Page 112 of Dancing with the Devil

If he wasn’t so tall and sturdy, I would have practically bulldozed him over. “Hello, Miss Nirah,” he said as I wrapped my legs around his waist.

“I’ve missed you so much!” I squealed, tightening my arms around his neck. He hesitantly tapped my back with both hands, not holding me up. I’m sure he doesn’t even know what to do right now. “Where have you been?” I asked, standing on my own again. “How could you let him pull us apart!” I snapped, punching his arm. “I thought I meant more to you than that,” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I am so sorry, Miss Nirah. But he is still my boss and I have to respect his demands.”

“Respect his demands, my ass,” I scoffed. “Where is he? My fists have been itching lately,” I said, hitting my fist into the palm of my hand.

“I see you’ve healed quite well,” he gave me the faintest smile.

“I wouldn’t have to be healing ifsomeonewas still my bodyguard,” I rolled my eyes. “No offense toKenfrom Barbie’s dream house, but I couldn’t feel more like my own bodyguard,” I said, and Cesar let out a short-lived laugh. I wholeheartedly smiled. That was the first time I heard himlaugh. And it was because ofme.

“I heard Logan’s quite the fighter.”

“You could kick his ass,” I whispered, giving him an assuring nod. “He’s practically my shadow. He only moves when I do and speaks when I do.”

“As opposed to me then,” he sarcastically said, and I smiled.

“You’ve said more to me now than he has in a month, I mean, come on. Would it kill him to crack a smile once in a while?”

“Well, Mr. Antonio hired him to be the exact opposite of me, so yes, it would kill him.”

“Whatever,” I muttered. “I’m just glad you’re back,” I smiled, and his mood shifted. His jaw moved as he tried to speak but didn’t. “You are back… right, Cesar?”

“No, Miss Nirah. I am not. I am only here to assist Mr. Antonio.”

Goosebumps trailed up the nape of my neck. “Are you serious?” I murmured, feeling tears swell in my eyes. “Cesar, it feels like I just got you back,” my voice cracked.

“I apologize if I disappointed you,” he lowered his head. “But I won’t be coming back as your bodyguard. I’ll only be here when Mr. Antonio needs me.”

“Bullshit,” I scoffed. “I really can’t think of anyone better to protect me than you, and surely he has to see it too.”

“I am sorry, but I have to go now. I shouldn’t be seeing you. I just needed some of your energy to get me through another few weeks,” he said almost secretly, and I smiled, partly jutting out my bottom lip.He needed my energy?“Goodbye, Miss Nirah,” he turned to leave.

My heart ached as I watched him walk away.How do I get him to stay? How do I convince Antonio to let him stay?

Angrily—I rushed up to my bedroom, slamming my door shut. I paced up and down, thinking of a way to get Antonio to change his mind.

After a solid twenty minutes of running ridiculous plans through my head, a faint knock on my door grabbed my attention. I opened it and Rosalia informed me that dinner was ready. I let her head downstairs while I threw on some sweatpants over my shorts.

As I left my bedroom, closing the door behind me, I saw Antonio walking up the stairs. “You’re a real asshole, you know that right!” I yelled across the hall, and his head turned to me. “How can you be so fucking mean to someone who doesn’t deserve any of it?” I asked walking towards him and his chest fell with a sigh. He stepped around me, but I stopped him, putting my hand out.

“No, you’re going to listen to what I have to say—what is your goddamn problem?” I asked.

“I don’t have time for this,” he tried to walk past me but I stepped in front of him again.

“Oh, you don’t have time forthisor you don’t have time forme? Last time I checked, I was still your fiancée, in case you’ve forgotten.”

“Trust me. I haven’t.” His eyes darkened as he looked down at me and a shiver crawled up my spine.

“Well, you sure act like you have.”

“Nirah—”

“This isn’t even about me, this is about Cesar—how could you fire him as my bodyguard? He didnothingwrong.”

“I’m aware.”

“So then why’d you fire him?” I asked in utter confusion.