/Zane's POV/
I arrived at the station to see the same stalker the police had set loose back in the interrogation room already confessing his sins like a sinner to a confessor during reconciliation.
The bruises on him were hard to miss — a black eye, a cast, several broken ribs, one broken arm, several cuts scattered across his face.
"Several broken ribs, one broken arm, a dislocated jaw, and multiple stitches — and you're going to claim you had nothing to do with this?" Vik demanded after leading me to the observation room, where we could watch Julian answer the interrogator's questions.
"I'm more disappointed that you're accusing me in the first place," I frowned, turning to Vikram, who wore his disapproval on his face like a sleeve. "I'm too busy dealing with the collateral damage of everything that's happened—that's why I trusted you with the investigation. I believed you could get the work done and now I'm starting to wonder otherwise."
My anger rose—not because I was being accused of torturing the goddamn stalker. If anything, I'm pretty damn glad he was tortured. The information he collected on Allison could have been the reason we're all in this mess in the first place. Why the hell do I have to pretend to give a damn about the asshole when I clearly don't?
"Zane—"
"Save me the bullshit, Vik," I snapped. "Oh, He was 'just a stalker,' and yet no one noticed he was selling her information to someone else!?" I demanded.
Vikram let out an exasperated sigh. "Zane, I know you're frustrated. I am too. But the investigation just started and we're doing all that we can to get to the bottom of this. We just need a little more time, but that doesn't give you—"
"I don't really give a damn whether you think I did it," I interjected with a hiss. "But if you want to arrest me for what happened to him, then bring me some damn proof." My tone was harsh, my expression cold and apathetic.
Vik's shoulders sagged.
"Who was it?" I pressed, ignoring his crestfallen expression. "Who paid him to stalk Allison?".
Vik was quiet.
"Vik, when I entrusted this investigation to you, I expected you to be transparent with me. So, who the hell was it?"
"I can't tell you." Vik said finally, his tone firm.
His response had my brows knitting tight into a deep, malice-woven frown. "What?"
"When you told me to handle the case, you said you trusted me to see it through and find whoever was behind it. You said you wanted me to handle it. Then let me handle it."
"Vik, don't push me," I warned.
"I mean, who knows what you'll do if I tell you who it was." He raised his voice, and my frown deepened. "You might be engaged to Miss Reyes but you are not her guardian, and as such, I have no legal obligation to reveal important details regarding the investigation to you."
"That's it." I retrieved my phone and punched in some words. A minute later, Vik's phone blared. He reached for his pocket and moved to the corner of the room. Judging from his polite tone as he handled the phone call, it was obvious he was talking to someone high up, at least they outranked him.
"Yes, sir." He ended his call, turned to me, and let out a loud scoff.
"You just have to do whatever you want, don't you? I've been ordered to give you a full update and treat you as Allison's legal guardian. Apparently your legal team will oversee the case too."
I was unfazed. I'd already prepared a countermeasure in case Vik tried to pull this crap. He was too righteous for his own good.
"Good then," I replied nonchalantly.
"It was Kendrick Gustov," he said, folding his hands as his scrutinizing gaze remained on me, studying my every shift.
The name rang a faint bell. "Sounds familiar."
""It should. He's your cousin's assistant." His response caught me completely off guard, leaving me staring at him in shock. "There's a possibility that he might have something to do with this. You're friends, aren't you?" he demanded, and my frown returned.
Arching a brow, I asked, "What are you getting at, Vik?"
"Zane, I know you're hurt by what happened to Allison. I know you have nothing to do with it, but we have to be careful with the investigation if we want to get to the end of it. I can't have you messing it up because of your spiralling emotions."
I scoffed. "Are you afraid I'll beat my cousin to death once I learn he's behind this or something?" He shifted uncomfortably. "Who exactly do you think I am? I can't believe this."
"Have you forgotten two years ago?" Vikram snickered, and my face hardened.
Disappointed, I replied, "That was different, and I really can't believe you're bringing that up even though you promised not to."
Vik looked regretful but I didn't care.
"Elias' assistant might have had Allison stalked but that doesn't mean Elias did it or that Elias killed her. Find the damn culprit instead of staying here throwing accusations." I concluded despondently before exiting the room, my fury pulsing hot under my skin.
Driving home, my mind raced with so many things going at it together to scramble my brain. Vik was right—Elias would hardly be able to avoid responsibility if his assistant was paid to have Allison stalked. It doesn't make sense that Elias has no idea about it.
What if Elias was stalking Allison? What if he had a hand in this? The thought made me sick to my stomach. But Elias was never like that. Yeah, my uncle's family made my life miserable but I've always been close with Elias, the only person who ever took my side in that damn family.
He's the director of the hotel chains of his father's company. Why would he need to stalk Allison?
This must be some kind of misunderstanding. I thought back to the day he visited. Elias claimed he was worried about me and Allison and wanted to check on us to make sure we were okay.
I believed him because the worry in his eyes and the warmth I sensed in his gestures were genuine — but what if it wasn't?
I ran my hand through my hair, frustration growing in my chest as I pulled over at home and headed straight upstairs to find Allison's phone.
If I wanted to understand the type of relationship the two had, I figured I'd start with her phone. The only problem was, I couldn't find it where I'd kept it or anywhere else for that matter.
I decided to check Madison's room. I'd just finished checking the desk drawers and was moving to her bedside drawers when she woke up abruptly, making me jump as she glared at me with a murderous look in her eyes — which quickly dissolved the moment she realised it was me.
However, her fallen towel left me frozen in place.
"I'm so, so sorry," I blurted, spinning away instantly, but I could hardly get the picture out of my head.
She was a lot tanner than Allison and perkier too. Fuck, don't think about it, I told myself but recalled the birthmark right under— My face burned at the recollection.
"It's alright." Her voice was low and timid. My face got warmer when I heard the ruffle of clothes behind me. She was probably getting out of bed.
"I…I should come back," I decided, walking off — and despite my attempt not to make it seem like I was being chased, I literally skittered off like I had someone on my tail.
Fuck! I should have just asked her first. I shouldn't have gone rummaging through her room without letting her know.
Also, how in the world didn't I know she was sleeping in her towel? She probably fell asleep after taking a shower. Our situation was already so awkward and this didn't make it better.
I tried to forget what happened and join her for dinner but I couldn't bring myself to. So, I decided to wait until she was done but ended up falling asleep before that.
And now I'm dreaming of Allison again — her scent, her touch, her warmth… I couldn't resist holding her this time, burying my nose into her neck, nibbling her softly until I heard her groan.
I wish I could hold you like this in reality. I wish you were here.
"Ally," I breathed softly, moving my hands to her neck, up to her face until I cupped her face. She looked taken aback when my lips met hers.
Why does your warmth feel so real? Tears rolled down my eyes, knowing I would never be able to hold her like this in reality.
"I want you…I need you," I cried softly to her lips, forcing them apart despite the reluctance I sensed. And when our tongues met, I felt my entire body come alive with an aching need to take things a step further.
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