Page 11 of Carnal Heart
What the fuck did my father do to Zaiah?
I tremble with rage, and the damn temptation to kill my father is strong. If he did anything to hurt Zaiah, I can’t guarantee he’ll be alive long enough to regret his actions. Fuck the consequences. I’ll find another way to get my mother and sister their money.
With closed eyes, I inhale deeply and practice self-control.
Pausing the video, a prompt I set up asks if I want to load it to my site. I hit decline. This video is for my own personal collection. Although the idea of Zaiah and I recording a video together for the world to watch me claim him has its own appeal.
A tempting idea flickers to life, and suddenly, I’m grinning again.
Pulling up the group chat with my fellow Black Harts, I type out a message and hit send.
Devyn: Is anyone at Castle Black? I could use a favor.
***
It doesn’t take me long to figure out how to reactivate the tracking I had set up for Zaiah. The flashing dot on my multi-slate is a basic tracking program that shows me exactly where he is on campus.
My little doll hasn’t gotten far. Did I wear him out? I smirk when I remember that he probably had to clean himself up. Next time I mark my prey, I’ll make sure it’s visible for others to see.
By the time I find him, he’s in the ballroom, hovering near the long tables covered with food. He constantly looks around, occasionally glancing over his shoulder. Curious about who he’s waiting for, I frown when I don’t instantly spot any dark corners or alcoves. I head toward a small sitting area where Zaiah will have trouble spotting me. On my way, I pluck a chocolate from a nearby tray. Remembering tonight is also Cor Night, I make a mental note to buy something pretty for my little doll to wear.
The item in my pocket is a heavy reminder that I already have a fun gift for my Praeda.
As soon as I’m in my seat, I pull out the earbud attachment of my multi-slate and slip it in before tapping on the tracking program. From this angle, I can see Zaiah and the anxious look on his face.
Lana rushes through the door and practically jogs past the dance floor and over to her friend’s side.
“Zaiah, there you are. I just got your message.” Quickly hugging him, Lana pulls away to examine his body from head to toe.
“Thanks for rushing over.”
“Of course. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Light,” he sighs, running a hand through his red hair. “I’m okay.”
“You sure? Something about you is different. It almost looks like you’re glowing.” She pauses and narrows her eyes. “Holy shit. Are you freaking glowing? Did you hook up with someone?”
I bark out a laugh, startling a couple at a nearby table. Oh, I like Lana.Maybe it’s the special cream on his face that makes him glow.
As if hearing my crude joke, Zaiah turns scarlet and rubs at his cheeks. He mumbles something under his breath, and I turn up the volume on my earbud, smirking.
“I’m fine. And I’m not freaking glowing.” He rolls his eyes. “No, I ran into Devyn.”
“Oh shit! Devyn Shio? Does he know you have that information on Marco Lombardi and his father?”
I sit up.The hell?
“Holy shit. Shut up, Lana.” Zaiah grabs Lana’s elbow and drags her to a private table in the corner. “You can’t say things like that. Not here. Conor Shio might be a bad man, but he could have ears anywhere.”
My lips twitch.Smart man.
“Zaiah, I’m worried about you. This information can get you killed. You need to hurry up and find a Black Hart and tell one of them.”
Red-hot rage boils my blood. My face scrunches into a nasty sneer. What the fuck has my pretty doll gotten himself into?
For two years, I’ve secretly studied Zaiah from the shadows, hoping to understand him better while searching for the courage to talk to him. And not once did he ever involve himself in anything illegal.
Zaiah is good, probably too good. If he has any incriminating information on Marco or my father, then this is Remy’s doing. Remy trying to poison the beauty around him.
