Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chloe
Zane lay beside me, dripping in sweat, his chest heaving deeply.
He was not only hot; he was infuriatingly beautiful and raw. Though he left me with no energy, I felt possessed, the urge to climb on top of him again kept trying to pull me up, but before I could act on my own insanity, his phone started ringing on the floor, wherever it had landed.
He growled in irritation but stood up, quickly pulling on his pants. I sat up too, covering myself with the sheets and watched him move, already bracing for the cold distance that always seemed to follow these moments.
But then something unexpected happened.
Instead of walking straight out, Zane moved back toward the bed. His hand reached out, lifting my chin slightly to make my eyes meet his.
“I have things to take care of,” he said, “Jane will be here soon to keep you company. I don’t want you alone. Do what she says.”
Before I could respond, he leaned down and pressed a brief but lingering kiss on my lips.
And then, he simply walked out, leaving me stunned, staring after him like an idiot.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Jane came into view, offering her usual grace and warm smile, though I could sense the professional detachment she always carried.
“Chloe, how are you, darling?” she asked, closing the distance.
Before I could open my mouth, she pulled me into a hug, catching me off guard.
“It was crazy, wasn’t it?” she murmured, her voice concerned as she pulled back. “No one’s ever breached the security of this place before…”
“I—”
“You know what?” she interrupted, waving her hand as if brushing away the thought. “Let’s not talk about it. I’m here to distract you.” Her voice shifted into something lighter, more playful. “Boss’s orders.”
“Boss's orders?” I repeated, not quite following.
“Zane asked me to keep you entertained today. So…” She grinned. “It’s girls’ day. Do you have anything in mind? Nails? Shopping? A little bit of pampering?”
I blinked at her, unsure how to respond. I’d never had a friend to do girl’s stuff with or whatever it was called these days.
“I… I don’t know…”
“Well then, let me help. How about a bit of everything?”
“I don’t have money,” I said, almost instinctively.
“Perfect. Because Zane has plenty,” she replied with a wink.
That made me giggle.
“Are we even allowed to leave the house?”
“Well, he didn’t set any specific rules. So, I’m guessing as long as it’s safe, it’s fine.”
I nodded, but the unease in my stomach didn’t diminish. I couldn’t imagine Zane agreeing to this, and I wondered if this could be a trap or some type of test. But Jane was in charge now, and I knew Zane trusted her, so I hurried behind her.
I sat next to her in the backseat and while Andy drove us into town, I tried to memorize the route, taking mental notes and mapping out the path in case I ever needed it.
When we arrived, the car slowed to a stop. Jane jumped out first. I sat there a moment longer, waiting for something bad to happen.
“Come on,” Jane gently urged, snapping me out of my daze.
I hesitated but then opened the door on my side and stepped out, taking a deep breath as the cool air hit my face.
“The boutique’s just the other side of the park. You’ll love it.”
I recognized how the trees aligned with the walkway. This was the park where I’d first met Zane.
“I figured we could walk a bit before doing the shopping,” Jane suggested with a tender smile. “Andy will meet us there shortly.”
“Thank you, Jane,” I said softly, my chest heavy with gratitude.
She was probably bending the rules a little to let me have this small moment of freedom, away from Zane’s sight and it had been so long since anyone had shown me this type of kindness.
We began walking through the park side by side. Even though it was a cold afternoon, the sun filtering through the trees felt warm against my skin. The crisp air filled my lungs, and I didn’t know how much I’d missed the smell of wet grass until it hit my nostrils.
I wish I’d never taken small things like this for granted. Everything can be taken away so fast.
Jane must have sensed my need for quiet, because we walked in silence, though I could feel her eyes occasionally flicking toward me, keeping a close watch.
As we were about to enter the fancy boutique, Jane’s hand shot out, blocking me. My breath caught in my throat. Her eyes, once soft, were now cold. Her sudden attitude change chilled me to the bone.
“Don’t make a scene or try to run, it’s not going to work. Remember who you are now. Don’t put me in a position where we have to leave without witnesses.”
Her words hit me like ice water.
Her voice was deadly serious, all her usual warmth completely gone.
“I won’t do anything,” I promised, my voice steady despite the fear crawling up my spine.
Jane’s expression softened, as if a switch had flipped. Her lips curled into a smile that looked almost genuine again.
“Great! Then let’s go!”
I swallowed hard, forcing a smile as we stepped into the store. What the hell was that?
Soft music played in the background, and the scent of fresh flowers filled the air. The rows of elegant clothes had been organized by colors and fabrics, from silks to lace.
Jane guided me down the aisles, pulling pieces off the racks, holding them up against me.
“Try this one,” she suggested, handing me a sleek black dress.
My fingers brushed the fabric. It felt soft, too expensive for someone like me to wear.
“Come on,” Jane nudged with a grin. “Let yourself relax. You deserve this, Chloe. More than you know.”
In the changing room, the dress slid over my head, fitting like a second skin. And the girl staring back in the mirror looked as if she finally belonged in the world, and not just because of the dress. Never in a million years did I think I could have this life.
Jane popped her head in. “Turn around, let me see.”
I did, and she smiled. “See? Told you.”
When I stepped out, she was already holding a handful of other dresses. “Your turn to pick.”
I scanned them, picking the one that glittered like black diamonds under the store lights. “This one.”
“Bold. I like that!”
Back behind the curtain, I slipped into the next dress. This time, I stepped out, striking a playful pose.
Jane clapped, “Look at you, you’re a natural!”
“And red is definitely your color,” I said to her, admiring the maxi dress she had on.
She turned halfway, checking herself in the mirror.
“Don’t fall in love with me just yet,” she joked, pulling out the same dress but in gold off the rack. “I’m going to try it in gold,” she added before disappearing into the changing stall. I waited, smiling, gazing around the boutique—
—until my eyes landed on the phone on the counter.
My smile flattened and I swallowed hard.
I could use that phone to call my sister…
My fingers twitched.
The store employee was distracted with another client. Andy was outside, his back turned. I could hide in the bathroom, no one would see me if I was fast.
I shifted on my feet—
“You haven’t changed yet.”
Jane’s voice cut through the moment.
I blinked, startled.
“I—uh, I loved this one so much I didn’t want to take it off.”
Her eyes locked on mine.
“Funny, I was going to say the same thing.”
I forced a laugh, trying to sound casual.
Then, she breezed past me, picking at a few pieces on the nearby rack.
“Come,” she said. “Let’s find you something else before we finish. I’m still not convinced you don’t need some for spring.”
I followed her, my heart hammering against my ribs, casting one last look at the phone.
“Well, this was great, but I need to get back,” Jane said as soon as we stepped in the house, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But it was fun. We definitely have to do this more often!”
I managed a small smile. “Thanks for doing this. It really meant a lot.”
“It’s our little secret.” She leaned in. “I like you, Chloe, and you’re good for Zane.”
The knot in my throat tightened. I nodded, but said nothing as I watched her go.
I took the stairs, eager to get back to my room and hide.
My fingers curled around the doorknob, freezing when the shimmer of my freshly manicured nails caught in the light. I stared at them, the guilt suddenly suffocating. I can’t believe I did this to Jane.
I could barely remember how to breathe anymore.
If Zane finds out, we’re both screwed.
My hand moved to my back pocket, slow and shaking, pulling out the phone.
Jane’s phone.
I’d taken it from her bag while she was getting her hair washed at the salon. One second of distraction was all I’d needed. Maybe she’ll connect the dots later, or she might never suspect a thing. What I knew was that time wasn’t on my side, and I couldn’t waste the chance.
I glanced at the end of the hallway one more time, then back at the screen, quickly typing in the code I’d watched her use earlier today.
Though I hadn’t finished school and may not always have been the smartest woman in a room, I knew I was more perceptive than most.
I raised it to my ear, pulse pounding in my ears, and waited.
And waited.
Come on, Malia. Pick up. Please.
It rang and rang. Eventually, as I was about to give up… a click and she picked up.
“Malia, thank God—it’s me, Chloe! Where are you?”
“I knew you’d get my message...”
My blood turned to ice.
That voice wasn’t hers and it was the last voice I ever wanted to hear coming from Malia’s phone, because it meant…
No.
“Bruce? Where is my sister?”