When the sound of heels clicking on the stairs echoed around her, her nerves settled. It was another woman. As Mira continued to walk up the stairs, the other woman came down. They finally crossed paths, and she remembered that face from before. It was Nigel’s PSW, or she looked just like her.
After they passed each other, the other woman spoke out loud. “It’s about time you visited your brother, Mira. I’m sure Drake’s happy to have you out of his hair for once.”
“Excuse me?” Mira stopped dead on the stairs, turning to look down at her. How did she even know who Mira was? Or that she was in a relationship of sorts with Drake?
“I know you’ve been staying at Drake’s place. Even following him to work every day. It’s pathetic, if you ask me. Don’t you realize he’s so far out of your league that it’s laughable?”
She swallowed hard, feeling cornered and uncomfortable. This woman didn’t sound stable at all, and she knew way too much for a stranger.
“Who are you?”
“I’m the woman Drake should be with. Will be with.”
None of this made any sense. “Aren’t you working with my brother?”
“Convenient, isn’t it? They say to keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.”
She froze, fear creeping up her spine. “Stay away from Nigel,” she whispered. Then she rushed up the stairs, terrified for her brother’s safety.
“And you stay away from Drake!” the voice rang out. “Go back to the ghetto where you came from.”
She burst through the door on Nigel’s floor and ran to his apartment. It was unlocked. As soon as she rushed inside, she saw her brother lounging on the sofa, the remote control in his hand.
“Are you okay?” she asked, almost completely out of breath.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Did your PSW just leave here?”
He nodded. “Yeah, did you catch her in the hallway?”
She exhaled, dropped her purse, and sat in the empty chair near the couch. “Something just happened. That PSW of yours is crazy. I mean, clinically insane. You need to call the hospital and report her.”
“What are you talking about?” He sat straighter.
“She threatened me, Nigel. Told me to stay away from Drake. It was the craziest encounter I’ve ever had.” Well, next to selling herself to pay Nigel’s debts.
“That’s impossible. Are you sure we’re talking about the same woman here?” Nigel narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t visited in weeks, Mira. My PSW comes every day. Nothing out of the ordinary, and certainly no talk about you or Drake.”
She stood back up and started pacing. Was she going crazy? She was so confused. How could she get Nigel to get rid of his PSW when he clearly didn’t believe a word she was saying? He’d always been easy to deceive, forever falling for pyramid schemes and scams. She imagined it would be even easier for a pretty woman to mess with his head.
“Just ask for a new aide.”
“No, I like her.”
“Did you tell her anything about me?”
He shrugged. “Not much.”
“What exactly have you told her about us?”
“I don’t know. I told her about the pawnshop, and I mentioned what a good accountant you are.”
“And Drake?”
“Not a word, Mira. I’m not that much of a gossip.”
She didn’t stay long. Drake was in a meeting all morning, so she used the opportunity to check up on Nigel. Visiting was the last thing on her mind now. At least he looked good and was on the mend.
If Nigel wouldn’t listen to her, maybe Drake would. There was no way she wanted that PSW back in her brother’s apartment, even if he didn’t agree.
Later that afternoon, she was sitting in Drake’s desk chair when he returned from his meeting.
He exhaled after closing the door behind him. “That was brutal.”
Drake looked mentally exhausted. Instead of remaining neutral, as always, she actually cared. Was her bully growing on her? The longer she was with him, the less she resented him. She craved to comfort Drake but refused to initiate any intimacy—not when she was still his contracted woman.
“I hate to bother you with more, but there’s something I wanted to talk about,” she said.
“I always have time for you, Mira.”
She got up from his chair and he took her place, leaning back with a groan. Then he patted his thigh, and she obliged him, sitting on his lap.
“I visited my brother today.”
He frowned. “Nigel. He’s trouble, Mira. You know that. Not to mention where he lives. Did you at least take my driver?”
She shook her head. “It was quick, and I was fine.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“There was this woman. Well, she’s the PSW the hospital sent for Nigel. She knew a lot—about us. About everything.” She took a breath. “She threatened me.”
“What did she look like?”
“I don’t know. A tall blonde. Nigel apparently has a crush on her because he refused to believe me. He won’t request a new aide, and that’s scary. I feel like she’ll hurt him or me.”
“Did she say she’d hurt you?”
“She knew about you Drake, said she’s better for you than me and warned me to keep away.”
He was quiet, and Mira wondered what he was thinking about. The energy in the room seemed to change, making her tense up.
“That’s not going to happen. I would never give you up.” He ran a hand through his hair, then tapped his fingers on the desk. “Until this is sorted, I want you to keep close. No more wandering off on your own. It’s not safe.”
“What about Nigel?”
“I’ll handle everything.”
Mira didn’t argue. She believed him. Drake was capable in all things from business to lovemaking. Her nerves settled slightly, believing he’d be able to protect her brother.
“Now,” he said. “I’ve been stuck in meetings half
