𝕷𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖑

are you jealous

𝓝𝓪𝔂𝓪

The past few days have been hard. Every time I try to sleep Ray's face comes to mind. Apologizing for betraying me just seconds after his life was ended by Zayn.

Now that I think about it he was always on the more difficult side of things, being Iris's puppet was all he knew how to do. I know deep down he loved and cared for me and something tells me all the times we spent together were genuine in some way, but in the end, he chose her over me. He was loyal to her and only her. That's why it never would've worked between us.

A part of me just knows that Iris threatened him, just like she threatens everybody else. Which makes it difficult to be mad. It's pointless to stay spiteful towards him because he's dead now. He made his bed the day he met Iris, just as I did.

I feel a little less paranoid now that Zayn's not being that much of an asshole towards me. He still has his moments, but these past few days he's been extra helpful. I almost saw a glimpse of humanity in him when he helped me out of bed last week. I bet he feels guilty since he's the reason I got shot in the first place. I make sure not to push my limits because I don't want him tying me up again, or to make good on those threats he made back in Tokyo.

I've come to terms with the fact that I can't leave his side, because the second I walk out that door I don't have his protection anymore. I'll be dead as soon as I step out on the streets. He's moved me into one of his rather decent and secretive houses in the woods. It's completely secluded and there's nothing but land and trees for miles. The perfect place to hide out.

After fighting with him quite a bit he agreed not to put the cuffs on me anymore. I know he doesn't trust me because of all the men surrounding the house at all times. I'm not allowed to leave under any circumstances. He won't tell me anything about Iris or if he found her location yet. He's so secretive it that it drives me insane.

I only see him when he comes to the house at night and goes into his office to handle his affairs. He won't even sleep in the same bedroom as me, I'd think he'd be pretty damn desperate since the last time, but I guess he's getting his fill from somewhere else. I can tell myself a million times that I don't care but I know I do. I think he's only keeping me close to get more information on Iris since I'm the only one who knows her like the back of my hand.

This house is so incredibly large that I spend most of my free time exploring it. Every time I walk past Austin he glares at me, and mumbles that I should be dead. It doesn't phase me since I've heard much worse. I know he despises me since Zayn's been lenient with me. Tony and I have gotten along quite well though. He's such a polite gentleman sometimes I forget he's Zayn's right hand man. I could never imagine him killing anyone.

When I stroll into Zayn's office after being summoned just a few minutes ago him, Amir, Austin and Tony all sit huddled around his desk with drinks poured and smoke floating throughout the room. I spot an unfamiliar face sitting right next to Zayn, a little too close if you ask me. She giggles at something he says and smiles at him as if he's the most amazing person she's ever seen. I clear my throat annoyedly and his eyes eventually meet mine. I quickly notice the bunch of papers with blueprints scattered around his desk.

"Good you're here, sit." He says.

Tony offers me his seat and I thank him, it's obvious he's the only damn person with etiquette in this room. As soon as I take a seat the brunette starts glaring at me. I lean back in my chair and cross my arms against my chest glaring back at her. The tension in the room is thick and the guys quickly pick up on it.

"This is Valentina, she was able to hack into the system and figure out Iris's next move ." Zayn says while taking a large gulp of his drink and showing me the blueprint. "She'll be attending a party here next week."

"Please don't tell me you're going? That's too risky. She never stays at an event for too long, she's in and out before you know it. The only reason she arrives is to check in on her girls." I explain. "Why didn't you tell me you were planning this?"

"I'm telling you right now." He shrugs and I roll my eyes in frustration.

"I think it's a good plan. You can at least confront her and let her know that we know who she is." Valentina says, like a dumbass.

"She already knows Zayn's figured her out. Why else would she be on the run right now?" I snap at her. She raises a brow at me and then looks at Zayn to which he licks his lips and nods.

"We're doing this Anaya, you can either help or get lost." Austin retorts, and I almost reach over and strangle him. I look over at Zayn and he stays silent, casually smoking his joint. I scoff and shake my head.

"Can I get a minute alone with you?" I ask him and he runs his hand through his scruff before nodding at the guys. Valentina doesn't get the hint and stays sitting next to him, glued by his side obliviously. "You too sweetie." I fake smile at her. When she finally scrams, Zayn gets up to pour himself another glass and I follow him. "Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I just did Anaya." He sighs relaxing back into his seat.

"You know what I mean. You should've let me know a while ago. I thought I made it clear that I wanted to help you take her down."

"It going to take a while for me to start trusting you again, love." He scoffs.

"You think I'd still be here in this house if I wanted to lie to you? I have no ties with her anymore. As a matter of fact I hate her so much, that if I had the chance I'd kill her myself." I exclaim and he looks at me, surprised.

"We're gonna do it my way. I'm tired of waiting." He says recklessly. I sigh, knowing I can't force him to change his mind when it's already made up.

"Fine, but I have a bad feeling about it- and by the way, why did you invite some random hacker to partake in all this?" I ask him.

"She's not some random hacker, she's one of the best." He defends her quickly. The way he talks about her starts to irk me and I don't know why.

"She seems a little more focused on other things, than her job." I mumble and he smirks at me.

"Are you jealous?"

"Please, there's nothing to be jealous about. I just don't want her ruining this." I laugh.

"Well she won't, I trust her." He reassures me.

I don't know what it was, but something about her just didn't sit right with me.