Chapter Fifteen
Ivar
Bringing her to the villa had been a mistake.
Not only would it make it harder to contain her, but it also left Zane vulnerable to whatever schemes she might be plotting inside that little head of hers.
She was clever and with access to guns, knives, and practically any object she could grab and turn into a weapon, she’d have every chance facilitated for her in here.
From what I’d seen, she wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of an opportunity. I caught her eyeing my gun; if it not for Clarisse intervening, no doubt she’d have tried to reach for it.
She was caught in a web she didn’t understand, her bravery came from a place of desperation, or stupidity. Either way, she was unpredictable and she made Zane vulnerable without either of them noticing it.
She was a threat, and threats needed to be neutralized.
I’d vowed my life to protect that man, and I wouldn’t do anything less than everything.
I lit a cigarette when stepping outside, and it didn’t take long before Clarisse hurried to join me. I didn’t have to look at her to know she was worried.
“What the hell’s going on here, Ivar? Where’s Zane?
” she quizzed. “He’ll be here soon, Clarisse, don’t worry,” I replied, exhaling smoke into the air.
There was no need to upset her with the details.
Her job was to make food and keep the household organized, and in return, we protected her fragile heart from the darkest shades of the job.
Clarisse meant a lot to most of us. She was like a mother. Always there, especially when our own mothers failed to be present.
“Is it true he’s keeping this woman here against her will? This doesn’t sound like Zane.”
I hesitated, taking a long drag from the cigarette. “It’s complicated,” I finally replied. “She’s involved in something, and we can’t risk letting her go yet. Zane has his reasons.”
Her eyes searched mine, trying to decipher how much I was telling her, and how much I was leaving out.
As if on cue, my phone rang, breaking the tension. I glanced at it, then back at her. She sighed, clearly frustrated but already turning to leave.
I watched her disappear back inside.
“Si?!” I answered. “I’ll be right there.”
Zane may have had his plans, but I had mine too.
I knew I couldn’t kill her, not yet, but no one said anything about forcing her hand first and I couldn’t wait for her to give me a reason to strike back.