DANCE WITH THE ENEMY

CHAPTER FIVE

ZARIYAH

It's been four days since I locked myself away, but contrary to everyone's assumptions, I haven't been crying. The man who slaughtered my family raped me, and now I'm pregnant with his child. His goons watched as he pulled the trigger, on my family.

I could cry all day and night, but it won't change what happened. Whether I like it or not, we created this baby together. His father's blood runs through his veins, but so does mine. He's my child, my baby. The monster left me one good thing – a new family.

On the day I get my chance, I'll make his death less painful because he gave me a ray of hope. For now, I'll focus on becoming the mother he deserves. I've spent my time learning basic combat moves on YouTube and practicing them. I'm determined to bury the girl who cried endlessly for her lost loved ones. I'll be stronger, for myself, my family, and my baby. They'll watch from heaven, proud of me.

A knock at my bedroom door makes me straighten up. Only one person knocks like that.

"Princess, come on, open up!" Marco yells, banging furiously. "You've been locked in there for four days. I know you're mad at me, and I'm sorry. I was wrong to keep it from you."

Then, a pause.

"Cupcake..." My world freezes. It can't be.

"Baby, please open the door."

I must be hallucinating. I march to the door and rip it open. Standing before me is Nanny Rose, the woman who raised me alongside my mother.

"Nanny Rose!" I gasp, surprised. I jump into her arms, hugging her tightly.

Nanny Rose chuckled and pulled me closer. "How's my cupcake doing?" Her fingers combed through my hair, and tears clogged my eyes as I pulled away, just watching those features that I love so much lit up.

"I'm so glad you're well, cupcake. So glad you're still here with me." She choked, trying but failing to fight her tears.

Our unwanted companion cleared his throat to announce his presence. "Uhm... Can you come downstairs for dinner today? Please..." I glared at him, pulling Nanny Rose in and shutting the door behind us.

"How did you get here?" I asked, ushering us to sit on the bed.

"Well, I've been looking everywhere for you," she narrated. "I rushed back the next morning from my day off when I heard what happened. I searched every hospital I could think of, but I never found you. And just this morning, that man picked me up and brought me here."

"I'm sorry for what happened," she continued. "I heard it on the news, but I'm without a doubt that Chief would never do something like that. He was a good man and there's no doubting it."

"Everybody believes otherwise," I smiled sadly, blinking back the tears.

"What matters is what you believe, Zara," Nanny Rose said. "I'm sure that all that matters to him, your mum, and little Dylan."

I took a deep breath. "What if I told you there's another Dylan coming on the way?"

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she gasped. "You're pregnant, cupcake?"

"I was raped the night of the incident," I sobbed, my heart breaking all over again. "They shot Dylan and Mummy to torture Daddy. Then he helpless watched a man take advantage of his daughter, and they killed him and left me unconscious. I found out recently that I was pregnant from that incident."

Nanny Rose hugged me. "I'd totally understand if you don't want to keep it."

"Actually, I'll be keeping it," I informed. "It doesn't matter how the baby was made. It doesn't change the fact that he or she would still be my baby. My little star in this dark and gloomy days. He's my everything at this point, Nanny, and I'll be damned to let anything happen to him."

Nanny Rose beamed with a smile. "You're so wise, cupcake. Your mummy will be so proud of you. Just know I'll be here for you no matter what."

"So you'll be naming him Dylan after your little brother?" She inquired.

I nodded. "Dylan King Jacob. That if it's a he. Something tells me it is though."

"And if it's a she?" She gushed.

"I haven't decided honestly," I shrugged with a shy smile.

"My little cupcake already has the mother instinct," Nanny Rose teased. "You think he'll be obsessed with cupcakes too? Maybe I'll call him mini cupcake."

We burst out laughing at her suggestion.

"Princess, can I have a word with you?" came Marco's booming voice.

"Whoever that man is, I think you should forgive him and talk to him," Nanny Rose suggested with a small wink that had me blushing.

"Fine. I'll be in your office in ten minutes." I yelled loud enough for him to hear.

"You care to talk about who he is and why it seems ready to move mountains just for you?" She teased, and I tried my hardest not to blush.

"He saved me off the streets when I escaped the hospital," I replied. "And he's willing to help me get vengeance for my family. Don't ask me how, please."

"I'm happy with whatever decision you make, as long as it's what you really want," Nanny Rose responded, returning my kiss on the cheek before I rushed out to meet with Marco.

"What do you want?" I glared.

"I'm sorry, Princess," Marco pleaded. "Can you just forgive already?"

"Fine," I said. "But you'll have to promise no keeping things from me ever again?"

"I promise," Marco responded in a heartbeat.

"Now come here." I walked into his embrace, and he engulfed me in his wide arms, placing a kiss on my head afterwards.

"You don't know how relieved I am," he groaned.

The door creaked open, and Jack walked in, snickering. "Guess who's done being a little bitch and locking herself up in her room."

My temper flared, and I headed for him with a glare. Kneeing him hard in the balls, he howled.

"Guess who's the bitch now?" I smirked.

"You deserved that, bro," Marco said, chuckling. "Next time, I'll advise you to stay away from her. I'd bet my left arm nothing will stop her from busting your balls, not even me."

I smirked at his response before leaving both men to their business.