Part 15 (1/2)
”Yes. I'll watch for you.”
”I'm coming. And I'm going to kill the son of a b.i.t.c.h.”
”Zane, there's one thing, just in case you don't -”
”I said I'd be there.”
”Please.”
”What is it?”
”Your father...he didn't order Bryan's murder. He was telling you the truth. He was torn up about it. I was there. I saw him. I know.”
I paused, things falling into place, my own mistakes and failings heavy on my conscience. ”I'm on my way, Maria. He'll make it.”
He had to.
”What's going on?” Aria asked.
”My father's hurt.”
”What?”
”Ace. He didn't quite kill him, but close. He probably didn't want to take a chance on alerting me.”
”What do you mean?”
”Technically, I'm Alpha when Cain dies. That's the natural continuation so even if I don't accept the role, I'd feel it if he died. I'm going to the compound to confront Ace.”
”What? You can't!”
”I have to.” I turned away from her, dialing Fly. He answered on the second ring.
”It's three in the f.u.c.king morning. Guessing this ain't good news you're calling with.”
”Cain's hurt; he's been locked up. Ace thinks he's taking over.”
”On my way.”
”No. I need you to take Aria. Hide her.”
”No. I'm going with you!” Aria tugged on my arm.
”No, you're not. It's what he wants.” I may have claimed Aria, but Ace didn't play by the rules. If I didn't survive this, then, without my protection, she'd be his for the taking, and he'd not only have Savage Blood, but he'd have Xander at his mercy, too. He'd use Aria to bring Rage to heel. Fly needed to hide her.
”Be there in fifteen minutes.”
”I can't wait for you, but Xander has men outside.”
”Make it ten then. Go, man.”
”Thanks.” I disconnected the call.
”You're not leaving me behind, Zane. I'm coming with you.”
”No, Aria, you can't. I'm s.h.i.+fting. I can get to him faster that way. Fly will be here in ten minutes.”
”I can follow you in the truck.”
I stopped, rubbing her arms, walking her backward to the bed and sitting her down. I knelt on the floor, holding her hands in mine. ”Aria, I need you to stay, do as I say, and let me handle this. It's going to be a bloodbath. I can't protect you and deal with Ace on top of it.”
”But I can help.”
She wasn't going to listen.
”I know you want to.” I stood, kissing her, opening the nightstand drawer as I did and quietly retrieving the handcuffs I kept there. I wrapped one around her wrist, and, before she realized what was happening, I closed the second one around a rung in the headboard.
”What are you doing?”
Straightening, I set the keys out of her reach on the dresser and picked up her cell phone, handing it to her. ”Call your grandfather. Tell him what's going on. Tell him Fly is coming for you, but he needs to come, too. Tell him I need his help at the compound. To send men.” I hated to do it. I hated to ask for help, especially from Xander. I'd be in his debt.
”Zane -”
I looked at her sitting there, so vulnerable, so human. This was bigger than me. I needed Xander's help if I had any hope of winning.
”I love you, Aria. I'm sorry for everything.” I kissed her, the tears on her face making mine wet. Then, without another word, I left, waiting just outside until I heard Fly approach, knowing he'd keep her safe while I returned to my home to confront my enemy once and for all. To salvage what I could, hoping I wasn't too late.
Chapter Nineteen.
Aria I watched him go, the image of him blurry through my tears, his last words to me sounding like just that: final words. With trembling hands, I picked up my phone and scrolled to find my grandfather's phone number. He answered within moments.
”Aria?” I could hear the panic in his voice.
”I'm okay.”
”Thank goodness.”
”But Zane's not.” I sniffled, wiping a hand across my nose. I heard the downstairs door open.
”Aria?” It was Fly.
”Up here.”
”Who is that?” Xander asked.
”It's Fly. He's here.”