6
ZOEY
Ijerk awake, sitting up in the world's most comfortable bed. My heart is pounding as everything from yesterday comes flooding back to me. The reality that I still don’t know the whereabouts of my sister is still looming huge in my mind. The only person who I thought might have a clue to where she could be is dead. I can still picture his lifeless eyes starting up at me no matter how many times I try to forget.
I don’t have an ounce of sadness in me for Marvin. Seeing him that way only reminded me that some of the people who are searching for my sister have no problem with ending a life. It makes it clear that I have to find her before one of them does.
What I’ll do once I find her, I have no clue. I’ll deal with it when I get to that point. What I need to do is stay focused on one thing at a time like Xanny always tells me. It’s when I try to do too many things at once that I get myself in trouble or hurt.
I have Leone. My racing heart finally starts to slow. I don’t know why he’s protecting me, but the thought of him calms me. I pull the blanket back, slipping off my bed. Bentley is stretched out on the other side, snoozing away without a care in the world. I kiss the top of his precious fluffy head. He doesn't even open an eye. He must be all tuckered out.
After Leone left us in our room, Bentley did a full inspection a good three times before he was satisfied. Then he plopped down on the bed like he owned the place before he rolled over to present me with his belly ready for his rubs. I think he’s going to take to his new digs rather quickly. I mean, itisa huge step up from the trailer park. Bentley really was made for the life of the rich. He isn’t intimidated by this place. As for me, I’m scared to touch anything.
Xanny used to tease that it was best we lived in a trailer. That way we never had to worry about my next incident, as she called them. She always tried to make me feel better about it, knowing whenever I had one I was typically embarrassed beyond belief. Even if no one was around to see it. Pretty sure that has something to do with my parents and how they responded when I was younger.
One of the best days of my life was when Xanny told me that we were leaving. She took me with her, even though she didn’t have to. She’s always taken care of me. I wasn’t ever her responsibility, but without hesitation, she still took it. Sure, not all of the decisions she’s made were great, but she’s done the best she could. Xanny was still a kid herself when we first left my parents’ place. Now it’s my turn to return the favor and save her for once.
I poke my head out of my bedroom, not seeing anyone in the hallway. When we arrived last night, there had been a few people lingering around. Leone told me they were security. They hadn’t looked too happy about me being here. Especially when Leone told them I’d be staying in the room next to his. Did they think I was some ninja that was going to kill Leone in his sleep or something? I think Leone could end me with his pinky finger.
I keep walking until I get to a set of double doors that I’m guessing are his. I reach out and grab one of the knobs, testing it to see if it opens. To my surprise, it does, and I slip right in. I creep over toward the bed, trying to be as quiet as possible. I can barely make out the outline of it, my eyes still trying to adjust to the dark. But that doesn’t stop me.
“Ouch!” I squeal when I stub my toe on something. So much for the sneaking around part.
I don’t get the chance to see anything. One second I’m hopping around on one foot, and the next, I’m pinned to the bed. I know it’s Leone. His warm, comforting smell surrounds me. Who knew a smell could be comforting, but it is. I relax immediately. His massive body on top of mine makes me forget all about the pain in my toe.
“Lights on,” Leone says. The room fills with light, blinding me momentarily.
“Morning,” I chirp when his face finally becomes clear. He’s even more handsome than I remember.
“What are you doing?” He doesn't look mad. If anything, I’d guess he’s more amused.
“Coming to see you.”
“Sir!” someone shouts a second before his bedroom doors swings open and three men come rushing in with their guns drawn. Leone grabs the blanket, yanking it over me before he sits up.
“Get the fuck out of my room,” he bellows at them.
“We heard a scream,” one of them says, but I can’t tell which with the blanket over my face.
“Why are you so mad?” I yank the blanket from off my face. “They came to protect you. I could be a ninja.”
“A half-naked ninja?” he growls.
The three men depart as quickly as they entered.
“I have your shirt on. It’s like a dress.” I sit up. “Sorry I snuck into your room.”
“You’re always welcome in my room, Zoey. I told you that last night.”
“Careful. I’m a cuddler, and you might wake up to me wrapped around you like a koala.”
“Feel free to wrap yourself around me whenever you like.” He grabs me, pulling me into his lap. A rush of heat floods my body. “How did you sleep?” He tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear. How does this man seem scary at times and at others a sweet teddy bear?
“Good, until I started remembering the mess I’m in. That's why I wanted to talk to you.”
“No one can hurt you as long as you’re here. I promise you that. There is no safer place for you than at my side.”
It might be crazy of me, but I actually believe him. Being near him is the safest I’ve ever felt in my life. Even when everything was somewhat normal with Xanny and me living in the trailer park, there was always a trace of fear for our safety. Two girls living alone in not a great area. I always worried when Xanny went to work at night.