2
ZOEY
My mind screams for me to run, but I stay on the floor like the big man demanded. I’m not sure if it was his hard commandeering order that left me paralyzed here or the fear of gunfire that has finally died off.
The screams, however, have only grown louder. They overpower the loud thump of the music. I lift my head, peeking around. I don't see the man that shielded me from the gunfire with his body or the man that was hellbent on killing me seconds ago anywhere.
Slowly, I push up off the floor, using the palms of my hands to brace myself. I get to my knees but wince when something cuts into one of them. A burning sensation licks across it. I ignore the pain and climb to my feet. I wobble a bit in the stupid heels I’d put on, but I’m able to steady myself.
I give Marvin’s office a good glance around, making sure I didn’t miss my sister when I first came stumbling in here. I’m not sure if I should be thankful or not that I don’t see her. I have no clue where else to look for her, and I know I can’t go back to our apartment. I turn, knowing I need to get the hell out of here, but my heel catches on something, and I start to fall.
Two arms catch me before I can hit the ground, but not before I see what I tripped over.
Marvin’s dead body lies on the floor, his eyes staring up at me. A whimper leaves me at the sight. I try to fight whoever has their hands on me, needing to escape, but it’s useless. Whoever it is only squeezes me harder as he lifts me off my feet and into his arms.
“Don’t fight this,” the deep voice rumbles into my ear, and I know it’s the same man that ordered me to the ground before.
I relax to a degree. If it weren’t for him, I’d be in the same situation as Marvin. He saved me, shielding my body with his own when the gunfire exploded all around us. I have no clue who he is, but I think he’s trying to help. Then again, he was in Marvin’s office. Nothing good comes from him or this club.
His hand comes down on the back of my head, pressing my face into his neck. I tense as more gunfire starts to go off. I cling to the man carrying me now. I try to lift my head when the gunfire once again cuts off and the cool night air touches my skin, but once again, the man presses my head down.
I hear doors opening and closing as my mystery man shifts me around, and another door slams. I know it’s a car door this time. My body jolts as we start to move, the vehicle taking off. Slowly, I lift my head again. This time, though, the man doesn't stop me.
My eyes lock with his, and my breath catches as I stare into his dark gray eyes. I’ve never seen anything like them before. I sit there transfixed for a moment as he stares right back at me, not saying a word.
“You saved my life,” I finally say. “Thank you.”
“I wouldn't thank me just yet, little one.”
I lick my dry lips, and his eyes drop there.
A heated look crosses his face. It’s one I know, because I’ve seen my sister pull it from many men. The only difference about this time is that this man is actually handsome. All the guys my sister messes around with give me the creeps. She doesn’t let their appearance–or for that matter, anything else about them–get to her. All she sees is the money.
“Where are we going?” I ask, feeling the vehicle start to speed up. “Are you taking me home?”
“What’s your address?”
I let out a small sigh of relief then began to ramble it off. I glance over my shoulder at the driver to see if he heard, but the handsome man grabs my chin gently, pulling my eyes back to him. “Why were you at the club tonight?”
“Why does anyone go to a club?” I shrug, making the strap of my dress slip down. The man releases my chin to move it back into place.
“What’s your name, little one?”
“Zoey.” As soon as I answer, I wonder if I should have made up a fake one. Then again, I already gave him my address, so I’m guessing it really doesn’t matter. Damn it. I’m terrible at this. Why did I ever think for even a second I could slip into my sister’s world? I knew better. Even our own mom told me to stay out of her messes. Not that Mom had been much better. The two of them were always so much alike. Sometimes I wonder how I could have turned out so different. “What’s your name?”
“Leone.” Damn. Even his name sounds sexy and fierce. “Now tell me, why were you at the club?” he asks again. He’s awfully persistent.
“Maybe I was there to hang out. To have a good time.”
His eyes flicker down my body and back up. I’m still perched in his lap.
I had to go digging through my closet to even find something to wear. I wanted to blend in so I could get into the club. I was hoping to find my sister, but my last resort was Marvin. He has this obsession with her, and he would likely know where I could find her. From the way Leone is questioning me, I’m guessing I look like a girl who was playing dress up in their mom's closet.
“You’re bleeding.” He reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out a cloth and proceeds to press it to my knee. “Now, answer me. I’m not a patient man.”
I nibble on my bottom lip, not sure what I should say or not say.
“Marvin knew who you were, didn’t he? He recognized you despite your little ploy about the men’s room. Do you work for him?”