Zac

Zac's cell woke him from his restless sleep, and he searched for it, finding it on his night table. He didn't bother to look at the caller ID, it was probably his head of security with a problem or the PI he ordered to chase down Toni and that scientist. They were the only two people with permission to contact him at this ungodly hour.

"What?" he barked.

"Hmm, is that the way you greet your ex-girlfriend, Zac?" Toni purred into the other end of the line. How she had gotten his number was beyond him, but he figured she had the same clout and pull her old man had. That would all change for her soon, very soon if he had a say in it.

"Toni, honey, how are you?" he asked, pasting on his fake, caring voice. His PI was unsuccessful in finding them, except for telling Zac that they headed north. If he could just keep her on the line long enough to trace the call, he would be able to send one of his guys to finish the job he started over a year ago. He was done with this little cat-and-mouse game. Zac was starting to feel like the mouse, and he couldn't let that happen.

"I'm doing well, Zac. Thanks for asking. Listen, I've been going through a few papers my dad left behind and I see you are in possession of a few of my things—namely the bed you are probably in right now, my house, and my company. I'm fully aware of my father's living blood relative clause, and I'll be taking back what belongs to me. Fair warning," she hissed.

Zac felt a moment of panic. He paid off that fucking idiot lawyer James employed to keep his damn mouth shut. Zac would make sure Mr. Shields paid for his betrayal, but now he had bigger problems—namely the mouthy little blonde on the other end of the phone.

"It will never hold up in court, baby. I'll tie up your father's company, assets, and money for so long that we'll both be dead and buried before a decision is made about who everything belongs to." Toni's laughter filled the phone line and he wanted to reach through and strangle her.

"My, my Zac. I think you're letting your temper get the best of you. You always did have a problem with controlling your moods, didn't you? I think you're forgetting that I know you better than most people. Where is that boy I used to love, Zac?" Toni was using their former friendship against him, trying to play with his emotions, and he wouldn't allow it. That was a lifetime ago, and he wasn't that same boy. That young boy was in love with Toni Bernston and the man he was now didn't have time for foolish notions like love. When Toni rejected him a little over a year ago, turning down his marriage proposal, he tried to pretend his proposition had nothing to do with love, but she saw right through him. He was completely in love with her, always had been, and hearing she just didn't feel the same way about him nearly destroyed him. He vowed that day he would never let something as silly as feelings or caring for someone else get in the way of what he wanted in life. He decided to take what he wanted, and that was success and building a name for himself and his businesses. He had finally achieved his goals and there was no way he would let Toni take that away from him.

"That boy is dead, Antionette, as you should be. Why couldn't you just stay dead?" he barked into the phone. Toni's laughter filled the other end of the line again and he ended the call. She was obviously toying with him, trying to get a rise from him and she had succeeded. He wouldn't let that happen again. It was time to find her and her troublesome boyfriend and drag them back to the Isle of Palms. When he got done with the two of them, they would both regret toying with him, he'd make sure of it.