Page 8 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

“Mmm.”

Zayn eyed me with suspicion before he got out. I didn’t have to wait long. He wrenched my door open, undid my seatbelt, and picked me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck after he nudged the car door closed with his hip. He carried me up to a house with a black door and the number twenty in brass on it. Zayn adjusted his hold on me to unlock the door. He set me down inside a minute later.

My eyes darted around the lobby. It wasn’t large but had a side table and a cupboard for coats. He took me by the arm, directing me towards the stairs. I swallowed hard when he herded me up them, reminding myself he said he had no interest in my body. Why the fuck was I nervous about where he was taking me?

He opened the second door when we got up onto the landing and shoved me inside. The light came on, making me blink.

“Go to bed.”

I turned to him. He leant up against the doorframe, his hands dug into his pockets as if expecting me to say something.

“Where’s the bathroom?”

He pointed to a door in the corner.

I twisted my hands in front of me. His dark eyes fixed on mine. I felt the undercurrent of tension between us. It made the air thick and foreboding.

Why had he taken care of me himself?

Did he often keep possessions like me?

Don’t think of yourself as one of his possessions. You’re a person, not a thing.

“If you have something to ask me, I suggest you do so now.”

The harsh note to his tone made me flinch.

“I…” My feet had a mind of their own, stepping closer to him without my say so. “I want to understand what you want from me. I know what I get out of this, but…”

“I don’t think you’re ready for that conversation.”

My back went ramrod straight at the condescending nature of his words.

“What do you mean?”

“Get some sleep, Arianna.”

My hand curled into a fist.

“No. Answer my question first.”

I knew it was a mistake the moment his eyes flashed. He shoved off the door and stalked towards me. I had no chance to back away. His tattooed hand came up and wrapped around my throat. He pushed me towards the bed, those dark eyes intense and unyielding. Zayn shoved me down on top of the covers, pinning me there. My legs unconsciously spread as he stepped closer and leant over me. I could feel the heat of his body. It was unnerving after the way I’d been assaulted this evening by my uncle.

“Listen closely, Tink. This is the last time you will talk back to me without consequences. I do not tolerate disobedience. There are no exceptions to my rule. You are here of your own volition. You made your choice. Obey or I will make you wish you never came to me for help.”

My body trembled at his harsh words. There was no way he hadn’t noticed. His thumb stroked over my pulse. It jumped as if he commanded my heart to beat faster with his touch.

He was practically pressed against me now. I felt exposed, as the shirt he’d given me had ridden up. If he looked down, he would see me again. See everything. And a really fucked up part of me wanted him to.

“Obey you.”

“Always.”

“I’m not good at doing what I’m told.”

He smirked.

“I know.”

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