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The two men shared a kiss before Tiger had to let go and watch Ze enter the building. He hoped he wouldn't have to go in.

13

ZE

One of themen was already waiting to take Ze to his brother, who was sitting in a chair in Vincent’s office. Ze looked at the man behind the dark wood desk, sitting in a leather chair. To Ze, he didn’t look half as threatening as he sounded on the phone, but he knew better than to underestimate someone. This made man was in a position of power in the mafia. He didn’t earn it by being a man to take lightly. He had sharp brown eyes, slicked back hair, and a chiseled jawline. Rather average looking, but it was his face Ze committed to memory. One day, he’d pay this man back… he could wait.

“As you can see, I didn’t hurt your brother,” Vincent said, motioning to Zindel.

“I see. I guess I’ll have to trust that you’re a man of your word,” Ze said.

Vincent nodded. “I am.” He gestured for his guard to release Zindel and they did. Zindel ran to his brother, who hugged him.

“Are you here to take me home?” Zindel asked.

Ze felt his heart drop because he had to look into his brother’s green eyes and tell him that he couldn’t save him. “Zin–”

“Oh my god, you’re not here to bring me home,” Zindel said, then he pulled away. “Why are you here?”

“Because I wanted to make sure you were alive and okay,” Ze said.

“But I guess this is my fault, right?” Zin said sarcastically.

“This is something the club can’t help us with,” Ze said.

A tear seeped from Zindel’s eye, then another and another until he was crying. “Please, I don’t want to be a whore.”

Ze grabbed his brother, holding him tightly. He looked at Vincent. “Is there anything I can give you? I’ll take his place.”

Vincent laughed and shook his head. “I have a reputation to uphold and I won’t have my men looking down at me because I went soft. It’s done… deal with it. Both of you.”

Oh yes, not today, certainly not while his brother was stuck with him, but one day… he will get his payback for him and his brother, Ze promised. He pulled Zindel away so he could look at him. “Listen to me. This won’t be forever.”

“It is my fault,” Zindel admitted with a pout. “You and Hound Dog told me not to go for his wallet. You all warned me that he was dangerous and I didn’t listen. I put you all in this position and you can’t help me get out of this mess I got myself in. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you.”

Ze hugged his brother again and his chest felt so tight with all of the emotion he was feeling. He wanted to shoot everyone in the room in their faces, then run out of there, but he knew it wouldn’t work. Thanks to Tiger, he knew the dangerous consequences of that decision. “I love you, Zin, and no matter what, I’ll be here for you. I’ll come by every month to see you.”

“If helping me means you or the club dies, then don’t do anything stupid. It’s just sex… I can handle it,” Zindel said.

“And we practice safe sex here. Got to protect our merchandise,” Vincent said.

“Don’t call my brother merchandise, motherfucker,” Ze snapped.

“Watch your mouth, boy,” Vincent retorted.

And the guards in the room drew closer, hands going to their guns.

Zindel tensed as he looked around, his eyes wide with fear. “Ze?”

Ze took a deep breath, then released it. “Please, just take care of yourself here, okay, Zin? Don’t let this place take you away from me.”

“Never,” Zin said.

“Better.”

Zindel looked up at his brother and nodded. “I will survive this. I promise. I love you.”

“I love you so much,” Ze said, then hugged his brother again.