His Jaguar Tattoo

First Sign of Trust

Evidently, the meeting was going well. Zuri only interrupted the once when she darted into the room to deliver the cookies. It had been the fifteen most awkward seconds of her life. Every man in the room, including the ones leaning against the walls, was watching her. Not to mention all conversation had quieted, so she could hear her thudding pulse and ragged breath. Again, she hated large gatherings.

"Thank you," Drew told her gruffly on her way out of the door.

"You're welcome," she squeaked and bolted up the stairs to her room.

After pacing in her bedroom for a minute or two, Zuri's heart rate slowed again. She didn't even want to think about going downstairs with all those males around. But how was she going to pass the time? The kitchen had become her haven, her place of purpose in this dreadful mansion.

The gym. Zuri smiled to herself. Of course! She could hop on the treadmill to kill some time. Besides, exercise helped relieve her stress and she had plenty to be stressed about. Zuri changed into stretchy yoga capris and pulled a cotton tee over her sports bra. Thankfully, Benny had brought her tennis shoes with her other clothes, so was able to lace those on, too.

She snuck down the hall to the spacious gym, quietly closing the door behind her. This way, in case Drew came looking for his slave, it would take him longer to find her. The stretching was painful but necessary before she stepped onto the treadmill. Her eyes were trained at the beautiful yard outside while she eased into a jog.

The sound of someone clearing his throat made her jump. Zuri spared a look over her shoulder as she turned off the treadmill. When she turned around, Drew was leaning against the side of the doorframe. His jacket and tie had been discarded, probably hastily tossed on his bed. Although he wasn't even close to smiling, his stare wasn't as intense as usual.

"I didn't know you like to run," he remarked.

"Like makes it sound more pleasant. It helps me. That's all." Zuri wiped her damp forehead on her arm and took a deep breath. "Is the meeting already over?"

"No. We took an intermission."

She wet her lips, wishing he would go away so she could get back to running.

"I got you something while I was out," he continued. "I was waiting to see if you did as asked before handing it over."

"What is it?" she asked and leaned towards him, in spite of the vast distance between them.

Drew pulled a small, silver device from his pant pocket. A flip phone. Zuri gasped.

"Is that a phone?" she demanded.

"Tell me you aren't that young."

Ignoring him, she sped walk across the gym, eyes locked on the device. Her first sliver of freedom. The first sign of his growing trust. When she reached for it, he lifted the phone over his head. Her jaw clenched as she turned a threatening scowl on him.

"We need to establish some rules first," he told her. "No calling the police. Obviously, you will be greatly punished if you do. Second, no telling anyone how we met. Not by phone or in person. Is that clear?"

Zuri nodded.

"Third, no giving out our address. I don't want any surprise visitors. My men will shoot them."

"Okay, yes," she said. "I understand."

"Good. If you break the rules, I'll be forced to do something I don't want to."

"You'll hurt my grandma. Yes, I know. I won't do anything stupid."

Drew appeared pleased by her compliance. Handing the device over, he said, "Here you go."

"Thanks." She flipped the phone open and immediately went to contacts. To her surprise, there were already two numbers plugged in.

"My number and my first man's number are both in there. Only call him if there is an emergency."

"Does no milk count as an emergency?"

His mouth tightened in disapproval.

"It was really hard to bake cookies without eggs and flour. Just saying," she told him, raising her hands defensively. "If you want me to cook for you, I need my supplies."

"Fine. Fair enough. I'll send one of my men."

"But—"

"I'm not letting you go, Zuri. Forget it."

Shaking her head, she told him, "I was going to say we should go together."

"Why would I take you to the grocery store?"

"Because if we're getting married, we should do this stuff together. That's what normal people do."

"We aren't normal," he reminded me.

"Well, obviously. We should try to be, though."

He rolled his eyes. "I'll consider that."

With a sigh, Zuri followed him out of the gym. She'd lost the desire to exercise. Now that she had a phone, she could text her loved ones and assure them that everything was okay. Her grandmother was probably worried sick.

"Are you coming down soon?" he asked, pausing on the top step of the staircase.

"Yes. I guess I'm supposed to feed all the men you brought?"

"You're a quick learner, aren't you?"

She scrunched her nose in distaste while resisting the urge to stick her tongue out. "I'll be down in a minute, Your Highness."

Scoffing, Drew trotted down the stairs. The sound of conversing men propelled Zuri into her room, where she called her grandmother.

Once the initial disbelief wore off, Zuri informed her guardian of everything that had happened. Her grandmother was the only one who knew what had really happened, and she realized it would likely stay that way. Zuri told her about Drew's intentions and, despite her grandmother's adamant protests, she would go through with it. Then she found out her grandmother had reached out to her parents to tell them, although only Zuri's father had responded.

"Don't encourage him to come looking for me," Zuri warned. "Drew will hurt anyone who interferes with his plans. I don't want anyone getting hurt over me. I'm perfectly fine."

It may have been a lie, but, after telling herself that so many times, it started to sound true.

"I cannot contain your father. You know that." The elderly woman sighed, troubled. "Even though he doesn't know how to love properly, he loves you very much in his own way, Zuri. He may come for you, if he thinks it's right."

Like I need any more drama in my life, she thought dreadfully.

"Well," Zuri replied, "you should at least warn him. Anyway, I have to go, Grandma. I love you. Stay out of trouble and I'll uphold my end."

"I love you, baby. I'm going to figure a way out of this."

"No, don't. Please. He'll hurt you."

"And he will hurt you if I don't."

Tears gathered in Zuri's eyes for what felt like the first time in ages. "Just listen to me, okay? I'm safe. Drew hasn't hurt me and I don't think he intends to unless I step out of line. You are the only one he isn't afraid to hurt." She choked back a sob. "I couldn't live with myself if he hurt you."

"I love you, Zuri. Do what you must to stay safe."

Then the line cut off. Zuri slumped against her foot of her bed and cried into her elbows. She'd broken the promise to herself about withholding the useless tears. While she sat there, clutching her knees to her chest, she realized that perhaps she wasn't as strong as she'd always thought.