CHAPTER TWO
Alisa
I waited for the sting of Melissa’s knife, but it never came. Instead, I was hit hard enough to knock me backwards. My breath expelled from my lungs, and I blinked a few times before rolling onto my side and jerking my hands from the ropes. They came loose, and I moved up to work on my feet as Dillon wrestled with Melissa in front of me. Their voices were tight, tense — angry.
“You said you wouldn’t hurt her. This wasn’t part of the deal.” Dillon pressed Melissa to the floor, his voice muffled from his face being against her back.
I stood up and moved toward the door before realizing I couldn’t leave. He was a villain as much as she was, but he’d risked himself to save me. My ethics couldn’t take a vacation if I begged them to.
My heart was racing as I moved around the kitchen and found a butcher knife. I didn’t care how ridiculous I looked as I moved out toward the living room, I had to help. Every cell in my body screamed for me to turn and run and let Dillon deal with his sister all on his own.
Melissa turned the tables on Dillon, the small girl having far more strength than I imagined possible. “You weren’t supposed to fall in love. Why does she get everyone? She’s not even attractive. What’s the matter with you?”
Dillon pushed at his sister’s throat as she climbed up to straddle on his chest, and within minutes, they were rolling again. Neither of them paid me a bit of attention, which was fine. I would let the drama play out for a few more minutes and then intervene.
The door behind me busted open, slamming against the wall. I jerked around and held up my knife as my brother came barreling in.
“Alisa? Thank God.” He moved toward me as the knife slid from my fingers and I cried out in panic and relief. He bent to pick it up, his eyes on the struggling siblings. Seconds later, two cops ran in, guns raised, and I nearly collapsed in relief.
“Clark.” I moved into his arms and closed my eyes, not paying attention to the sounds of struggling or the screaming behind me. I assumed the cops were capable of taking Melissa down.
“Are you okay?” He moved back and studied me as Lizzy squeezed in between us and pulled me into a tight hug.
She was trembling far more than I was, but I had somehow sunk down into a place of calm that had to have been my fight response kicking into gear.
“Oh my God. We were so scared.” She moved back as Clark cleared his throat.
“I’m fine. Melissa had her brother kidnap me from the apartment, but Dillon wasn’t able to do much more than play the puppet she wanted him to.” I wrapped my arms around myself and moved into my brother’s strong hold again. I wanted to ask where the hell Zek was, but I knew he would have been there if he could have. His house arrest was a serious subject, though it hurt me a little that he wasn’t willing to fight against the system to save me.
“I’m just sick over the fact that we hired this damn guy.” Lizzy turned and looked over her shoulder. “We’re going to prosecute both of you, and you’ll never see the light of day again. Never.”
Dillon was being cuffed as the cops dragged him out. “Alisa. Tell them that I helped you. I saved you. Save me. I love you.”
Clark moved in front of me as Dillon cried out in pain. Someone had a hold of him, and the voice that rose from just outside the hall was the one I’d been waiting to hear all night.
“I’ll fucking kill you for what you did.” Zek’s tone was wrapped in vengeance. “Don’t you ever touch my woman again. Ever. You sick fuck.”
“Alright, mister. Back off, or we’ll have to take you downtown too,” one of the cop spoke sternly as I pushed my way through. Melissa was being hauled out next, and she screamed for Zek, begging him to help her. Her cries hit me in the chest, but after all that happened, I had nothing left to give in the way of sympathy.
“Zek.” I reached for him, grabbing the front of his shirt and pulling him into the kitchen behind Lizzy and Clark so that we could have a bit of privacy.
“Baby.” He crashed into me, lifting me off the ground with the strength of his attack.
I pressed my lips to his and wrapped myself around him, breathing in the truth that he would come for me, no matter what. Why had I doubted him at all?
I pulled back, wanting the kiss desperately, but knowing it wasn’t the time.
“I’m so sorry, Alisa.” He helped me slide down the front of his body and moved his hands to cup my face. “They didn’t hurt you, did they?”
“I’ve been asking that same damn question since we got here.” Clark turned and gave me a look.
“No. I’m not hurt. Melissa pulled a knife about five minutes before you guys burst through the door, but Dillon tackled her. He was the one who drugged me and got me over here, but he also saved me when the shit hit the fan.” I wrapped my arms back around Zek and pressed my cheek to his chest. “I want to go.”
“Let’s get you home with me.” He kissed the side of my head and moved us through the crowd, only stopping so my brother and Lizzy could give me another quick squeeze.
Zek’s brother was out in the hall with Ronald. They both turned as we walked by.
“There you are. You alright?” Mark reached out and touched my shoulder, squeezing softly. “No scaring us like that again. My brother was ready to burn down the fucking city.”
“Were you?” I looked up at the handsome man who had stolen my heart and become the only thing I wanted to live for. His dark blue eyes moved along my face as a smile lifted his lips.
“Are you kidding me? There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.” He leaned down and brushed his lips with mine as Mark and Ronald made playful sounds of disgust. Did men always act like little boys when they were in a pack together? “Let’s go. This has been far too much for any of us.”
“I agree.” I tucked myself against him as we walked to the car. I could hear Lizzy promising the cops I’d give my statement tomorrow. I was grateful to Ronald for giving us a little bit of privacy before we got into the Lexus.
Zek turned to me and pulled me flush against him. “I’m sorry. I should have told you the truth twenty years ago. I love you more than anything else in the world. I can’t do this without you and tonight when you didn’t come home, I thought—” He choked on his words as tears rimmed his eyes.
“Shh... it’s okay. We’re fine now. I’m right here, and we’ll get through this together.” I lifted to my toes and pressed my lips to his again, opening myself up as his tongue pressed deep into my mouth. The needy groan that left him raced across my skin and lit my heart on fire. I would be okay because of him.
We were safe, and though I’d been scared like hell that the end was near, it wasn’t. There was more life to live, and after we got past the terror of everything that happened, we would find ourselves closer.
“I need you with me tonight. You’re coming to my place.” He kissed me again as I groaned softly.
“Yes. I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” I pulled back as Ronald walked up.
“You guys ready?” He patted Zek’s shoulder and gave me a warm smile. “Do we need to stop for something to eat on the way home? Burgers and fries?”
“Yes.” Zek opened the back door for me and got in beside me.
I snuggled up to him and tried to let go of the high emotion that continued to play with me. It wouldn’t have been so damn bad if I hadn’t been tied up. Knowing that I couldn’t free myself had been terrifying. I pushed at the torrent of emotions that rose in my chest, but I couldn’t keep myself from thinking about all that happened again.
A soft cry left me, and Zek snuggled me up tightly, pressing his lips to the top of my head.
“I’m here, baby. Nothing will ever hurt you again. I promise.”
I nodded and closed my eyes, trying to concentrate on the delicious smell of his cologne and the feel of his arms around me. I believed his promise, but that was because I believed in him.
I always had.
***
Roland did as promised and stopped by to get us a burger and some fries before taking us back to Zek’s place. We gathered at the table and ate quickly in an awkward silence. I didn’t have much to say and reliving the events of the evening wasn’t something I was ready to do. Being tough was one thing, but there was little I could have done to combat Dillon’s attack in my apartment. I didn’t feel safe at all with the idea of going back there.
“Alright, kids. I’m glad everything turned out as good as it did.” Ronald stood and lifted his arms to the ceiling. “You guys need anything before I head to bed?”
“No, but thank you for everything tonight.” Zek stood and offered his hand. “I couldn’t have done all of that without your help. If you get in trouble over—”
“It’s all part of the job, Zek. Rest tight and let’s talk security for Alisa’s apartment tomorrow. The fact that Dillon got in there so easily is concerning.” Ronald smiled at me and turned to walk down the darkened hall.
“I know you don’t want to hear this, but I’m saying it anyway.” Zek sat back down at the table and scooted his chair closer to mine. His beautiful eyes were filled with worry, and the slight frown on his lips left my heart melting.
“Tell me anyway.” I reached out and brushed my fingers along his cheek.
“You’re moving in with me or Clark. I’d rather it be me, but Ronald said that the cameras can’t pick you up all the time or I could be in violation of my parole.” He pressed his strong fingers over my hand and turned to kiss my palm. “Don’t fight me on this.”
“I won’t.” I moved out of my chair and into his lap, straddling him as I wrapped my arms around him and pressed my cheek to his chest, my lips to his neck. “I love you so much. I knew you would come for me.” Tears burned my eyes as another soft cry pulled from the center of my chest. “I wasn’t scared to die. I was just scared that you wouldn’t be able to move past it.”
“I wouldn’t.” He breathed in deep and ran his hands over my back in soothing up and down circles. “When this clears up, we’re going to start having those bucket list conversations.”
“The ones about sky diving?” I moved back, a little put off that he would mention us talking about another terrifying event. I’d been through far too much to talk about anything other than lying on a beach or taking up something safe, like knitting.
“No, baby.” He cupped my face and rubbed his thumbs over my cheeks. “The ones about getting married and having ten kids.”
“Ten kids?” I rocked my hips forward subtly. “I never said that I wanted ten kids. I want to practice creating ten kids, but I don’t want that many, silly.”
“Come to bed with me. You scared me tonight far more than I’ve ever been scared in all my life. I can’t do this without you, and I’m done fighting it.” He pulled me down for a slow, deep kiss.
I got out of his lap and reached for his hand as we walked toward his bedroom. Exhaustion hit me as we reached the darkened room, and I paused, not sure if I should tell him that I needed sleep more than anything else. He knew me well enough to know that, and I knew he was the only man who could force me to forgo rest for something much better. Him.
“Just relax and let me take care of you.” He turned and worked to unbutton my shirt. “You’re so fucking beautiful. Just having you in here steals my breath. I thought I was going to lose it tonight on more than one occasion.”
“I understand.” I rolled my shoulders as he pressed his fingertips into the sore muscles. My shirt fell, and he turned me to work on the zipper on my skirt. His lips brushed over the back of my neck and chill bumps broke out across my skin.
“No one touched you, right?” His voice was tight, and I wanted to tell him to drop it, but I knew he needed to expel the demons playing with this head too.
“No, baby.” It was more about keeping me from you than hurting me. She wanted me to tell you that we were through. I guess she thought it would be that easy.” I turned as my skirt slid down my thighs and fell to the floor. “No more talking about it. I’m tired and I just want to feel your skin against mine.”
“Okay.” He pulled his shirt over his head and unbuttoned his jeans.
I reached out and ran my hands along his waist, reveling at how good his warm skin felt against my fingers. I pushed at his pants and they dropped to his feet.
We moved to the bed, and he wasted no time crawling on top of me and pressing himself against me.
“I know you need rest, but I need to make love to you. If you’re too tired, I’ll hold off, but know that I want you desperately.” He pressed his open mouth to my neck and sucked softly on my skin.
Warmth raced from between my thighs where he pressed himself against me. I nodded, not thinking too much on resting anymore.
“Make love to me then.” I ran my hands over the strong muscles of his back and intertwined my legs with his.
He didn’t speak, but moved enough to take both of my hands and stretch them above my head as he ground into me. His tongue licked at the front of my ear as I arched my back and cried out.
“So beautiful, baby. You’re all mine. No other man will ever get you again. I need to know that you want that.” Zek kissed the side of my face and moved back to his knees as he tugged my panties down. “Just me. Just mine.”
“Yes. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. You know that.” I lifted my hips and worked to get my bra off as he rolled over and pulled his underwear off too.
He repositioned himself on his knees in front of me and pulled me into his lap.
I remained on my back, but reached up to stroke his erection a few times.
“I’ll put on a rubber in a few minutes. I need to feel you first.” He ran his fingers down my sex, petting me as his eyes locked onto mine. “You know that I want to give you the world, right?”
“I just want you.” I stretched my arms above my head and closed my eyes, wanting to capture the moment fully before it escaped from me. We’d been through far too much shit, but tomorrow was a new day. It was time to start moving toward the future — together.
“And you’ll have me.” His voice was thick with lust.
I opened my eyes to watch him take his cock in his hand and shift his hips so that he could press into me. His thumb rested on my clit as he worked back and forth until he was tucked completely inside. His free hand gripped my hip painfully tight, but it was far too good to say anything.
“I want this every night. For us to reconnect with each other. To remember that we belong together.” He slid his hand from my hip up to my breasts and then to my shoulder to grip it tightly again as he fucked me.
The intensity of our position left me unwinding fast. I moved my hands back down to rest on the sides of his thighs as he shifted again to hover over the top of me. I wanted to tease him, to bring him to the edge of orgasm and force him to stay there, but I was too tired to do anything but hold on for the ride.
His breath was hot as he whispered into my ear and drove his body into mine. “Come for me, Alisa. Over and over tonight. Let your thoughts go, baby. Be right here and feel how your body opens up for mine.”
I cried out as the orgasm hit me, and tears dotted my vision at the high emotion that accompanied it. My hips undulated as I rode him from beneath, my weariness dampened from his deep thrusts and naughty encouragements.
“That’s it.” He licked from the base of my throat to my jawline.
“So good,” I whispered and groaned as he gripped me just under my knees and pulled up a little, opening me up even more.
“Delicious, baby. Take more of me.” He rolled his hips, and I moved my hands to grip the sheets as my insides tightened again. What was it about the man that gave him the ability to make me come alive, to leave me breathless, and that was all outside of the bedroom. In the middle of the darkened room around us, I was buzzing. Completely on fire.
He reached up with one hand and grabbed the headboard as he rolled his lower body and fucked me deeper than I could ever remember anyone taking me before. I screamed his name as my eyes closed and the air left my lungs.
I almost didn’t notice when he dropped down and slid his hands between me and the bed, gripping my ass tightly as he thrust slow and hard.
“I love you so much.” He moved to press his lips to mine as he exploded inside of me. I didn’t care about anything other than being beneath him. The situation with Dellup would resolve itself.
Dillon and Melissa would both be put in the mental hospital, and Jon would be prosecuted for his part in the situation with his kids.
Zek would rebuild himself after the long year he had ahead of him, and we would be together.
I treasured the feeling of him shaking above me as he came and closed my eyes as he settled on top of me. Sleep pulled me under slowly, and it felt so damn good that I didn’t want to fight it.
I waited until he moved to lay beside me and cuddled me against him to whisper my thoughts just before passing out. “I love you, Zek. Only you.”