Page 108 of Gamble with Me

“He will fart like an elephant,” Zyon replied nonchalantly, stopping beside Zara. “We haven’t been introduced yet. I’m Zyon.”

He stretched his arm for a shake while my daughter stared at him like a deer in headlights.

“Zara,” she beeped.

Reluctantly, she placed her tiny palm into his, and to the great surprise of all of us, Zyon gently pecked the top of her hand like a perfect gentleman.

“Nice to meet you, Zara,” he said in a velvety voice while she gaped at him like she had just fallen in love. I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Zyon straightened to his full height, undoubtedly aware of the impact of his behavior. He playfully winked at Zara and turned to me, his dark eyes observing every inch of my face as if he had seen me for the first time.

If I hadn't put on heavy makeup to cover the bruise on my jaw, I would have thought he studied me because of it. But the welt was flawlessly hidden, so his look had to have a different meaning.

“Can I have a word with you?” he asked, motioning for the living room with a slight movement of his head. I put the cup with steamy coffee down, following him with my heart galloping in my chest.

It should be our first conversation since I confirmed my suspicion, but I didn’t know what I wanted to tell him or what I expected him to say. I felt like no explanations were needed. Everything fell into place. We could finally be happy together.

I glanced at Zyon’s broad back as he walked toward the coffee table and picked up a file with papers. He quickly leafed through the pages and stopped before me, his eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t describe.

“I promise I will explain everything,” he said in a strained voice, and I instantly recognized the emotion. It was regret.

Hastily, I closed the distance between us, stood on my tiptoes, and cupped his tired face.

“I know you had good reasons,” I whispered, brushing his cheeks with my thumbs. He gently took my wrists and placed a loving kiss on my palm.

“I have to leave,” he mumbled, leaning into my hand. “The police are outside. I need to explain some things.”

“What did you do?” I asked, my chest tightening. I couldn’t lose him just when I finally had him.

“You don’t want to know.” He smiled, erasing my worries with one simple glance. “In this file,” he pushed it between us, handing it to me, “are divorce papers. If you want to get rid of Chester, my legal team is at your disposal.”

“I don’t have money for Manhattan hotshot lawyers,” I pointed out, taking the file from him.

Zyon’s dark eyes narrowed as he let go of my wrist. I smiled at him, but he didn’t react. He just scanned my face until, after about a minute, he reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

I frowned, seeing the leather wallet. His fingers picked up the black card, and he gave it to me with a deep scowl.

“It doesn’t have a limit. You can buy anything you want.” He pushed it into my hand, ignoring my refusal. “Here,” he pointed at the black box, “are the keys from the cars parked in the underground garage. You can take any of them. And this,” he took out the dark brown notebook from the drawer, “contains the numbers to every influential person I know. Call whoever you want, tell them you’re my girlfriend, and they do your bidding.”

“That’s not necessary,” I sighed, looking at the senator’s name on the first page.

“If you ever need a plane ready, call Malin,” Zyon continued, completely ignoring my words. “There is a motorcycle, scooter, and three bicycles in the garage. Buy something small for Zara, too, so we can enjoy some fun. And,” he looked me dead in the eyes, the blood freezing in my veins from the severity of his glance, “don’t you ever say you don’t have money for something. Everything I own is yours, too. I plan to spend my life with you, and whatever my queen wants, she gets.”

“I don’t need your money,” I whispered, squeezing the black card between my fingers. “I just want you.”

“I know, mon cœur.” He smiled, taking my chin between his thumb and index finger. “It’s part of the package. Why not enjoy it?”

I smiled as well, lost in his dark eyes. He leaned closer and connected our lips in a slow kiss that was roughly interrupted by Alice’s awkward coughing.

“Sorry,” she said, giving us an apologetic look, “but the guard asked me to tell you, Zyon, that the inspector is growing impatient.”

“Tell him I’ll be right there.” Zyon’s heated gaze didn’t leave my face for a second. I didn’t want him to go, either, but clearly, some of his actions were more serious than I was ready to admit.

“Fine,” Alice groaned, leaving us alone.

“Is Zara okay after yesterday?” Zyon asked, completely changing the subject. I had to blink to direct my mind to his question because I was lost in his mesmerizing eyes. “Malin told me you encountered two armedproblems.”

“I think so.” I nodded, stroking his shoulders. “She is happy Chester isn’t part of our lives anymore.”