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Amir saw me as his successor and I allowed it.
“My mother was smart to hide from that bastard. If you think I’m going to let him get away with what he did, what he’s done, you’re stupider than I thought. Taking me and turning me in to his own personal killer was the biggest mistake he ever made.”
“Wrong.” Another sound came from his mouth as he tried to pull his head further away from my knife. “He wanted what was best for you. You’re blood, Zain. You’re an Amari. You can’t escape that.”
“Watch me.” His blood poured over my hand as I drove the blade home and let his lifeless body fall to the floor, not far from the slave he’d raped and beaten to death. Shuffling outside his room didn’t give me time to contemplate what I should do. The flight back to the US would allow me to process my next move. Right now, I had to get back to San Francisco. Back to Lily and the life I’d created outside of the one I was trying to cut ties with. If…I ever could. Even if I killed my other two uncles and my father, there were still people who knew who I was. I might never be safe. Not without some sort of inside help.
Knocking on the door had my head snapping in that direction. I eased through the window, onto the roof, being sure to keep my steps light. The security was lacking and I knew I could take care of myself when it came to any of his four guards, but I didn’t want to waste the time on having to.
More knocking faded into the background as I kept low and eased from the roof. The mile run back to my car didn’t take long when all I had was my slave in my thoughts. Lily consumed me, made me ache to be by her side. It was almost impossible to focus on driving when all I could see were flashes of her eyes. Of her lips. I missed her more than I could even begin to describe and I was here for her. For the promise I’d made so long ago. Had I been able to, I would have taken care of my past months prior. Years, even. But death didn’t sit well with my family and the first caused more problems than I could handle on my own. Now that my time had come, I was left with little choice. Safety was key, and I was trying like hell to make it back alive.
Ringing filled the interior just as I pulled into the parking area of the airport. My mouth twisted as I looked down at my phone. I was so close. My father’s name on the Caller ID had me reaching for it. It was crucial that I answered, regardless of whether I wanted to.
“Hello, Father.” I kept my tone bored, neutral like I always did concerning Amir.
“You haven’t left yet.”
I took in the clunker I was sitting in. I knew the car wasn’t being tracked. “Not yet. I’m waiting for my plane now. Why, what’s going on?”
“Tel called. Your uncle is dead.”
“Dead? How?”
Silence. I cringed at not asking which uncle. Had he caught that?
“They’re going to get back to me.” He let out a deep breath. “First your uncle Samir, now…this. I don’t like it. After you finish the finalization of the next shipment, you’re coming home. That’s an order.” I wanted so badly to ask if Adul or Saul would be there when I returned. Adul was a given, but Saul wasn’t. He came and went as he pleased. I’d half expected to see him when I’d arrived at my father’s to go over the details of the new shipment, but he evaded me. Knew, whether or I gave any indication or not, that I wanted him dead. Had Adul not been at my father’s side the entire time, I would have killed him today, too.
I let his last words filter back through. You’re coming home. That’s an order. Home. Because he knew I could figure this mystery out, or so he could kill me himself?
“Absolutely. It shouldn’t take long. Maybe a week. Two, tops.”
“A week. Make it happen.”
The line disconnected and I closed my eyes. If I were smart, I’d go back now and finish them all off. But it wasn’t that easy. My father’s house was locked down tighter than Fort Knox. Even if I did make it in, Saul wasn’t there. I’d only get to kill my father and Adul. Plus, I’d never make it out alive. And I had to if I ever wanted to get back the only thing that had ever been mine. Lily.
God, I was so fucking close. All I needed was the right moment to slip in and she’d be mine again. Then I could finish my father and uncles off for good. We’d be safe, set in the new life I had planned for us. It had to work. The guards that protected her were getting too comfortable. Last month it dropped from three to two. At her insistence, so said her brother, Slade. Although he didn’t know I overheard that piece of information.
A smile pulled at my lips as I grabbed my bag from the back seat and walked toward the entrance of the airport at a fast pace.
Slade. He had no idea who I was. Not really. To him, I was some guy he’d met at one of his fancy parties. Someone whose face he’d recognize and maybe make small talk with, but not one he’d invite over for dinner. At least, not yet. I made sure to pop back into his life at random moments. Let him know enough about me to sate his curiosity and gain his trust. To him, I was Zane Collins, unlike the Zain Cook I had been born into. Unlike the Zain Amari my Arabic family knew me as. Slade was my only link to Lily. The key would be getting past all the blockades he set in my path.
I’d spent the first year hating him, wanting nothing more than to spill his blood and that of his men for taking my gift away from me. Then reality sunk in and I let the facts play out. The world I lived in was different than everyone else’s. Concerning the sex trafficking, I was a criminal by association. My knowledge damned me, regardless of whether I was a part of it. I hated it with a passion. My dealings consisted of money transactions and being the muscle when things went wrong. Until last month, when I needed an excuse to continue to stay in the states. Now, it was up to me to handle the next shipment of girls, and little did my father know, there wouldn’t be any. Not anymore.
Voices echoed throughout the airport from so many people. I kept my head down as I made my way to the gate. I boarded without incident and the flight was uneventful. I had a first class row to myself, but I didn’t let myself relax until I was arriving in San Francisco. The cool air had me taking in a deep breath. Even though I was only gone a short amount of time, I missed the place I now considered home. Three years of worming my way into Lily and Slade’s life and I’d embraced San Francisco. But it was almost time to say goodbye.
The long term parking sign hung ahead. As I approached, I slowed, glancing at my BMW in the exact same spot I left it in. Although I kept a steady pace, I observed everything. A woman in an older SUV was pulling out of a space at the end. A man was waiting for the elevator on the far side of the garage. I grabbed my keys, unlocking the car. The lights flashed and I hit the button for the trunk, throwing my bag in at my approach. The feel of being watched was real. I knew it. Lived it. Had been on the other side. Someone definitely had their eye on me. Question was, who?
Again, I scanned the area, searching for some sign that would trigger me. Nothing. “Son of a bitch.” I climbed in, starting the car and heading out of the garage, watching the rear view mirror almost the entire time. Everything seemed as normal as it could be. Maybe I was overreacting. My slip up with my father could have been playing a role, but I wasn’t sure.
The sun was beginning to rise and I contemplated whether I should go forward with my routine. I couldn’t have timed my arrival any more perfectly. I’d have just enough time to stop by my place, shower, change, and pick up some coffee before I headed to Lily’s building. She’d be at the office early. She was always the first one there and the last to leave. Knowing her personality like I did, I wouldn’t expect anything less. But should I?
My hands tightened around the steering wheel as I surveyed behind me one last time — nothing. I let thoughts of her overwhelm me. It took a good year after the trial for her to emerge, but she’d done it so bravely. Just like she’d stayed strong before and after she was taken from my arms. Facing her rapists without me, when I promised her I’d kill them myself…it destroyed me. The murder, the trial, the mental facility, all the appointments and treatments she’d gone to afterward…I had so much fixing to do within my poor Lily. But would she let me? From what I’d seen, glimpsing her from afar, she’d all but forgotten about what we shared. Forgotten me.
Fuck, I couldn’t think about it. If I did, I’d say to hell with my plan and take her now. Kill anyone who got in my way. That was dangerous, not only for her, but me. So why was I fingering the button to the console where my gun was hidden?
Time. It was driving me crazy. Years, I’d waited. I couldn’t do it anymore. My slave had shown me a world I never thought existed. Shown me what love could do to a man who’d all but cursed the emotion. Now I was desperate to get both back. What would she do if she saw me? Got the briefest glimpse? Would she come looking for me or would it scare her off? Would the security get tighter and ruin any chance I had of taking her?
I sighed as I battled with traffic. So many scenarios, yet none of them were putting me at ease. I just wanted her back in my arms. To run my fingers down the side of her face until I reached her throat, letting her pulse reassure me that what we shared was real. But who was I kidding? My gift would run. Fight me just as hard as she ever had. Probably even harder.
