Page 64

Valeria

“ G ather 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.

“Valeria,” Zyon sighed, rubbing his eyes.

“Don’t Valeria me,” I hissed, doing my best not to yell at him because he didn’t listen at all. “You’re planning to kill Chester.”

“No, I’m not.” He slowly shook his head, glimpsing at the road. We were close to the Starlight building. “I plan to make him regret ever putting a hand on you.”

“Wait, what?” Dorian abruptly turned to me, confusion written all over his face. “What is he talking about, Valeria?”

I blinked, unsure about how to answer. I didn’t want everyone to know about Chester beating the crap out of me.

“Tell him, mon c?ur,” Zyon prompted me, knowing his behavior and actions would be supported by his brother.

“Valeria?” Dorian’s glance told me he expected an explanation. I puffed out a breath, my shoulders slumping.

“Chester hit me,” I whispered, refusing to look at him or Zyon. They had no idea how uncomfortable, vulnerable, and ashamed I felt talking about it.

“Fucking bastard,” Dorian spat, pressing the gas pedal because the lights changed. “Malin noticed something on your face, but we thought it was makeup.”

“Yeah, permanent,” Zyon deadpanned, unfastening his seatbelt. We entered the underground garage of the Starlight building.

“I don’t want to make a fuss about it,” I said, stopping Dorian from exiting the car. “I don’t want people to see me as an abused wife.”

“No one will see you that way, Valeria,” he replied, watching his brother sauntering toward the elevator.

“Just have patience with him, okay?” He gave me a kind smile and gently squeezed my hand.

“Zyon fought hard to keep you safe. This revelation shook his entire belief that he did the right thing.”

“Do you think I should’ve told him earlier?” I nervously played with the hem of my dress, hoping that at least Dorian would understand my actions.

“Yes, but I respect your decision.” He let go of my hand, opening the door.

I followed his example, scowling at Zyon’s broad back. He was clearly in pain, holding the side of his abdomen. His eyes were closed while he waited for the ride, and he barely stood on his feet.

“Why can’t he be as understanding as you?” I mumbled, shaking my head in disbelief over Zyon’s determination to rule his world like the king he was despite the evident suffering.

“Would you love him if he was different?” Dorian countered.

Zyon rejected all my attempts to catch his look, and when I tried to touch him, he yanked his hand away. He was furious. His aura was soaked with potent anger that was swallowing everything around him. He craved revenge, and he wouldn’t stop until he got it.

I sighed, refusing to let bad feelings influence my behavior. Zyon’s wrath was justified. I would have been infuriated, too, if I were in his shoes. Just the thought of Chester orchestrating an attack on him made me want to choke him with my bare hands.

Still, Zyon’s apparent disinterest and rejection hurt like fuck, more than any beating from Chester or any insult he ever said. Being pushed away by the person I loved was another level of pain.

Stepping to the side when we’d gone up the elevator and reached his floor, I let Dorian and Zyon walk before me into the spacious living room with a spectacular view of Manhattan.

As usual, the place was furnished in dark colors and decorated with artwork that no gallery in New York would be ashamed of.

However, four men from whom I only knew Jamal instantly caught my attention.

The other three looked like embodiments of my nightmares, with deadly looks, tense postures, and guns on their hips.

Two had similar faces with dark curly hair and the same crooked noses.

I assumed they were brothers. The third one had long, dirty blond hair tied in a bun, and his green eyes scanned me as if I were an alien, making me highly uncomfortable .

“Zyon!” Jamal jumped from the sofa the moment he saw his boss, running to him like a son who hadn’t seen his father in months. A gentle smile tugged on my lips when he tightly hugged Zyon, relief written all over his face.

“I’m okay, Jamal,” Zyon said, a laugh escaping him. “But if you squeeze me a little more, you’ll tear Dorian’s precious stitches.”

“Sorry,” Jamal exhaled, turning away to hide his teary eyes.

“I’m okay.” Zyon squeezed his shoulders before he joined the other three men and Malin, who appeared out of nowhere behind the sofa.

I watched the strange scene, feeling entirely out of place. Perhaps it wasn’t such a good idea to stick my nose in Zyon’s business. What if something went sideways, and I would have to testify against him?

“Thank you for coming,” Zyon interrupted my panicking thoughts, shaking hands with his soldiers. “I have a high-priority task for you.”

My heart clenched. This was the beginning of Chester’s end. I would be a widow, and my daughter would become an orphan.

Oh, God!

“Just say what you need, boss,” the blond one said in a low voice, his eyes flashing murderous lightning. “Whoever did this to you will get what they deserve.”

“It’s not just about me, Connor,” Zyon said, slowly sitting up. The painful scowl on his face was quickly replaced by a relieved expression.

“This is Valeria.” He stretched his arm in my direction, inviting me to join him. I hesitantly took his hand, warmth spreading from where our skin touched. I entwined our fingers, hoping it was a sign he had already forgiven me, but he avoided my glance.

“Valeria is Kellerman’s ex.” Zyon turned to his men, who stared at us curiously. “She went through unforgiving shit with him.” He paused, the lethal glint in his dark eyes sending shivers down my spine. “I want him alive.”

“As you wish, boss,” Connor confirmed, and two behind him grunted their agreement. “We’ll serve him on a silver platter, as usual. ”

“Can’t wait.” Zyon smirked, letting go of my hand. “Malin, announce a reward on Chester’s head.”

My heart missed a beat when I gaped at his devilishly handsome yet bloodthirsty face.

“One million dollars for any information leading to his capture,” Zyon declared, stunning everyone in the room. Connor exchanged looks with his companions, and Dorian whistled. “You’ll get five million if you find him by the end of the week,” Zyon finished, motivating his men as well.

“You shall have him, boss.” Connor grinned and left with his comrades closely behind him.

“Spread the word, Malin,” Zyon continued giving orders.

“I want everyone from low-key drug dealers and hookers to the mayor’s office to know about it.

Those who don’t want money can ask our family for anything, and their wish will be granted.

Whatever their heart desires, they will get in exchange for Chester Kellerman. ”

“What about the Italians?” Dorian asked, handing Zyon pills and a glass of water. “People believe you’re dead.”

“Keep a low profile and avoid media,” Zyon replied, wrinkling his nose at the big white pill. “My death is an advantage we can use.”

“Okay.” Dorian nodded. “I’m heading to the clinic to correct the paperwork so no one notices missing supplies. And you, man, call our mother. She’s freaking out.”

“I will,” Zyon promised, waving goodbye to his brothers.

Once they were gone, his head tilted back, and he closed his eyes, releasing a heavy breath.

I watched his tired, almost transparent face, clenched jaw, and palm pressed against the wound.

He was in terrible condition, but I couldn’t help but admire his resoluteness to sacrifice so many resources to catch my husband.

“On a scale from one to ten,” I started in a quiet voice, brushing my fingertips against Zyon’s muscular forearm. “Where one means you’re not angry and ten implies you want to chew my head off, how angry are you at me?”

“Twenty-seven,” he hissed but didn’t jolt his arm away .

“That’s serious,” I stated with a hint of a smile, moving closer to him. He lifted an eyebrow at me, his eyes studying my face.

“I’m not joking, Valeria.” He abruptly stopped my fingers when they traveled to the hem of his shirt. I looked at him, almost gasping at the intensity of his fiery gaze. “My love for you is the purest thing I have in my life. I won’t let you stain it with lies.”

“I’m sorry,” I breathed, my lower lip quivering. I didn’t know what else to say to melt his stone-cold heart.

“Are you?” His demonic eyes pierced mine like sharp blades.

“No,” I admitted, pushing back the tears that threatened to fall on my cheeks. “I would gladly do it again if it meant protecting you.” I inhaled a shaky breath, holding his stare. “I would do anything to keep you safe.”

“Anything?” he echoed, his fingers touching my chin.

“Anything,” I confirmed, taking his hand and kissing his palm softly.

“I love you, Zyon,” I declared with as much certainty I could muster. “I don’t like your methods. I hate your behavior when you’re angry. I despise your line of work, but I love you, and no one will take you away from me.”

A smile formed on his plump lips, and pride gleamed in his eyes.

“That’s my girl,” he whispered, leaning closer.

Our mouths clashed in a heated, passionate kiss that forced the world around us to disappear. I wanted to express every possible feeling through it. It was the best way to show Zyon I meant every word I said. He was my everything.

But our makeout session ended as abruptly as it started. Zyon pulled me closer, and I accidentally pressed against his wound, making him hiss in pain.

“I’m sorry,” I gasped, observing the place. “Are you okay?”

“I’m still pissed,” he replied, his eyes glued to my tingling, swollen mouth. “What are you going to do about it? ”

I smiled, many ideas popping into my mind, but all were rejected by the simple fact he was severely injured.

“I’ll put you in the bed,” I started, grazing his cheek with my index finger. “Give you your meds, cover you from head to toe so you can rest, and I’ll keep watch so no one disturbs you.”

“C’mon, Mommy. Give me something hotter.” His voice dropped to a plea, making my insides twist with an unfamiliar excitement his words caused.

“Be a good boy and rest. Then you’ll get everything,” I promised, capturing his lower lip between my teeth. He instantly took advantage of the opportunity and turned my teasing into a feverish kiss, ignoring my protests.

“I love you, Valeria,” he claimed when he released me, brushing my hair.

“I love you, too, Zyon,” I muttered, lost in his gorgeous eyes. “Forever.”

“Always.”