Page 38 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

Arianna Michaelson had become important to me. I would protect her with my life. And I would stop this fucking war from happening, no matter what it took.

Thirteen

Arianna

Waking up inhisbed had me feeling extremely embarrassed by my behaviour last night. Practically throwing myself at Zayn to save my father was a terrible idea. One I hadn’t really thought out beforehand. It just happened. Mostly out of fear for my father’s safety. Zayn hadn’t denied wanting me this time when I’d offered myself to him. He’d merely said he didn’t make deals involving sex.

What if it had nothing to do with a deal? What if I just wanted it because for some fucked up reason I want him?

I had to admit the truth to myself. Everything about Zayn Villetti was attractive to me. His deep voice. The intense look in his eyes when they were on me. The way he took care of me despite my pushing and testing his patience. I even liked the way he punished me for it.

I didn’t give a shit if he was twelve years older than me and I’d known him most of my life. My father would have something to say about me being with a man who was only a few years younger than him. A man who was permanently tied to the criminal underworld due to who his father was. One who had a reputation for ruthlessness. Who owned a sex club where the rich and powerful could indulge in their most depraved fantasies away from prying eyes. None of what Dad said would be good or positive. And yet… I wanted Zayn, regardless.

Clearly, I had lost all sense of self-preservation when it came to him. I may have threatened to leave yesterday, but the very idea of walking away now had my heart in knots. Not to mention I needed to uphold my side of our deal. I wasn’t the type of person who ignored her responsibilities. Dad had drilled it into my head from a young age. Loyalty. Responsibility. Being true to yourself. Our world wasn’t an easy one, but you didn’t let down those who relied on you no matter what.

It’s what my uncle had done. Let down both Dad and me. I couldn’t go to my father with Justin’s betrayal. It would destroy him. And me? Well, I was afraid of letting my dad down too. Afraid of what he might do to me for killing his brother. I knew for a fact Dad trusted Justin with his life. Would he believe me over a dead man? I didn’t truly know the answer. It’s why I ran away to Zayn instead of facing my dad.

Stupid really, but I couldn’t take it back. Zayn was right last night. Fear made us do things we wouldn’t consider under normal circumstances. Like making deals with mafia princes to become their pets in exchange for safety. Like offering their bodies to save someone they loved.

The thing Zayn didn’t know was I actually wanted him to lay his hands all over me. I desired more. If I didn’t know myself so well, I would have thought it had to do with him being so forbidden. It had nothing to do with that. I wasn’t stupid or blind to my own desires or needs. And it certainly wasn’t because of our deal. It was him. All of his dark and dangerous self had me enthralled in a way I’d never been about another person before.

Zayn had shown me a different side to him than the mask he wore as the mafia prince and owner of Desecration. He had cared for me more in the time I’d been here than at anyone else at any other point in my life, even if he was strict with his rules and doled out punishments. He held me when I cried without complaint or hesitation. I never once thought he would be capable of such things. To be caring and patient. To see to all my needs without me having to ask.

I didn’t think I’d seen the true Zayn underneath his layers, but maybe one day, if I stuck around long enough, I would.

Opening my eyes, I peered out of the covers. I’d felt him leave earlier. The room was empty of his presence. I didn’t know if I felt relief at being alone or not. Maybe it was better. I could feel my embarrassment over his rejection alone without his prying eyes sensing my every thought.

His room was sleek and modern. The bed was fucking massive with black sheets. Unsurprising for a man with midnight black hair and matching eyes. I sat up, clutching the covers around my naked body. My eyes spied a note sitting on the bedside table. I reached out, plucking it from its perch. Zayn’s handwriting had me jealous all over again by the beautiful cursive lines.

Wash, dress, and meet me downstairs when you wake up.

At the end of the bed, there was a pile of clothes for me. I set the note down and climbed out of his bed. He had a bathroom off his bedroom. It was all grey slate and dark tiles. I took a shower, careful not to wet my hair, before dressing and making his bed. Everything in his house was neat and orderly. I didn’t think leaving his room in a state would be met with anything but another round of discipline.

And why do I like the sound of that?

Cursing myself for wanting a man like Zayn, I wandered out of his room and into the one he’d given me to sort my hair out. I wrestled it into two braids down the sides of my head, tying them off at the ends.

As I walked out of the bedroom, I heard the doorbell go. My feet carried me to the stairs. I ducked down behind the bannisters when I spied Zayn opening the front door. I held back a gasp when I saw his father, Gennaro, and two men on the doorstep. Zayn’s back stiffened when he took them in.

“What are you doing here?”

The irritation in Zayn’s voice was pronounced. He clearly hadn’t been expecting Gennaro.

“That’s no way to greet your father, Zayn,” came Gennaro’s clipped response.

“Hello, Father. Might I inquire why you have graced me with your presence?”

I almost snorted at the sarcasm in his tone, but put a hand over my mouth instead, watching Gennaro’s eyes narrow on his son.

“We have things to discuss.”

Zayn let out a heavy sigh and pulled the door open wider, stepping back to allow his father and men inside. I’d seen those two before when my father met with him. Gennaro’s bodyguards. I didn’t know their names. Zayn shut the door behind the three of them. The tension in his shoulders had me wanting to soothe his stress away. A stupid urge, but one I couldn’t help all the same. A part of me wanted to care for Zayn the way he did for me.

Zayn leant against the wall next to the stairs. I had a feeling he knew I was there, but he wasn’t going to alert his father to the fact. It would end in disaster for us both if he did.

“Well, what is it?”

“Bennett’s daughter is missing.”

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