Caged

Chapter 12

Zak came into her room a few hours later and Mariyah wanted to smash something over his head. How dare he keep her in here for so long? "Hungry?" He asked her so fucking casually. What the hell did he think? She was hungry and bored as hell.

"Yes." She answered, too afraid to say more than that, she couldn't control her tongue at the best of times. She didn't want unnecessary drama between them. Mariyah needed to remember that she needed him. Nothing more to it.

"Do you want to eat in the room?" He asked her when she remained sitting.

Not even wanting to risk it she quickly stood up and followed him out.

Lunch was to be eaten on the decking by the pool.

Mariyah could live with that. The gourmet sandwich that was placed before her look delicious.

It tasted even better then it looked. She drank her iced tea and thoroughly enjoyed her meal.

Zak finished his burger in minutes. There was something so sexy about watching him eat.

When he noticed her staring at him she blushed crimson.

She could feel her face heat up. How embarrassing, twice in the one day.

"Am I to remain locked up?" She asked hating the silence and awkwardness.

"Only if you misbehave." He was treating her like she was a kid.

"I'm not a child you know? I think you have mistaken me for some kind of kid."

"You’re always finding yourself in trouble, you are always acting up and you never do as you are told, so yes I do think of you as a child. A child who needs to be taught some discipline."

"Bite me." She didn't care. He was being a total jerk.

"I'd watch that mouth Mariyah. I don't think you get how much trouble you’re in."

"Oh I forget, I'm talking to the king of the criminals. You really can be an ass you know?" One step too far, Zak grabbed her jaw squeezing hard. Mariyah winced from the pain.

"I have a good mind to show you exactly how I intend to discipline you. How about I fucking restrain and gag you until you realize how to watch that mouth of yours. Would you like that?"

"Am I interrupting something?" Zak let go of Mariyah, Olivia had saved her butt.

"No just having some lunch, do you want to join us?" Zak acted like it was all good.

"I will have a drink, Javier, I would like an iced tea." Olivia called out to the cook sounding all posh like.

"So why is there all this tension?" Mariyah wanted to answer Olivia so bad.

"No tension. Just giving out a warning." Zak replied. Mariyah couldn't help it she rolled her eyes at him. "I swear to god Mariyah my patience is wearing thin with you."

"I didn't say anything… Gees…" She gave him a what I do look. "Man you really need to work on your temper.”

"Okay Zak honey, why is she still here? I don't like her very much and she puts you in a bad mood."

"Feelings mutual honey." Mariyah bit back. The look on Olivia's face was priceless.

"How dare you speak to me like that, do you know who I am?"

"Guessing from your clothes a money hungry hooker who found an idiot to take her on board.

" Zak slammed his hand on the table. He got up and pulled Mariyah up roughly by her arm "What?

I'm supposed to sit there and take her insults?

" Zak looked murderous. Mariyah didn't understand why she just didn't shut up.

Zak turned and Mariyah actually thought she had gotten away with it but before she could fathom what was happening he smacked her across her mouth with the back of his hand causing her lip to bleed. She heard Olivia gasp.

"I fucking warned you, I fucking warned you time and time again and you just don't know when to stop." Mariyah pulled away from his grip

"What are you most pissed about Zak? The fact that I hit the nail on the head and you don't like anybody saying it how it is?

Or the fact that you know what an idiot you look like being involved with her?

Do your worst you son of a bitch… I know, I know this is one of those times that I should shut the fuck up.

" She stormed off heading back to the room where she locked the door and threw herself on the bed weeping uncontrollably.

Fuck him and fuck her, they can both go fuck each other.

Fuck, fuck, fuck! Why did it hurt so much to see him with another woman?

***

The next few weeks proved difficult for Mariyah, having to close her mouth at the best of times.

She did her best not to cause any trouble and ignored Olivia's snide remarks.

She was always throwing comments around like people who overstay their welcome and like some people wouldn't know class if it hit them over the head.

Zak didn't comment on Olivia's remarks. So Mariyah kept silent also.

One night at dinner Mariyah was eager to know if there was any progress in finding Caleb.

"Zak, um, have you heard anything yet? Do you know anything? " Zak looked into her eyes.

"I know where they're keeping him, he's still alive." Mariyah opened her eyes wide.

"He's alive?" Zak nodded.

"We are negotiating a trade, don't get too excited it isn't over yet." She nodded her head. Caleb was alive!

"What do they want?" He looked like he was contemplating telling her.

"Two million." Mariyah almost fainted. Two million fucking dollars!

"Two million dollars? I have thirty thousand saved up. Can I pay in installments, I'll figure something out, maybe Caleb has some money saved up…" Her heart dropped. Then Olivia spoke.

"You can't be serious Zak, you are not going to pay the money for some loser who you couldn't give a fuck about."

"Don't call my brother a loser." Keep it together Mariyah keep it together "Zak you don't have to... I'll work something out."

"Zak it's two million dollars. Two million, why would you throw your money like that?"

"Olivia this is not your concern."

"But to just throw two million dollars on a nobody well that's just..."

"My brother is not a nobody. Why don't you just mind your own business. I'm sure there will be plenty of money for you to leach off."

"Enough. I will do whatever the fuck I think is right. End of discussion." Zak snapped. Mariyah could live with that. Would he really pay that much money to help her out? And if so why?

***

Mariyah was sun baking in short shorts and a bikini top.

She loved having the sun on her face. Enjoying the quiet until Olivia decided to waltz on over with her skimpy polka dot bikini leaving very little to the imagination.

"Listen here, do not try and come between Zak and I, so help me god I will make your life a living hell.

" Mariyah took off her sunglasses and looked at Olivia’s emerald green eyes.

"Honey it's your man that's keeping me here. I'd be more than happy if he let me go today." That didn't go down well with Olivia.

"You little bitch, I'm warning you."

"Keep your threats to yourself, I have bigger problems to deal with than the likes of you… Run along puppy."

"Once your brother is here you will fuck off and never return, I'll make sure of it."

"You'll be doing me a favor." Mariyah put on her sunglasses and blocked her out.

Was poor Livo feeling insecure? No wonder she came out dressed like that, she wanted to put one up on Mariyah.

That made Mariyah laugh. Somebody as beautiful as Olivia who didn't have a flaw in her appearance was feeling insecure by plain old Mariyah?

She hadn't even seen Mariyah done up yet.

Things would sure get interesting then. Mariyah hated the fact that Zak and Olivia were sleeping together.

It upset her on so many levels. At night Mariyah could imagine Zak pleasuring Olivia and would want to scream for them to stop.

He had definitely moved on and that alone hurt her the most.

One morning Mariyah wanted to ask Zak if she could leave the estate and go shopping, she was feeling trapped and needed out.

She knocked on his office door and he told her to enter.

Mariyah’s heart stopped beating. Caleb was sitting in the chair looking so thin and battered and bruised.

Mariyah walked up to him slowly as if in a dream and touched his face, before feeling faint, she held on to the desk to steady herself and not a second later she blacked out.

"Mariyah, open your eyes." Zak's voice was forcing her awake. She opened her eyes slowly blinking a few times. She saw a concerned looking Zak hovering above her. Suddenly she remembered Caleb and she jolted up. "Whoa calm down, you need to take it easy."

"Caleb…” She looked over and saw him walk toward her, she jumped up and hugged him with all her might, He winced and she drew back.

"Mariyah ease up, he's got a few broken ribs." Zak moved her away gently.

"Caleb..."

"Yes Mari, it's me, I'm okay." Unable to stop herself she began to cry. She touched his face and kissed his cheek. "How did you know?" She shook her head

"It doesn't matter, as long as you are safe." Mariyah was a little nervous now, she didn't know what Zak was going to do now. Now both Caleb and Mariyah were indebted to him.

"Caleb I suggest you go have a shower and rest for a bit." Zak always thinking.

"Thank you."

"Come you can use my room..."

"Mariyah he can use the other guest room."

"It's okay I don't mind, it will give us a chance to catch up"

"I said he can use the guest room." Mariyah nodded her head. What was the big deal anyway?

***

Mariyah was anxious all day. She wanted to talk to Caleb and make sure he was okay.

For some reason Zak didn't want to leave them alone together.

By midafternoon, Zak called them both in for a meeting.

They entered Zak's office and Mariyah held her breath.

"Let's get this over and done with…" Zak started.

"Caleb you are good to go. You don't need to look over your shoulder anymore, they will not hassle you. "

"Zak how do you expect me to pay you back?" Caleb asked.

"I don't want to be paid back. My condition is you leave here alone. I will allow you to call Mariyah and maybe visit under my watch."

"What do you mean? Mariyah stays here? That's how you get your repayment. By whoring out my sister?"

"Caleb stop. I want to stay, its okay.” Caleb looked at her confusion written all over his face.

"Mari, I can't help you if your here, I can't protect you." Caleb sounded so tired.

''I don't need your protection anymore, its okay. You know how I feel about Zak, please just be happy for me. You need to live your life, stop worrying about me, I'm fine." She lied through her teeth.

"Caleb, I'm giving you an opportunity to continue to see your sister. I am being very accommodating, so take what I offer and leave." Mariyah hoped that Caleb would take Zak up on his offer.

"Zak, I am grateful that you helped me out. But I can't just sit back and allow you to..."

"You have no choice. Unless you never want to see her again I suggest you accept these conditions."

"Caleb, I'm begging you." Mariyah did not want Zak to hurt Caleb.

"Fine I accept." Caleb ceded. Zak stood up.

"Smart move, have something to eat and you can take Mariyah’s car." This was really happening, he was sending Caleb away. Caleb nodded. Mariyah looked helplessly at him.

"It's for the best Caleb."

***

Mariyah was devastated as she watched Caleb walk to the car.

Mariyah hurried out to him and hugged his back trying really hard not to hurt his ribs.

"Hey it's going to be okay…" She heard the emotions in his voice.

He turned around and wiped her tears. "Mari, please honey, you’re killing me. " She pulled away from him

"I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through."

"You are my kid sister, it's my job to fucking protect you and I can't, I am not doing my job."

"Protect me? Honey you have done nothing but protect me. I was going to leave anyway. Enough already, you need to start your life, I've kept you from doing that."

"Mariyah, come inside." Zak was waiting for her at the door

"Tell Zak that I will pay him back for the money he gave me today." Mariyah didn't question him. What money did Zak give him? It didn't matter, Mariyah was certain he would pay Zak back.

"Mariyah!" Zak called again. She kissed Caleb and made her way to Zak.

As soon as she was inside, Zak closed the door and it automatically locked.

Without knowing what she was doing, Mariyah turned around and put her head on Zak's chest and wept.

He allowed her to cry wrapping his big arms around her.

She couldn't stop, she was crying like she had just lost her mother.

It was worse than that, Caleb had been her mother, her father and her brother.

There was such a finality about him leaving she knew this time they were to go their separate ways for good.

It had been a long time coming, still it hurt like hell.

When her tears subsided, Mariyah pulled away from Zak and hurried into her room to mourn losing her brothers security forever.

***

Mariyah was silent throughout dinner, Olivia was doing enough talking for the three of them. "Well I'm glad that's all over Zak, maybe now we can resume our life before the disturbance." Mariyah looked up at Olivia really wanting her to shut her big mouth.

"That's enough Olivia." Zak didn't even look at her when he spoke to her.

"Why Zak, why is it enough? Ever since this free loader has come in here she has made you miserable."

"Free loader? Oh my god that’s rich coming from you. The difference between you and me is that you are happy to be living here for free, whereas I am forced to be. So honey, if you can't satisfy your man that is not my problem."

"You little bitch!" Olivia stood up as if to attack Mariyah. Mariyah never been in a fight before braced herself.

"Sit down Olivia." Zak's voice was so calm, a little too calm.

"You want me to sit here and listen to her insult me? This nobody, this piece of ..."

"Olivia enough."

"Clearly this is not going to work." Mariyah wanted to tear Olivia apart.

"What is not going to work? Tell me Zak because I'm with her on this one." Mariyah wanted an answer too.

"For fucks sake, I said ENOUGH! Mariyah go to your room."

"I'm not a fucking child Zak, you can't keep sending me to my room." Zak stood up looking murderous.

"Really because I think I can." She stood up before he approached her and threw her napkin on the table storming off to her room for the umpteenth time since she moved in. This was getting tiresome. Fuck Olivia and her jealousy.