You Are Mine, Little Sister novel Chapter 41

Chapter 41

RALI

My jaw was practically glued to the floor as I stared at my screen for what felt like the millionth time.

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I sat on the edge of the kitchen island, legs tucked under me. Veronica, halfway through stirring a pot of soup had frozen and leaned in with Ruby to read over my shoulder.

“Holy Shit. He truly sent it!” Veronica blinked like she was trying to reset her vision.

I shook my head. “I can’t believe this.”

When he offered to meet up an hour ago, I thought it was a joke. But now, he’d truly sent the location for the meeting. Fortunately, it was in a cafe, which made me feel a little relaxed.

But Void just easily agreed to meet up with me!

“Are you sure we got the right email?” I turned to Ruby. My nerves were frayed at the seams.

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. This was directly from Black Net. Trust me, no one in their right or wrong mind would dare impersonate him.”

“He must be so eager to get people killed,” Veronica muttered, and for some reason, the words clanged inside my chest.

Get people killed.

Get my stalker killed.

The boy that was supposed to be my brother.

“Do…Do you think I should go?” I nervously licked my lips.

He wanted the meeting tomorrow. This was getting real.

“Well, yes, Rali! Oh, I wish he didn’t want to meet alone. I’d have loved to tag along and see him for the first time. I bet he’ll be so cool in person.” Veronica hugged herself.

I turned away, not having the time for a Veronica–infused drama.

On a second thought, “Don’t you think he agreed too quickly? I mean… I thought he’d need more proof. To make sure I was real. Not just bait luring him into a trap

“Do you really think he won’t have his men sweeping the street before you even show up? Rali, please.” Ruby nudged me. “There’s a reason he hasn’t been caught–Not once in nine damn years. I’m pretty sure a single virgin girl won’t be the one to

outwit him.”

Veronica snatched the laptop from me, typing a response.

“Thank you. Thank you so much. I’ll be sure to be on time. I also want to let you know that I admire everything you’ve been doing. Most people may not agree with your methods, but I believe it’s the best…”

I groaned inwardly and rolled my eyes while Veronica went on being flirty and dramatic.

“Rali, how about I go in place of you?” she said suddenly, looking up with an eager gleam in her eyes. “You know, he doesn’t know what you look like. And I know everything that bastard has done to you. So, I could-”

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22:30 Mon, Sep 1 TG.

Chapter 41

“Just shut up, Veronica. You really think The Torturer has the time for romance?” Ruby cut her off.

“Well, he hasn’t met a girl as pretty as me! I’m sure he will.”

“You seriously think you’re pretty? Those boys from the club really do deceive you.”

I stepped away, leaving the two to bicker among themselves.)

I crossed my arms as I wandered to the kitchen window, staring out at nothing and everything at once.

Tomorrow.

My stalker might die tomorrow.

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Yes, I’ll be free from him–which was what I’ve always wanted. But why was my throat loosening instead of tightening? Why did my chest ache like grief had rented a room in it?

My phone buzzed in my jean pocket, rattling me. My fingers trembled slightly as I retrieved it and found a text from him.

UNKNOWN: You need to learn the concept of gratitude, Green.

I blinked and a tear slipped. God, I needed to grow a spine.

ME: I didn’t ask for the gifts or the cash. You shouldn’t have bothered.

His reply was almost instant.

UNKNOWN: You don’t need to ask for anything, Rali. I make the rules, remember?

I sniffed, wiping the lone tear on my cheek. I needed to enroll in a crash course titled How Not to Be a Walking Emotional

Disaster 101

ME: What can I do to get you to leave me alone? For real this time. I’m tired.

He took a little longer to respond.

UNKNOWN: Fifteen years ago, I asked the same question.

UNKNOWN: I was desperate to get you out of my head.

UNKNOWN: Then, I realized it just wasn’t happening.

I dug my fingers into my scalp. Fuck, why was he such a stubborn dick?

I hated this man for what he’s done. But somewhere in the ashes of my memories, I could still see that twelve–year–old boy Daddy had brought home. Why did he have to be such a monster?

My face hardened as I tucked the phone back into my pocket like I was shoving him there too.

His funeral, then. Tomorrow, I’ll tell Void everything about him.

He thought he was tough? I’d like to see him beat the Torturer on this.

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I tapped my leg against the floor, sweat damping my forehead again. At this point, I might as well be in a sauna.

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22:31 Mon, Sep 1

Chapter 41

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I was the only one in the cafe, and while the place was located by the side of the road in a busy environment with a glass wall that aided me to see the people out there, I still couldn’t help feeling a little uneasy. Why was I the only one here? There was not a single customer in sight.

Veronica responded to the text I sent.

VERONICA: Maybe he booked the entire place so you two don’t get disturbed.

She and Ruby were waiting in the car by the side of the road, not too far from here.

I glanced over at the counter where there were only two staff left, throwing weird glances at me. Shouldn’t there be more staff? Why did everything appear strange?

Well, I’ve known Nip And Sip for over a year now. They were pretty good with coffee and eggs and have been in business for a long time. So, there was no way this was a trap.

Besides, it was The Torturer, right? He didn’t trick people. At least, not those who came to him themselves.

If he didn’t want to help, he would’ve bluntly turned me down.

It still felt so unreal that I was meeting with The Torturer–the King of The Underworld. The man known to not have feelings. Was I doing the right thing by wanting to meet him?

I glanced at my watch. He was twenty minutes late.

I reached for my phone, typing out a quick message to Veronica.

ME: don’t think he’s-

I paused when I saw a new email notification.

From him.

I exited the messaging app and tapped the mail icon.

VOID: You should’ve ordered something, Zerali.

A tight gulp scraped down my throat as I swept a look over my shoulder. Other than the staff, the place was completely empty. Did he ask them to know if I’d ordered something?

ME: Thank you for your concern, sir, but I’m more interested in the meeting. I’ve been very anxious to get this done.

My palms were slick with sweat now. It was building on my forehead, too.

God, could he just show up already so we could get this done? I was too nervous.

VOID: I’m already here.

I looked again. This time, the staff at the counter were gone.

Did they go into the backroom or something? Or did he ask them to excuse us?

But there was still no sign of him.

My heart pounded hard enough to bruise ribs.

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Chapter 41

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Now that I knew he was close, I suddenly couldn’t breathe right.

ME: I can’t see you.

I forced another tight swallow past the lump clogging my throat. If I kept up with this, I might end up developing a heart attack.

Legs, don’t shake. Not now.

Veronica would’ve had a witty remark for this moment. Ruby would’ve rolled her eyes and laughed.

Me? I was one blink away from collapsing.