Page 221 of Nemesync
I tightened my hold. “I understand, Zanae. But there are better ways to handle this now. You have us. You have me.”
“That’s exactly why I can’t risk it,” she replied, turning toward me. “Because I have you now. And I can’t risk losing you.”
My heart tightened, beating so fast it felt like it could burst out of my chest. This woman meant everything to me.Everything.
My thumb gently caressed her cheek.
“You’re never going to lose me, never.”
She rested her head on my chest and planted a small kiss there.
“Niko will hate me for this.”
I pressed my lips to her forehead. “No one could hate you. I’ll deal with him if he makes you feel that way. Let’s go back inside. He needs to talk to you.”
Guiding her back into the living room, I observed as Nikolai stood, his expression worried and stern. I gestured for him to speak with her and left them alone.
Zanae
Niko crossed his arms, his gaze angry as he faced me. “I can’t believe you did that, Zanae. Even if your friend took care of the body, it was reckless. I called a contact in the FBI to erase the surveillance footage, the DNA traces the gunpowder. You could’ve been in a really bad position or even dead!”
I met his gaze, determination etched all over my heart.
“This woman went after the two people I’ve always protected. You don’t know how much Miranda and June mean to me. I couldn’t just stand by and let it happen.”
He sighed; frustrated. “We have other ways to handle this. You’re part of this Zanae, you have to trust us. You’re not alone anymore.”
“And I’m not weak either. If I have to get my hands bloody to protect my people, I will. I’d do even worse if necessary. You need to understand that.”
“I know. But not when you’re under a threat, Zanae. At least let us know.”
Breathe Z. Breathe.
“I should have told you, but I needed to act quickly. I promise I’ll be more careful next time.”
Nikolai softened, his tone gentler. “Elijah wouldn’t make it if anything happened to you. And I wouldn’t either if anything happened to him or you. Please, promise me you won’t do that again, Z.”
I offered a small smile. “I promise. You’re kind of scary when you yell.”
He smiled back at me, still carrying some worry from yesterday. “We aren’t this kind with everyone, you know. With you, it’s different. You’re our little Z.”
“I guess it’s a good thing. But don’t yell at me; I don’t like it when you’re angry at me.”
“I’m your brother, Princess. Of course, I’m going to yell at you again,” he replied, pulling me closer for a brief hug.
Elijah watched us from a distance, leaning casually against the door frame with a knowing smile.
He always had my back.
He knew I would’ve been too stressed to talk to Niko about that alone, so he took the lead. This man embodied comfort in every sense of the word for me.
In the living room, two pairs of eyes were fixed on me, tense, expectant, and awaiting an explanation for what happened yesterday.
I took a deep breath before starting and then began, “I learned a few things from Marcelo. He was in multiple pictureswith the woman. That’s how we found him with Brian. He knew who I was.”
Elijah’s jaw clenched; his eyes turned cold. “Did he mention a name?”
I shook my head, “No, he said she’s well-connected, but she’s still a big question mark.”
