Loving My Enemy’s Nightmare

The gun felt heavier than I expected!!! My hands trembled as I pointed it at the guy standing in front of me. Karhi, or kawe, or whatever the real name was, didn't flinch. He raised both hands slowly, his dark eyes locked on me with an intensity that made my breath catch, even with the weapon between us. “Joy, please put the gun down.” He said quietly “You bought my building, and you've been lying to me for weeks. You…” I swallowed hard, fighting back tears. “Tolu found your files, and I know who you are!!! Something flickered across his face. Is he surprised or what? I couldn't tell. Behind him, I heard footsteps on the stairs, heavy and deliberate. Elijah would be here any minute now. What if he found me alone with Karhi and with a gun? “I said to myself. How long have you known?” Karhi asked “Does that matter now?” I composed my grip, “You're a mafia! You're here for something, and I'm just collateral damage, right? Is that what you think of me? He took a step forward. Don’t! The gun jerked in my hands. I swear to God, I’ll…” No, you won't because you're not a killer, Joy, and because you came to my door instead of running, which means you want to hear what I have to say. Damn him, He caught me right I heard footsteps. Elijah’s voice echoed up the stairs, shouting at Mrs Maureen about her dogs blocking the way. I had maybe thirty seconds before he reached the third floor. “Talk fast, I hissed.” Karhi clenched his teeth. “Five years ago, the Williams family tortured and murdered my sister, and she was just sixteen years old. When she couldn't give them what they wanted, they made it look like suicide. His eyes darkened with grief, and it made my chest ache.” Vincent ordered it, and Elijah carried it out.” Eli… Elijah? No, he can't do that! I honestly came to New Orleans for revenge, Karhi continues, The Dauphine sits atop old smuggling tunnels that lead to a warehouse hiding my family's stolen assets.”He paused, “You were supposed to be nobody, a means to an end, but when I saw what he does to you, I couldn't resist. Elijah’s footsteps reached our floor. My mind raced as I tried to process everything, while my body screamed at me to decide. Should I trust the monster I knew or the devil I didn't? Why are you telling me this?” I asked. “Because I'm going to destroy the Williams family.” Karhi's voice turned to steel. “And I think you want to help me with it.” Elijah is very close. Any second now, he'd turn the corner and see us. “Joy, where the hell are you?” I looked at Karhi, at this dangerous man who'd spent weeks consuming my life, who'd made me laugh for the first time in two years, who'd looked at me like I mattered. Then I thought of Tolu, trapped in his wheelchair because of Elijah’s cruelty, of the bruises I covered with makeup, of the murder I'd witnessed, and of the 16-year-old girl who was tortured and murdered. No one would ever believe. In one fluid motion, I made my choice and lowered the gun. I kept the pistol in Karhi’s hands and yanked him into my apartment, and the door shut just as Elijah rounded the corner. My heart was still beating so hard. “Hide that and go to the bathroom now!” He moved without question and went into the bathroom. I barely had time to smooth my hair and put on a smile before Elijah’s fist pounded on my door. “Joy, open up!” I counted to five, forcing my breathing to steady, then I opened the door. Elijah stood there reeking of cologne, his handsome face twisted with suspicion. Why is your door locked? Are you hiding something? His eyes narrowed. I was changing, “I gestured to my wrinkled jeans and t-shirt. “You're early.” He pushed past me, scanning the apartment with the paranoid intensity of a man who trusted no one. My studio was small, consisting of just one room with a kitchenette, my bed in a corner, and a bathroom. Nowhere to hide. Elijah gazed at the bathroom door. “You got someone in there?” He went toward it. “My mind went blank with panic. “I was sick… My stomach aches… It's gross… Elijah, you don't want…” He ignored me, reaching for the handle. If he had found Karhi and the gun, we would both be dead. Elijah didn't forgive or show mercy; he…” The bathroom door opened. Empty! “I'm confused…Where? How? Elijah checked behind the shower curtain, then grunted with satisfaction. “You're jumpy tonight.” He grabbed my arm, his fingers digging into the still-healing bruise from last week. “We are going to dinner with my uncle. You're gonna smile, be sweet, and keep your mouth shut. Understand? I nodded positively. As Elijah dragged me toward the door, I caught movement in my peripheral vision; the window and the fire escape window, which I never used, were open just a crack. On the rusty metal platform outside, barely visible in the dying light, I saw him. Karhi crouched in the shadow, still holding Elijah’s gun, watching us with an expression that promised violence. He pressed one finger to his lips, then he smiled a dark, dangerous smile that sent ice and fire through my veins in equal measure. I suddenly realized that I'd just made a deal with the devil himself. Elijah yanked me into the hallway, and the last thing I saw before my apartment door closed was Karhi climbing back through my window, moving like a ghost. “Uncle Vincent wants to meet you properly,” Elijah said as we descended the stairs. His grip on my arm never loosened. “Says it's time to discuss wedding plans. My blood turned ice. When? I managed to ask. Elijah’s smile was cruel. “Three weeks, we're getting married in three weeks, and you will be mine forever." Three weeks? I had three weeks to either escape or die trying, three weeks before Elijah locked me in a cage I'd never escape unless Karhi were the monster who could save me. Elijah’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it, and his entire body went rigid. “f**k” “What's wrong?” He shoved me against the staircase wall, his face inches from mine. “Did you tell anyone about what you saw at the restaurant? Elijah was talking about the murder. No, I whispered. “I swear, I didn't. His hand moved to my throat, not squeezing but threatening. “Uncle Vincent thinks we have a rat, and if I find out it’s you… He didn't finish the sentence; he didn't have to. I gasped for air immediately he released me. Elijah was already on his phone, barking orders in Italian; he'd forgotten his earlier concern about me. I touched my throat, feeling the phantom pressure of his fingers, and made a decision that would either save my life or end it. Tonight, at dinner with Vincent, I was going to find out precisely what Karhi Cassano needed to destroy them all, and I'm going to help him carry out the operation. Even if it killed me!!!