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Chapter Twelve
He was careful with Zsanine, checking and rechecking, checking in with her, and then checking in with her again before they moved slowly out of the room she’d been held in.
“I just want to go home,” Zsanine told Zander, making sure to meet his eyes, so he fully understood her sentiment.
“Alright, love,” he agreed, his arm around her waist as they walked down the hall before descending the stairs.
There was relief throughout the group when they saw that Zsanine was okay. The security team kept the place on lock, awaiting further instructions from the Don. Zsanine looked back over her shoulder and saw the woman who hurt her.
“One second, babe,” Zsanine said, halting her and Zander’s forward movement. When she turned on her heels and headed in the direction where her captors were, Zander didn’t stop her. He stayed close, making sure that she was okay. But the closer Zsanine got to Bella, the stronger she felt. The anxiety and anguish she previously felt turned into something else. Zsanine thought about the callous way they’d treated her and the horrible things they threatened. She remembered how she felt when Bella put her pale hands on her. By the time Zsanine reached Bella, she was seething. It wasn’t a new emotion, but one Zsanine didn’t tap into often because she had no reason to. But it was there, and Bella saw it in Zsanine’s eyes. Bella still tried to play tough, but it was ineffectual. Zsanine saw that in her eyes.
Before Bella could suck in a deep breath, Zsanine slapped her with an open hand, hard enough to spin Bella’s head. The imprint of Zsanine’s hand and the sting from the slap remained long after the slap was over. But there was no recovery for Bella as Zsanine slapped her a second time, this time grabbing Bella by the hair and steadying her head before assaulting her face again. Bianca gasped sharply, the sound of the slaps ricocheting around the room. She fully expected to be next, which in part was why she inhaled so sharply in the first place. Bianca imagined what it felt like in anticipation of what was to come.
Bella couldn’t even lift her hands to assuage the pain, her face harshly red on both sides. Seeing Zander planted so firmly behind Zsanine, silently rooting for her as evidenced by the slight smile that creased his beautiful lips, was as painful for Bella as the physical assault.
“You tried it,” Zsanine hissed. “And you still lost.”
Zsanine wasn’t interested in anything Bella thought or had to say. She pivoted on her heels and sashayed away from Bella. She was insignificant, and Zsanine made sure Bella knew it. But she wasn’t done. Even though Bianca played a more passive role, Zsanine held her equally responsible. She moved in Bianca’s direction intentionally, her gaze level and steady. Zsanine wanted Bianca to know she was coming and that every step she took towards her was calculated and purposed.
“Please don’t,” Bianca begged as Zsanine neared. “Please, please,” she uttered, fresh tears spilling onto her cheeks. Zsanine had no intention of adhering to her pitiful requests. But before any blow could be struck, an unexpected sound penetrated the quiet space, and then a rancid smell followed. Zsanine’s eyes lowered, seeing the trail of wetness from Bianca to the floor beneath. Her eyes lifted to see Bianca flushed even redder than her sister as she’d just peed on herself. Zsanine didn’t need to do anything to her. She didn’t need to embarrass Bianca. She’d successfully accomplished that on her own.
Laughter emanated from the room as Zsanine and Zander exited.
“There are some people outside who’ve been waiting to see you,” Zander spoke close to Zsanine’s ear. He escorted her outside. When her brothers saw her and saw that she was okay, relief swept over them. They immediately moved, meeting Zsanine on the walkway.
“It’s something I need to handle inside. I’ll be right back,” Zander advised Zsanine before releasing her. She nodded her head before being overtaken by her family.
“Are you alright?” Shareef asked.
“I’m okay,” Zsanine answered.
He could see the mark on her face. He could see that she’d been crying, and when Shareef hugged Zsanine, she cried some more. She wasn’t out of the arms of one brother before another took his place, he too checking with her to see if she was hurt, he too noticing the injuries Zsanine sustained.
“We promised mom and dad we would call as soon as you were found,” Brigham said. “I know they’ll be glad to speak with you.”
Mustapha stood close to Zsanine with his arm wrapped around her. She leaned against the strength of his chest as Brigham dialed home.
“Hello?”
It was her mother. Hearing her mother’s voice, a voice she wasn’t sure she’d ever hear again, brought a new round of tears to Zsanine’s eyes.
“Mom?”
“Oh, God. Zsanine? My baby,” Zsa Zsa cried out on the other end. Shareef heard his daughter’s voice, too.
“Is she okay? Are you okay?” Shareef asked. He didn’t try to hold back the powerful emotions he felt. His daughter was alive. She’d been returned to them. He let the tears flow.
“I’m okay, daddy,” Zsanine answered. “I’m okay.”
The relief Zsa Zsa felt was so intense, she was rendered nearly speechless.
“I’m just so grateful you’re okay,” she cried.
“Me, too.”
Inside, the tone was different. The two women that caused all the distress had been restrained. When Zander entered the room, Bella’s eyes lit up.
“Tell them to let me go,” she demanded, directing her instruction to him. Zander slowly crossed the room, his internal rage mounting with every step. His initial instinct was to eliminate the problem. It was a hard instinct to combat, especially the closer he got to the one who put his real love in jeopardy.
