Chapter 162
“My brother?” I hiss, my hands clenching at my sides. My voice trembles, part fury, part disbelief.
“Don’t you even think that my brother would would do something like that! He’s my brother! He’s not a killer p>
Zane’s jaw tightens. His eyes are cold, dark, and unyielding, like steel cutting through the room.
“You think I’d accuse him lightly?” he asks, voice low, sharp, filled with weight.
“Thomas didn’t say he gave the order, but the trail leads right through one of his very close business partners. That’s how I know it’s connected to him p>
I take a step back, trying to shove the words away from me like they’re venom. My stomach twists, my hands shake, and I feel my chest tightening.
“So now you’re saying I should just trust this… this implication? You’re basing this on some business paper trail? Zane, my brother my family…how dare you even p>
“I dare because I know!” he snaps, the words cutting through me, and for a moment, I can feel the heat of his anger press against my skin.
“Lucas has hated me long before you ever married into this family. He never wanted this, Elaine. He never wanted you he wanted your family’s blood, whether you see it or not p>
I can feel the air in the room constricting, every word heavier than the last.
“You always do this!” I yell, my hands flailing in front of me, voice rising.
“You’re always looking for reasons to hate my family, to drag me into your wars, to My words choke off as his glare pins me.
Aaron steps between us, hands raised in a futile gesture of peace. “Elaine, Zane p>
I spin on him, my voice hard. “Don’t! Stay the fuck out of this p>
Aaron freezes, caught in the middle, but I don’t even notice as Zane steps closer, every motion deliberate, predatory, and I feel the old surge of anger curl in my gut. My breathing quickens, pulse hammering in my ears.
“You can’t just say things like that about my brother! You don’t know him! You don’t know anything p>
“I know enough,” Zane growls, stepping forward so fast it makes me stumble. “Enough to warn you p>
I see the hard line in his jaw, the intensity in his eyes, and I know he’s not bluffing. My body stiffens, chest heaving nd fists clenching at my sides. My entire being screams at me to fight, to not show fear
Then Zane snaps his fingers, at Aarom. “Aaron, leave us p>
Aaron hesitates, his eyes flicking between us, clearly aware that walking out now is as much a command as a warning. His jaw tightens. “Elaine p>
“Leave!” I spit, voice cracking with anger and adrenaline.
Aaron sighs, shoulders tense, and finally steps toward the door, casting one last wary glance at me. The door shuts behind him, leaving us alone.
The room is silent except for our breaths, ragged and heavy. My body shakes with anger and disbelief. I take a step back, trying to put space between us, but Zane doesn’t move. He just watches me, calm, collected,lyk a predator coiled and waiting.
Then his hand shoots out, fast and certain, wrapping around my throat. Not enough to choke me, but enough that the strength in his grip is undeniable. I freeze, my hands instinctively clawing at his wrist. My stomach twists, adrenaline spiking with my heart hammering like a drum.
“Now I need you to understand me.” he says, his voice low, each word vibrating against my skin. “Never. Challenge. My authority. Not in front of my men p>
I jerk against his grip, voice sharp. “I… I don’t need to be reminded what you think of me! I’m not… I’m not a child! And I’m not afraid of you p>
His fingers tighten fractionally. The cuttjin pressure makes me gasp, my chest rising and falling erratically. I can feel the coldness of his control pressing through me, but the anger boils hotter. “You’re I manage, voice trembling but fierce, “you’re insane if you think you can just… just… dictate mymy family and my life p>
For a long moment, he stares at me, his eyes dark, and then slowly, just enough to let me breathe, he releases me. I stumble back, gasping, hand to my throat, my fingers trembling and heart still racing.
“You’re reckless,” he mutters, voice almost to himself. “And stubborn. That’s… dangerous p>
“Dangerous?” I snap, regaining some of my footing. My voice rises, shaking with fury. “You mean controlling! Threatening! You’re dangerous!” My hands curl into fists, nails digging into my palms. My whole body thrums with adrenaline. “I’m done letting you scare me, Zane. I… I’m done p>
His lips press into a hard line, nostrils flaring slightly, but he says nothing. He just watches, silent and intense, like he’s measuring my words against the weight of his own power.
I don’t wait for him. I turn on my heel, my boots scuffing against the training mat, and storm toward the door. My fists are still clenched and my chest is heaving, my teeth set hard. Each step carries the fire of indignation, the refusal to be controlled or intimidated.
“You’ll regret pushing me!” I yell over my shoulder, my voice echoing against the walls of the training room. “I won’t just stand here while you accuse my family, while you p>
I pause as the door swings open. The air outside the room feels cooler, a relief to my burning senses. I let the tension spill over with each rapid breath. My hands unclench slightly, but my body is still taut, coiled, and furious and as I walk down the hallway, the echoes of my boots on the floor and my pulse pounding in my ears are the only things I hear. I feel every inch of anger still simmering, but beneath it, a flicker of clarity: I will not let him intimidate me, not today, not ever.
And in that moment, walking away from the room, I know something crucial Zane may be powerful, but I will not break. Not now and not ever.