Page 65

Zyon

G ripping the edge of the sink, I leaned into my palms, observing my reflection in the mirror. Three days after the attack, I looked like Hell had chewed me up and spit me out. I certainly felt like the Devil himself held me by my balls, reminding me I wasn’t invincible.

“Fuck it,” I hissed, arrogant smirk forming on my lips.

I was fifteen years old when Dad’s enemies tried to kill me for the first time.

The garrote wire’s scar on my neck was covered with a tattoo, but the memories of that dreadful day would stay with me forever.

Then it was a planted bomb in my car when I was nineteen, a gunshot when I was twenty-one, and an attack in a bar with a knife when I was twenty-eight.

All those unsuccessful attempts fueled the legend and rumors circling me.

People assumed I was indestructible. For over a decade, I believed it, too, until Chester and his brilliant plans caught me unprepared. My men died while protecting me. My friends, companions, and partners lost their lives because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It was my duty to avenge their sacrifices. It was my responsibility to purge this world of the men who screwed us. It was an obligation toward those who worked day and night to keep my organization prosperous with me. My people wouldn’t suffer for nothing .

My breathing quickened, and the stinging in the wound worsened. My hands gripped the sink so tightly I almost ripped it off the counter. I was furious, barely containing my anger.

Swallowing the painkillers, I decided to go to the kitchen. I was impatiently awaiting a call from Malin, and I didn’t want to wake Valeria up. She slept like a baby, and news about the hunt on Chester and his comrades would only upset her.

As quietly as possible, I left the bedroom and walked down the stairs. Two guards in the living room jumped to their feet when they saw me, but I waved them off. If everything was taken care of, I didn’t mind if they watched TV or played cards during the night shifts.

I walked into the kitchen, sticking my head into the fridge. I craved something but wasn’t quite sure what. I was just in the middle of deciding whether to eat chocolate yogurt or try a pineapple when my phone buzzed.

Hastily, I fished it from the pocket of my pajama pants, throwing pineapple slices back.

“Speak,” I barked into the phone impatiently, sitting behind the island because the pain in my abdomen was blinding.

“Everything went to plan,” Malin reported, engine starting in the distance. “We put the families into the van, and boys will drive them to Mexico. They’ve been warned about the consequences if they ever return.”

“Do you have signatures?” I asked, a boulder in my stomach melting. I was nervous about whether Malin and Dorian would succeed without trouble.

“Yes, they signed everything,” Malin grunted. “I’ll tell you details later.”

“Great job,” I praised, cutting the connection.

Leaning into the chair, a victorious smile stretched across my face.

My plan worked flawlessly. Two bosses of the ruling Italian families transferred their assets to my shell companies and met their maker tonight.

All channels would announce a tragedy in the morning, but the remaining three bosses would understand the message.

I was going after them. They would think my brothers were avenging my death, but the truth was much more diabolical.

I wanted their heads for what they had done to me, my family, and the Italians who refused to sign with them.

They would all fall. But for Chester Kellerman, I had a special treatment prepared, and I couldn’t wait to capture him.

He would regret the day he put a hand on Valeria.

He would beg for mercy, yet no one would help him.

The nudging against my knee cut the thread of my murderous plans, and I looked down at Bluff. He nipped on my pajama bottoms, gently tugging them. He wanted me to follow him.

“What happened, boy?” I asked, scratching him behind his ear before I stood up. He ran toward the stairs, back to me, and again to the stairs, growling at me to hurry.

“Sorry, but I can’t be quicker,” I told him, stopping after four stairs. The pressure in my abdomen grew, and I felt like the stitches could tear at any moment. I needed Dorian to check them. I was still at a high risk of infection.

Reaching the end of the stairs, I exhaled, but Bluff thrust my leg to continue. I rolled my eyes at him, pursuing his shadow in the dark hall. He halted before the door into Zara’s bedroom, pushing it open with his nose.

My heartbeat increased when I heard crying and shuffling coming from the inside. I found Zara fighting with the duvet, sobbing so hard her entire tiny body shook. The lamp on the nightstand enlightened the space, but all I could see was her wretched expression.

“What’s going on, Zara?” I asked gently, but she almost jumped out of her skin in fright. Her wide eyes zoomed on me, and she stepped back. “Easy. It’s just me, Zyon,” I said, walking inside. “What happened? Did you have a nightmare?”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, bursting into crying again. She tightly clutched the duvet, trembling uncontrollably.

“Sorry for what, princess?” I approached her, yet she backed away like she was afraid I might hurt her. “Talk to me, please.”

“You will yell at me,” she wept, my heart cracking at her words. I couldn’t imagine what she went through with her idiotic father.

“Zara,” I exhaled, dropping to my knees before her. The pain shot through me, but I ignored it, keeping my gaze on her wet face. “I have no reason to yell at you. Whatever happened, you can tell me. I’ll do everything in my power to help you. ”

“You’ll get angry,” she sobbed, barely catching her breath. I had no idea how to prove myself. She didn’t know me. She needed her mother.

“I won’t, princess,” I objected, placing my hand on the bed to support my wavering body, but I touched something wet. “What the…” I mumbled, observing my fingers when it clicked. Valeria mentioned Zara’s night problems, but I completely forgot about them.

I looked at Zara, whose eyes broadened in panic. She hastily stepped back, hitting the chest of drawers, when she realized I knew what happened.

“Did you have an accident, Zara?” I asked in the gentlest voice I was capable of, trying not to scare her more.

She hesitantly nodded, watching my every move cautiously.

“It’s not the end of the world, princess.” I smiled at her encouragingly. “Let’s go to your mom, and I’ll arrange someone to clean it, okay?”

“Please, no,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Mom will be sad and worried. I’ll clean it.”

“Can I help you?” I sat on the chair because my body was exhausted, but I would never leave my baby girl in this mess alone.

“Do you know how to change sheets?” she inquired in a thin voice, wiping the tears from her cheeks. I loved that she was finally starting to calm down.

“Of course,” I replied, thinking it had been a good thirty years since I last did it. But what could be complicated about it?

“Then okay, you can help me,” Zara agreed, returning to the bed, yet I had a better idea.

“How about you showering and changing your pajamas? I’ll take care of the bed,” I suggested, hoping Jamal was around to help. Graciela lived in the pool house, and I didn’t want to wake her up in the middle of the night for something we could do ourselves.

“Are you sure?” Zara let go of the cover, bending to pick up her stuffed animal. “It’s my mess.”

This girl had grown up too quickly. I didn’t know if it was because of her family situation or thanks to her intelligence, but she didn’t behave like a typical seven-year-old child .

“I’m sure, princess,” I confirmed. “Do you know where your clean pajamas are?”

“Yes.” She pointed at the closet, still watching me like I was an alien.

“Do you need help with a shower?” I questioned, sending Jamal a request to meet me.

“No.” Zara shook her head, taking out a set of clean clothes. “But I’ll leave the door open.”

“Okay, shout if you need anything.”

She smiled at me and entered the bathroom, leaving me with erratic thoughts.

I’d never lived with a child. I had no idea how to handle any situation involving a gentle, underaged soul.

I wasn’t a great role model, and raising someone seemed hard, but Mom once said it wasn’t rocket science.

Children needed love. I just hoped I didn’t fuck up with Zara because Valeria would chew my head off.

“What’s so urgent?” Jamal interrupted my musing, walking inside without knocking.

“We need to clean this bed,” I replied, pointing at the pile of wet sheets.

Jamal’s eyes almost fell from their sockets as he stared at the mess.

“W-what happened here?” he hushed, his gaze jumping between me and the sheets. “Did you…”

Only at that moment did I realize how absurd this situation was. Of course, he thought the worst.

“Are you nuts?” I hissed, shaking my head in annoyance. “Zara peed herself and doesn’t want her mother to know.”

“Oh, thank God,” he exhaled in relief. “I thought…”

“Shut up and work,” I barked, noticing regret on his face.

“Sorry,” he whispered, swiftly yanking off the dirty cover and checking the mattress. His hands worked quickly, and he was done in a few minutes. My help wasn’t required, so I waited for Zara to finish showering.

“I’ll bring everything to the laundry room,” Jamal announced, glancing around to see if he had taken everything. “Is there something else you need, boss? ”

“No, thanks. And keep this between us.”

“Of course,” he confirmed and quietly left the room.

Zara exited the bathroom five minutes after he disappeared. Her eyes were swollen, and she was visibly tired. I would have picked her up and brought her to bed if it wasn’t for that damn injury.

“Let’s go to sleep, princess,” I said, my glance softening as I took her hand. She nuzzled into my side, melting my heart.

“Thank you, Zyon,” she whispered, resting her face against the side of my torso.

“You’re welcome.” I smiled under my breath, happy I had shown her she could count on me. It was a good start to our relationship.

“Can I sleep with Mom?” she asked, staring at me with doe eyes. I already knew I couldn’t deny this girl anything. Whatever she wanted, she would get, just like her mother.

“Yes, princess,” I agreed, leading her through the hall. Bluff followed us quietly, lying on the floor beside the bed when Zara climbed it.

Valeria shifted but didn’t wake up, and Zara cuddled close to her. I covered them both and attempted to leave when the girl stopped me.

“You won’t stay?” she muttered, holding her mother’s arm.

“Do you want me to stay?”

“Yes,” she whispered, patting the place next to her. “Stay with us.”

My heart missed a beat, and my eyes watered from the surge of emotions Zara’s simple request caused. Nothing could make me happier than to be with them.