Page 124 of Hold Me Down
“All of our stuff is packed and ready to go, same with the she-devil and Elizabeth. We just wanted to make sure you guys didn’t need anything before we left.”
I raise a brow.
“You know, it's okay to admit youwantedto see them.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” He crosses his arms but continues looking over at the girls. This might be a perfect moment, if Carter’s stare wasn’t boring into the side of my head like he’s waiting for me to drop the bomb on Zeke. When I risk a glance at him, he doesn't even try to hide his fear, either for my life or his own.
“Hey…” I hesitate. “I want to talk to you about something,” I direct back at Zeke, slowly turning my head in his direction.
“I appreciate you buying that house, D, but I still think it's too much. I could’ve easily gotten another apartment. You act like you’re not the one that pays me.” He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but honestly? Buying the house was a bribe. I saw him looking at it, and it was a good price. It’s in his name, and it’s pretty basic, so he can turn it into whatever he wants…after he inevitably crashes out and destroys it because he’s so pissed off at me.
“Well, you see, that’s what I want to talk to you about…” He finally moves his gaze from my wife to narrow his eyes at me, making me regret even starting this conversation. “I'm going to ask you to handle something else for me while I'm out.” I run my hand through my hair, afraid of how this will turn out. “There’s just no way I’ll be able to myself. Ineedthis time with them, man. Even when I step out of the room, I feel like I can’t fucking breathe. Ashia needs me here, and I just want to hold them so tightly that I never let them go. I—”
“D? Shut up,” he interrupts me, taking me by surprise. “You don’t have to explain. Of course I’ll do it.”
“You don’t know what I'm about to say…”
“It doesn’t matter.” He swats his hand leisurely.
I grimace.
“I gave Victoria a job…” I reveal quietly, and he goes still. Completely still. His chest stops moving with his breaths, if there are any, and he pales, clearly hearing the worst news of his life. “She’s going to be working with you to find Avery…” A different evil descends on his face, twisting his features in revulsion.
“No. No, no, no. Hell the fuck,no!”
“She wants him dead, too,” I interrupt his tantrum. “Please, Zeke. She may be able to help you find him, and her and Elizabeth still need protection… Elizabeth trusts you. That means a lot to a kid like her, and I can’t risk Victoria staying here any longer—not until Avery is dead or in jail. Please, Zeke,” I practically beg, hoping some part of his hate-filled heart understands.
Loathing blooms behind his green eyes, then they sharpen, like the devil presented him with a deal and he took it instantly. Whatever idea he just conjured up inside his mind is sure to send him on a vengeful path, one that’s too late for me to take back.
“I’m in charge, right?” He stands tall and steps in front of me, keeping his face so close that I smell the spearmint on his breath. I can see the challenge in his eyes, the anticipation for my answer. All he needs is one word, a single confirmation that I will, in fact, stay out of the way. Suddenly, six weeks sounds like averylong time.
“Zeke—”
“Am. I. In. Charge?” He holds my stare, waiting to pour gasoline on the fire building in his chest.
“Yes…” I say, almost regrettably. A sinister smirk curls at the corner of his lip, and then he relaxes in the most menacing way.
“You got it, D…I’llhandle it.” He steps away and walks over to Carter, leaning in close to his face and gritting his teeth. “Put them in a hotel for tonight. I'll handle the rest tomorrow.”
“Dude, come on…” Carter tries to reason with him, but he doesn’t listen. Zeke storms off towards the garage, making his fury obvious in every forceful step.
“Zeke?” Ashia calls out for her brother, stopping him in his tracks. He snaps around to look at her like he’ll burst out in rage, but the moment their eyes meet, he puddles right in front of her. Zeke may not have much else to care for in this world, but Ashia, and now Emma, are definitely the main points. “What’s wrong?”
He ever so slightly glances at Victoria, and then back to his sister once she dares to meet his glare.
“There's nothing wrong, Ash. I'm just grabbing my laptop from my car.” He cuts his eyes back to me before walking out a little quieter than before.
“This is going to endreallybad, D…”
“Give him the benefit of the doubt. I think we both know you don’t have much room to talk where infuriating women are concerned.” I turn to look at Carter, silently berating him through only a stare. It probably wasn’t the best idea, but I saw his computer logs when I checked yesterday. Ashia and the baby were both asleep, and I just wanted to make sure everything was set for our time off. I definitely found some concerning things…both of which are things he’s planned and that he’s already done—which was even more alarming once I realized I was jealous when I didn’t do the same thing.
He sighs and looks toward the annoying, loyal blonde sitting next to my wife.
“Good point,” is all he says in return. No sorry, no questions, and no explanation. His own plans for Serena are unethicalat best, but he definitely isn’t feeling any reservations…and he certainly isn’t going to back out.
“You better know what you’re doing, Carter.”
“Oh, I do,” he replies surely, never taking his eyes off of her.
