Page 118 of Gamble with Me

"Have you completely lost your mind?" I asked in apparent disbelief, watching him as he sauntered toward the counter. His bloody shirt was thrown over the metal rack.

“Zyon, stop.” I jumped from the bed, snatching the shirt from his hands. He couldn’t fight me. At least for once, I was stronger than him. "You need rest." The tears went dry on my cheeks. I wasn’t pleading anymore. “I won’t let you leave this place until you’re better.”

He chuckled. To my surprise, he had the audacity to laugh right in my face.

“Do you think you can stop me, mon cœur?” he asked, taking a step toward me. There were barely two inches of free space between us.

“Yes.” My resoluteness was palpable, but it didn’t impress him.

“You’re naive if you believe you can postpone the inevitable."

“Get back in bed, Zyon,” I whispered, hoping he would listen. But it was hopeless.

“I’m leaving.” He leaned closer and gently kissed my forehead. “He will pay for this, whether you like it or not. His fate is sealed.”

“Why do you have to be so stubborn!” I turned when he walked past me without another word, tossing a dirty shirt at him. I didn’t know what to do or how to stop him. In his current state, it was a suicide mission.

“Well, hello.” Dorian appeared at the door as if he heard my prayers and came to help me keep his brother safe. “Where are you going?” He looked at Zyon, who continued outside, ignoring him. “What is going on here?” Dorian threw the question at me when he realized Zyon wouldn’t answer.

“Zyon is leaving,” I replied helplessly, shrugging when he drifted his gaze between me and his brother’s retreating form.

“You can’t leave!” he yelled, overtaking Zyon and blocking the door. “You’re injured. You’ll tear the stitches and destroy all my work!”

“Then stop me, Dorian,” Zyon challenged. His expression was a rigid mask without emotion. He stood face to face with his brother, lifting a brow when Dorian didn’t move.

“You were shot,” Dorian said calmly, pressing his arm against the doorframe as if he were trying to find support because opposing his hour-older brother was the hardest thing to do. “Please, use your clever brain. You know it’s the stupidest thing to do right now. You have to recover.”

“Move,” Zyon commanded in a voice that didn’t take no for an answer. He demanded instant obedience. I’d never witnessed him talking to his siblings like they were subjects.

“Zyon.” Dorian shook his head. His pleading look almost broke my heart, but it did nothing to Zyon. Reluctantly, Dorian stepped to the side, lowering his head as if bowing to the king.

“I know you want the best for me,” Zyon said, placing his hand on Dorian’s shoulder when he stepped beside him. “But now, the best you can do is give me a clean shirt and drive me to Starlight.”

Dorian clearly disagreed with that plan but didn’t object. He cast me an apologetic look and motioned for me to come, too.

I exhaled deeply, blinking away the tears that welled in my eyes. The reality was so far away from the fantasy I imagined my life with Zyon would be. The stubborn donkey would have his way no matter what, even if it meant risking his life.

-54-

Valeria

“Gather our best men,” Zyon commanded into the phone, a painful grimace contorting his face, but his expression instantly changed when he noticed my worried look.

“Yes, into my loft,” he confirmed, frowning at me. I sat in the passenger seat because he refused my company in the back, but I was constantly turning to check up on him.

“Okay, we will be there in a few minutes.” Zyon finished the call and returned the phone to Dorian. “Leave me at Starlight and drive Valeria home,” he ordered, closing his eyes and leaning his head back. “You’ll join us later.”

“I want to go with you,” I said, exchanging looks with Dorian. He scowled at the road as if it was responsible for our current situation.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Zyon retorted.

His remark was the last drop. The last of my patience with his behavior had run out.

“Maybe,” I spat, turning to face his arrogant expression. I understood he was furious with me for lying about Chester, but we had to set some boundaries. “But I’m your girlfriend, and if you think you can boss me around like I’m one of your subjects, you’re deeply mistaken.”

“I’m not bossing you around, Valeria,” he stated in a gentler voice. “It’s a secret meeting with my most trusted men, and the topic isn’t for your delicate ears.”

“Do you think your injuries and emergency surgery at the warehouse suited my delicate eyes?” I countered, glaring at him. His stubbornness was getting on my nerves.