Lahat ng Kabanata ng OWNED BY THE MADDOX BROTHERS : Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

ZAYLAMy head throbbed like it was cracked open. My skin, damped with perspiration. I sat up slowly on the couch, blinking at the low-lit room, trying to remember why I was here — why I’d fallen asleep like this.But my memory was foggy. And every time I tried to reach back, it knocked like a hammer behind my eyes.I remembered Zane’s voice. His warm laughter, as I ate the food he made.“Eat up, Angel. You need to sleep well tonight.”That was all I could remember. They rest, blank.I looked around the room, it was dark. Was always dark with dim lighting — you could barely tell day from night.I rubbed my eyes and glanced at the wall clock. 1:00 a.m. The room was empty, cold, and silent, save for the low murmur of a movie playing on the TV. My gaze darted to Ziven’s computer space. It was dark. He wasn’t there.They might’ve gone to bed.I got up and headed for the guest room, my legs slightly wobbly. I hadn’t taken more than five steps when the loud crack of a gunshot nearly knocked

ZAYLAMy stomach grumbled, breaking the thick silence. I bit down on my lip, my face flushed from embarrassment."Our veggie princess is so hungry.""Shut up, Zane." I hissed and shot him a glare.I have more questions on my mind, but decided to go with the pressing one. So, I returned my gaze to Ziven, searching his eyes."Why? You're saving me, why?""Why?" He mimicked, his gaze locked on mine."Yes. Men like you... Italian men, don't save anyone without a gain. Especially a helpless American girl. So, what's your gain with me?""Dannata furba." Damn clever girl. Zarek murmured with a low chuckle, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that made me feel like I'd just earned a crown. Even without knowing the meaning of what he'd just said, a sense of pride washed over me, like I'd said something appealing to him for the first time. Like he was proud of me.Jeez. I hate that I felt like this.Was I seriously seeking this man's approval or happiness? Hell no!"Don't you want to find out

ZAYLA I hadn't made it to the hallway that led to my room when I was suddenly cornered by Ziven. He blocked my path, with his imposing and intimidating height. His expression was dark and unreadable, his gaze burned with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I paused. My breath was caught somewhere between my throat, as my pulse quickened. He just stood there, watching me intensely. His burning gaze bored holes into me, hot enough to rip off my cloth and burn right into my soul. As if on cue, I folded my arms around my chest and furrowed my brows. He obviously wanted me to say something first, because he looked anything, but ready to talk. So, I spoke first, grateful my voice didn't betray the chaos inside me. "You're blocking my path." After a pause, he muttered. "I can see that." His voice low, but cold. Seriously? I looked up at him and he met my gaze. It was as if I'd stumbled into a live current, a dangerous heat raced through my veins, spread across my skin and s

ZAYLA I laid on the bed, my eyes still closed, the lids too heavy to open. When it finally opened, I dragged my gaze around the room like it was my first time here, too tired to move my body. Sleep still beckoned me, but despite the fogginess, I forced myself up. Propped against the bed board, my gaze traveled to the single window in the room. It was so high, I could barely reach it, and even if I did, I couldn't get a glimpse of what the outside looked like. Whoever installed it, had no sense of fresh air. It was mated with net, you could only see the daytime light, except now it was dark. Which meant the day was over. Another evening. Another day fading away, with no single knowledge of what outside there felt like. Of what was really happening outside this large house. Painfully, but undeniably, a large part of me loved it, but the small part of me that wanted independence, that wanted power and revenge was stronger. What they wanted from me, I had no idea. Ziven said I shoul

ZAYLA I searched and searched and failed. It's the truth. He's not lying.Damn. How can he be so young? I could literally categorize him in his late twenties. I bit down hard on my lip, and let go. One thought in mind. The Triplets. I could only imagine how old they really are. "Speechless?" He's teased, obviously reading my expression. I smiled, "I'm... I'm... I'm just... God. I wasn't expecting that.""Great gene, sweetheart." He grinned. There was an awkward pause. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Si—"Hungry?" He glanced at me, probing his body up. "Got some granola bars. Heard you're a veggie princess."I didn't need to ask to know who gave that out. Zane of course.I met his stare, my face flushed for the hundredth time. "Sure." I nodded.He got up and left for the kitchen. That must have been what he went to drop in the kitchen earlier. Once again, I'm staring at his tall and massive figure, wondering how God could be unfair.I snapped my gaze away from his back as he disapp