The Bus Driver II

The hot water sprayed down over my head, a stark contrast to the ice cold tiles against my back. I hadn’t rinsed the shampoo from my hair yet, the suds streaking down my face and burning my eyes.

My energy was drained, my mind a blank, heavy state of unease. The door opened slowly, catching my attention through the frosted glass.

“I’ve got some warm clothes for you here.” Freydis’ soft voice called out.

After Everett and dad had finished filling the hole with Tanith buried beneath, they had gotten into the car with me and the dog and we’d ended up at Peach Manor.

Nina had greeted us at the door with Freydis, the women taking me under their arms and ushering me into a room with a bathroom. They’d helped me strip my clothes and put me in the shower, telling me to wash.

The most I could do was put shampoo in my hair before I shut down and just stood staring at the steamed up glass of the shower stall.

I didn’t know where to begin. Everett taking me to be killed by that psychotic bitch? My dad killing her? Both of them talking to each other as if they’d been friends for years?

My thoughts were a jumbled mess, making my head hurt even more and the pressure behind my eyes to thump and pulse irritably.

Taking the shower scrunchie, I scrubbed my skin till it turned pink.

The tracksuit Freydis had left was, as she said, warm and oversized. I had no doubt it was from Everett’s closet, his cologne wrapping around my senses and as much as I didn’t want it to, it was comforting.

I didn’t know what to do afterwards, my hair wrapped in a towel as I sat on the large king-sized bed playing with the sleeves of the hoodie.

Did I go out and see if I could find anyone? Did I wait here till someone came to me? Was I even allowed to leave?

With the agitation bubbling up in me, I scrubbed the towel over my hair to dry it a bit more before discarding it on the floor and opening the bedroom door.

The hallway was quiet as I stepped out. The Manor was like a maze with corridors and hallways, staircases that led to mezzanines and different floors. Crystal chandeliers hung from mosaic ceilings, tiered Turkish lamps lit the hallways, making my shadow dance across the hardwood floors. The person who designed the place must’ve been a masochist, because it was a wonder anyone could navigate around the building without a map.

Lavish carpet and overly ornate paintings of family members were hung in each passageway; exceptionally ostentatious, yet held an elegance only old money could have.

A man opened a door at the end of the passageway, my feet halting momentarily as I didn't recognise him. A stoic, stern-looking man held my gaze, his tall build blocking the doorway as his fingers, adorned in golden rings, held the the handle firmly.

"You must be Nora." He spoke, addressing me with a voice that rooted me to the spot.

Unable to answer, I simply nodded my head, my toes curling in the fluffy socks and my fingers pulling at the long sleeves of the hoodie.

He regarded me for a few moments, watching me carefully with dark eyes that saw every detail of my life. This was not a man to trifle with, I knew that down to the marrow in my bones.

Finally he opened the door again, showcasing an office lined with bookshelves, very similar to my dads. With his other hand, the man motioned for me to enter.

The blood rushed through my ears, roaring to life with each step. It was a struggle to breathe the closer I drew to the man, his speckled black and grey hair shining in the light of the lamps.

Once inside the office, the door was closed with a quiet click. Not knowing what to do or what to say, I stood in the middle of the room awkwardly. I thought being called to the principle's office was bad, this was decidedly worse.

"Sit." He pulled one of the chairs out for me to sit in. The luxurious padding moulding to me as I did so. He sat behind his desk, leaning back in his tall chair and clasping his ringed fingers together.

I couldn't maintain eye contact, everything about this man screamed danger. My eyes caught numerous pictures on the bookshelves. One of Everett and his brothers at a lake, another with Nina and the man in front of me, another with Freydis and Vladimir in a garden filled with wild flowers.

It dawned on me as he spoke.

"My name's Kastriot."

Everett had told me nothing of his father, I began to think he wasn't in the picture after meeting his family.

"You're Everett's dad."

He smiled, a heart-warming smile that changed his features entirely. For a split second he looked like any other typical middle-aged man with a family. It was gone with his next words.

"I am. And we have much to discuss." Kastriot leaned forward, placing his laced fingers on the mahogany desk.

Leaning back in my seat, I wanted as much distance between us as possible.

"I understand Burim didn't want you to be any part of this world and I respected his wishes when your mother was taken from him. However, circumstances have changed with recent events."

He knew my mom?

"You are already under the protection of the Boss and as such you will now be under the protection of the Hoxha family." He stated.

The Boss? Who the fuck is that? Isn't he 'the Boss'?

"You are free to do as you wish, within reason. I will tolerate nothing but loyalty and confidentiality from you, and if that loyalty and confidentiality is broken... let's just say you will not have a second chance."

The warning was clear as the crystal chandelier hanging over my head.

“You are not a stupid girl.” I wanted to take the compliment yet it felt more like an insult with his tone. "And as such, I expect you will not make stupid decisions."

Kastriot stood up, making his way towards a globe cart that housed various high profile liquor. Taking a bottle of scotch, he poured a small amount in two sparkling glasses.

"You will continue with your studies, I understand you have two more years before you graduate, yes?" He placed one glass down in front of me, making his way back to his seat and waiting for my reply.

I nodded my head, my tongue feeling heavy in my mouth.

"Words N."

It was almost as if Everett had commanded me to speak. The similarity so stark it made me feel uneasy with my own train of thoughts. Kastriot was a handsome man, but there were lines I would never cross, even if they were only in my mind.

"Yes."

"Would you still like to work with Mr. Turner?" My brows scrunched together.

Mr. Turner? Who the fuck is that?

Kastriot let out a chuckle, "Dan, I believe you work at his establishment."

"I didn't know his name was Turner."

"He doesn't make it common knowledge."

There was an awkward pause as I thought over his question.

"Yes, I have rent to pay so I have to work."

Kastriot nodded his head, taking a slow sip of his scotch.

"Your bills will be handled, along with your fees for university."

Shaking my head I squared my shoulders and addressed him as confidently as I could. "No. I can handle my own stuff thank you."

"Child, it wasn't a question."

That silenced me quickly, my back sinking further into the chair as he pinned me with his dark eyes over the rim of his glass.

"You are family now, you will want for nothing. If you want to work, you can. But it is not a necessity. Your focus should be on your academics."

"What about after I graduate?" What was I supposed to do with my time? Was I really allowed to do whatever I wanted or would it come with strings attached later on?

"That is for you to decide."

He was making this all very simple. Too simple. Too good to be true. There was one hundred percent a catch.

"What's the catch? You're telling me I can do whatever I want, you're going to support me with anything I want to do, my rent, my student loans, so what's the catch?"

Kastriot chuckled again, placing his glass down on the desk and rotating it leisurely. It took a few moments before he spoke again.

"As I said, all I ask from you is loyalty and confidentiality. Can you do that Nora?"

His words said one thing, yet the predatory glint in his eyes screamed another. A lingering, unspoken promise of what would happen if I stepped out of line.

"So... I can go home? I can still go on my holiday?"

Kastriot pursed his lips, taking his time to mull over my question.

"Tension is no doubt high at the moment with the events of tonight. I will stay here until your next semester begins. As for your trip, I'll allow it with a chaperone."

I'll allow it.

Narrowing my eyes at the man in front of me I asked, "will I have to ask for permission to do what I want to do?"

"Sometimes, yes. Venturing out of country is something I would appreciate you clearing with me first, for safety reasons of course."

"Safety reasons." I echoed.

"We are well respected amongst our people, but sometimes that respect is challenged by individuals of a... lesser nature."

"Like that guy who stole from Everett?"

"Exactly."

"What else will I need to run by you?"

"For now, that is all. You can speak to anyone about your day to day plans, please ensure someone knows of your whereabouts, for-"

"For safety reasons?" I finished for him.

Kastriot let out a soft chuckle, taking another sip of his liquor. "Exactly." He gave me a wink, tilting his glass towards me.

"If I say no, what will happen then?"

Kastriot tapped his fingers against the desk, the sound loud in the otherwise silent room.

"Let's just say that your time with us will come to a very abrupt and immediate end."

Again those predatory eyes were on me, daring me to push the matter further. I didn't. I knew all to well when to shut the fuck up, and now was most certainly one of those times.

"OK. I can do that." I agreed. It was better than being six foot under with a bullet through my skull and leaving my dad childless.

There are worse fates, I guess.

"I have one last question though."

"Speak freely child." Kastriot waited for me to ask my question, my nerves simmering in my chest with each pulse of my heart.

This could be a fine line I was treading, was it wise to ask this man about his son?

"Does my relationship with Everett come under this deal?"

"Explain."

"I don't want to be with someone because it's part of a deal-" My brain caught up before I could speak the words, changing it quickly as Kastriot stared a hole through me, "for safety reasons. I want to be with him because that's what I choose and I want the freedom to choose not to be with him too."

"Your relationship with Everett has no part in this. I will not force my son to be with someone he does not want to be with, and I will not condemn you to a life with someone if it is not your choice. I'm a monster to most, but not to family Nora."

"And I take it that includes me now too?"

"Until the day you die."

His words sealed my fate. I was tied to the Hoxha family and all I had to do was keep my mouth shut and go about my day. I could do that, like he said, I was not a stupid girl.

"Do we have an agreement?" Kastriot asked, tilting his head slightly.

My fingers gripped around the glass in front of me, I hadn't touched it yet. Raising it to him I responded.

"Yes, we have an agreement."

Chinking the delicate glasses together, the sound reverberated around the room, he locked eyes with me as we drank. The amber liquor burned down my throat, my eyes glued to Kastriot as he took the last sip in his glass.