Arranged To Be|18+✔️

47'

~Czar's POV~

I waited until I saw Zariah drive off before heading back to my car. I pulled out my phone and dialed Anderi.

"What's wrong?" he asked the second he picked up.

"We have to find out what Annika is up to," I said, pulling out of the parking lot.

"But you agreed we should leave her be."

"That was before I found out Zariah is pregnant. If Annika finds out... there's no telling what she might do."

"Wait—Zariah is pregnant?"

I sighed. "Yes. That's why she wanted to meet with me today."

"You really think Annika would hurt her?"

"She killed our mother, Anderi. There's no telling what she's capable of."

 ~*~

By the time I got home, Lada and Anderi were already waiting in the living room.

"Have you been able to track her?" I asked.

"Nothing. We can't even ping her cellphone. It's like she vanished," Lada said.

"She couldn't have just disappeared without a trace. We need to figure out where she is."

"You're right," Anderi agreed. "But until then, Zariah needs protection. Where is she now?"

"She went home."

Lada stared at me. "You didn't send anyone with her?"

"Shit." I grabbed my keys off the table.

~*~

Zariah's Pov

I walked in the front door as I texted my mom to bring me McDonald's, I had a serious craving. My dad was out with her, and Josiah was off with friends, so I had the house to myself.

I hung up my keys and slipped off my shoes, then headed to the bathroom. I'd been holding my pee all day. As I sat, I heard faint footsteps in the hallway.

My body froze. I glanced at the door to make sure it was locked and quickly texted Josiah.

Me: Hey, are you home?

Josiah: No, why?

My heartbeat skyrocketed. Shaky hands wiped quickly, and I pulled up my pants. I was about to call 911 when a message from Czar popped up.

Czar: Get out of the house. Now.

That was all I needed. I turned to the bathroom window, unlocking it just as pounding hit the door.

"Open up, Zariah!" a voice shrieked. It was Annika.

My whole body trembled. I pushed the window up with all my strength.

"You can't run from me!" she yelled. "I'll finish what Liam started!"

The door crashed open. She lunged for me, grabbing my leg and yanking me back. I fell, hitting my head hard. My ears rang.

"You crazy bitch," I spat, clutching my head.

Annika loomed over me, eyes wild. "I was going to leave town. I really was. But then I saw you at the doctor's office. When I found out you were pregnant... it snapped something in me. Czar gets everything, my father's approval, my mother's love, and now a family? He killed the love of my life!"

"He was a psychopath!"

"He loved me!"

"He used you!"

Annika shook her head slowly, trembling. "I should've helped him. I should've never let you take Alina from me again."

"You're not stable, Annika."

She pulled a gun from her waistband and aimed it. "Don't tell me what I am!"

I froze. My ears still rang, vision blurry.

"Annika, please... please."

"No. If I can't have my child, neither can Czar."

She aimed at my stomach. I rolled just as the gun went off. Pain exploded across my back.

I screamed.

I kicked her in the head and scrambled up, running blindly through the hallway.

"You fucking bitch!" she screamed.

My vision swam. I stumbled into Josiah's room, slammed the door shut, and locked it. I rushed into the closet, squeezing into the tiny crawlspace behind the shoe rack.

"Come out now!" she called from the hallway, laughing. "You left a trail of blood."

I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"I need... I need—" I couldn't form the words.

"Ma'am, are you there?"

"I need—"

"Come out, Zariah!" Annika banged on the door.

"Ma'am, are you able to tell us your location?"

"127 Spruce St—"

The door was kicked in. I held my breath.

"Zariah?"

That voice—

"Czar?" I called out faintly.

Footsteps rushed closer.

But I couldn't stay awake. My head dropped.

And everything went dark.

~*~

Yay, we love drama, can you believe that we have just three chapters left? Ayo, that chick Annika is crazy. I love you all and I loved writing this book but I am even more excited for the new book that I am working on. Don't forget to comment, vote, share and follow, until next time my lovelies.