Chapter 64
I know Zane is home the second I turn into the driveway.
His car is parked exactly where it always is when he is home. My grip tightens on the steering wheel.
“Of course,” I mutter. “Of course you are home p>
The engine clicks as I turn it off. I sit there longer than I need to, staring through the windshield, counting my breaths. I shouldn’t feel like I’m bracing for impact just to walk into my own house, but here I am. Well technically it’s not really my house, but I live here now so p>
I swallow then step out of the car. Why the fuck I’m i scared of Zane now?. He’s not my parent to police where I go.
The house is quiet when I enter, I shut the door behind me softly, dropping my keys into the bowl by the console.
“Where were you p>
Zane’s voice comes from the sitting room.
I exhale through my nose and walk toward him. He’s standing near the window,his jacket is off and his sleeves rolled up. He looks calm, which somehow makes everything worse.
“Out,” I say. “With my brothers p>
“You didn’t take your bodyguard Aaron p>
“I didn’t need to, I was going to my house. I am well protected there p>
His head turns slowly. His eyes lock on mine. “You were instructed to, I instructed you to take him where ever you go p>
“I wasn’t kidnapped,” I say. “I wasn’t just wandering off to places. I went for lunch in my brothers house and I would have you know Zane that I don’t do well with been given instructions p>
“That is not the point p>
“It is the point,” I snap. “You assigned him to me like I’m some package, Zane. I didn’t agree to that p>
“You don’t get to agree,” he says flatly. “You have to comply p>
My hands curl into fists. “I’m not your fucking employee, you don’t get to freaking boss me around. “
“No,” he says. “But You’re my responsibility and I have to protect you, he has to protect you.” Referring to Aaron.
“And you made his job impossible today,” he continues. “Do you have any idea what you did?. You disappeared, just like that p>
Footsteps sound behind me and I turn just as Aaron enters the room.
He stops when he senses the tension. His posture stiffens, like he’s already bracing himself.
“Sir,” he says.
Zane doesn’t look at him, his gaze stays on me.
“You left your assigned guard behind,” Zane says. “Do you know what that means p>
“It means I need space for myself and I don’t need no fucking body guard. guard,” I say.
“It means,” he says slowly, “that if something had happened to you, he and his entire family would be dead because of you. Little spitfire”
Aaron’s jaw tightens. “I’m sorry sir that’s on me, sir p>
Zane finally looks at him.
“You think this is about who is to blame,” Zane says. “It isn’t p>
He reaches into his trousers back pocket.
The movement is calm and deliberate, so much that I didn’t expect his next move.
My stomach drops before my brain fully catches up What the actual fuckk p>
“No,” I say automatically. “Zane p>
The gun is already in his hand when I finish the word.
I freeze for awhile, having not seen a gun physically before.
Zane raises the gun and points it straight at Aaron’s head.
Everything in me goes cold.
“You see,” Zane says, his voice steady, “consequences need to be visible to be effective p>
“Zane,” I say, louder now. “Put that fuckin gun down p>
He doesn’t look at me.
“If I pull the trigger right now,” he says, “it will be because you decided instructions were optional, because you felt you could ignore the instructions I’ve given without consequences p>
My heart slams so hard it feels like it might break out of its rib cage.
“Don’t, please don’t.”I say. “This isn’t p>
“You endangered him,” Zane says. “You did that p>
“That’s not true,” I say. “He didn’t follow me because I wanted him not to, he didn’t get the chance to p>
Zane’s finger tightens slightly.
Aaron moves then. “Ma’am, please step back p>
I don’t even think it, I step forward.
I put myself directly between the gun and Aaron.
Zane’s eyes snap to mine.
“What the fuck are you doing,” he says sharply.
“Stop,” I say. “If you want to punish someone, punish me p>
Aaron grabs my arm. “Elaine,please move p>
I shake him off. “No p>
“Elaine,” Zane says, voice dropping. “Get out of my way p>
“No,” I repeat. “You’re not doing this, I won’t let you p>
Aaron tries again, stronger this time, pulling at my shoulder. “Please p>
I plant my feet. “I said no p>
Zane’s hand closes around my upper arm and yanks me forward.
I stumble, nearly losing my balance.
“Enough,” he snaps.
And before I can react p>
Zane fires the gun fires.
I scream, so much that my voice cracks.
The sound is still ringing in my ears when I open my eyes and look.
For half a second, I don’t understand what I’m seeing. My vision swims, the room tilting slightly.
Aaron is on his knees, his head is bowed, one hand clamped tight around his upper arm. Blood seeps between his fingers, darkening the fabric of his sleeve, it’s so much that it drips onto the floor in slow, uneven drops.
“Oh my God,” I breathe.
I lunge toward him but Zane’s arm hooks around my waist and yanks me back hard enough that the air leaves my lungs in a sharp sound.
“No,” he says. He’s voice calm, like he didn’t just fire a gun inside his own house.
“Let me go,” I scream, clawing at his arm. “He’s hurt. Let me fucking go p>
Aaron lifts his head. His face is pale and his jaw tightens as he looks at me.
“I’m fine,” he says, though his voice is strained. “Ma’am, I’m fine p>
Zane doesn’t loosen his grip.
“Get up,” Zane orders.