Chapter 13 #2
“I don’t know,” C says, not even looking in Anvil’s direction.
“Maybe you should have him checked out,” Trick says. “Let me know if you want me to do a search for a nearby urologist. Or a shrink.”
Connor doesn’t answer.
I try to pull back when we reach the main staircase.
C’s eyes narrow. “Zoe, you’ve tried my patience enough tonight.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“Nothing at the moment. You and I will sort this out in the morning.”
I glance at Trick and then back at Connor.
“Morning’s fine with me,” Trick says.
“You’re not invited,” I say.
He puts a hand over his heart. “I’m wounded, Z. I’d invite you to any party. I’m sorry you don’t feel the same.” He winks at me, and I can’t tell if it’s a lighthearted wink or not.
“Is he angry?” I ask as I ascend the stairs, knowing there’s no way of escaping at the moment.
“No,” C says, taking me back into the bedroom. “Do I need to handcuff you to me? Or are you smart enough to know there’s no point trying to get out in the middle of the night?”
“I won’t try to leave again tonight.”
“Glad to hear it,” he says, dragging off his clothes. He crawls back into bed.
“Should I sleep with you? Or in a guest room?” I ask.
“What are you talking about now?” he asks, settling back and closing his eyes.
“I tried to sneak out. Aren’t you angry?”
“I’m not happy about it, but you told me you wanted to leave,” he says with a shrug. “I don’t blame you for trying.”
“So if I don’t want to sleep in here, I don’t have to?”
“Sleep wherever you want,” he says tersely. “When I’m ready to deal with you, I’ll track you down.”
I bite my lip, wondering what his dealing with me will entail. And whether he’ll be more lenient if I sleep next to him for the rest of the night.
“It’s not that I don’t enjoy being with you,” I say.
“I know that,” he says. “I’ve felt you come.”
I wince. There’s an edge to his voice. He’s very angry at me.
“I know you’re tired. We’ll talk later,” I say. I leave the room, padding down the hall to a sage and cream bedroom with an antique gold light fixture. I crawl into the pretty sleigh bed, but find it hard to sleep.
CONNOR
When morning comes, we’re in the kitchen, and Trick and Anvil are taking the opposite positions from what I expected.
I’ve just told them I’m taking Zoe to Boston, so she can stay with a friend for a couple of days.
Trick says, “Bad idea.”
Anvil says, “She doesn’t want to stay, so let her go. For the drive, I’ll follow in a second car. Better security.”
Trick’s eyes cut to Anvil. “Seriously, ‘Vil? You’re on board with this?”
“We got all the information there was to get. You want him to keep her prisoner?” Anvil counters.
“Who the fuck are you? And what have you done with Sasha Stroviak?” Trick demands.
“Yeah, of course, I think she should stay right here. Number one reason? Because C wants her and she enjoys the way he wants her. Second reason, and more important, because other guys, our enemies, want her too. I repeat, letting her out of our sight is a mistake.”
I frown. “She wants to leave. If I force her to stay, I look like Frank.”
“Not on your worst day, C,” Trick says in a hard, flat tone, which for him is rare.
Both Anvil and I are watching him now. My gaze slides to Anvil, who shrugs.
“Let me talk to her,” Trick says.
I hold out a hand for him to go upstairs.
ZOE
I’m dressed in one of C’s shirts and black leggings. I’ve put my dirty clothes into a small plastic bag. I’ll do laundry later. Now that Connor’s agreed to let me go, I’m anxious to leave the house before he changes his mind.
“What are you doing, Z?”
I spin to find Trick leaning against the guest room’s doorframe. He’s wearing faded Levi’s and a modern white Oxford, which from the pocket I can tell is Hugo Boss. He’s so handsome, he looks more like a performer than I do.
“I’m getting ready to go visit a friend,” I say.
His eyes are deep blue and vibrant. “Why would you do that?”
“I’m going stir-crazy. I need to get out for a bit.”
“It’s a bad time for that. If you want some air, we’ll take you out for some air. How about a run in the park? Or you can meet some of your cast mates for lunch? They won’t even know I’m there.”
I shake my head quickly. “I want a real change of scenery. It’s important.”
“Why’s that?”
“The longer I stay with you guys, the less options I have.”
“What options do you need?”
I hold out an impatient hand, not sure what he’s trying to get me to admit. “I just need a little distance. A little time to think.”
He finally nods. “Then get your phone out, so you can put my number and Anvil’s in it. When you change your mind, all you need to do is call any of us.”
“Are you—why would you make that offer?”
He lifts his phone. “You’re important to C. That makes you important to all three of us.”
“Are you sure it’s not that you want to see him punish me for my misbehavior?” I’m only half joking.
He smiles, and it’s pure unadulterated sunshine, with a side of devious. “I would not say no to that show. But I swear this isn’t about that.”
It warms my heart to hear that Trick's sincerely concerned about my safety. Despite their awful reputation, I’m starting to like C’s Crue. I slide my phone out, and he steps forward so we’re almost toe-to-toe. I enter his number and Anvil’s into my list of contacts.
“If you need us or even just get an uneasy feeling, don’t hesitate for a second. I want to see you on the Langston’s main stage all season long.”
I can’t help myself. I smile and give him a quick hug. “Thank you, Trick.”