Arranged To Be|18+✔️

38'

I woke up in a pool of sweat. Czar had me wrapped tightly in his arms, and I could barely breathe.

"Czar... you're hot," I groaned, trying to push him off me.

He didn't budge. Instead, he rolled on top of me, knocking the wind out of my lungs.

"Czar!" I wheezed.

He bolted upright. "What?!"

I sat up, rubbing my stomach. "You were trying to kill me."

Czar rolled his eyes and pulled the blanket back over his head.

I climbed out of bed, slipped into my slippers, and stepped out of the room. Today was the day we were taking Annika to Alina. The day we were going to walk straight into Liam's trap. My stomach churned with nerves.

"Hi Zariah!" a voice called.

I turned to see Lonnie approaching with a mop and bucket in hand.

"How did you sleep?"

"Not well," I said honestly, then gave her a small hug. "But it's good to see you."

She beamed. "How did your meeting go with Darcey Couture?"

"It went well. I'm hoping to finish some designs this month for the show."

She clutched her mop like it was a bouquet. "I can't wait to see what you come up with!"

I thanked her and headed down to the kitchen, where I quietly made toast. I chewed slowly, staring blankly out the window. My mind kept looping the same thought. today, this ends. or we don't survive it.

After cleaning up, I returned upstairs. Czar was already dressed, black pants, white shirt, running sneakers, and a black jacket. A gun was tucked into the back of his waistband.

"Get dressed. I'll get Annika. Meet me in the garage in five," he said, not meeting my eyes.

He walked past me. The cool detachment in his voice stung after last night's tenderness.

I sighed and pulled on black leggings, a hoodie, and shoes. I tied my hair into a bun, took one last look in the mirror, and went to the garage.

*

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked.

We had been driving forever. Annika sat silently in the back seat, handcuffed and staring out the window.

"Just outside the city line," Czar replied.

Annika's voice cracked. "She was this close all along? My little girl..."

Czar said nothing. He just kept driving.

We finally arrived in a neat suburban neighborhood. Row after row of white houses with brown shutters and matching porches. It was eerie.

Czar drove confidently through the maze until we stopped in front of one house.

"Let me do all the talking," he instructed.

"What about Annika?"

"Leave her in the car."

We walked to the front porch. Dressed in black, pulling up in a black car—we definitely looked like trouble. Czar rang the doorbell. No answer.

"Are they even here?" I asked.

He gestured toward a white SUV in the driveway. "They're here."

He rang again.

Then the door opened.

My heart dropped.

It was Liam. He smiled at us, gun pointed to a crying little girl's head. She looked just like him.

Alina.

Czar reached for his gun, but Liam immediately shifted aim to me.

"Move again and I blow her head off," Liam said.

Czar's hand froze. His jaw clenched.

"That's your daughter, Liam," he growled.

Liam laughed and pushed Alina aside, pressing the gun to my temple instead.

"How about you both come in so we can chat," he said.

I turned to Czar. My legs locked in place. My throat closed.

"Go to hell," Czar spat.

Liam yanked me inside. It happened so fast I barely had time to blink. Alina stumbled backward as he shoved me further in, gun tight against my skull.

"I said come in, Czar. My best buddy," Liam laughed.

Czar stepped in, seething, as Liam slammed the door behind him.

"Now," Liam said, his eyes glinting with madness, "let's have a little fun."

~*~

Chapter 39 will be posted around the same time tomorrow. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Don't forget to like, share, and comment. And as always leave your predictions. Until next time my lovelies.