Page 153

“Hey, uh, just relax, all right?” the first guard says, his words the least calming thing I’ve ever fucking heard. Then he turns to his partner. “Call for back-up.”

But there’s a bullet flying through the second guard’s skull before the first can fully finish his demand.

In mere seconds, Zade has whipped out his gun and shot him; the silencer screwed on the end keeping his crime quiet.

The first guard’s eyes widen, scrambling to take aim, but a bullet is tearing through his forehead next. His head snaps back, and he tumbles to the ground alongside his partne

r.

Zade wastes no time. He picks Xavier up and slings him over his shoulder, grabs my hand, and pulls me out behind him.

“Let’s go, baby girl. And when we get on our plane, I’m fucking holding you.”

I don’t recall if I answer as Zade tugs me toward the end of the hallway. He mutters under his breath, most likely ordering Jay to do something, but the screaming in my head drowns out his words.

My body is moving on pure autopilot. I don’t remember how he got us out of there. I don’t remember the three-hour flight home. I don’t remember anything at all but the weight of Xavier on top of me, the clang of his buckle ringing in my head.

Chapter 32

The Diamond

I’m fucking rattled, like an old A/C unit on its last leg.

We just arrived home. Zade is in the basement taking care of Xavier, and I’m desperately grasping onto my last shred of sanity. Restlessness gathers in my bones, and I feel like an animal confined within my own cage.

Heart pounding, I close my bedroom door behind me and then pace the floor, running my hands through my hair and pulling tight—a pathetic attempt to calm the anxiety.

Don’t worry, diamond, I’ll make this nice and slow for you. I want you to feel every inch of me.

No, I don’t want to.

Tears build in my eyes, and I shake my head, attempting to rid myself of that demonic fucking voice.

I must’ve forgotten to lock the damn door because minutes later, Zade bursts in and slams it shut, a wildfire raging in his eyes.

“We need to have a talk, Adeline. I’ve let you process for over four hours now. I need you to talk to me.”

Hysteria is consuming me, and what doesn’t he get? I don’t want to hear his fucking words, nor do I want to give him mine. There’s too many of those in my head, and I’m drowning in them.

Whirling away, I bolt for my balcony doors. I’ve no idea what I’m going to do once I get there—maybe just pitch myself over the rail and end it all—but his arm is curling around my waist and turning me right back around.

The second my feet touch the ground, I wiggle out of his hold and turn to face him.

“Stop it,” I snap. “Just leave me be, Zade.”

“How many times will you run away before you learn that you can’t escape me?” he growls, getting in my personal space before I can even take a breath.

I take a step back, retreating from his intensity. He doesn’t let me go, though, stepping back into me until I’m pressed against the wall.

“However many times it takes before you realize I don’t want to be caught,” I snarl, my own anger rising. I’m not even sure what I’m angry at, just mad that he’s mad.

Let me feel every inch of this sweet body, diamond. Fuck, you feel so good. Don’t I feel good too, baby?

“You’re drowning, Addie. Just let me help you.”

I narrow my eyes, my mouth thinning into a straight line. “I’ve been doing fine!” I argue heatedly, growing defensive purely because he’s right.

I am drowning. And the scariest part—I don’t feel the need to come up for air.