Chapter 18
Zaira
Michael is following me down the hall toward his office. I feel his eyes on me, and I know he’s looking at my ass. Surprisingly enough, I’m glad. We get to the office, and he steps in front of me to open the door. “Come in,” he says.
I follow him in and am quickly reminded of the last few times I have been here. Most recently was the time that I argued with him about Laurel. The time before was when I left him. It’s only been a little over a month, but it feels like an eternity. I hope our discussion today will remedy that situation and I won’t have to leave here again.
He motions for me to sit as he takes his seat behind his desk. “So you wanted to talk.” His words come across sharp, and suddenly I’m feeling less sure of the outcome of today’s conversation. But, I won’t let it deter me. I have things to say to him, and I’m gonna make damn sure they are said.
I take a deep breath. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the last couple of days, and, well, I realized something through all this.”
“And that is?”
“Hell, Michael, I’m just gonna say it. I love you. I’ve always loved you, and despite everything, I will continue to love you.” I stop talking and wait, but he doesn’t say a word.
He just sits there and says nothing.
Oh, fuck. Have I lost him?This is not how I was hoping this would go. Minutes go by, and I feel like I am in grade school sitting in the principal’s office waiting to be reprimanded.Damn, Michael, say something. Please.I squirm in my chair.
He stands and walks to the window. “Zaira, how do you expect me to respond to that?” he asks, keeping his back to me.
“Well, I kinda hoped you felt the same way.”
Again silence. He turns to face me. “Okay, let’s just say I do feel the same way. What are you proposing?” He’s being very guarded, and frankly, I can’t say I blame him.
“I’m still your wife,” I reply. “And, well, I’d like to stay your wife.”
He walks back to his desk. After opening his humidor and grabbing a cigar, he cuts the end off and lights it. He takes several puffs and asks, “And the problems?”
“Problems?”
“Well, Zaira, forgive me if I am blunt, but you were quite adamant that you wanted nothing to do with me. You called me a liar and a killer.”
“I did, and yes, you are right. At the time, I didn’t want anything to do with you. But Michael, you must understand, that after what I’ve been through the last couple of days, not knowing if I was ever gonna see you or my family again, well, it puts things into perspective. The lies and my father… well, they just don’t seem so important anymore. I realize everything you did was for me. I may not approve of your tactics, but it doesn’t change the fact that I love you.”
“Speaking of the ordeal you have been through, let’s talk about that for a minute.” He’s changing the subject.
Instead of arguing with him to continue our discussion, I decide to give him what he wants. “What do you want to know?”
“I want to know what they did to you. And everything they said to you.”
“My first night with them, they tied me up and took video and photos. I assume you saw them. Romeo said he was sending them to you.”
“I did see them. So you met Romeo?”
“I did.”
“What all did he say to you?”
“Well, he told me he was using me to get you to agree to a business proposition he gave you. He assured me that if you agreed, I would be set free. But he said that if you didn’t, he would kill me.”
“Did he touch you?”
“No. Darius and one of his men were the ones who tied me. Romeo just walked around me and took pictures. He left me there for several hours and then had me unbound. I was on constant watch with Darius and the other man. Then Darius had an emergency and had to leave. Another man came in, and they just watched me. They even watched me in the bathroom, which was totally uncomfortable, but I had no choice.”
“Those fucking assholes. Did the other men touch you?”
The last thing I want to tell him was how Darius jerked off on me, so I only tell him what he wants to hear. “No, Romeo gave them strict orders that for the time being I was to remain completely clothed and untouched, at least until he had the chance to talk to you.”
