Page 139 of Deeper

I went and rang the doorbell, not knowing what to expect on the other side. Nazanin would probably never accept me, but I was here, and I wasn’t going anywhere so long as Zander wanted me. This was our ride, and even if it rained or stormed, I was ready to ride along with the top down. No inhibitions or regrets.

Paul came to the door. For the first time, he was undone in a simple T-shirt and jeans. His hair was a mess, and he looked tired.

A woman’s loud voice could be heard in the background. “I don’t care if we have to get the fucking CIA to hack into her phone, I want proof that Jolie is behind this. I am going to bury that bitch.”

Whoa.

Paul blew out a breath, his shoulders rising and falling. “So, that’s us, what’s been new with you?”

Everything was in chaos and somehow he managed to lighten my mood.

“Hey, Paul, can I come in?” I asked.

He opened the door wider and allowed me into the front foyer. Coming out of the living room was a brunette on her cell phone. The pissed-off expression on her face let me know not to get on her bad side, because she was raging internally by the looks of it. She sized me up, going and holding the phone out of earshot. “Bianka, right?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

“Perfect timing.” The woman slipped back into the living room, once more on her device. “I’m spinning this story the best that I can, but I want her head on my desk by midnight.”

Paul shook his head. “That’s Francel, Zan’s publicist. Not the person you want to piss off, trust me. I’ve had my balls handed to me a few times for letting Zander do some stupid shit in the press.”

“Can we prove it was Jolie?” I wondered.

Paul shrugged. “Everyone’s saying this was an anonymous submission into some blog, but it’s not hard to put two and two together. Fortunately for us, no one’s got their claws out.” He made a claw with his hand along with a striking gesture. “Except Fran of course.”

Footsteps sounded down the hall and a look over found Nazanin coming our way. Her sleek dark hair was pulled up in a ponytail and she too was dressed down in a T-shirt and pair of shorts. She folded her arms as she came to a stop just short of us. Skeptically she took me in, silently questioning why I’d shown up.

Sister or not, she wasn’t getting my respect any longer.

Against Paul’s attempts to hold me back, I marched straight up to Nazanin and got in her face. “Well? Happy? This is what you wanted, right? Team Jolie for the fucking win, right?”

Nazanin lifted her chin and pursed her lips. “I had no idea.”

“Fuck you, Nazanin.”

She arched a brow. “Spare me the foreplay, Bianka, I’m not my brother.” She uncrossed her arms and threaded her fingers together, hanging her head in shame. “I was wrong to have judged you, I see that now. Saad is the only sibling I have, and it’s my job to protect him. I’ve always had my guard up with outsiders, and now I see that sometimes the snakes can already be within.”

“Leave her alone.”

Coming down the steps, Rajaa had his hard gaze fixed on his cousin. “She’s one of the best things that’s happened to Saad. Isn’t it obvious now?”

Nazanin stepped back. “Immensely.” Her dark wounded eyes peered into mine, searching it seemed. “I’m sorry, Bianka.”

We had finally established our truce. It was a shame it took such poison like this to get there.

“You’re either going to get to know me and love me or not, either way, as long as Zander does, I’m good,” I let his sister know. I turned to Paul, done discussing it. “Where is he?”

Paul raked a hand through his hair. “Out back. Word of advice, the guy’s been pissed since Saturday. When he found out about her posts online… I’ve never seen him that mad. And now this.”

“There’s not much I can do, but I’m here.” I gestured at myself.

Together the three of them let me go as I descended down the hall, past the kitchen, and out into the backyard.

At the edge of the yard he stood. Staring out at the city and taking in this night.

Bright. He’d said the hillside of his house always made him think of bright and positive things. Now was such a moment to be radiant.

Slowly, I made my way over to him, hoping for the best, but willing to accept the worst. “Hey.”

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