My tears slowly began to slow, although my breathing stayed labored. My thoughts swirled in circles over what had happened. Not just the whole gun thing, but also the kidnapping. Was Zachariah a part of it? I was sure now that my father was, but who else? Why? Was it really worth it? Was I meant to not be returned to my family?
“Avidya?” he asked, pulling back from me enough to look at me. I slowly lifted my wet eyes up to his. He’d already seen me cry one too many times, but for some reason, he made me feel stronger in the end.
“I don’t want to take your choices away, that’s not me. I can’t let you leave with your father, no matter what he says,” he went on. “If he can hurt you in front of me and my father, what else is Cody really capable of?”
“I don’t want to go back,” I spoke, my voice stronger than I expected after crying my heart out against his chest. “But I don’t have answers yet.”
“We will get them some other way,” he said, sounding relieved. “I hate that man for marking you.”
“Miquel saw the mark,” I replied.
“Of course he would,” Zachariah said with a sigh. “And then your father saw it. Surprised he didn’t notice sooner.”
“I . . . tried to not to let him,” I spoke, for some reason feeling ashamed.
“I understand,” he said, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I wouldn’t want harm to come to you. I don’t like the idea that you had to hide it, nor do I like that you had to have it. I can’t deny that I like the idea you are mine.”
I remained quiet after that, not sure how to respond. I knew he thought of me as such, like a piece of property, yet his words made my core clench. I liked being claimed by him. He was the only man that could stake his claim and I wouldn’t want to fight it. After so much time to think about what I wanted, I finally knew. I wanted to be his.
“There’s a bathroom across the hall. How about you get cleaned up, then I’ll tell your parents you will be staying with me from now on,” he said, stepping back and helping me down off the desk.
“What about my things?” I asked, not that there really was anything I wanted from the house. I met his eyes, feeling like I could have a say in my life somewhat.
“I’ll send someone to get them,” he said, giving me a knowing look.
“Mom said she had information in the basement,” I quickly explained, not able to tear myself away from his company just yet. “About my real parents. I have to have them, Zachariah.”
“I will make sure you get them,” he said, telling me the truth.
He then led me out of office, pointing towards the bathroom. It was just like the rest of the house that I had seen so far. Light colored walls, white sink in the dark countertop, and a small standing shower against the wall in the back corner. It was smaller than I would have expected but workable for a downstairs bathroom. I found a cream-colored wash rag on the side of the sink, waiting to be used. I wet it with lukewarm water before washing off my face. Zachariah already saw the marks on my arms, so what was the point in hiding the ones on my face?
After laying the wash rag across the faucet to dry, I patted my face dry with the hand towel and opened the door. I came face to face with a shocked Zachariah staring at the bruise that covered a good portion of the left side of my face.
“Avidya,” he spoke in shock before gently cupping my face with both of his hands. His brown eyes looked between both of mine with a look of contained rage. I couldn’t help but flinch back from his look.
“I won’t hurt you,” he sighed, dropping his hands. I instantly felt the loss of his warm touch. “Where else are you hurt?”
“I’m fine,” I mumbled out, taking a step around him. I didn’t get far as his arm shot out, stopping me. Of course, his arm pressed against my ribs, causing me to flinch.
“Answer me,” he demanded, voice hard and non-breakable.
“Not here, please?” I asked, my shoulders slumping as I looked up at him. I was positive that he’d be upset about more marks on my skin, and I feared how he’d react to seeing them, let alone knowing about them. Somehow, I’m sure he wouldn’t stop from killing my father if he saw them.
“Fine,” he nearly spat out, not happily. “I will see where else you are marked by that beast.”
“Sure,” I responded, trying to figure out if I feared him, or was slightly awed that he could be so demanding, so . . . him.
He smirked, obviously seeing right through me.
“Come,” he said, much calmer. He was going to give me whiplash by changing his moods so dang fast. He then took a hold of my hand, before leading me back to the dining room. Before we could see into the room, I could hear raised voices, and couldn’t help but flinch as my father’s voice reached my ears.
“How dare you tell me how to handle my life!” father shouted in rage.
“I didn’t tell you,” Carlos spoke, his voice deadly calm. “I’m advising.”
Zachariah didn’t pause like I certainly would have. He pulled me along, being gentle in doing so, entering into view both of our parents.
“We are leaving, Avidya,” father spoke up as he saw me, glaring at me in the process.
“That’s up to her,” Carlos spoke, shooting his own son a look that told him to stay quiet.
“Avidya, now,” father spoke, taking a few steps towards me.
I glanced over at mom, seeing the look of pure fear on her face. She shook her head ‘no’ at me, telling me in her own way that father would cause me more pain than I was already in.
“You have nowhere else to go,” father huffed out, getting impatient.
“I do,” I said, tilting my head to my side. “Zachariah offered to let me stay with him.”
“You will not be staying with that man,” father raged, pointing a finger his way. His face began to red from anger.
“You are just mad that my husband pulled a gun on you,” Julia said, half amused. “Avidya is even welcome to stay here. There is plenty of room.”
“No, she will be going home with me. Her behavior has been inexcusable,” father seethed, daring to take the last few steps towards me. I stepped back as Zachariah stopped father’s hand from touching me. I watched as Zachariah’s hand made a fist around father’s wrists tightly.
“I will be staying with Zachariah,” I spoke, my voice strong.
“You aren’t even married!” father shouted, clenching his hands into fists.
“Welcome to the new age,” I laughed. “Everyone lives together before marrying these days. Becca had planned to move in with her boyfriend before you had her killed.”
“I didn’t kill that bitch!” father shouted, pushing past Zachariah to get to me. “I would have loved to be the one that was behind on that little stunt, though!”
Father hadn’t taken one step before Zachariah had him pinned by the throat, unable to move. I gasped in shock as mom’s cry of worry reached me. I didn’t think father expected the move, as he froze for only a moment before he was fighting for air.
“You will not touch her. Ever,” Zachariah said darkly as he barely let father breath. “She is mine, and you will not do anything to take her away. If you do, I won’t hesitate to shoot you myself. Got it?”
Father struggled to nod. By Zachariah’s stiff posture, I could see him struggle to let my father live. I had too many shocks today, as I watched in a daze as father left, mom following her like her backside was on fire.
Chapter 19
Zachariah
Pure rage filled my entire body. I never wanted to kill someone so badly before. Yes, I was a trained killer, and never missed. This man deserved it, and more so than nearly anyone else. No one ever touched my girl and got away with it.
I knew Avidya was marked other than just her arm and face; I could see she was in pain the longer I was in her company. But where, for sure?
The only reason I let her get away with not telling me right away was because I thought maybe she’d feel more comfortable without her parents in the same hous
e. I would get her to tell me, though. She would learn that she would not be able to hide anything from me. She was like an opened book, which was a nice.
I also knew that I would need to give her some answers and also put into motion our engagement. I wasn’t known for taking in women into my home unless they were family and needed a place for a night or two.
After saying goodbye to my parents, and assuring my mother that I would indeed take good care of Avidya, we headed to my house. I made sure to help Avidya into the car before going around to the driver’s side.
Avidya was quiet on the drive. I didn’t live all that far from my parents, preferring to be close by in case anything happened. Not that many people tried and got away with doing anything towards my family. Our family ran generations deep, and we were the top dog in Las Vegas, Nevada.
My family owned five hotels on the Las Vegas strip, and two more downtown in the less populated part of the town. It was amazing that so many people had no idea who we truly were, but yet everyone either loved us or hated us.
Money and hate always went hand in hand.
“You okay?” I asked towards Avidya as I turned down the street my house sat on.
“Peachy,” she replied almost sarcastically. I couldn’t help but smirk at her answer. I loved how her true self came out when she was alone with me. It would make teaching her my ways of life so much fun.
I watched her reaction out of the corner of my eye as I slowly pulled up to my house. Much like my parent’s house, mine was a bit back off the main road, surrounded by trees. Through the middle of the side property, ran the same river that flowed past my parents’ house.
Her eyes widened as she took in my log house. The outside was laid with a log siding that would last longer than the traditional logging homes. I didn’t want to spend hours every season to make sure the real logs were in great shape.
“Wow,” she whispered in awe.
A set of stone steps led to the full round covered patio and the front door. Huge floor to ceiling windows gave way to the entryway and kitchen area. I loved windows, as my house clearly showed. A few chairs sat around a square glass table on one side of the porch, and a porch swing on the other side facing the river.
Pulling into the four-car garage that was on the other side of the house, I couldn’t help but smirk at Avidya’s reaction to the collection of cars I owned. One of these cars would be hers soon enough.
“Have enough cars?” she asked, taking it all in.
“Never,” I laughed. “Just wait till you see the inside of the house.”
“Your mom did say it was just amazing as hers,” she mused as I helped her out of the car and shutting the door.
“It’s another piece of property that was given to me after I entered into the family business,” I explained. “My mom upgraded a few things here and there to make it feel more . . . . welcoming. It wasn’t in the best of shape until just about three years ago.”
I entered the key code into the door before hearing it unlock and the ding of the alarm system unsetting.
“This is amazing,” she said, wide-eyed as she took in the barn wood cupboards, stone countertop, and dark hardwood floors of the kitchen. It was at least three times bigger than the kitchen she had grown accustomed to.
“Let me show you around,” I said with a smile her way, taking a hold of her hand without thinking and giving her a tour.
The living room was just as grand with a stone wood fireplace set against the wall between the kitchen and living room and light cream leather furniture set up perfectly to see the outdoors and the TV that was hung right above the mantel.
My office was placed in the smaller bedroom towards the front of the house, the bathroom right next to it. I had light carpet put in, and built in bookshelves between the windows.
Passing the front entryway, a set of stairs went upwards in wide steps. I led her upwards, showing her the four bedrooms that were similar, two of which has ensuites with matching style to the kitchen. Hers would be the one that looked out over the garage.
“This will be your room, for now,” I said, tacking on the last two words at last moment. The room would be hers until we married.
“I don’t know what to say,” she said, taking in the queen bed that sat in the middle of the room, so much darker than the cream carpet.
“Bathroom is stocked for all your needs,” I said, gesturing towards where the bathroom was at. “The closet is filled with a few clothing choices.”
“Okay,” she said through a yawn.
“Now, will you tell me where else you are hurt,” I spoke, knowing that she needed to be checked over. It was only mid-afternoon, but she looked so tired all of a sudden.
“I’m fine, really,” she said, instantly on alert.
“Either tell me, or I’ll strip you myself,” I warned her, giving her a look that said to not test me. Her safety was a top priority.
“My ribs,” she said, closing her eyes and looking down at the floor, almost as in shame. With the way she reacted to the tones of my voice, I knew she’d made a wonderful submissive.
“You are in pain,” I replied to her answer.
“Yes,” she answered, although in a whisper. “Mom gave me something early this morning, but I think it’s wearing off.” Then, her pain filled eyes met mine, and I regretted letting Cody live.
“Please, let me see,” I said, stepping closer to her, begging her. “Then I can get you something for the pain.”
“How?” she asked.
“I have . . . some pain meds. They will make you sleep, but it’ll help,” I answered, not wanting to make her ask more questions on why I would need pain meds on hand at all times.
“Okay,” she said after a moment. Apparently, the pain was enough for her to give in to my request.
She surprised me by taking the dress off, clenching her teeth while doing so. She lifted her arms up, taking the material up off over her head. I hated seeing her in pain, so I helped her take the dress off the rest of the way.
I couldn’t help but glance at her cotton covered breasts after the dress was out of the way.
She stood, breathing harsh, as I looked over the nearly black bruise that covered most of her lower ribs and a good portion of her stomach.
My God, what happened? I thought. I didn’t want to know; pretty sure I already knew the answer to it.
“Thank you, Avidya,” I said cupping her face with both of my hands. Her eyes looked up at me in what I think was a surprise. Had she expected me to hit her? Yell at her? It was not her fault.
“You’re not mad?” she asked.
“No, sweet girl, not at you,” I smiled. Then, I couldn’t help but press my lips to hers in a gentle, but yet passionate kiss. She didn’t waste time in responding, letting me take control as her lips molded to mine. She fit me perfectly.
Pulling away, I rested my head against her forehead, letting my eyes stay closed, willing myself to take things slow.
“What are you doing to me?” she whispered out in a needy, confused way.
“I’m making you want me,” I smirked. Avidya was so innocent, so perfect and not tainted in any way.
“Why?” she asked.
“Because that’s how I work,” I shrugged. “I won’t ever force you, Avidya. I will not hide my desire from you. You will want me to touch you on our wedding night, I promise you that.”
“When will that be?” she asked blushing.
“We will talk about it more when you’re not in so much pain,” I said, stepping away from her. “Stay here. I’ll get you something to rest in.”
Inside the closet, I took a pair of yoga pants and a simple tank top out. I also took a couple of minutes to regather myself. I wanted to do right by her, which was the first time I ever had felt that way about a woman.
“Here,” I said, handing her the clothes, finding her right where I had left her. “I’ll be back with some pain meds.”
“Thank you, Zachariah,” she said, he
r soft voice laced with pain, but also gratitude.
It didn’t take me long to retrieve a pain pill from my collection in the safe box. When I returned to her, she was sitting on the bed, her legs crossed over one another. I handed her the one white pill, knowing that it would be enough for her small frame, and a cup of water from the bathroom.
“It won’t take long to kick in,” I said as she swallowed the pill.
“Will you stay with me?” she asked, almost like she was afraid that I’d leave her.
“Sure,” I said, pleased that she wanted me to. I halfway expected her to not want anything to do with me.
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