Bound To You: Inevitable

Chapter 4

~Zane~

After Trisha left, I showered and dressed for the day. I stopped by the office and went over some reports and assigned some bounties to the staff. I didn’t stay the full day because I had a massive headache after drinking too much last night. My mind was definitely playing tricks on me when I saw that woman. It wasn’t her. But she was an exact copy. I went home and decided to order takeout. Shortly after, my food was delivered. I stretched out on my sofa, trying my best to relax, but I ended up falling asleep.

“Zane?” That voice. That sweet angelic voice. “Why didn’t you trust me?” Her voice echoed. I looked for her but it was nothing but darkness.

“Ari?” I called out.

“You pushed me away! You put me in danger!” Suddenly, I was back in Mexico and she was lying on the floor bleeding. She was choking gasping for air. “You see what you did!” She yelled.

“I’m so sorry baby. You didn’t deserve this.”

I woke up gasping for air. I sat up with my eyes staring blankly at the dark screen. It was another dream.

“Stop tormenting me!” I yelled as I threw the glass against the wall. I broke. I missed her so much that I haven’t really allowed myself to grieve. I guess my body, my heart, couldn’t take it anymore. I tried to be strong, I tried to forget and move on, but she wouldn’t let me. I went into the bathroom and showered. I needed a change of scenery. After I was dressed, I called my sister, Zina.

“Zane?”

“Hey, are you busy?” I asked her. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen her. To be honest, I’ve been pushing her, Jacob, and Riley away. Thankfully, they understood and respected my decision. Still, I felt bad because they were only trying to be there for me.

“No, is everything okay?” The concern in her voice made me feel even more guilty.

“No, Zee, it isn’t. I’m going to Cape Town for a bit. I need to focus on myself. I’m losing it. I see her all the time in my dreams and she’s always in my head. It’s driving me crazy,” I sighed.

“Cape Town will be good for you,” she agreed. We were supposed to go after Ari’s service but Zina had an emergency at her agency. I was already on the road for self destruction, so changing lanes would be good for me.

“Yeah. Are you still in Australia?” I asked her.

“Yeah, for another week and then I have to meet with my PR for this winter’s fashion show in Paris.”

Zina has always been into fashion and she started her own modeling agency and recently she started her own clothing line called Sweet Addiction.

“That’s good, Zee. I will call you when I land” I said.

“Okay, I love you big bro.”

“I love you too, little sis.” I ended the call, packed my bags, and now driving towards the airport. I listened to the news on the radio as it mentions the stream of murders that has taken place last month. Five women have died and the suspect is still at large. They warned that he is armed and dangerous and will update everyone with more information soon. Just as I was about to pull into the airport, my phone rang and this time it’s a number I haven’t seen in a while.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Zane Calloway, it’s been a while.” Briggs said.

“Agent Briggs, what can I do for you?” I asked. I haven’t heard from him since Ari's memorial.

“I need your help.” Right then, I just knew that I wasn’t getting on that plane.

~Ari~

“Oh my god!” She cried as she slowly stood with her hand covering her mouth. She stood there, frozen, unable to move. I didn’t say anything, I needed her to process what was happening. “What kind of sick game is this?” She hissed.

“This isn’t a game. It’s really me.” She squeezed her eyes and shook her head. “No, Zane said you died. He held you as you took your last breath and you mean to tell me that it was fake!” She was shaking and had to sit back down.

“No and yes.” I revealed. My eyes began to shimmer and blinked several times, trying not to cry.

“I did stop breathing. The last thing I remembered was looking at Zane and telling him that I love him. Next thing I know, I woke up to beeping monitors and was surrounded by a team of medical professionals. I didn’t in no way, fake my death. I was just confused at first.” This time, the tears fell and I wiped my face. I really hope she knows I’m telling the truth. I would never dare put her in this situation. She’s my family.

“I didn’t come back right away because I had to recover,” I explained. “But an unexpected twist came and I knew I had to fight my way back to being normal again.”

“Unexpected twist?” Her face frowned in confusion. I nodded towards Cami and she went into the bedroom to get Jaxon. When she returned with my baby boy, Riley's eyes lit up. Cami placed him in my arm and I peppered him with kisses.

“Riley, meet your nephew, Jaxon Christian Knight,” I revealed. He was sleeping, unaware of anything that’s going on, which was to be expected for a three month old. She slowly stood and walked towards me. My face was soaked with tears and so was hers. “He’s so precious. A perfect mix of you and Zane.” Just then her eyes widened. “Zane. Does he know?” She asked.

“No. At least yet. I saw him this morning at a hotel with a woman. I’m assuming his girlfriend.”

“Zane doesn’t have a girlfriend. She’s probably just some random chick he is screwing. You have to tell him, Ari. He needs to know,” she scolded. There is the Riley I’ve missed.

“I know,” I groaned. “The problem is that he doesn’t know that I’m alive.”

Riley tensed. “Oh God.”

“I don’t know what to do, Ri. But I know he deserves to know,” I lightly bounced Jaxon as he slept in arms.

“Don’t worry, we will figure it out.” She hugged me

I nodded my head and we all sat and had a glass of wine. I explained everything to Riley. I told her that I was in Barcelona and that I’m here for work. She has also told me that she and Jacob have been doing really well. I met my little niece, Alaia Nicole. Riley said she named her after me and I thought that was the sweetest thing ever. She was a beautiful active little toddler who could walk already. She was a spitting image of Riley. I was happy. I finally accomplished one of my goals.