Page 32 of King

“It’s not that long ago. And I still have all that same energy, the same yearning for a life of adventure and freedom.”

“Adult life steals a lot of that away from you.” She nods.

“It does. But why should we let it?”

Zina grins, turning to look at me, her body still leaning against mine. “It’s been a long time since I expressed my freedom or let go and had a little fun.”

The glitter in her eyes is impossible to misread. She looks exquisite as she stares up at me.

She bites her lip and turns away, comfortable against me. I wrap my arm around her shoulder, trying to ignore the pulsing need growing thicker by the second.

“It’s nice to have someone to talk to about it.” I say, resting my cheek against her hair.

“It is. I’ve been a single mom the entire time. All I wanted was someone to do it all with. You know. The hard times and the good times. To raise a family. To be together.”

My heart breaks for her realizing that I had all of that, but she had none.

“I wish you’d told me about him sooner.” I say quietly.

“You know I couldn’t do that, Gio. But now - from now on - I want him to at least experience what it’s like to have a family that isn’t just me.”

I nod, finally understanding why she’s here. Understanding that as a parent she was fighting for something for her son. Our son. And I would have fought for the same thing in her position.

We sit for a long time on her sofa, with my arm wrapped around her shoulders and her leaning into me.

Zina falls asleep and I gently lift her into my arms and carry her to her bed.

I want to climb in next to her so that I can carry on holding her. But I know better than that. Instead I lean down, brushing my lips over her cheek I whisper. “Sleep well, little firefly.” Then with all the effort I can muster inside me - I leave her and walk back to my own room, spinning with thoughts of her and what happened between us tonight.

She’s so much softer and warmer when she’s not fighting me.

She lets me close. And I understand it’s because I made her feel like she had to fight me. I made her defensive and cautious of me.

I need to do better by her so that I can do better for my son.

TEN

zina

While the private investigator works outside to find clues or evidence for me - I’ve been working inside, searching the estate, looking in every room and trying to find anything that can help.

Some of the doors are locked and I’m torn between forcing the open or coming back later after trying to find a key. It’s a careful balance between being caught in the act, and looking even more guilty, or playing it safe and having them beat me to it - finding fake evidence against me before I can find the real evidence.

I hurry down a long passage and again that creepy feeling makes my skin crawl.

Above me the camera slowly tracks my movements. It follows me, turning from left to right with the red light blinking constantly as I walk, narrowing my eyes at it.

Who is watching me?

Why have they been tracking me around the entire house today - and yesterday? I think it started maybe three days ago - but today whoever it is isn’t even trying to be subtle. At least before they were less obvious.

In defiance I stop exactly where I am and turn to glare at that ominous black lens. The light blinks. Red. Red. Red.

I stare for a long time, then with a spur-of-the-moment idea I bolt towards the security office. It’s literally around the corner from where I am in the mansion and I can easily get there and figure out who’s watching me.

I almost skid around the corner I’m running so fast and breathe a sigh of relief. No one is standing in the passage way or hurrying away - whoever has been watching me is still inside, sitting at the long white desk in front of the wall of monitors.

When I walk into the room, I do it with my head held high and my gaze set. I want them to know I’m not messing around. I’m going to demand they tell me what they’re up to.

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