Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

GREY

"I've called a million times! Why are you just picking up?" Mom's voice squawks over the phone so loudly I have to pull it from my ear.

"Sorry, mom. My appointment ran long."

"What appointment? Where are you? Who are you with? What are you doing?"

I frown at the interrogation. "I told you. I got a tip about my investigation."

"Gracie, even if you didn't have a head wound, I wouldn't think being out this late at night chasing boogeymen is a good idea."

All I can do is sigh in response.

"Come back to the hospital."

"I can't."

I still owe Zane one night and I meant it when I said I don't want that promise hanging over me like a guillotine. Knowing him, he'll milk it for everything it's worth and I doubt my defense can hold out for that long.

"Grace Elizabeth Jamieson."

"Mom, saying my full name won't work on me anymore. I'm no longer seven." I dig my fingers into the phone, even as my voice trembles.

"You think just because you're twenty-four, you can talk back?—"

"I'm not coming home tonight," I say firmly.

There's a shocked silence.

My heart beats so fast I'm afraid I'll faint.

"It's because of her, isn't it?" Her voice is thin, dejected.

"Mom…"

"Why do you keep doing this? Sloane is dead , Gracie. She's gone. You have to put that tragedy behind you and move on. "

I glance up. Meet a pair of familiar, blue eyes that are crinkling at the corners. "Sloane's not dead, mom. She's right here. Right in front of me."

Mom makes an exasperated sound in her throat.

Sloane lifts both thumbs.

I turn away, giving her my back. "I'm not returning to the hospital tonight. Go home. Sleep in your own bed for once. You deserve the break and that hospital cot wasn't good for your back anyway."

"Wait, Gracie…"

"I'll call you in the morning, mom."

I hang up.

"Whoo! Good for you, girl. I never thought I'd see the day you'd grow a pair."

I glare at my best friend.

My dead best friend.

Who's grinning at me like she's very much alive.

Earlier, I did my best to rationalize Sloane's presence, but it's way too late, I've had far too long of a day, and I'm too exhausted to remind myself she's not here.

"I'm a piece of crap." I turn the phone around and around in my palm.

"No, you're an adult. There's a difference. A slight one, but…"

I choke on the feeling of guilt, as familiar to me as my own breath. "She's going to freak out when she sees me tomorrow."

"Then let her." Sloane shrugs.

I shake my head and press my palm against the wall. Mom is a little… much, but she's got a good heart. All outsiders see is the high maintenance and controlling side of her, but I know the truth. She did her best with what she was given and she's always, always protected me.

I still remember her turning up the music in our crappy apartment when the police sirens were raging outside after another homicide. The way she'd sing and smile for me, so I wouldn't be scared when footsteps—of the police or gang members—thudded down the hallway.

I still remember her promising to protect me. ‘ You just focus on your studies, Gracie. My smart, little girl. I'll get us out of here. I promise."

She was my rock, my refuge, my… my umbrella in the rain.

" But you're not in the ghetto anymore. You're living in a mansion with drivers and housekeepers. Your dad is THE Jarod Cross ? —"

"Step-dad," I correct her.

"Ah, yes. You marrying Zane would be way creepier if Jarod Cross was your actual father."

"Can you not?" I snap.

The muffled voices of The Kings leak under Zane's bedroom door. My attention wavers there.

Soon, Cadence, Dutch, Sol and Finn are going to leave.

And then it'll be just me and Zane.

Sloane laughs and brushes blonde wisps away from her face. "Nervous?"

"No." Why would I be nervous? It's not like I'm a virgin. I know what to expect.

"What are you going to do about the lingerie?"

I give Sloane the side-eye but she persists.

"I vote you borrow something from Cadence. I'm sure she has a thong. She seems like the thong type."

"I am not going to borrow a thong from my student," I hiss.

"Why not?"

"For many reasons, Sloane. Starting with it being unhygienic and very, very inappropriate."

"There you go, overthinking everything again. Loosen up, Grey."

"How about I loosen your?—"

The door bursts open and Sol stands in the brightly lit doorway.

He blinks at me. "Miss Jamieson?"

"Uh…" I freeze. And then I set the phone to my ear. "Sorry, mom. I gotta go."

Sloane smirks at Sol like a tiger spotting prey. "Rawr. Who's this hottie?"

"No one."

"Huh?" Sol glances over his shoulder. "Are you talking to me?"

"No, Sol. I just… it's nothing."

Sloane waves her hands over his torso. "Look at those big arms and those dreamy brown eyes. Ay, papi! "

I stiffen in horror.

Sloane walks a circle around Sol, who can't see her but he can definitely see the way my right eye is twitching.

"He looks a little wild. My type of bad boy. Is he single? "

"Miss Jamieson, are you okay?"

"Yes, er… you should go."

Sol gives me another strange look before walking down the stairs.

"Bye, papi. Call me? " Sloane stretches on her tiptoes and waves, craning her neck to see over the banister.

Finn walks out next.

Sloane whirls around and her jaw drops. "I think I just died again."

I glare at her, a not-so-subtle instruction for her to shut the hell up.

"You good?" Finn tilts his chin up, watching me with those onyx eyes.

"I'm fine." I know better than to address Sloane this time, even though she's in the background saying the most inappropriate things.

"You look a little… sweaty."

I cringe when I hear Sloane using the words ‘choke' and ‘me' in the same sentence.

Dutch and Cadence join Finn in the doorway.

I do not want to listen to what Sloane is saying about Zane's twin.

"Miss Jamie—Grey!" Cadence pushes past Finn and grabs my hand, "Come inside. Sit down. You look like you're about to faint."

Zane must hear them because he appears out of nowhere. The next thing I know, I'm being hauled into his arms. I roll against his chest, inhaling his woodsy scent. He gives me a worried look as he carries me to the bed.

"What's wrong? Did your mom say something?"

I shake my head no.

"She looks like she's seen a ghost," Finn mutters.

Sloane is floating behind us, hearts in her eyes.

I cringe.

"Are you in pain?" Zane puts his hand to my forehead and curses. "She's hot."

"I'll get a thermometer," Finn says, jumping into action.

"I'm fine," I say.

"Maybe Zane should take you back to the hospital," Dutch grunts.

"The hospital isn't safe anymore. We don't know who was watching us visit Slavno."

Cadence plants her hands on her hips. "Zane, she was in a car accident not too long ago. She had seven stitches in her head. We can't just pretend that didn't happen."

"Excuse me, I'm right here. And I said I'm fine."

Zane gives me the eye of doom before glaring across the room. "I didn't say I'd ignore it, Cadey. I said we can't take her to the hospital. I'll call a private nurse."

"Good idea," Dutch says.

"Guys, I'm okay. I swear."

Finn barrels in with the thermometer.

Zane takes my temperature, his eyes locked on the digital pad like it's a secret code to a treasure.

Sloane sits on the edge of the bed, smiling softly. "Aw, you've got a nice little crew here, Grey."

She's very misinformed. They're not my crew. The Kings are only helping me because I promised to break up my mom and their dad. Once our goals stop aligning, they'll drop me too.

I hold my breath until the thermometer beeps and Zane checks the instrument. "She's got a slight fever."

"I'll call the nurse." Cadence scrambles for her phone.

I try to scoot to the edge of the bed. "Cadey, put the phone down. Everyone, clear out. I don't need a nurse."

"Why the hell not?" Zane bellows, stopping me with his giant body.

"Because I said so."

He looms over me. "You have a freaking fever."

"And? No one died from a fever. I said I'm fine, so I'm fine."

"You're wrong, Grey. You're fine, if I say you're fine."

"You're a doctor now?" I spit back.

"Are you?"

"You're so immature."

"Says the one who doesn't want medical help when she's clearly sick."

"I promise I'm not sick."

"Then why are you acting so weird?"

I glance at Sloane.

The silence stretches.

Zane growls, "I'm calling a doctor and you're not going to stop me."

"Oh, he's intense. "

"Zane, stop."

"Looks like he's really going to call ." Sloane points to where Zane is roughly stabbing a number in his phone.

I launch up and grab the phone from him.

He looks at me with wide, surprised eyes.

"Grey—"

"No doctors."

"Why the hell?—"

"Because I want a proper honeymoon!" I shriek.

A stunned silence settles on everyone.

Nobody moves.

"I want…" I exhale shakily, "to be with you," I finish on a squeak, "tonight."

Heat blares in my cheeks as Dutch and Cadence exchange an amused glance while Finn coughs into his hand.

Zane's mouth forms a tiny o.

"Uh," Cadence stretches her arms high and pretends to yawn, "wow. I didn't realize it was so late. Time for me to go to bed."

Dutch gives Zane a knowing nod. He follows his wife out.

Finn just shakes his head as if to say ‘why do I put up with this crap?'

In five seconds flat, the room clears out.

"Well… that was easy."

Shut up, Sloane.

I want to flop back in embarrassment but, instead, I clamor to my feet. Zane is still standing near the bed, looking suspicious.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" I stammer.

He says nothing. Just keeps me in the vise grip of his intimidating blue gaze.

Swallowing hard, I tell him, "I'll take a shower. We probably both smell like prison."

"Something's up with you."

"He's not wrong."

"Because I'm keeping our end of the deal?"

He scowls.

"I thought you'd be happy. I'm giving you exactly what you want."

Thick eyebrows knot even further.

"Unless you're no longer interested?" I stop in front of the door and rub under my stitches. "Maybe now it's finally setting in that you married a woman who's six years older than you, someone with a permanent scar on her fa?—"

Zane barrels toward me. His body plows into mine, forcing me against the open door. It bangs noisily into the wall, rattling loud enough to cover my surprised gasp. What remains of the breath in my lungs hisses out as Zane grabs both my hands and pins them above my head.

I struggle. "Let me go, Zane."

He swoops in instead.

Anger and something else feels heavy in the air.

He stops mere inches from my mouth and then, slowly, brings his gaze up to my scar. Self-consciousness kicks in and I stop struggling, shifting my face to the side.

He grips my chin and brings me back to look at him.

For a moment, nothing but our harsh, heavy breaths pierce the air.

"You are the sexiest, most beautiful woman I have ever seen," Zane whispers. The words are heavy with promise. With devotion. "So be very careful." His grip is ice-cold. "I won't tolerate any disrespect toward my wife. Not even from you."

I blink in shock.

"W-who do you think you are?" I croak.

He smirks and lets his grip glide down my wrists to my upper arms. His touch sends prickles of hot sensations over my skin. I instinctively lean in to him, hoping he'll touch more of me.

But he stops right at my shoulders.

Gripping me there, he pulls me forward.

I shiver as he presses his mouth to mine, just a gentle touch. Like a butterfly resting on a flower.

"Who am I?" He murmurs against my lips. "I'm your husband…"

A tremble rocks me as he moves his attention to my neck. I feel his breath swoosh in and then escape on the delicate skin there.

Did he just… breathe me in?

He makes a thrumming sound of appreciation in his throat and a rough and powerful pulse erupts between my legs.

Zane eases back again. His icy blue gaze wanders down to my T-shirt as he adds,

"Do you know who you are?"

"You're my…" I can't say it.

He chuckles darkly. "Teacher?"

I nod.

"Step-sister?"

I cringe.

"That's who you were. But who you are now, Grey… is different."

"And who do you think I am now?" I whisper. I wish it didn't sound so breathless.

He runs his tongue over his bottom lip and smirks, "You are… my property."

I snap back to reality.

Enraged, I move to slap him.

He snatches my wrist. Instead, he uses that momentum to spin me around so my back is to his chest. He crosses my arms over my breasts and locks them in place with his own powerful biceps.

Mischievous laughter vibrates through his body and mine.

"Careful, you could have scratched me with those claws, tiger."

"You better leave after we're done tonight or I'll strangle you in your sleep."

He continues walking me forward, wrapped around me like a straight jacket. How is he so strong with only one good hand? "So… not much of a cuddler?"

"You'd prefer a pillow to the face?"

"Suffocation or strangling? Hard choice." The laughter is still heavy in his tone. He thinks I'm lying?

Zane pushes the bathroom door open and waddles me inside, while I try really hard not to enjoy how his hips brush against me.

"Towels are in that cabinet. Cadey bought a bunch of fruity lotion, shampoo and things. There's a new toothbrush in the drawer and a change of clothes. I remember you like lace so I got a new set for you. Can't say it'll be comfortable but it'll look pretty on the floor."

"I don't think I need to remind you, but I'll say it again. Our wedding was fake. Tonight is just a deal. We are not really married. And I for sure am not your property."

"Strangling."

"What?"

"If I have to go, I'd rather it happen while you're choking me."

"Zane!"

He presses a kiss to my cheek and then releases me abruptly.

I spin around, noting how he barrels back as if in anticipation of my flying fists. "Try not to wear me out too much later or I won't have the strength to leave our bed tonight."

I wish I had something to throw at him.

Oh wait. I do.

I grab the jasmine scented perfume on the counter and hurl it.

Zane catches it with his good hand like a star pitcher. He laughs and scampers back, disappearing into his room and coming out with a towel and change of clothes. With a salute to me, he barrels down the stairs, probably to shower in one of the many other bathrooms in this mansion.

I scowl and shut the door.

"It's annoying how gorgeous he is."

I gasp when I see Sloane sitting on the bathroom counter, swinging her legs.

"Where were you just now?"

"I don't know. I blink out of focus when you two are getting all flirty. It's like you see nothing but him when he's touching you. I can barely get your attention."

"We weren't flirting. And you're not real, so it's more like my brain can't be angry and create you all at once."

"Of course I'm real." She sighs . "Bummer that I blink out though. I was hoping to see how he does in bed. He seems like a very generous lover ? —"

"I'm going to shower now." I turn abruptly.

Sloane makes a ‘go ahead' motion and starts fiddling with the lotions and face creams on the bathroom sink.

I scowl at her. "Aren't you going to leave?"

She smirks. "I thought I was a figment of your imagination?"

"I don't care what you are. You're not watching me shower."

"I bet you'd let Zane watch you shower."

My brain trips back to a memory of Zane holding my wet, naked body that day in the bathroom. His hands had felt so big and manly as they held me up.

Heat sends a dangerous spark of electricity through my blood.

Sloane freezes. " Oh my go—HAS he seen you in the shower? "

"I'll tell you if you tell me what happened today in prison."

Her smile freezes and she whirls around. "Didn't you say you wanted privacy?"

"We really will have to talk about what happened today."

"No we don't!" She yells before walking out the door.

A yawn cracks my jaw and I blink the sleep from my eyes. Hopefully, the shower will wake me up.

I put the water on the hottest setting and wash the day's grime off.

After my shower, I dress for the night. A part of me wants to spite Zane and ignore the underwear he bought but I don't have any other clean options, so I slip them on.

The creamy blue slip that matches the lingerie looks beautiful against my skin and is soft to the touch. I take my hair out of the tight bun I've been wearing all day and loop it into a soft ponytail.

My curls are frizzy but I won't have my definition until I can find some curl cream and gel.

There.

I'm ready.

I peel the door open and look both ways in case Viola, Cadence, Dutch and Finn are up. Seeing the coast is clear, I hurry across to Zane's bedroom and shut the door.

It's dimly lit and empty. Where did he put the white board?

I yawn and then shrug.

The bed looks soft and inviting.

I shake my head, turning away. If I lie down now, I'll fall asleep and then I'll have to spend another day anticipating a night with Zane.

"Better to get it done now," I murmur, smacking my face.

Where is Sloane when I need her?

If I was chatting with my best friend, I'm sure I'd be able to stay up.

My eyes drop closed and I feel my head lulling.

Abruptly, I straighten.

The bed calls to me.

This is torture.

I take a step forward. And then another. I'll close my eyes until Zane gets back. I'm sure he'll wake me up. Since he thinks I'm his ‘property', he'll probably demand what he wants tonight.

Convinced, I lie on top of the covers.

It smells like Zane.

Smells good, even if he's a douchebag.

I curl against the pillow.

Five minutes…

That's all the rest I'll get.

After that, it's game on.

I'm definitely sleeping with Zane Cross tonight.