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“You’re going to fucking pay for that, cunt.”
Zain’s fist clenched, the rage ramping up through the posture of his body. But within all of that, I spotted control. His breaths were steady. He wasn’t acting out or doing something rash. He was studying, deciphering every single sound he heard. And just like with Blake, I felt a confidence toward Zain. God, he did love her. A lot. And even if there was a killer within him, there was also a protector. He’d tried that night. Enough to almost die for it.
The room remained silent as the yelling came to a stop. My arms crossed over my chest as I watched Zain continue to stare at the recorder. Whatever he was thinking, I knew it wasn’t good for whoever took her.
“How well are you? It’s been, what, thirteen days? What have the doctors said?”
His eyes broke away and moved over to mine. “I’m not critical anymore. They were putting me in a regular room this afternoon. I’m good. I want to leave. Will you take me with you?”
“What about your father?”
His stare left mine and went to Gaige’s, only to return. Words were useless when the murder was so clearly behind his gaze. “I’ll deal with him,” he said, lowly.
Gaige reached inside his jacket, pulled out a pair of handcuffs, and handed them to me. “I’m going to go outside the room and take care of the discharge. Put him in cuffs and help him out. Have your men guard your sides at all time. I’ll have your back and explain everything to his family.”
Zain pulled all of the wires free from his chest and stood. He was a little wobbly, but held the bed for support.
“Is that your clothing over there?” I pointed toward the small table across the room.
“Yeah, Amir had them brought over. Can you get them for me?”
I grabbed the bag and pulled out a pair of what looked like black jogging pants, a black T-shirt, and a pair of running shoes. My eyebrows drew in. Every time I saw the guy, he was wearing all black, whether it was a suit or regular clothes.
Gaige waited until Zain was dressed and eased out of the door. I opened the handcuffs. “Hands in front.”
A look of uneasiness came over him. “You fucking try to kill me when we get out of here,” he said, looking up at me, “I swear, you’ll pay. I don’t trust anyone and to let you do this—”
“Enough,” I growled, locking one side on his wrist. “If I wanted you dead, you’d already be six feet in the ground. Now, lift your other arm and let’s get the hell out of here.”
Click.
My arm linked through his and I took on some of his weight as we headed for the door. It opened just as Brace reached for the knob.
“What the hell is going on here?” Amir stepped back as we kept walking. “Hey, I asked a question.” He hurried to Gaige, who was scribbling across a piece of paper at the nurse’s station. “Why are you taking my son?”
Gaige turned to face him, towering over the man. “Protective custody, sir. Surely you can understand that. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“But…” Amir followed. “I’m taking him home,” he said, his voice booming.
We all stopped and Zain kept his voice low. “Calm. I’ll see you soon.”
“No.” Amir and the cousin walked forward. “There’s something you’re not telling me. FBI? I may not be an American citizen, but I know a simple shooting doesn’t bring in a department like theirs. What’s going on, Zain?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself over, Father.”
As they kept eye contact, the tension between them grew so thick, I couldn’t begin to process what was going through either of their minds. Secrets always had a way of getting out. Was Amir afraid his were going to become exposed with Zain out of his reach?
“If you say so.” Amir gestured his head to the cousin and they took off walking at a fast pace. As we followed behind, I took my time letting my mind run. Amir was trouble and I knew Zain planned to put a stop to it. But he wasn’t in any condition to do that yet. At least, not alone.
I promised Mary long ago that I would stay out of trouble, but Zain coming into our lives changed things. My sister loved him. I may not have been able to protect her, but I’d be damned if I was going to drop the ball concerning him.
Chapter 16
Zain
Seeing the inside of Lily’s penthouse from her point of view left me anxious with impatience. Here I was, in a room I’d seen her walk through a million times, and she wasn’t here. And she wouldn’t be again until I did something to get her back.
The black leather sofa I rested on did nothing to put me at ease. I needed to get to my father. Put a stop to him before the next shipment of girls went out. If he lied about not having Lily, she’d be there. Another slave ready to ship out. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t have even brought up Lily’s name to my father if I didn’t have to rule him out and learn more about the deal. I had to see his reaction to her name. His expression. Like usual, nothing. Was it him? Someone else?
