It wasn’t often that I felt uneasy, but dealing with the Bull had a way of throwing anyone off balance. He was a hulking figure with a personality to match, a man you didn’t want to cross. But today, I hoped to keep things light. After everything with Zinnia, I could use a little levity.
The summer sun cast a golden hue over the sprawling floors of my study. It was a beautiful day, the kind of day that made you forget about the darkness lurking in the corners of the world.
The Bull badges into my office, his presence unmistakable. The man was a force of nature, as solid as his nickname suggested. He walks towards me, arms crossed, watching me with a keen eye. I had left Zinnia still resting in her room, finally having a moment of peace, and I hoped this conversation wouldn’t last long so I could return to her.
The Bull studies me, his expression a mixture of curiosity and something more intense. “Reed,” he greeted, his deep voice carrying a weight that matched his frame.
“Bull,” I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. “What brings you here today?”
He raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “You know why I’m here. Did you find her?”
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Of course I knew why he was here. “No. Roman must have moved her before we got there. We found Zinnia, but your sister… she wasn’t there.”
The Bull’s smirk vanished, replaced by a scowl. “We had an agreement, Reed. You were supposed to find her. You were supposed to rescue her out of there.”
“I know,” I said, frustration creeping into my voice. “But Roman’s always a step ahead. It’s like he knows our every move.”
The Bull stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. “A deal’s a deal, Reed. I helped you with intel to get Zinnia back. Now you owe me. I need my sister.”
“I haven’t forgotten,” I replied, meeting his stare. “But these things take time. Roman’s been playing this game a lot longer than we have.”
The Bull’s expression softened just a fraction. “Time’s running out, Reed. Every day she’s with him is another day she’s suffering. You wouldn’t want that for Zinnia, would you?”
I glanced towards the door of my study, thinking of Zinnia and everything she had been through. “No, I wouldn’t. And that’s why I’m not giving up. We’ll find her. I promise.”
The Bull nodded slowly, his eyes studying me. “I believe you mean that. But promises won’t bring her back. Actions will.”
Before I could respond, the Bull cuts me in. “Can I see her?” He asks. I tilted my head, wondering what he meant.
“Zinnia, I mean,” he adds. “Maybe… maybe talking to her could help. She might have remembered something, a detail that could lead us to your sister.”
I pondered over his words. I didn’t want the Bull meeting Zinnia. Although he helped find her, I didn’t fully trust him to introduce them. Hes dangerous. They all were. But then again, I couldnt not let him meet her. It was his sister’s life on the line. And he was right. Maybe Zinnia could give us something. “All right. Let’s see what she has to say.”
I rose from my seat and led the Bulk to the east wing where Zinnia room was. All through the walk there, silent settled between the bull and me. When we got there, I knocked lightly on the door before turning the doorknob.
“Hey,” I uttered as I walked in with the Bull following behind me. Alex, who sat next to Zinnia, stood up.
“Hey,” she greeted, her voice stronger than it had been in days. “What’s going on?”
“Zinnia,” I said gently, “this is The Bull. He helped us find you. He’s looking for his sister, who Roman took.”
Her smile faded and replaced by a look of empathy. Immediately, she sat upright. “I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice filled with genuine concern. “I didn’t see anyone else when I was there because Roman had me in a separate room most times, but maybe there’s something I can remember that could help.”
The Bull nodded, his expression softening slightly. “Anything you can remember might be useful.”
I took rest in the now empty spot next to Zinnia and the Bull stood behind me. Zinnia took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she tried to recall details from her captivity.
“I remember hearing voices,” she began, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Men talking, arguing sometimes. I couldn’t see them, but I think there were at least three different voices.”
The Bull leaned forward, listening intently. “Did you hear any names? Anything distinctive about their voices?”
She shook her head slowly. “No names. But one of them had an accent, maybe Eastern European? And they mentioned moving ‘the girl’ a few times, but I don’t know if they meant me or someone else.”
“That’s something,” I said, trying to sound encouraging. “Did you hear anything else? Locations, plans?”
Zinnia frowned, then her eyes widened slightly. “There was a phone call. I remember a man who came into the cellar one night shouting about a shipment coming in. He was angry, said something about ‘the docks’ and ‘a deadline.'”
The Bull’s eyes gleamed with a spark of hope. “The docks. That’s something we can work with. Roman’s got to have connections there.”
I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. “We’ll follow up on that lead. It’s a start.”
Zinnia stretched out her hand, placing it on The Bull’s arm. “I hope you find her. No one should go through what I did.”
The Bull covered her hand with his, his tough exterior softening for a moment. “Thank you, Zinnia. And thank you for helping Reed get you back.”
She smiled, a light returning to her eyes. “We’re all in this together.”
I kissed Zinnia on the forehead and promised to be back after I walked the Bull out. We exit Zinnia room and The Bull pulls me aside. “Don’t forget our deal, Reed. I’m counting on you.”
“I won’t forget,” I assured him. “We’ll find her.”
He gave a curt nod, then turned and walked towards out of the east wing.
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