Chapter 7
CEZAR
An unspoken threat lingered beneath the surface every time she looked at me. The dagger in her hand was itching for relief, tracing sinister lines in the air. I needed to compose myself before I talked to Codrin. The fuck was I going to tell him?
She extended the phone toward me. After taking a deep breath, I answered in a hushed, low tone. I perched on the edge of the bed, trying to ease the tension. “Hey.”
“What’s wrong with your voice? Are you sick?” Codrin replied.
I looked over at Petal, and she was smiling. Fuck, I sounded so dumb right now.
I cleared my throat. “No, no, I am not sick, what do you want?”
“Fuck, were you out whoring around again? Is that how you got taken?” Codrin’s accusation stung, and I gathered he was aware of my recent abduction. Panic gripped me—do they know who took me? Petal’s demeanor changed, realization passing between us before her attention landed on Dorin.
Ignoring Codrin’s question, I pressed on, “Does it matter? I am fine now. How did you know anyway?” The anxiety was killing me.
“Darius thinks you’re an idiot, incapable of taking care of yourself. He had some of his men follow you,” he replied.
Shit, I thought I lost them before her men took me. “Were they instructed to try and kill me? One of the smoke bombs landed right where I was.”
“Well, you can blame Darius’s dumbass guys for that one. Darius would never tell them to kill you, Cezar…” Codrin said.
I wouldn’t be too sure about that.
“Right… well, I am fine. I was able to get out. Just lying low for a bit. I’ll be home as soon as I can.” I ended the call abruptly. I didn’t want him to ask more questions. Not that she didn’t already know who I was. Still, less information was better. I must keep her safe.
A text came from Codrin telling me that I was an ass for hanging up like that. Contrary to what they all believed, I did not go whoring about the town. I liked to have fun in all different ways. Occasionally, my amusement extended to dismantling my father’s business ventures from within.
I stood and gathered what little I had: my phone and the tattered remains of my jacket. Some of her crew looked like they were ready to jump me. After shrugging it back on, I met her eyes. “I should probably take my leave now, Petal.” Her brow rose, her expression twisting.
Part of me wanted her to pull me back, tell me I couldn’t leave, trap me there. But this was for the best. For now, at least. She was smart enough to know it, too.