SWNOVELS Chapter 226
Melvin was nothing if not blunt.
Jocelyn felt a bit overwhelmed.
"After all these twists and turns, we've bumped into each other again. I think our connection hasn't been severed. There's a chance for us to pick up where we left off, to continue," Melvin said, his tone as calm as if he were closing a deal, "What do you think?"
Jocelyn hadn't given much thought to the future.
When she met him, she never considered a future.
"Let's just wait and see."
Jocelyn's response made Melvin's eyebrows rise slightly, but he didn't press her. He nodded, "Alright."
Another brief silence fell. Melvin was about to suggest she get some rest when his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the caller ID and this time, didn't bother to hide it from Jocelyn.
"What's the situation?"
Jocelyn could tell from his tone it was about Castiel. She sat up immediately, her gaze locked on Melvin.
Melvin's expression turned grim, he said, "Whatever it takes, bring them back."
On the other end, Zachary was surprised by Melvin's insistence, "The current mess isn't something you or I escalated. They're the ones who stirred up trouble, so why go to such lengths to bail them out? Even if they're dead, it's none of your concern."
Melvin knew Zachary to be ruthless, so such a response wasn't unexpected.
"They must be brought back alive," Melvin asserted firmly.
Zachary chuckled lightly, "Any chance you could share the reason?"
Melvin glanced at Jocelyn, her face etched with worry.
In the past, knowing she cared for another man would have made him speak out of turn, but not anymore now.
Castiel was her friend and Euston's father. Whatever Jocelyn desired, he was determined to fulfill.
"Just get them out, and you'll understand," Melvin stressed with seriousness, "I'm asking you as a favor."
His words took Zachary aback. But before he could say more, Melvin had already hung up.
Zachary looked at the darkened screen and smirked, "What's the man up to?"
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts, and he swiveled in his chair, "Come in."
"Sir, Mrs. Turner has returned," his subordinate announced with due respect.
Zachary glanced at his watch and stood up, moving towards the door.
His car was waiting outside. He got in, "Let's head home."
The driver moved swiftly, and soon they arrived at a grand estate.
The night sky was void of stars, but lights blazed brightly within a five-mile radius of the estate.
As the gate swung open, the car pulled up right outside the entrance. The attendant hurried to open the door, "Sir."
"Where is she?" Zachary handed his coat to the attendant.
"Mrs. Turner is upstairs," the attendant replied.
Zachary headed straight for the staircase.
He pushed open the bedroom door to find it empty.
Hearing the shower running, he closed the room's door and approached the bathroom, knocking lightly.
The water stopped.
"What is it?" Yasmine's voice was cool and detached, echoed from inside.
Zachary leaned against the door frame, "Why are you back?"
"What do you mean 'why am I back'? This is my house. I come back when I wish. Do I need your permission?" Yasmine's tone was sharp, and she opened the door to meet Zachary's probing eyes. Securing the sash of her robe, her hair still damp, she attempted to pass by him.
Zachary reached out, taking her hand and guiding her to the vanity, gently pressing her shoulders to sit. He took out a hairdryer and stood behind her, drying her hair.
Yasmine didn't resist, allowing his fingers to weave through her hair.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away?" His tone unreadable.
Yasmine watched the man in the mirror, "Since when do I take orders from you?"
Zachary frowned, "Can't you just talk nicely for once?"
"What's 'talking nicely'? Zachary, we're divorced. You should be with your new flame right now. Imagine if your sweetheart knew you came to see me again. Wouldn't she throw a fit?" With her hair nearly dry, Zachary turned off the hairdryer and stepped in front of her. He leaned against the vanity, his legs framing her in a casual stance.
His gaze was intense, his rugged charm magnetic, and that roguish air about him - it was what drew her in when they were younger.
Back in the day, both Melvin and Yasmine had been caught up in Zachary's world, chasing thrills and navigating their own kind of "wild west."
Reflecting on those reckless days brought a mix of joy and regret to Yasmine. Despite the sour turn their marriage had taken, she couldn't deny the happiness they once shared. "I didn't come here to fight," Zachary said, a hint of tenderness in his voice.
Yasmine began her skincare routine, "Then what are you here for? Surely it's not because your little sweetheart left you unfulfilled and you're looking for excitement with me?" Zachary pursed his lips, a look of exasperation on his face.
She was always so prickly.
"Melvin called. He's adamant about me protecting his girlfriend's husband and lover. What's your take on it?"
"He approached you, not me. What am I supposed to think?" Yasmine said, applying cream to her face, disinterested.
Zachary brushed her hair from her face, "They've fallen into the head's hands there, and he's got his eye on the woman. I've got beef with the head, and to get those two out, it's going to cost me." Yasmine remained unfazed, "As I said, it's your call to help or not."
"He's your brother, and he's my brother too," Zachary said, waiting for her to finish with her skincare, his hands resting on her shoulders. "I just need a word from you. If you say go, I'll go." Yasmine tilted her head to look at him, then playfully tugged his hands down, "Then go."
She stood up, clearly tired of the conversation.
Zachary followed her, "Alright, I'll go."
Yasmine flipped the comforter back and perched herself on the edge of the bed. "I'm hitting the hay. Do me a solid and skedaddle, will you?"
But Zachary began to peel off his clothes, his voice casual, "I'm bunking here tonight."
Yasmine's anger flared. "Don't embarrass yourself, especially not during the holidays."
Halfway out of his shirt, Zachary caught the serious rage in her eyes. He held his breath. "I've told you, there's no other woman in my life."
"Oh, really? Should I line them up for a roll call?" Yasmine glared at him. "Get out!"
Zachary, despite being the big shot with an army of cronies under his command, found himself being schooled like a rookie in front of Yasmine.
But he didn't care about her scolding. He ditched his pants and hopped onto the bed.
Before Yasmine could lay a hand on him, he made his move, pinning her down effortlessly. He lifted her hands above her head and leaned in to kiss those unfriendly lips. "Mmm..." Yasmine struggled.
Zachary kissed her deeply, never one for just a peck. He preferred to dive in.
It wasn't long before Yasmine's fight waned, and she was defeated, succumbing to Zachary's will.
The worst part was, she didn't put up much of a fight. It had been too long since she'd been cherished, and just a little attention from him made her recklessly bloom.
They knew each other too well, each other's weaknesses especially. Whether it was Yasmine or Zachary, it made things all too easy.
After a long tussle, they finally settled down.
Both in their prime, their physical desires were as relentless as in their youth, once awakened. "You're shameless," Yasmine panted, lying there, her voice hoarse and lacking any real bite. Zachary rested on her back, kissing her earlobe. "Haven't felt this good in a long while."