Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'33

"What?!" I said as I stood up, my heart thudding. "Where is it?"

Anderi shook his head. "I have to be sure. We'll talk later, I need time to sort this out."

He was already heading for the door.

"Wait, Anderi, you can't just leave—"

"I'll be back," he cut me off, disappearing through the doorway.

Just then, Czar walked down the stairs with Lada trailing closely behind. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her face still wet with tears.

"What was that all about?" he asked, watching Anderi's retreating figure.

"Nothing," I said quickly. "He had some business to handle."

Lada sniffled. "I'm gonna go home, Zariah. I'm sorry... we'll catch up later."

"It's okay," I said softly, giving her a hug. "You need to rest."

When she stepped out the door, it was just Czar and me left in the foyer.

"I'm going to go get dressed," I said, already making my way toward the stairs.

"Where are you going?"

"I have a meeting with Darcey Couture today at four."

I reached the top, but Czar followed closely behind. "What are you hiding, Zariah?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

I tried to brush past him into the bathroom, but he caught my arm and spun me around. His grip was firm but not painful. His blue eyes bore into mine.

"What were you and Anderi talking about?"

He was so close, every breath from his mouth warmed my cheek. I swallowed hard.

"Nothing."

He stared at me, eyes darkening. Then, suddenly, he kissed me, hard.

I gasped against his lips but quickly gave in, kissing him back with just as much urgency. His fingers tangled in my hair, pulling slightly and making me moan into his mouth. His tongue teased mine, skillful and intense.

His hands slid under my thighs, lifting me with ease. He carried me to the bed without breaking the kiss, laying me down and hovering above me. My fingers found their way into his hair, tugging gently until he pulled away and met my eyes.

"Czar."

"Zariah."

"I know why Liam wants to kill me."

He pulled back slightly, bracing his weight on either side of my head. "I thought we already established that."

I bit my lip, hesitating. "Where's the child, Czar?"

His entire demeanor changed. He went still, then slowly sat up and pulled away.

"What?"

"I know it was Annika who was pregnant. What did you do with the baby?"

"Did she tell you this?"

He began pacing, running a hand through his hair.

"No one was supposed to know," he muttered.

"He just wants to know where his child is, Czar."

"We can't."

"Why not?"

He turned, jaw tight. "Because I'm not dragging her into this life. Not with him lurking around."

I blinked. "Her? Annika had a girl?"

He looked at me, conflicted. "You have to promise me you won't tell anyone."

"Czar—"

"Promise me."

His voice was low, desperate. I nodded. "I promise."

He took a breath. "Annika came to me not long after our father's death. She told me she was pregnant but refused to tell me who the father was. She didn't want the baby to grow up in this life. So... we arranged a closed adoption. I sent her to a safe house once she started showing, and we handled everything quietly."

"But Liam knew."

"I didn't realize he was the father until Hawaii. When he confronted you... something clicked. I did some digging. The adoptive parents sent me a photo. She looks just like him."

My heart thudded in my chest. "Then tell him. Maybe this ends if he gets what he wants."

Czar sat beside me. "It's not that simple. He's dangerous. You've seen it."

I brought my knees to my chest. "What are we going to do?"

He took my hand gently. "I don't know. But we'll face it together. I'm not letting anything happen to you. Or to her."

We sat there in silence, the weight of too many secrets pressing down on us both.

~*~

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