away from me and wrapping an arm around the bitch. “She has caused enough problems.”
“But…”
“Nadia, sweetheart,” Naomi murmurs, giving me a gentle tug. “I think now isn’t the time. Everyone’s emotions are running rampant. I think we should take some time to clear our heads so that we can speak rationally.”
“I am rational,” Rosco snaps, beginning to lead his bitch back into her room. “Stay away from me if you don’t want to be responsible for your father’s end.”
Eyes widening, I take in his words before turning and pulling myself free of Naomi’s hold.
“Nadia!” She gasps, reaching out in an attempt to stop me. “Where are you going?”
“Away,” I snap, truly feeling like I was going to break down.
In the beginning, I was sure that Rosco wouldn’t abandon me, but after his actions and his words, I was starting to believe he would. No! I wouldn't have it! He was mine, and he would be mine once again.
“Please, just leave me alone.”
Not waiting for a response, I begin to move, making my way out of the hospital and then into my car. Once I’m inside, I slam on the gas and begin to drive.
Fine, if he wasn’t going to leave her the easy way, then we would do it the hard way. If that bitch disappeared, he wouldn’t be so obsessed and trapped in her spell. And if that was what it took to get him back, I would do it.
When I arrive at my destination, I head straight inside and then make my way to the bar and look around. I knew that those who sought out payment for deeds hung out here, and I just had to name the right price.
Smirking to myself, I move to the bar and take a seat.
“Are you lost, sweetheart?” The bartender, a man with three nasty scars covering his face, asks.
“I’m not,” I counter, leaning forward. “I’m here for a favor.”
For a moment, the bartender examines me as if he can’t quite determine if I’m being serious or not.
“I don’t know what you mean,” he chuckles, straightening out. “I suggest you..."
“Half a mill,” I announce, pulling a stack of hundreds out of my purse. “Do you still think I’m lost?”
“Half a mill,” he repeats, scratching his chin. “What exactly is it you’re wanting?”
“A pest eliminated,” I respond. “Are you the exterminator?”
“Not me,” he chuckles, nodding toward a door behind the bar. “But I may know of one. Come along, sweetheart, but if you chicken out, I can’t help ya.”
“I never chicken out,” I giggle, getting up from my seat and pushing my hair over my shoulder. “Please, lead the way.”
Nodding, the bartender grabs the money off the counter and then allows me to step behind the bar so that he can lead me into the room where a group of men stand around a pool table. It’s hard to make them out given the amount of smoke that hangs in the air, but I can feel their eyes on me as I stroll forward and then hop onto the table.
“Am I to assume these are the exterminators?” I ask the bartender.
“That’s right,” he chuckles. “And you’re on your own from here, sweetheart.”
“No worries,” I beam. “I can handle myself.” I continue, taking in the men around me. "I've got some business for you boys. Are you interested?"
"What are you looking for?" One asks, coming around the table and pinning me between his arms. "If it's showing you a good time, then I can help."
"I need someone to disappear. If you manage that, I'll show you the best of times. Will you help me?”
“Give us the details and we’ll see what we can do.”