Julius’ hunch was right.
But I had a strong feeling he knew more about this, or possibly who the assassin was.
I have to find out what he knows, but first...
I slipped off my heels, kicking them aside. Then I removed my black bow fascinator and loosened my hair, letting it fall freely down to my waist.
My coat came off, and I dropped it on the nearby couch before I strolled to the bathroom where Zade was.
I eyed the bloody shirt on the counter, then him, standing by the mirror, in the middle of lighting the bottom of the cigar.
But he didn’t get the chance to do it when our eyes connected through the mirror. He dropped the Zippo and the cigar.
A shuddering breath escaped me when I saw the bandage on his arm already spotting blood.
"You need to change that."
"Would you do the honors, kitten?"
"I don’t know how," I confessed.
He chuckled deeply, the sound rolling out smoothly. "I’ll show you."
He opened the cupboard and took out the first aid kit.
"Come here."
I moved without hesitation, and he faced me, leaning against the island with a sigh. He just watched me for a while, as though grateful I was standing in front of him.
He was just as relieved as I was that we came out of that attack alive.
I had to do what I could to make sure he was okay. I needed to take care of him.
"What can I—"
He pulled me to his body.
"That can wait..." he murmured, leaning into the plaster on the side of my neck, planting a kiss there, earning a soft, gentle sigh from me that forced me to close my eyes.
He moved his lips to my chin, then my cheek bones before he finally did the honors of sealing our lips in a wicked kiss that shot jolts of sparks through me.
I could feel the tingling basically everywhere, and I didn’t want it to end.
However, I did when I planted my hands on his chest and gave a light push.
I didn’t realize I was trembling until Zade took hold of my hand and squeezed tightly to keep it steady.
"My kitten must’ve been so scared," he said softly.
I could offer a nod, the aftermath of everything finally getting to me. The whole time in that manor and the ride back home, I did my best to set the feelings aside.
But being in Zade’s arms felt like I had permission to crumble, knowing he’d pick me up and put the pieces back together, but I didn’t wanna do that.
I have crumbled so many times that it altered me in a way. Breaking to pieces wasn’t the only thing I could do. I had to be strong because there wasn’t any other option.
So many things are in play right now, and I can’t handle them if I’m weak-minded. I need to set my foot on the ground and fucking stand.
"Julius... he told me something."
"Do you think it’s wise to speak about that right now?" Zade said, not hiding his irritation behind that smile. "We have been through so much shit for one day, haven’t we, kitten?"
"Yes, but I have something to say, and it’s important."
He sighed, releasing me. He undid the bandage carefully and set the blood-stained material aside, and my breath grew heavy when I saw the wound.
How could he walk around with something like that as though it was nothing? The bullet may not have gone in deep, but he was still shot!
"You should’ve gone to the hospital, sweetheart," I said, furrowing my brow.
"I’ve been shot one too many times. This is nothing."
"You make it sound so normal."
"Because it is for me. Now, do as I say."
I nodded.
"Use the antiseptic."
I followed his instructions, and it wasn’t as hard as it seemed except for the sight of blood.
Zade chuckled, holding my waist tightly as though to ground himself. "You’re shaking."
"I don’t like the sight of blood."
"I know." He twitched.
"Sorry."
"It’s okay. Keep going."
I made sure I was as gentle as possible as I cleaned his wound. After I was done with that, he directed me on how I’d change the bandage.
I released a sharp exhale after I was done, and seeing his wound all cleaned up with the neat bandage brought me relief.
"What about Julius?" Zade asked, tucking the cigar between his lips and using the Zippo to light up the end.
"He told me things."
"What things?"
I licked my lips, eyeing his abs and how his chest expanded with every breath.
"Stalling now?"
I scoffed. "Normally I wouldn’t even have to tell you this. I’d keep this to myself."
"So like my kitten."
I locked eyes with him. "But now it’s different. I trust you. And I know all you’ve ever done was to protect me in your way. Nothing rivals that, which is why, despite your reasons or your actions, you have my well-being in your heart."
He said nothing, simply bringing the cigar to his lips and taking a drag, so I continued.
"Julius told me how important my father’s docks are and how people will come to win my favor."
"Reasonably, but that’s not the major topic, is it?"
"He told me Jacob’s dead and that you had something to do with it."
"So?"
My heart skipped a beat.
"What now then? Are you gonna scream at me and hate me more?" he asked, amused.
I backtracked, but I don’t blame anyone but myself. I have been so pulled in by how caring he had been the last few days that I forgot what kind of man he was.
"You killed him," I mumbled, my words carrying weight.
"Yes, I did. An interesting move Julius played there. Though I wonder if he was trying to turn you against me."
He leaned away from the counter, and his height doubled.
His fingers curled beneath my chin. "Did it work?"