“Ignore it,” I whine.
“It might be important. One second, okay?” He manages to reach over to the side where his phone is. Grumbling, I cuddle closer to him as he sits up as much as he can and answers it. Straining my ears, I listen carefully, because whoever is calling him at this time is definitely a threat.
Maybe I should have filmed us earlier in his office and posted it because then everyone would know he’s mine.
“Sir, I thought you would like an update. They have reached the begging stage. First, there was anger, and then bargaining. It seems they have accepted their fate now.”
Lifting my head, I frown, but Zia looks pleased.
“Show me,” he orders, and he pulls his phone away from his ear and turns on the video call. For a moment, a blond-haired man comes into view before the phone turns. There’s a partially open cellar door, and he rips the other side open to show a hole in the ground. A light turns on to reveal a woman.
She’s on her knees, her clothes torn and dirty, and her face is smeared with makeup and tears as she begs. “Please, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!” she yells before it’s cut off as the door shuts. He moves to another and opens it, revealing a man in a stained suit rocking back and forth. That door shuts, and the blond man looks at the phone.
“They are all here, sir, as you requested. I tracked them down through Mr. Nikko’s school.”
“Good. Keep them there for now,” Zia tells him as I snatch the phone.
“My school? Why?”
My eyes widen as I sit up, gripping the phone as it clicks. Zia rolls his eyes when he takes it back.
“That’s all for now.” Hanging up, Zia casually puts his cell back and relaxes on the bed, shutting his eyes.
I gape at him, and one eye cracks open. “Speak, I know you want to.”
“Are they who I think they are? What are you doing? What happened?” The words tumble free, and his eyebrow arches at my urgency.
“Calm down,” he orders, and my heart slows as if it listens to him alone and no one else. “One question at a time.”
“Are they who I think they are?” I ask.
“Your old school bullies?” His smile is pure evil as it tugs up his lips. “Yes, but you already know that.”
“And you’re . . .”
“Reminding them of their past actions. Some might call it karma,” he answers calmly.
“Zia!” I gasp.
“Nikko,” he mocks.
“You can’t go around kidnapping people!” I scold.
“Of course I can. It won’t be the first or last time.” He smiles. “Let’s go to sleep.”
“They were kids?—”
“They were teenagers. They knew better,” he warns. “You can’t allow these people to get away with things like that. I simply reminded them that there is always someone bigger and more powerful than they are, and they never should have messed with what’s mine.”
He must sense my horror, but he simply kisses me softly as he strokes my cheek. “If you love me, you have to love all of me, and that includes the side of me that does whatever it takes to get revenge and keep you safe. Do you think I would tolerate anyone hurting you? Even in the past?” When I just stare, he sighs. “I didn’t kill them, okay? They will just suffer like you did for a while. It will make them think twice about their actions. I’m tired. Let’s go to sleep.”
Maybe I should be disturbed, and part of me is, but also, part of me can’t stand how fucking sweet this man is.
“Are yougoing to kidnap everyone who wrongs me?” I ask.
“No, of course not.” I relax, and he smiles. “I’ll just kill some.”
“Zia!” I admonish, but he laughs and tugs me down until I’m lying across him. This time, his lips press to my head.
