“Those who did it,” he replies quietly.
“Why?” I murmur.
“I’m just curious,” he answers and waits. I don’t see the harm, so I tell him their first names before I fall asleep, the exhaustion kicking my ass.
THIRTY-FIVE
Imanage to slip from Nikko’s arms without waking him. I don’t leave the room, though, in case he wakes up and panics. I’m not that much of an asshole. Instead, I sit at my desk and pull out my phone. It rings once before he answers, his thick brogue familiar.
“Sir?”
Phoenix is a man you don’t mess with. He’s all business and does the dirty work for the founding families. What he knows about us could bury us all, but he’s loyal and helpful, if a little crazy.
“I need you to find some people.” There’s a muffled sound, and then his voice comes again.
“Proceed, sir.”
I reel off their first names. “They could have married or moved away. They went to the same school as Nikko. Check with his old school if need be.”
“And when we find them, sir?” he asks gleefully.
I glance at Nikko, the same red-hot anger I felt earlier returning. I never want to see that look in his eyes again. “Lock them up alone in the dark without water or food. Terrify them. Right before they die, pull them out, let them recover, and repeat it until they beg for forgiveness.”
“Understood, sir.” He hangs up.
Leaning back in my chair, I smirk as I stare at Nikko’s sleeping form. He looks good in my bed. Heading his way, I slip under the covers and wrap my arms around him. He sighs, his fingers interlacing with mine as he sleeps.
Resting my head against his warmth, I let my eyes close once more.
Nikko and I are eating when my dad walks in and sits, eyeing us. “Zia,” he says, and I lift my head, meeting his eyes. “Why did one of my guards just burst into my bathroom?”
“I don’t know. Did you ask him?” I respond with an arched eyebrow.
“He heard me singing and thought I was screaming. My main concern is why there wasn’t a lock to stop him,” he replies.
“Oh.” I carry on eating. “I had them all taken off every room in the house. I ordered it this morning.” I feel Nikko’s gaze on me, but I ignore it.
“Yes, I’m noticing that,” my father drawls. “Why in my bathroom?”
“Every lock was removed,” I murmur around a mouthful as I tug my phone out and respond to a message.
“Okay, but why?” my father snaps.
“Nikko doesn’t like locks,” I answer easily.
There’s silence for a moment. “Fine, but my bathroom lock? Really?” He sighs as he looks between us. “Cute, very cute and nice. Thoughtful of you, son, but for the love of God, couldn’t you have kept my bathroom lock on?”
I blink as I look up to see my father’s embarrassed face. “No locks.”
“Zia,” Nikko begins.
“No locks,” I repeat as I point at my father. “You’re getting old. Ishould have done it a while ago anyway in case you fall.” My dad gapes at me as I smile. “Just don’t sing and they won’t bust in.”
“Zia Xander!” he roars at me as I stand and drop a kiss on Nikko’s head.
“I’ll be back in a bit. Keep my father company.” I whistle as I walk away.
I have something I need to do.
