ZOE DEAN'S POV
I yawned and stretched, curling deeper under the duvet. The sheets were warm, the kind of warmth that makes you want to stay in bed forever. My eyes adjusted slowly to the light streaming in through the curtains, and I blinked toward the other side of the bed.
Empty.
My stomach dipped. Where was Nero? For a moment, panic stirred in my chest. Did he leave back to the racing venue? Did he go back to finish the fight?
Then I heard it. The steady rush of water from the bathroom. Relief washed over me, loosening the knot in my chest. He was still here.
A few minutes later, the door opened.
And there he was.
Nero stepped out, a white towel slung low around his waist. His chest bare. Damp hair pushed back, drops of water clinging to his tattoed skin. A tattoo rested on his left breast. A date.
My breath snagged in my throat. Heat rushed to my face before I could stop it.
"Oh my God!" The words slipped out, sharp and unguarded, as I whipped my gaze away.
Nero chuckled, low and amused. "What?"
"You… you…" My words tangled uselessly. What was I even trying to say? That he had no right looking that good this early in the morning? That walking out half-naked wasn't fair?
He smirked, his voice easy. "I didn't know you were awake." He strolled toward the closet like this was the most normal thing in the world.
I swallowed, hard, trying to find a patch of wall or ceiling to look at. Anything but him. "Well, I am. So maybe put something on?" My voice sounded smaller than I wanted it to.
His soft laugh floated back at me.
I cleared my throat. "Good morning."
"Good morning," he returned smoothly. "I'm glad you woke up before I stepped out of the bathroom, though."
My brows furrowed despite myself. "Why?"
"So I don't have to disturb you." His words were so casual, yet something about them warmed me. He tossed a dark suit and trousers onto the bed and picked out a crisp shirt, moving with unhurried confidence.
"Oh." My gaze slipped away again, restless. "Where are you going?" I asked.
His lips curved faintly. "You mean where are we going."
I blinked, startled. "We?"
"You and I," he said simply, as if it were obvious. He bent, selecting a pair of dark shoes polished to perfection. "We're going to Dubai."
The air caught in my chest. "Dubai?" The word tasted strange on my tongue. No one had told me we were going to Dubai. Then it clicked—Benny yesterday, starting to mention something before he stopped mid-sentence when he saw me.
"Yes, baby." His tone was firm, final.
My pulse spiked. Dubai? Why? What was in Dubai? Why was I going with him? Work, my life here, everything I knew—it all flashed through my mind at once.
"But I can't go with you." My voice faltered. "I have work. My things are here. I'm not ready. I don't even have a passport."
Nero glanced at me, a slow smile tugging at his lips, unbothered by my panic. "Baby, we've already talked about you working. And as for your things, don't worry. I'll buy you whatever you need once we get to Dubai. You don't have to lift a finger or stress about anything, okay?"
I opened my mouth, ready to argue, but nothing came out. How do you argue with a man who treats decisions like they're law?
"But… but—" My protest fizzled, thin and powerless.
Nero crossed the room, the air shifting with his presence, and sat on the edge of the bed. My pulse hammered. His eyes held mine, steady and intent, and suddenly my focus betrayed me, sliding to his mouth. That mouth I had kissed last night. Heat curled low in my stomach, and I forced my gaze back to his eyes, praying he hadn't noticed.
"Do you trust me?" he asked, his tone softer now, almost disarming.
The question threw me. My mind scrambled. Did I? I shouldn't. Not this much. Not this soon. And yet… I did. Against all logic, I trusted him more than I should. Since the night I arrived at this hotel, Nero had been nothing but good to me.
"I… I do," I stuttered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Something flickered in his expression, satisfied, pleased. His lips curved. "Then trust me all the way, okay?"
I exhaled slowly and nodded.
"Good girl." His voice wrapped around me, smooth and warm.
My heart kicked against my ribs.
His smirk tilted as his gaze dropped briefly over me. "Now, go take your bath. Or do you want me to bathe you?" His tone teased, knowing exactly how flustered I already was.
I rolled my eyes, too quickly, hiding how hot my face felt. "I'll pass."
Grabbing my clothes, I escaped toward the bathroom before he could add another remark, my heart still beating far too fast.
****
Nero draped a dark coat over my shoulders as we stood beside his sleek black Rolls Royce, waiting for Benny and Emily. The coat was warm, his gesture casual but protective, and it made something in my chest tighten. We were going to Dubai, together, though I still had no idea why. Or what waited for us there.
The sun wasn't harsh, the air carried that early coolness, and yet I felt oddly restless. My nerves buzzed with questions I couldn't voice.
Every so often, I caught people glancing in our direction. Correction—glancing at him. Most of them were women, their eyes lingering far longer than polite.
I leaned toward him, lowering my voice with a mischievous smile. "Those ladies seem to like you."
Nero's eyes flicked to mine. He studied my face like he was trying to read what I wasn't saying, then scoffed lightly. A crooked smile tugged at his lips, but he didn't answer.
Instead, he reached up and brushed my hair free from where it had caught in the coat's collar, smoothing it carefully. My breath stalled. His fingers grazed my shoulder before retreating, leaving a warmth behind.
I cleared my throat, looking down at my outfit—just jeans and a simple white shirt with white sneakers. Plain. Comfortable. Meanwhile, Nero stood like he'd walked out of a high-profile magazine shoot, dressed sharp in a dark suit that made him look even more untouchable. Seeing him in business mode was different. Striking.
"Hey guys, sorry to keep you waiting," Benny's voice broke through my thoughts. He came toward us, dragging a rolling case behind him, his grin a little too forced. "I had to take care of Emily first."
I smiled knowingly. Nero, however, didn't. His hand slid across my waist, firm, as he turned toward Benny. "Next time, do better." His tone was clipped, cold.
Benny's grin faltered. "I'm sorry, man."
And just like that, silence.
Minutes later, we were on the road. Benny drove while Nero sat in the passenger seat, silent and unreadable. Emily and I were in the back together, the hum of the engine filling the space between us.
I leaned closer to her, lowering my voice. "Do you know why we're going to Dubai?"
Her eyes darted away. "No."
The way she avoided my gaze told me she was lying. My chest tightened, but I let it go. For now.
At the airport, something immediately felt… off. There were no tickets. No lines. No waiting.
I tugged at Nero's hand as he walked beside me, his fingers linked firmly through mine. "Didn't you book a flight?"
He bent slightly toward me, his voice a whisper meant only for me. "I don't book flights, baby. Flights wait for me."
My breath caught, heat creeping up my neck. I rolled my eyes to cover it. Arrogant Don. And yet… that arrogance suited him.
As we moved deeper into the terminal, I noticed men in discreet suits stationed around, keeping just enough distance. Guards. My pulse ticked up.
A man in a grey suit approached, smiling. "Welcome, Mr. Russo, Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Hayes." He hesitated when his eyes landed on me.
I froze.
Nero didn't. His hand tightened around mine. "You can call her Mrs. Russo."
My head snapped up at him. Mrs. Russo? My lungs stalled, breath caught in my chest. Since when was I married to him?
"Welcome, Mrs. Russo," the man said smoothly, and I forced a polite smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
"This way, please."
He led us through a private door, security thick around it, and then out onto the open tarmac.
My mouth fell open.
A jet waited there, glossy white with sleek black trim, its tinted windows gleaming. The kind of thing I'd only seen in movies or magazines.
We stepped inside and I almost forgot how to breathe. Cream leather seats that reclined like beds. Gold-trimmed trays. A full bar lined with bottles I couldn't even name. Subtle lights glowing along the cabin, shifting with the mood.
This wasn't public luxury. This was his. Nero's.
"My oh my," Emily squealed, practically running to claim a seat like it was her personal room. "I can never get used to this."
I sat opposite her, still stunned, smiling faintly. "This is life."
"I'm telling you, girl!" She squealed again, hugging her bag.
Nero slid in beside me, his arm brushing mine, grounding me. Benny took the seat beside Emily, and suddenly we were facing each other across Nero's private world.
The jet hummed to life. Soon, we lifted off.
After a stretch of silence, Benny leaned forward with a grin. "Let's play a game. UNO."
Emily perked up immediately. "I'm in!"
I laughed softly. "Okay, why not."
"I'm not interested," Nero said flatly.
"You're scared you'll lose?" Benny teased.
Nero didn't even look at him. "No."
"C'mon," Benny pressed. "Don't be so boring in front of your girl."
I nudged Nero gently, playful, almost childlike. "Let's play."
He glanced at me, unreadable, before sighing. His shoulders eased, and he gave in with a small shrug. "Okay."
Benny smirked. "Good. But let's raise the stakes. Whoever loses flies back in the luggage compartment."
We all burst out laughing, the sound filling the jet as it climbed higher.