Chapter 07

Zayne

The phone vibrated in my pocket. Diana was calling. Again.

She'd been calling non stop since I left. She'd sent texts too. At first they were tearful and pleading. She begged and swore that the hospital was wrong and Ruby was really mine and could I come home so we talk about it?

I read them but didn't reply. Now she was done begging and was threatening fire and brimstone if I didn't get back home or if I tried anything funny.

I wasn't afraid of Diana. She had a short fuse and resorted to threats easily but her words were always just that. Words.

“It'll be hard to find a bigger room than this one. It's a small town so luxurious hotels are… Well, nonexistent.” Elias said with a sigh as we walked into the room.

We'd asked for their best suite and the reception lady had looked at me like I had sprouted gills.

They had big rooms and bigger rooms but nothing that could be considered a suite. We'd taken the biggest room.

“It'll do. I don't intend to be here long." I mumbled as I threw my phone onto one of the beds.

“That's a little overly confident isn't it?" Elias answered with a raised brow.

I shrugged in response. The phone vibrated again and I groaned in frustration.

“Diana?" Elias asked.

“Yeah. I can't deal with her right now."

“What are you going to do about her?" Elias lowered himself into one of the sofas.

“I don't know yet. This was all her fault. The only reason I accepted her was Ruby. I thought I'd finally gotten a child. An heir." I threw my hands up in frustration, “I wondered why she never said anything for five years but I decided to believe every word she said."

“Against Marissa's." Elias added.

“Marissa,....God!" I rubbed a hand across my forehead. I'd been mean to her. I winced as I remembered her holding her cheek, her face contorted in grief and pain after I raised my hands on her.

“She doesn't remember. But when she does…..” Elias let the statement hang. He didn't say If. He'd said ’’when"’.

Did I want her memories back? The obvious answer should be yes. But a part of me, the selfish part, was screaming no. I could win her heart once more. Start over like there was no bad history between us. But if her memories come back….. Would she forgive me? Did I deserve her forgiveness.

The phone vibrated again. I stormed towards it and switched it off.

“The company she works for, Do you know who runs it?" I asked Elias.

“Jack Tinsel. His father founded it about twenty years ago and then it went bankrupt until He took over about seven years ago. He's done his best getting things back to normal. Bright chap. Spoken with him a few times.“ Elias rattled off.

It amused me how much he knew about this place. Like as though he lived here. I still had no idea how he had been able to manage commuting back and forth without me noticing.

“Do you think he'd be willing to sell?" I asked and watched the surprise spread across Elias's face.

“Sell? You mean the company? You want to buy it?" He asked slowly.

“Yes."

“Alright and then what next?" There was a tick in his jaw that told me he was holding back what he really wanted to say.

“I don't know yet. It's the only way I can think of to be within her space for now." I replied and then I swiveled to him, “Except through you."

“Through me?"

“You know her better than anyone right now. She trusts you. If you introduce us, give me a glowing recommendation, that's bound to get things going right?" I asked hopefully.

He huffed and ran a hand through his hair, “I'm not entirely certain that's…I mean in theory yeah but…”

"Or maybe a combination of both. I need this Jack Tinsels contact. Schedule a meeting." I moved over to my suitcase to unpack, leaving Elias standing there, his mind reeling.

Finally, he spoke, “There's an office party coming up this weekend. Perfect time to meet Jack and get talking with Marissa."

My eyes shone with hope, “Brilliant. That's absolutely brilliant.” The weekend was in two days. I didn't want to have to wait that long but I didn't see another choice.

He chuckled lightly, “Although, knowing Rissa she's probably thinking of bailing on it. She hates these kinds of things you know?" He shook his head fondly.

He spoke of her so affectionately. It irked me that he knew this version of her more than I did. But then again, it was also to my advantage.

“I need you to make sure she attends that party Elias.” I said.

“What? I can't make her do anything." He protested.

“Yes you can. You know her better than anyone. I need her there." I insisted.

He groaned, " She can be a little stubborn sometimes especially in cases like this and I…..”

" And you know just how to convince her “ I finished up for him, " She hates it but she trusts you and does whatever you say correct?”

The tick in his jaw was unmistakable this time, " I could try.” He replied tersely.

" Don't just try. Make it happen. Convince, coerce, whatever it takes. You wanted me to go slow, I'm going to need your help with that.”

He nodded, once. " Yes, Alpha.”

Satisfied, I switched my phone back on just in time to get another call from Diana. This time, I picked up.

" Zayne!” She screamed into the phone the second I picked up." I know where you are. I know you've gone after that good for nothing ex wife of yours. If you even for a second, think that I will just sit back and let her take my place, you're out of your freaking mind!" Her voice was shrill and slightly slurred. She'd been drinking.

“I'm giving you a week. Pack your things, take your daughter and leave before I get back. One week, Diana.” I ended the call. The phone rang again almost immediately and this time, I blocked her number.

“She isn't going to take that easy." Elias mumbled.

“I know." I sughed with exhaustion. “ Send a text to Cody and Kimara. Place them on guard duty. They're to protect Jane at all times and keep an eye on Diana.”

“Right away, Alpha.” Elias replied, his fingers flying across his keyboard already.

" And in the meantime, I need you to tell me everything. Starting from the day of her accident.”