The tingling on the back of her neck warned her that someone was watching her. She looked from side to side and then behind her and saw no one. She suddenly began to think about what how her older brother always told her to make sure she carried her pepper spray in her hand when walking from campus at night. Tonight she had not listened and now she was scared. She quickened her steps and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her friend Rya coming toward her.
"Darien, what are you doing out this late by yourself?"
"I was at the library and time ran away from me." Darien looked at her friend cautiously then asked, "what are you doing out here this time of night?"
"I was sent to look for you. You're brother has been by here tonight and he looked as if it was important."
Darien then looked at her cell phone and noticed it was dead. She knew if Devin had come to her apartment something big was up. She bid Rya goodnight and continued the walk to her apartment. She threw her cell phone on the charger and decided to take a shower before she called Devin. All while taking her shower; she could not shake the feeling that something was definitely wrong.
Once out of the shower she used her apartment phone to call Devin.
"Where have you been?"
"Devin, what's wrong?" Darien did not like the sound of the desperation in his voice.
"I have been looking for you everywhere. I need you to help me out in a big way. I will be over to your apartment in ten minutes."
"Use your key."
In less than ten minutes Devin was coming through the door, but he was not alone. Darien looked passed her brother and into the eyes of the devil. She had seen the man before but never close up. She had heard stories of how dangerous he could be, but she had never had reason to worry about that until now.
"Devin what is going on?" She looked over at the man that stood behind her brother and then at the two large men that stood next to him. That earlier feeling of nervousness came back to her.
"Allow me to introduce myself," The devil had spoken.
"I know who you are. I just want to know why you're here with my brother."
The man looked at her. His large brown eyes assessed her and when his came back to meet hers she saw a mixture of anger and lust. His eyes caused her to take a step back. "So, I need no introduction, but you beautiful lady are at an advantage. I don't know your name."
Darien looked at Devin. He had that same pitiful look he had on his face when he had to tell her that he had slept with her best friend in high school. Again that feeling of nervousness came back to her. The tingling on the back of her neck was there again as well. Darien chanced a look back to the man with the evil eyes. He was waiting for her name.
"I-I'm Darien," she stammered.
"Darien." He said her name as if he were tasting an expensive wine. As if he were savoring each syllable. "Now, that I know your name, I will answer your question." He took a seat in the overstuffed chair and crossed his legs. The chair seemed small once he sat in it when usually it would fit two people. "My apologies for getting you involved in my business, but your brother here tells me you have my money."
The confusion on her face told it all. She had no clue what they were talking about. Her mind began to calculate her bank account. She was frugal with her money. She did not do any unnecessary spending and since she was graduating in a couple of months and had gotten a job at an ad agency, she was waiting to spend a good bulk of her savings on a new wardrobe to start her new career. She looked to her brother for some clarification, and could tell by his expression she was not going to like what he had to say. So she decided to get to the point.
"How much does he owe you?" One of the large men smirked sarcastically. The other showed no emotion. She then turned to the Devil.
"$10,000."
"You borrowed $10,000 from a known criminal. You idiot! What would make you think that I have that type of money?" Her anger towards Devin was showing in every fiber.
"I prefer business man. No one has ever been able to prove criminal activity."
"I believe in calling a spade a spade, Mr. Christos."
Darien saw the flash of surprise when she called him by name. Then she saw the smallest of smiles cross those beautiful lips. She saw his eyes take in her attire once more. She was standing in a tank top and a pair of tiny shorts. She wasn't wearing a bra and her nipples seem to harden upon his appraisal. Not normally a woman that paid much attention to her appearance, she did not feel the need to dress when Devin came by, now she wished she had. Marcellus Christos was admiring the view of her shapely body, and he more than liked what he saw. He wanted her.
