Chapter Eleven
Jareth
"What are your plansafter college, Connor?" Zoya's mom, Lauren, asks him at the rehearsal dinner.
"I'm hoping to go pro," he answers. "I have a good shot at the draft next year."
Knox immediately frowns, his brows furrowed. "You expect my daughter to abandon her dreams and follow you while you chase your dream?"
"Uh…" Connor shoots a furtive glance in Zoya's direction, at a loss about the game plan now that I know the truth.
She groans, taking a big gulp of wine before turning to face the music. Her entire family is at the head table in the dining room, with the rest of the guests split between two tables on either side. The entire room is full of laughter and raised voices as everyone relaxes, celebrating Nadia and Teo.
"I won't be following him," she says loudly enough for her whole family to hear.
They all look at her like they're waiting for an explanation.
"Um…" She actually squirms in her seat, her cheeks pink. "Connor and I aren't actually dating."
"Not dating?" Knox repeats, eyeing his daughter like she's not making any sense.
"I kind of asked him to pretend to be my boyfriend for…reasons?" she says, peeking up at her dad.
"What reasons?"
Her gaze flits to me and then away. "I was trying to avoid admitting something to myself."
Knox digests her response before he sighs. "Ah,zaika." He reaches out to rub her back, his gaze drifting in my direction as if he knows a lot more about the two of us than Zoya realizes. I'm not really surprised. The man is perceptive as hell. "Your spirit has always been so fierce, it drowns out your delicate heart."
I don't think he's wrong about that. Zoya hides behind false bravado and her fiery attitude, but underneath, she's a scared little lamb, terrified of having her heart broken. She needs to be in control, and with me, she isn't. She doesn't know what to do with that.
But like I told her, I'm not going anywhere. She isn't something to break. She's someone I intend to keep close for a long fucking time. Forever if I have my way. I just needher to realize that's what's happening between us. This isn't a momentary interlude. It's forever.
"I'm not delicate, Dad," she says, rolling her eyes.
"Never," Knox says somberly. "You are fierce warrior like your mom. But you do not know how to let yourself be loved. You do not trust your heart." He pauses, shooting a glance in Lauren's direction. "Also like your mom. The right man will teach you."
Zoya's gaze flits in my direction and then away again. "Maybe," she whispers.
I groan softly, fighting the urge to scoop her into my arms. Going slow with her is impossible when I want everything, and I want it now.
I know she does, too. I'm already knocking down her walls, worming my way through the cracks. She doesn't have to soften for me. She can be just as fierce as she wants. But she doesn't have to guard her heart, either. I'll do that part for her.
"Sorry for not being honest," Connor says, nodding at Zoya. "I do what she tells me." His gaze darts around the table, a playful smirk on his face. "I don't know if you know it, but she can be terrifying."
"She's always been terrifying," Teo agrees. "She threatened to rip my balls off once. I'm still looking over my shoulder."
"She threatens me every week," Maxim mutters.
"I do not!" she cries in protest as her entire family laughs.
Bastian catches my eye from across the room, motioning for me.
I slide my chair back from the table as everyone teases Zoya, crossing the private dining room to my twin's side.
"What's up?"
"We have a problem," he mutters beneath his breath.
