Chapter 8

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Zane’s lips were as soft as his kiss was rough. The contrast did interesting things to Ava’s mind. She felt him drag his tongue along the seam of her lips and she couldn’t help but let out a small moan. Zane took the opportunity to invade her mouth. His grip around her neck getting more forceful. Just as Ava lost herself completely in the kiss he ended it and took a step back. She almost stumbled at the suddenly empty space where he had been. “Better than a handshake. Now,

angel, I show you your bedroom,” he told her in a dark voice. There was a promise in the voice that terrified Ava. She was

his now, he could do what he wanted with her. He led her to the door he had pointed out as hers. He pushed her up against the closed door and kissed her until her mind went blank again and all she could think about was his lips against

hers.

Zane felt his desire grow as he pressed Ava against the door. She tasted of lemons, and her soft lips moved in perfect sync with his. As he used his teeth to tug at her bottom lip, she let out a soft moan that nearly made him come undone. There was no question about him wanting her, nor was there any question about that him claiming her as his. But when he did, she wouldn’t be covered in bruises and be half unconscious from lack of sleep. No, when he claimed his angel, she would feel no other pain than the one he wanted her to feel, and her mind would be able to take all of it in. He stepped away from her, ending their make–out session. The hard–on it had given him was painfully pressing against his zipper.

“You go and take a shower and get to bed, angel. I want you rested for tomorrow. Anna will wake you in the morning and you will have breakfast with me,” he told her. She looked at him with confusion, and then she nodded.

“Yes, Mr Velky,” she said.

“Ava, I think it’s time you started calling me Zane,” he smirked as he opened the door and gave her a little nudge to make her go inside. “Good night, angel,” he told her.

“Good night, Mr… Good night, Zane,” she replied, and he shut the door behind her. Zane found himself smiling as he made his way back to his office to put the contract into his safe. This night had taken an unexpected turn. His phone buzzed. It was Jax.

J: I’m in the kitchen.

B: Come up to my office.

Moments later, there was a knock on the door and Jax walked in with two plates of sandwiches and two beers.

“Anna thought you might need this,” Jax said, and gave Zane a plate and beer.

“Of course she did.” Zane smiled and gestured for Jax to sit down. As Zane took the first bite out of the sandwich, he noticed Jax trying to look around without being noticed.

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“Looking for something?” Zane asked.

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Emergency calls onlyMU trinn

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“The woman?” his friend asked.

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“She’s in her room, sleeping,” Zane told him.

“Her room?”

“She will stay here for a while.”

“In what capacity?” Jax kept on asking.

“What is this? One thousand one fucking questions?” Zane said. He was feeling irritated.

“Did I hit a nerve?” Jax smirked.

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“Why don’t you just say what the fuck it is you want to say? I’m not in a mood for guessing games.”

“Fine, Zane. Are you out of your fucking mind? You have me punish the men for breaking the rules, and then you go and

break one yourself,” Jax huffed.

“What rule are you talking about?” Zane asked. He always let Jax speak his mind. Zane knew he needed one person who

could tell him the honest truth. But at the moment, he was getting pissed at his friend.

“Come on, Zane. Don’t pretend you don’t know what the fuck I’m talking about. The woman, do you mean to say that

you haven’t forced her to be your little sex slave?” Jax said.

“Fuck you, Jax. Ava is here of her own free will.”

“You didn’t manipulate or force her hand in any way?”

“Sure, I might have pointed out that her other options are shitty. But that’s not something she wouldn’t have figured out for herself,” Zane objected.

“So you forced her hand?”

“Do you think the whores in our brothels are there because they have sunny, bright lives and choose to sell their bodies because it was their childhood dream? We both know that even if they come to us voluntarily, it’s more often than not because they have to, for some reason,” Zane growled.

“Sure, so the fact that she looks like an angel, makes you hard at a glance and this is the only way you can fuck her has nothing to do with it?” Jax asked.

“We both get something out of it.” Zane shrugged.

Emergency calls onlyM & tun

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“And when you tire of her? Will she be passed around the men to earn her keep?” Jax asked. Zane had never had such a powerful urge to punch his friend as at that moment. Instead, he took a swipe of the beer and glared at Jax.

“No, she will be released from the contract.” Jax’s eyebrow shot up, and his friend looked at Zane.

“That’s new.” Zane shrugged again.

“Don’t tell me that you are growing a conscience,” Jax chuckled.

“Hell no,” Zane denied. “How did it go with the boys?” he then asked to change the topic.

“They got the message,” Jax said, a muscle tensing in his jaw.

“Did they say why?”

“Just that they figured it was better than coming back empty–handed,” his second in command huffed as if he found it amusing. “They know better now.”

“Was it a mistake to bring Tobias in?” Zane asked. Jax was the only one he would ever ask a question like that to. Zane had no illusions about what would happen if most of his men perceived him as weak. He led them with an iron fist and

an image of being absolute in his decisions.

“I don’t know, man. I don’t think he is a good fit. But Dave recommended him, and I like Dave,” Jax said, taking a swag

out of his beer. Zane grunted in response.

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“So this new woman of yours, will she be introduced to the family?” Jax looped back to their previous topic.

“Fuck no.

Why would I do that?” Zane asked.

“If she will be hanging around for a while…” Jax trailed off.

“Just let the boys know she is mine and tell them the women better behave around her as well.”

“Really? Okay, you know that will cause some jealousy with the other women. They don’t like it when you are off the

market,” Jax smirked.

“Who said I was off the market?”

“You’re not? You have a beautiful woman staying here at your beck and call and you say you will still be interested in the other women?” Jax asked, sounding amused. Something about is friend rubbed Zane the wrong way today.

“Let’s get this straight. She is only here so I don’t have to deal with the bullshit the other women always bring. And why

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the hell do you keep complimenting her? Do you have the hots for her or something?” Zane asked, as he felt his irritation growing again.

“A blind man could see that your new toy is beautiful. And no, I’m not suicidal enough to covet what is yours. Bros before hoes and all of that shit,” Jax told him.

“Do you know what she calls you?” Zane asked, not knowing why he had asked.

“Asshole, I would think. Or did she go more graphic? I don’t think I’m her favourite person,” Jax chuckled.

“Blond god,” Zane informed him. Jax stared at his friend and then laughed.

“I like her,” he said.

“She’s still mine.”

“I hear you, friend, I won’t do anything stupid. But I do like her fire and her taste in men,” Jax mused.

“Let’s talk about the new shipment. Is everything set up?” Zane asked. He needed something to take his mind off the woman sleeping further down the corridor.

After finishing the discussions about shipments, distribution, and threats from outside competitors, the two of them decided to call it for the night.

“Should I have a man posted outside the girl’s door, in case one of the men gets too curious?” Jax asked as they stood

“They all know better than to come to the third floor.” Zane shrugged.

“You are letting her sleep here?” Jax asked, sounding shocked.

“I want her close in case I need her.”

“Brother, how strong is the need if you can’t wait for her to climb a flight of stairs?”

“Shut up. This is just more convenient,” Zane said, wondering why Jax’s questions made him feel defensive.

“Sure, it’s your call,” Jax agreed and held up his hand in surrender. Zane watched his friend leave. Before he headed to his own bedroom, he walked up to Ava’s door. He stood a while outside and listened to figure out if she was awake. When he didn’t hear anything, he slowly opened the door. The room was dark except for the light seeping in from the opened door. Zane could see Ava lying in the bed, under the covers. He walked closer so he could look at her. Jax had been right; it was impossible not to see her beauty, even with her bruises. In her sleep, she looked even more innocent and vulnerable. Something poked Zane near his heart, but he ignored it.

Emergency calls onlyMU tuna

Angel’s bliss