Chapter 129: 130 ~ Mira
I insisted we met at an open spot.
And even though I didn’t tell Jace I was going anywhere, I was sure his guards had reported back to him that I left the house. Two of them came with me but I just hoped he wouldn’t find me here and cause a scene.
Massimo looked like sin. I hadn’t seen him for months. And he looked as handsome as he used to just a little more villainous. I couldn’t help but wonder if he had always been like that and I just didn’t notice.
Nervously, I fiddled with my necklace, the same one Jace placed around my neck from years ago. My casual white two piece gleamed against the brown themed restaurant that had a few people present.
"You look great." Massimo said with a typical smirk.
"Of course I do. Wish I could say the same for you." I retorted fearlessly.
For some reason I had a lot more courage than I anticipated. I had not seen him for a long time and I was aware of all the chaos he was causing for my husband, still I wasn’t afraid of him.
He was grinning now, gesturing at the chair opposite him. "Have a seat."
"I want this meeting to be over as soon as possible so there’s no need for that."
"You’re stubborn. As always."
"You sound like you know me so well," I rolled my eyes.
"I know you like the back of my palm Mira," His tone was heavy with meaning.
That was when the realization dawned on me that everything about our meeting was premeditated.
"I’m surprised it took you this long to catch on." He was laughing.
The sound irritated me so much I was tempted to smack him. But the sight of those menacing men that stood behind him held me from doing so. This was a public space. A shootout would possibly end the lives of innocent people. I did not want that kind of blood on my hands.
"What do you want Massimo?"
His eyes darkened as he turned serious. "You know what I want."
"I don’t know where the document is."
"And you expect me to believe that?"
"Well, yes?" I scowled, my tone had a hint of ’duh’ in it.
What was I supposed to do? Jace said it himself that the document was no longer in his possession. I had no idea where it was or whom he had given it to.
"You had just one job, Mira. Take it, give it to me and leave. Yet you went ahead and flopped it."
"You didn’t even give me a proper description of what exactly I was looking for." I stated the obvious.
"It was a suede velvet...." he trailed off, trying to reel in his anger as people started to stare.
His eyes hardened as they stared at me. "You’re playing games with your brother’s life."
The threat hit me straight in my chest. I didn’t want anything to happen to Roberto. But this was out of my hands.
I decided that frantically begging would only fuel his ego. And I didn’t have it in me to tend to his giant one.
I leaned over the desk and faced him squarely.
"Massimo Riciardi, there is absolutely nothing I can do about this. You want something from my husband? Go ahead and face him. Stop trying to use me to get what you want. You’re a powerful man, you should be able to figure it out."
A wicked smile spread over his devilishly handsome face.
"I see what you’re trying to do."
I faked an innocent look. "What are you talking about?"
"This isn’t over Mira. Prepare for what’s coming to you. All of you." He got on his feet.
His warning got to me but I did well to not show it.
"You should prepare too." I showed him an overly sweet smile - one that could cause diabetes.
He was about to storm away when I spoke again.
"And Massimo?"
He paused.
"Don’t ever contact me again. Talk to my husband if you need to but leave me out of your wars."
Jace didn’t want me getting involved anyways so it was only fair I passed the warning.
He let out a humorless chuckle. "Your husband? Months ago, you would have denied ever knowing him and now you’re using the ’husband’ tag to taunt me?"
I shrugged. "Well, things change."
"I see." His eyes lit up and I knew he was about to say something stupid.
"The dick is that good huh?"
Yup I was right. He did say something stupid.
"Better than yours would ever be." I returned evenly.
"Why don’t I fuck you so you can tell the difference?"
"Bruised your ego huh?" I laughed, aggravating him even more.
He walked towards me and the guard next to me stepped in front of me before he could reach.
"Watch your back Mirabel,"
"You should too."
I was tempted to pull out my gun and shoot him at the back of his head. I almost reached for it but that was too easy.
He would get what was coming to him soon. I believed Jace was already working on it.
"Bastard," I muttered under my breath.
I sat on the seat opposite the one he just left. That was when I realized I just confronted the enemy without any fear.
Me of few years before would have been shaking. So much had changed in what seemed like a little time. I was no longer the soft and fragile Mira. I was an entirely different person now and it came with mixed feelings.
Yes, I was proud of the fearless woman I had become but I was sad about how the innocent me had gone missing in the midst of the chaos that came to my life after Jace.
Finding out that my entire life was a part of one man’s big plan to justify himself did not make it any better.
This wasn’t the life I chose. I wasn’t sure I wanted it no matter how luxurious it seemed from the outside.
Would I ever be courageous enough to make a change?
I guess I’d have to wait and find out.