Chapter 51 – Elijah
51
ELIJAH
L ife is so messed up.
If someone had told me years ago that I would be in a jacuzzi with Zanae Dellé one day, utterly captivated by the ethereal beauty before me, I would’ve banged his head against the wall to knock some sense into him. But look at me now, on my knees for this woman.
She emerged from the jacuzzi, water droplets clinging to her skin and her lashes, like diamonds reflecting my own damn weak gaze on her. Her cheeks were flushed from the warmth of the water, making her even more adorable.
My fingers gently caressed the curve of her back, where I knew she had a tattoo I had given her.
My mark on my woman.
“I salivate just thinking of how you taste.”
“You’re such a tease…”
I leaned forward. “You know who’s a better tease?” I kissed her neck, slowly, and whispered, “my tongue.”
She chuckled, and I was addicted to that sound, that face, that smile, and her. “You’re stunning, you know that?”
She smiled, her eyes shining, her mouth plumped, dimples out. “Elijah Volkov, using flattery with me? How dare you?”
“Is it working?” I asked, grinning like the happiest man alive.
She nodded. “Of course, continue.”
A laugh escaped me and I couldn’t resist the opportunity to draw her closer, our lips meeting in a tender kiss. “But it’s not just your beautiful face,” I whispered between kisses. “Your laughter is my favorite sound,” I continued, pressing more kisses. “Your touch is a drug in my veins, Milaya. ” Her playful gaze met mine, inviting another round of kisses. “Your eyes make me want to burn inside just to keep your soul warm.”
Tracing her jawline, I added, “Your damn existence is making me feel alive.”
“What else, Hayati ?” She smiled against my lips, and I was a goner.
I pulled her closer. “You, Zanae Dellé, are the reason my heart is beating again.”
Kissing her lips, savoring the taste of her mouth, my favorite fucking remedy, I thank every entity that made her cross my path.
We lingered in the water for a few moments, exchanging kisses and caresses. All I wanted was to savor this moment. She laughed, felt at ease, and that’s precisely what I desired.
But after that, we stayed beneath the glass roof of the room. Her dark curly hair shone so brightly that my finger caught in one of her curls as she gazed dreamily at the sky.
She lost herself countless time in it, but tonight feels different
“Show me where it hurts.”
“Why?”
I breathed against her fingertips, “Because I want to see how much I’ve failed you.”
She smiled, “You couldn’t be there.”
“And I may hate myself even more now because of that.”
A long and sweet kiss on my cheek followed. “Don’t. It’s okay.”
I grabbed her and hugged her.
Her embrace felt like heaven, like home; it felt like I belonged in her arms more than on earth.
It felt like my heart only beat when it heard hers beating.
And I didn’t know that before.
I didn’t know how much she could destroy me and make me feel so good at the same time. “You know, Zanae, the hardest thing I ever had to do was to stay away from you.”
I couldn’t approach her, I couldn’t do anything because I had an empire, and her father had another one. And she was caught in the middle of it before even knowing it.
“But now you’re here,” she said, gripping my neck even tighter, her head in the crook of my neck.
I kissed the top of her head, taking her to the balcony. “And I’ll always be,” I confessed.
The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed, and a moment of panic seized me. My mind raced with irrational thoughts until the aroma and scent of something delicious wafted in from the kitchen.
I made my way there, only to find Zanae, wearing nothing but my shirt, humming that song she loves so much as she prepared breakfast.
“ You’re just like an angel… your skin makes me cry… you float like a feather… in a beautiful world… ”
So freaking adorable.
“Are you planning to cook wearing my shirts every morning?”
She turned toward me, grinning. “Maybe. They’re comfier than my own clothes.”
I wrapped my arms around her waist from behind. “I can’t argue with that logic. But you know you could just walk around naked, I’m all for that.”
“Depends on whether you deserve it or not.”
I planted a kiss on her neck, smiling. “I’ll be such a good boy for you just to see that.”
After enjoying our breakfast together, we decided to return to the penthouse. Today we had an important meeting with Brian.
There were matters to discuss concerning Zanae’s mother, and we needed to plan our next steps carefully.
I knew she needed a break, but unfortunately, we had to dive back into that.
Threats were still up.
Brian strolled into our office, finding us around the table. She greeted us with a warm smile, but I couldn’t help but notice the tension in Zanae’s eyes. She was on the verge of learning more about her mother’s dark past, and she wasn’t enjoying it.
Brian spoke first. “Let’s just dive right into it.”
While she spoke, it became clear that Zanae’s mother had been deeply involved in the criminal underworld, especially with Lukas and the organization’s operations.
“She maintained a lot of connections in the industry. Her role was crucial in organizing kidnappings, especially targeting women. She had a knack for manipulating victims, making them lower their guards at events or anything. But it seems her involvement decreased when Zanae started spending more time with the Zennites.”
I stole a glance at Zanae, gauging her reaction.
Her expression tightened, – surprise, anger, and perhaps a trace of sadness.
“What else have you found, Bri?” she asked.
Brian continued to share the details, highlighting the gravity of her mother’s role in orchestrating kidnappings. Zanae’s mother wasn’t just a background figure; she was a substantial threat. She had contacts all over the globe, and her network was way larger than we thought.
Brian carried on her report, exploring the wide influence of Zanae’s mother.
“She’s like a ghost, a shadow present everywhere something happens. I’ve identified her involvement in a lot of international kidnapping operations – Russia, Egypt, Poland, France, you name it. She’s a seasoned operative, often present at the backdrop of these events. However, it’s important to note that her presence and activity reduced significantly when Zanae started getting closer to you two, and this is what I still don’t understand.”
Brian looked at my girl and said, “It looks like she had her eyes on you, Zee. She stalked you whenever you were too close to them, maybe to make sure you didn’t plunge into a vendetta against the organization. Her motives are so… bizarre , but one thing is clear – you’ve been the only focus for her.”
Zanae nodded, deep in thought.
I could feel her turmoil, her mind racing with unanswered questions.
I hated seeing her like this, lost in her own thoughts.
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. Her features, etched with stress, ignited something dark within me.
“We’ll find her,” I affirmed.
My eyes found hers, my worry for her safety was so fucking clear everyone saw it. She understood, and her subtle nod was enough for me to feel a semblance of relief. She knew I was there for her.
If I could, I would keep her safe in a room for the rest of her life, provide her with anything she wants, and fuck her anytime I want.
But fuck, I can’t.
Principles and that fucking nonsense.
Leaning in closer, my warm breath grazed her ear, “I’ve got you, Zanae. No matter what, I’ve got you.” A soft, lingering kiss on her forehead sealed my promise.
Niko and I had a meeting just after that.
We needed to provoke them. The plan was to make them angry enough to come out of hiding, then slaughter them.
So, we left the office, leaving Brian and Zanae to work in peace.
Pulling up to Troie, we stepped in it with people shooting us scared gaze, only freaking cowards.
So much death in this bar, histories were etched into the very wood of every marble table.
Seated across from the head of the new Polish boss, Aleksy, I wasted no time getting to the point.
“Aleksy,” I began, “Sit with us.”
The Polish leader met my gaze with a sense of understanding.
I explained our intention to eliminate three ex-Polish made men, identities provided by Brian through her last research. Men whose ties to the organization were certain—we had emails and incriminating videos of them, thanks to one of the computers we snagged from Lukas’s place.
We needed their locations to execute our plan effectively. And we knew they continued to track the traitors even after they left the family.
“We’re not asking for permission. We’re asking for cooperation. Give us the locations, and we’ll handle the rest. This is about protecting our family, and we can’t afford any interference. Do you understand that, Aleksy?”
After a measured pause, Aleksy nodded. “You’ll get the information you need,” he assured us. “I don’t want any trouble with the Venom Reapers.”
With that, the pact was sealed. “Appreciate the cooperation, Aleksy,” Niko smiled.
I leaned in, my voice low, “Remember, if a single whisper reaches our ears about someone knowing about this, your world will crumble before you even blink. Have a nice evening.”
Now we just have to wait for Abla to show up.
Zanae
Brian and I sat across from each other, surrounded by so many pictures.
“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Brian said, “But we’re going to find out everything about her Zanae.”
I nodded, then curiosity sparked within me.
“How did you escape them?”
She leaned back in her chair, a distant look in her eyes. I recognized that look — that traumatized emptiness, trying to forget, to never remember the feelings that came with the memories.
“I owe my life to Caleb. I was left for dead in the streets on his territory, and he found me. He nursed me back to health. Without him, I wouldn’t be here.”
Sympathy and admiration swelled within me. “Can you thank him for me, for saving you?” I asked, smiling and gently squeezing her hand.
She returned the smile. “I will.”
I couldn’t fathom the horrors she had endured, but the connection between us deepened while we shared our stories. We found comprehension in each other’s trauma, two strong women with a shared goal of dismantling the very organization that had scarred us.
Something we knew was that they targeted both women and men. But the men were killed, not humiliated, not raped, and not even the primary targets.
That fucking organization had a twisted affection for women. They even made it a point, when families, gangs, or dynasties needed their mercenaries to handle a vendetta, a vengeance, or a problem, to target women first before going after the men.
They had ruined us, but I believed that Brian and I would accomplish great things together, because if something is sure, the vengeance wasn’t over yet. Alonzo and Lukas may be gone, but there was still so much more to uncover about that killing machine.
My pursuit wasn’t just for me or Luna; I wanted to track down every member and watch the light fade from their eyes.
One by one.
“You’re stronger now, Zanae,” Brian affirmed, her gaze cold. “We’re going to tear down the pillars of this organization. Piece by fucking piece.”
The afternoon sun passed through the big windows, showing the city that shaped me.
Broken but healing in a way I never thought I could.
Elijah and Niko were back to the office. We glanced up from our laptops, momentarily diverting our attention from the screen showing surveillance footage and notes.
Green eyes locked onto mine and I smiled.
“Looks like the ladies are hard at work. Should I be jealous, Little Z?”
“You should, we’re way more productive than you are, Niko,” I replied, teasingly.
Elijah sat beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist, “You turn me on so much when you’re working like that,” he whispered to my ear.
Niko took a seat beside Brian, genuinely interested in our work. “What’s the plan, ladies? Anything I should be worried about?”
Brian motioned to the screen, where we had gathered so much data, “Zee had an idea, so we’re sifting through the surveillance footage and cross-referencing with known associates. She’s got an eye for detecting potential threats. We’re making a list of them to be more precise. Then we cross-reference the names with the data we’ve already collected.”
Elijah squeezed my waist, while Niko leaned closer to the screen, studying the information with a focused intensity, “Let’s get to work, then. Little Z, come and do your magic.”
Name after name, picture after picture. We went through them one by one. I taught them how to recognize suspicious behavior, connections, and relationships just by interpreting body language and facial expressions.
They listened attentively to what I was saying. And I felt so proud.
With the list growing, Brian gathered her belongings, ready to head home. “I’ve got to run. Caleb’s probably pacing around like a caged tiger by now, waiting for me. You guys take care, and Zee, keep me updated.”
I nodded, expressing my gratitude. “See you, Brian.”
It was just the three of us – Elijah, Niko, and me. I missed Ben; it had been a while since he had some free time. “Guys, when is Ben coming back?”
Elijah took my hand and gave it a small massage. “Soon, and when he’s back I’ll kidnap him so you can finish this ridiculous movie marathon.”
Niko and I shared a laugh. “You’ll watch them with us this time,” his best friend replied.
Elijah shook his head, continuing his discussion with Niko. But the weight of the day settled on my shoulders, and I couldn’t hide a yawn.
I was exhausted.
Niko chuckled and smiled at me. “What do you say we stop for the day, Zanae?”
“Yeah, please let’s go.”
We left the office together, and Niko parted ways, disappearing into the night with a casual, “Bye to my favorite couple.”
Entering the penthouse, Elijah closed the door behind us, his eyes never leaving mine. “Long day, Milaya ?” he remarked, his voice a low, soothing rumble.
I nodded, feeling the fatigue set in, “Long, but productive. We’re making progress.”
He stepped closer, his fingers gently tracing the outline of my jaw. “You did great today, Zanae. I’m proud of you.”
A warmth spread through me. “Thank you.”
We found ourselves in the living room, he pulled me into his arms, his fingers tracing patterns along my back.
“You fucking bewitched me,” he confessed gently.
I kissed him to answer as his hands reached my hips. He smiled against my mouth and said in a deep voice, “I think I may love this too, the way you feel against my body.” He looked at me, his eyes full of love, “ Ya umru za tebya .”
I raised my eyebrow. “What does that mean, Eli?”
He kissed me before saying, “It means that you’ll always be a pain in my ass.”
I chuckled and added sarcastically, “Looks like I’ve turned you into a romantic, now you’re confessing your love for me in Russian.”
He was dead serious. “If I could, I would do it in every language that exists to tell you that I love you, Miss Dellé.”
He pulled me into a slow hug as he sat on the bed, “I can’t get enough of you.” he whispered, his voice a velvet caress against my soul.
I smiled, “Lucky for you Eli, I’m not something you can overdose on.”
He brushed a strand of hair from my face, before kissing my temple, “Trust me Milaya , I’m willing to risk it.”
“You know you could use Russian more often. Sounds hot coming from your lips.”
He smiled, that little line on his cheeks popping out, “I’ve never heard you speak in Arabic, tell me something.”
I knew what to say without even thinking, “Anta rouhi wa akhtar.”
He looked at me intrigued, “Fuck it sounds good rolling out your tongue.”
I kissed his cheek, “I’ll teach you if you teach me some Russian too.”
“We’ll see about that, Milaya ,” he teased.
“Why do you keep calling me Milaya , what does it mean?”
His hand went to my lower back, and he said in a lower voice, “It means that I love calling you pretty. And when I was younger, my mother always called me Mily . That’s why Niko kept it when we grew older, but when we turned 18, I didn’t want to use it again.”
I smiled, imagining little Elijah with his mother. “That’s actually cute.”
“It is.”
Elijah
It’s been three weeks since we came back from the island. Zanae works a lot with Brian on various things involving the organization, while Niko and I attend to our own responsibilities.
Zanae’s state has improved significantly; she’s not dissociating as frequently, laughs more often, and has a healthier appetite.
And I couldn’t be happier.
This morning, I awoke at dawn to find us lying close together, our hearts beating in perfect sync. Zanae rested peacefully in my arms, her steady heartbeat beneath my fingers, her hair caressing my skin.
She’s alive, she’s fine and alive, and she’s fucking here.
But then, I sensed a change in her breathing.
A quiet and small whimper escaped her mouth. I held her tighter, stroking her beautiful hair, letting her know that I was here.
She fought invisible monsters in her sleep, and I wanted to jump in and pull her out after protecting her from whatever haunted her nightmares.
“Zanae, baby,” I whispered, “You’re safe. I’m here.”
She stirred, awakening with a lingering fear that mirrored the remnants of her dream. My fingers traced soothing patterns along her arm. “It’s just a nightmare, Milaya ,” I assured her, “You’re okay now.”
I didn’t make empty promises, but when I vow to heal the scars etched into her soul, I mean every word.
I held her close, crafting some kind of place where the night terrors she lived could surrender to the rhythmic beat of my heart, the one that beats for her.
She gently nestled closer.
The worst part of it all was that she was the most vulnerable in her sleep and witnessing that was something else, it made me sick to my stomach.
She’s a strong and fierce woman, but her demons had their way, to attack her when she was the most exposed and defenseless, in her fucking sleep.
Today, we took our time together; she shared her nightmare with me.
Blood and Luna.
I reassured her, reminding her that it existed only in her head, even though I knew she felt its physical presence too.
Later, we prepared breakfast and lunch together.
She also finished the last pages of her book, threw it aside and rushed into my arms with excitement.
I simply lifted her up, chuckling, “Was it that good?”
“It was! I can’t believe I didn’t read it before,” she exclaimed before telling me all the story behind it.
She was so happy about it and so fucking adorable.
Tonight, Niko and I had a meeting near the city, with new associates. I didn’t want to leave Zanae alone, I know she’s fighting everything in her to relax and I hated myself for letting her alone. But she reassured me that it was okay and invited Brian to stay with her and work.
Nikolai and I were seated in that restaurant discussing alliances necessary to secure our new family now that Zanae was feeling better, waiting for Aleksy to come.
We needed new names and had the pictures.
Our minds were immersed in this plan, seeing what we could do to make sure Zanae was out of danger, when suddenly, gunfire was heard.
Chaos drowned the restaurant, screams merging with the gunshots sounds.
Someone with a mask left a letter landed before us, signed with the dreaded letter V.
“ Endgame for the Veil. – Abla. ”
The threat was clear, directed at us. This bitch.
But it was too late; the attackers had vanished, leaving behind a massacre in the restaurant.
Blood everywhere, corpses everywhere, the scent of gunpowder following us.
Red .