Page 25 of Zen's Crash

With that out of the way, my mind turns to Zen. Despite my annoyance that he accused me of being a thief—I mean, he was halfway right because I did steal his money to make a point—that man is growing on me. I liked him right up until I didn’t. His idea to dangle bait in the KryptoKlan forum hadn’t been his best idea. The assumption that the same person who stole his sister’s crypto would happen to be in that forum at the time he dangled the bait was a long shot. Assuming that just because I grabbed the bait means that I took his sister crypto as well defies logic. Both of these things lead me to believe that Zen isn’t all that smart, which is sad. I liked him and wanted him to be all that he pretended to be when we talked.

***

I pull into my driveway and use the remote to open the garage door. I always enter and close the door quickly because that’s what my father drilled into me for my whole life. I can see a couple of Savage Legion brothers milling about. I really should go out and talk to them, but some small part of me is too afraid to go out there.

Just then my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Zen.

Zen: I know you’re probably pissed about my club brothers guarding your place.

Me: Why didn’t you at least ask?

Zen: Because you were just going to say no and argue with me.

Me: Ten months. It’s been ten months. If he was going to come back for me, don’t you think he would have done it by now?

Zen: Who can know the mind of a killer? All I know is he wanted you. Might take him months to gather up his courage to come back and try to grab or kill you too.

Me: I don’t think that’s going to happen. It seems like you’re wasting a lot of resources sending multiple men here around the clock.

Zen: It’s not a waste if it saves your life and helps us catch your father’s killer.

Me: I would like nothing better than to see that man behind bars.

Zen: Good, because you’re bait. That’s why we invited Kayla and her sister to the clubhouse but sent men to guard you at your house. We can’t trap him if he doesn’t know where to go to find you.

Me: What is with you and bait?

Zen: I noticed you’re not objecting to being my bait.

Me: I want the Savage Legion’s help but I’m really tired of talking to you, Zen.

Zen: We’re having a meeting on your case in the morning at 9 AM. I’ll be there to pick you up at eight thirty.

Me: I can drive myself.

Zen: Fine. My club brothers will escort you.

Me: Fine.

My screen goes blank, and I’m amazed that I got in the last word with the overprotective biker. I can’t figure out exactly what his deal is but I’m going to make a special point of learning everything I can about him.

Exhausted and frustrated, I go to the safe room, turn on my computer, and play music as I work on a new computer built from salvaged parts.

Slowly, I feel myself start to relax. When I get an alert, I walk over to my screen and see a message from one of my online friends. His name is MadHitter. I’m not sure why he got tagged with that name. One of the deals with my online friends is, we don’t ask anything personal beyond knowing what country welive in. I’m guessing he might be anAlice In Wonderlandfan with impulse control issues IRL.

MadHitter: Hey, Chaos. How are you tonight?

Me: Frustrated.

MadHitter: Want to talk about it?

Me: No. Just dealing with a friend who thinks he knows what’s best for me.

MadHitter: He? Did Chaos finally get herself a boyfriend?

Me: God no. He’s just a friend. Someone I barely know.

MadHitter: You should give him the boot. He’s probably trying to keep other men away so he can have you all to himself.

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