Demons

Chapter 23

~~~ Recap:

“Zayn, don’t lie to me you little shit. I know you are alone with Lacey. So, put me on speakerphone. Now.” Malcolm groaned and continued to speak to Zayn in disrespect. Zayn’s expression displayed panic and his amber crystals averted mine. I hate Malcolm.

“Okay,” Zayn voice sounded in defeat, but he did not sound weak. I started to squirm for I had a feeling that Malcolm called to taunt Zayn. Or worse, me. Zayn still doesn’t know. Oh shit. ~~~

 “Hello, Lacey? You there?” Malcolm asked with mock concern. Zayn’s jaw clenched, sighing angrily.

“Yes.” I stated, firmly. I didn’t want to seem weak to him, especially after he almost choked me to death.

“Great! It truly warms my heart to know that you are spending time together.” He laughed and Zayn squeezed the phone till I thought it would crack. I pulled it out of his hands and he immediately glared at me.

“Give it back to me, Lace. Now,” He demanded with the same authority that Malcolm used when he ordered Zayn. Covering the speaker and holding the phone away from him, I took in his foul frown.

“Zayn, calm down. It’s okay, we’re safe.” I ran my hand through his perfect hair, the affectionate gesture earning a relieved expression from Zayn.

“Give the phone back, Lace.” He whispered, with a hint of a commanding tone in his soft voice. Defeated, I sulkily handed it over.

“Are you two done fighting?” Malcolm husky voice sounded.

“Malcolm, why are you calling me?” Zayn groaned.

“Just checking in on my most valuable asset? So, how are you, Lacey?” Zayn shot me a confused look when Malcolm called me his most valuable ‘asset.’ Honestly, I am confused as well. I didn’t do anything for Malcolm, nor would I ever.

“Why?” Zayn responded before I could. What if Malcolm mentions our encounter? Oh goodness, I hope he won’t.

“Wow, Lacey you sound so much more masculine. Is it a cold?” Malcolm sneered through the phone. Such an elementary joke from such an elementary man.

“Leave her out of this, Malcolm.” Zayn hissed and I swear I heard Malcolm chuckle on the other end. This added fuel to the fire that was Zayn’s temper at the moment. It was best for me not to interrupt their conversation, in fear that Malcolm might say something or Zayn would get pissed at me.

“If you only knew, Zayn.” That was the last thing Malcolm said before he hung up. Knowing that he was hinting at my meeting with him, I grew annoyed yet relieved. What is with the men in Zayn’s “business” and being so fucking cryptic all the time? And you wonder where Zayn gets it from. Zayn wore an extremely frustrated expression, but I didn’t sympathize for him. Now he knows a part of what I feel when I’m left in the dark about his job, Malcolm, Brutus, anything really.

“Lacey,” Zayn breathed, rubbing his temples.

“Yes?” I replied, innocently. Keep your cool, he cannot find out. If he did, he would just become a ticking time bomb, waiting for me to say something stupid so that he could blow up.

“What was Malcolm talking about?” His arm slung around my waist, pulling me face-to-face with him. He was so intimidating, while the piercing on his eyebrow shifted when he cocked it. His sweet yet scary gestures were making lying to him even harder.

“I don’t know.” I replied, thankfully not through stuttering. That would just give me away.

“Stop lying to me! Didn’t I tell you to stay out of this?! Stay out of my fucking business!” He had already set off, pushing me away and my back hit my wall.