Zinnia
The Bull’s fingers slowly uncurled from my wrist, his dark gaze scanning my face like he was searching for something; doubt, weakness, a reason to break me. But I didn’t flinch. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. If he wanted me dead, he wouldn’t have helped Reed track me in the first place.
He was playing the long game, just like the rest of us.
I exhaled through my nose, my stance relaxing slightly. The tension between us shifted just enough for him to notice. His lips curled at the corners, an amused smirk replacing his usual stony expression. Then, without breaking eye contact, he flicked his fingers toward his man.
“Let her go.” The words were calm but definite. No room for argument.
Alex was released immediately, her captor stepping back with military precision. She stumbled slightly before regaining her footing, her body still tense, fists clenched at her sides. Her sharp eyes flickered from me to The Bull, waiting for me to say something, waiting for me to tell her what the hell was going on.
I met The Bull’s gaze, my voice steady, unwavering. “If you’re here, that means you’ve figured out what Roman did.”
His smirk faded. His jaw ticked. And for the first time since he walked into this store, I saw a glimpse of something beneath the ruthless exterior. A silent, simmering rage.
He gave a single nod. “I have.”
There was something unsaid in those two words. Something he wasn’t telling me. I opened my mouth to press him for more, but he beat me to it. “I’ve been looking for you.” His tone shifted, growing heavier.
I forced a casual shrug, arms crossing over my chest. “Well, you found us. What now?”
The Bull tilted his head slightly, a knowing gleam in his eyes. “Now, you take me to your hideout.”
I didn’t even blink. “Reed and Hermine vanished.” The Bull’s smirk returned instantly. Like he had been expecting me to lie. Like he knew me better than I knew myself.
“Zinnia.” He tsked, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “You forget, I may not know Reed personally, but one thing I know for sure is that man is obsessed with you. Even if he had to march through hell itself, he’d drag you right along with him.”
Damn it.
I exhaled sharply, pressing my lips together in frustration. He had me. He knew he had me. And the worst part? He wasn’t even gloating about it. He was just stating facts. There was no place on earth, or hell or any planet that Reed wouldn’t take me with him. If he could, he would me buried in the same coffin as him.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair before jerking my head toward the exit. “Fine. Follow me.”
Alex turned to me, her expression shifting from confusion to alarm in an instant. “Z, what the hell are you doing?” She lowered her voice, stepping closer. “This is a bad idea.”
“I know.” I met her gaze, letting her see the certainty in mine. “But The Bull isn’t going to hurt us. He just needs Reed to hold up his end of the deal.”
Alex still didn’t look convinced, but she also knew me well enough to understand when my mind was made up. After a long pause, she let out a sharp breath. “Fine. But if this goes sideways, I told you so.”
I smirked. “Duly noted.”
With that, I turned back to The Bull. “Let’s go.”
The drive walk back to the Hangar was quiet yet throttling. The Bull and his men followed behind, staying just close enough to make sure we wouldn’t run. Not that we would, I had already made my choice, and Alex, despite her protests, was riding shotgun next to me, fingers drumming anxiously on her thigh.
“You sure about this?” she asked, her voice softer now.
“No,” I admitted, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “But we don’t have much of a choice.”
She exhaled, muttering something under her breath before glancing at the side mirror. “They’re too calm,” she noted. “It’s unsettling.”
I knew what she meant. The Bull’s men weren’t acting like they had just cornered two fugitives. They were waiting. And that was the part that worried me. Because it meant The Bull wasn’t here just for Reed’s end of the deal. He wanted something else.
The grand hangar revealed itself ahead. I slowed my pace, my pulse quickening. Alex shifted next to me, pressing her lips together as I pulled in. The second we stood in front of the Hangar, The Bull and his men followed, their movements eerily silent.
The hangar doors creaked open, and before I could call out, Reed appeared, stepping into view. His eyes locked onto mine first, a brief flicker of relief flashing across his face. Then, his gaze slid past me to The Bull. Everything around us stilled.
The air grew heavier with tension thick enough to be cut with a saw. Hermine appeared next, her brows furrowing as she took in the unexpected visitors. Alex stood close to me, her fingers twitching slightly, ready for anything.
Then The Bull spoke. “You owe me, Reed.” His voice was calm. Too calm.
Reed’s jaw clenched. “I know.”
The Bull stepped closer. “I gave you locations. I gave you men. And now, I want my sister back.”
Reed sighed at The Bull’s words, his frustration evident. Even though it hurt Reed’s ego, he said, “I’ve lost everything. Now, more than ever, I need all the help I can get.”
The Bull was silent for a moment before speaking. “I hate having blood on my hands unless it’s necessary. I helped you because I don’t want the attention on my club members. But you? You kill for leisure. That makes you the perfect person to bring my sister back alive.”
Reed didn’t take offense. He only nodded. “That’s who I am.” His voice was steady. “I understand your position. But as of now, there’s not much I can do. All my weapons are in my warehouse on the other side of the country, and I suspect Roman has infiltrated every checkpoint; by road, sea, air, and even underground. For now, we have been able to trick him into thinking we’re out of the country but a movement like that will draw his attention.”
Reed took a step forward, his expression hard. “Help me get my weapons. Help me get to Roman, and I promise you I will bring your sister back alive.”
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