Chapter 25
Principle of Movement
Zoe
I wake up in a room that is not mine, and definitely one I have never been in. The bed is empty, but the sun is still low in its early rising stages. There is a soft warm hue of light dancing along the walls adding a rich contrast against the dark green paint.
I find myself in new clothes once again, this time I’m wearing a massive Big Lebowski t-shirt that is so baggy on my frame it could definitely be worn as a dress.
I check under the shirt to see that I’m wearing a pair of men’s boxers that are also far too big, and I have to roll them four times so they will stay on my hips.
I walk to a full-length mirror in the corner of the room to see that someone has also washed, brushed, and twisted my hair into a single braid that lays lazily down the middle of my back. Unlike yesterday’s impromptu pool fuck with Brandon, I can’t piece together any fuzzy memories.
The last thing I remember about last night was the torture with Darren, who is still in our basement, coming up for dinner, only being fed a few grapes, a banana, and oh yeah Brandon and Dean’s cum.
Dean.
I look back at the t-shirt I’m wearing, and it reminds me of the first conversation I had alone with Brandon. We talked about the movie posters, and I identified which movie went with who.
The Big Lebowski. This is Dean’s shirt, and judging by the size, the boxers are definitely his too. Is this his room?
I look back at my surroundings, this time with a new set of eyes to see if there are specific hints of Dean in here.
The walls are a dark green, and instead of wood or marble like the rest of the house, is a black carpet that my bare feet are standing on.
I curl my toes into the carpet, enjoying the warmth from the soft ground.
The bed is massive, so big that it is definitely not a standard sized bed.
It’s like if you pushed two California kings together.
The bed is draped in a black, butter soft, silk duvet with little hints of gold in the stitching.
But other than the colors and a few books on a shelf above the dresser, there are no personalization's in the room. No photos, no collected knickknacks. I pulled open the dresser to snoop at the clothes in them, immediately I know this is for sure Dean’s room.
So, the mystery of where I am has been solved, but the reason as to why is unclear.
I pad my way out and into the hallway, to learn that his room is directly across from mine.
I skip my way down the stairs and to the kitchen only to find it completely empty, no men debriefing around it like usual.
There is some food left out on the table, but no note. I snack on a few things but don’t sit.
I haven’t been alone in days, so I choose to spend it how I normally would.
I ignore the pang in my chest at the thought of not having them around.
They may be in the basement but peaked in the garage to see that the SUV was gone.
And of course, I still don’t have my phone back, so I have no way to reach out.
The situation is a little odd, but if it was an emergency I’m sure they would have woken me.
“Well, Z, what should we do with all this free time?” I ask myself as I walk aimlessly around the manor.
For a moment, I almost started peeking in rooms but opted out. Rooms can be a private space, and I can respect them enough not to snoop too much. Deciding better of it, I find myself in the gym. I don’t feel like getting on the weights, but I remember there being a sound system down here.
I choose ‘Yes we’ve been here this whole time.” Max shrugs.
“Then where the hell is the SUV?”
Max nods as if he finally put the pieces together, “I sent it off to get more modifications. Bullet proof glass and such.” He continues, “We were in the armory taking inventory, and Teddy was making sure that Darren was still breathing”
“Unfortunately, he is.” Teddy grumbles.
“And nobody woke me up because?” I trail off, waiting for them to fill in the blank.
Brandon rolled up his sleeve, “I tried but you bit me.” I look at his forearm, and sure enough, there is a deep purple bruise bitten into his skin.
I wince, “Oh, sorry.” I push some hair out of my face and wipe a little sweat off my forehead. “And why was I in your room?” I look at Dean, pinning him with my brows furrowed.
“You demanded that you sleep in my bed with me last night. You refused to go in yours.” Dean answers.
“I don't remember that?” I looked at the other three for confirmation and they all nodded.
“Seems we took a lot out of you last night, princess. Forgetfulness could just be from exhaustion,” Brandon adds.
“Well then,” I huff, still trying but not coming off as collected, “If you didn’t notice I was busy. So, you can leave me to it.” I play the music again and move to go back to the treadmill, but Dean stops me, latching onto my elbow.
“Yes?” I ask breathlessly when I click the music back off.
“We have to evaluate the guards in twenty minutes if you’d like to get changed. They’ll be joining us here.” Dean gestures to the other side of the room that has been prepared with sparring mats.
“Right.” I sigh. “I’ll just go change really quickly. And I’ll be back in five to go over the plan or any information I may need. What else is happening today?” I ask Max this time.
“Teddy and Brandon will be collecting Deangelo today. I have to catch up on some of our legitimate businesses and a few meetings this afternoon.”
That’s the first time I remembered that they actually do own real businesses, that not all of their wealth comes from the shady underbelly of the city.
The last few days have been a whirlwind, and I completely forgot about the companies they owned.
There was one more thing I was forgetting about that finally popped up in the center of my brain.
“Can Teddy and Brandon do me a favor while they are out?” I look towards the two brothers who are watching me intently.
“Of course we can, little devil. I’d do it on my hands and knees if you asked.” Teddy moves as if he is actually going to get on all fours.
“No, no.” I say quickly with a laugh. “I need you to pick something up from my apartment.”
“Of course, what is it?”
“Get my father’s heart out of the freezer.”