I THINK WE BROKE HIM (ZANYA)
1007 Words
Balancing the tray on one hand, I stepped out of the kitchen with Kaili and Queenie beside me, each carrying plates of food for our guests. The booth where they had been sitting was empty.
Gone.
“What the hell?” Queenie’s voice was sharp, filled with irritation. “Are you kidding me? That is beyond rude!” She slammed the tray onto the table and crossed her arms, scowling at the empty seats.
Kaili sighed, setting her own tray down gently. “Maybe something urgent came up?”
“Bullshit.” Queenie huffed. “They could’ve at least said something before vanishing.”
I remained silent. My fingers curled slightly against the edge of the tray, my chest heavy with regret. They had been so welcoming, and I had barely said a word to them. Instead, I sat in silence, watching, observing, but never engaging.
Now they were gone, and I had let another opportunity slip through my fingers.
“They were kind of interesting, though,” Kaili mused, giving Queenie a knowing smirk. “Especially Aaron. You knew him, didn’t you?”
Queenie’s eyes twitched, her lips pressing into a tight line. “No.”
Kaili arched a brow. “Really?”
Queenie rolled her eyes and muttered, “Fine. We hooked up once.”
Kaili and I exchanged a glance, surprised.
“Wait. You actually had a one-night stand?” Kaili teased. “Who are you and what have you done with Queenie?”
Queenie groaned, rubbing her temples. “Look, it happened, okay? I was drunk, he was drunk, and one thing led to another. It meant nothing.”
Kaili grinned, but before she could tease her further, her phone buzzed. She glanced at it, and her eyes widened slightly. “Well, this is interesting.”
Queenie and I turned to her at the same time. “What?”
“The Garcia family is flying into Italy.”
A cold chill crawled up my spine. The Garcia family—the infamous “Shadow” family. Ruthless. Untouchable. Legends whispered in the dark.
“Wait, what?” Queenie frowned. “Why the hell would they make an appearance?”
Kaili shrugged. “Apparently, they’ve found their long-lost daughter.”
My stomach twisted uncomfortably. I didn’t like this. Not one bit. Something about their sudden arrival sent a ripple of unease through me.
I just hoped this news hadn’t reached him.
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The next day, the bell above the café door jingled, signaling new arrivals. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. The shift in atmosphere was instant, the air thickening with an unexplainable energy.
Queenie noticed first. “Oh, look who decided to grace us with their presence.”
I turned my head slightly, watching as Dante, Aaron, and Xavier strode in like they owned the place. Their presence commanded attention, dark and powerful.
Dante’s eyes found me immediately. A shiver ran down my spine.
“We came to apologize for leaving so abruptly,” Aaron said smoothly. “Business called.”
“Right,” Queenie drawled, arms crossed. “And now you’re back for what? More free entertainment?”
Dante’s gaze didn’t waver from me, his heated stare locking me in place. “We came for something else.”
Xavier smirked. “We need dates for the Garcia party.”
Kaili and Queenie exchanged glances. “And you think we’re just going to agree?” Queenie challenged.
Dante finally broke his silence. “Yes.”
There was something about the way he said it—like it was a fact, not a question.
Queenie scoffed. “Fine. But if we’re going to be your arm candy, you’re taking us shopping.”
Aaron chuckled. “Fair enough.”
Through all the chatter, I remained still. Dante never looked away from me. His gaze was an unrelenting force, dragging me into an abyss I wasn’t sure I wanted to escape from.
My heart pounded as he leaned in slightly, his voice low, rough. “Do you even realize what you do to me?”
The café buzzed around us, but I felt like we were in a different world entirely. His intense stare bore into me, his jaw clenching like he was restraining himself from doing something reckless.
I swallowed hard, unable to look away.
He smirked, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. “Tomorrow. Be ready.”
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Shopping had never been my thing. But as we entered an upscale boutique, I realized Queenie and Kaili were in their element.
“I’m picking your dress,” Queenie announced, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward the racks.
She plucked a sleek, black dress from the hanger. It had a high slit on the right side, reaching just below my hip. The bodice was form-fitting, with intricate lace details.
“You need something sexy, but functional,” she said, holding it against me. “You need easy access to your weapons.”
She wasn’t wrong.
Kaili picked a soft, champagne-colored dress for herself—elegant, yet playful. Queenie chose a bold red, off-shoulder dress that screamed confidence.
As we stepped out to show them, the guys fell into silence.
Dante’s eyes darkened, his gaze trailing over me. He looked like a predator barely restraining himself.
Aaron whistled. “Damn.”
Xavier smirked. “Perfect choices.”
Dante didn’t speak. He simply stood there, looking at me like I was the only thing in existence. My skin burned under his gaze, heat pooling in my stomach.
“I think we broke him,” Kaili whispered to Queenie.
Queenie smirked. “Good.”
After grabbing shoes and makeup, they drove us home. As I stepped out of the car, Dante leaned closer. His voice was a husky whisper against my ear.
“See you at eight.”
The way he said it felt like a promise. Or a warning.
I wasn’t sure which one it was.
I didn't like surprises.
But with him, I didn't know what I liked again.
- Writer
