Chapter Three

The Art of Arrogance

EncoreDeZiza
All Rights Reserved

2013

 

Chapter Three

 

She flashed Chris a weak smile, one he repaid with a thumbs up, his arm hanging loosely out the window. With his support, she turned the knob, freezing in the doorway. She was waiting. Waiting for Zach to come running out of no where, screaming and yelling. But nothing happened. Letting out a deep breath, she closed the door, waving goodbye to Chris.

            She made it three steps in, unzipping her brown leather jacket when a huge thud came from up stairs. Her head snapped up as those clumsy feet sauntered down the stairs with a loud thump, thump, thump. She froze, taking him in. His white dress shirt was misbuttoned and wrinkled, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, he wore only black silk boxers, his blonde hair tussled and unkept, those grey eyes blood shot as they raked over her. “Words cannot express,” He hissed and that’s when she noticed the half empty bottle of liquor in his left hand. She rolled her eyes, shrugging her jacket off and folding it nearly over her left arm. “How f*****g stupid you are.”

“What’d I do this time?” She antagonized, boredom lacing her tone, “Agree to live with you? Because I thought that was pretty stupid t-“

“Care to explain your pizza hut incident?” Oh, so that’s what this is about…

“Not particularly, no.”

He ground his jaw, “Is there anything else I should know?”

She shrugged, “Probably.”

Irritation flashed in those entrancing grey eyes, “Do tell.”

“Let’s see…” She began, letting her eyes roam the contence of the room; she still didn’t know half the crap that was in here. “For starters, I got really drunk and then I climbed out of Chris’ truck and onto the hood, that’s when I started dancing, if I remember correctly,” She added, furrowing her eyebrows in concentration, “Yeah,” She finally concluded, nodding happily as she let her eyes slid back to his, “That nearly caused a car wreck… You know, since we were on the highway and all…” She wasn’t surprised, at all, when it came out casually, as if talking about the weather. Still, she watched him wearily, his entire body as firm as a brick wall. They stood for a few moments in complete silence. At least that was until a subtle, but obvious, shaking started at his arms before he chucked the liquor bottle at the far wall, watching as it shattered to pieces.

 

            “You were on top of a moving car?!” He roared, taking a step into the room, “What the f**k, Hazel? Do you have a death wish, are you retarded? Honestly, your IQ-“

“Let’s not forget why I decided to get drunk in the first place.” She countered, narrowing her eyes, “All you had to do was follow the rules, Zach. Is it that bloody hard?”

“Me? Stick to the rules?” He countered, those grey eyes sparking with sheer insanity as he strode defiantly into the room, “I said no boy toys!”

“We agreed no rules!” She lashed out in complete desperation, grabbing the ends of her long blonde hair and pulling, her insanity a perfect match for his.

“Then why are you so mad when there aren’t any to break?” His firsts were completely consumed in flame now but none of them noticed, too busy with each others eyes to notice much else. Why was she mad? Why was she mad?! HA! How could he ask such a-

            Before she could really do anything, his lips were on hers, effectively capturing her full, undivided attention. Er, that was until she remembered, remembered something vital. Giving him a hard shove to the shoulders, she narrowed her eyes. It didn’t harm in anyway, but it did pull their faces apart, and that’s what she wanted. “Did you shove your tongue down that w***e’s throat? Because, I swear on your life Zachary Everdeen, if you have herpes-“

“Oh shut up,” He groaned, shoving her against the door before kissing her again. She didn’t have time to respond or really figure out if she even wanted to because they were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Zach froze, slowly peeling himself off her and turning around slowly, as if he was afraid.

 

            And after he moved, Hazel discovered why. Oliver stood in doorway to the kitchen, arms crossed over chest, eyebrows raised in question, “I truthfully can’t decide if that was rape or some sick, kinky s**t.”

“It wasn’t kinky,” Came Ayden’s voice from somewhere behind him, he stepped into the living room then, apple in his dripping hand, still chewing loudly as he spoke, “Hazel’s kinkier than that, right babe?”  He finished it all with a wink, no one missed the way Zach stiffened, the little sparks of flame way too close to her skin. She wrapped her hand around the doorknob, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. But Oliver’s unmoving gaze kept her routed in her spot.

“Rape,” she informed dryly, jerking the door open and slamming it closed behind her. Pulling her coat over her rapidly chilling arms, she ground her jaw before taking off in a ruthful jog. It seemed no matter how fast she ran, her brain was always six miles ahead. But today, today she was determined to beat it.

 

 

            It was a good thing that she never listened to people, really. Her bags were still packed and it made it so much easier when she was told to collect them. She’d moved back into the coven house. So had Zachary, she’d assumed. She hadn’t seen him since she claimed rape. And Chris was away on a job. One of Chris’ close friends, Nate, was basically assigned by Chris to follow her around like a guard dog on steroids. She really didn’t mind his company that much, he was a good dude. He was mutant as well, but she didn’t know what he could do. She didn’t really care, she didn’t like talking about work or strange powers or anything unnatural and she was grateful that Nate didn’t either.

            They’d been walking aimlessly from corridor to corridor, talking about nothing and eating random foods they’d abducted from the kitchen. As they turned down another corridor, she stopped, gaping. They hallway was full of the other coven members, lining the door, all standing stiff, tall, focused, and they ere armed. Armed. She starred in awe, they were guarding. What were they- “Hazel!” She snapped into reality at the sound of Nate’s voice, hurrying to catch up, but not before giving the number a long, hard look. 91- Why was that so familiar? She frowned, her frustration deepening as the number became foggier and foggier in her mind. What was in that hallway?

 

 

 

            He didn’t bother to park or take the truck from drive. He didn’t remove the keys from the ignition. He was fuming. He hopped from the truck, shoving past whomever Oliver had sent to play valet. Oliver was standing in the doorway, already starting his rant as Chris strode up. Well he had news for him, he didn’t care. Big brother’s in town and things are about to change.

 

 

            “Alright,” Oliver sighed, slumping into his massive chair. Zach had been brought in by a whole group of dudes who he glared at forcefully. “Chris, we don’t know what happened between-“

“You don’t know?” He could feel his resentment and fuming hatred for those three words burning deep within his very core and exploding out, shimmering in his undoubtedly black eyes. “You don’t know. You have two eye witnesses, not to mention, a statement from the victim, and you claim you don’t know.” He snorted, “Unbelievable.”

“We’ve set up guards, patrol men, we’re doing everything we can t-“

“Everything you can?” His hissed, his eyes narrowing on Oliver’s as he leaned against the table, “Bull s**t.”

“Alright, you need to calm down.” Chris’ head snapped to Zach’s bored, carefree expression.

“You don’t talk!” He bellowed.

Zach sighed in exasperation, “Apparently, I do, because you, my little pessimist, have responded. Disrespectfully, spitefully, and tactlessly, but it was a response, nonetheless.”

“Yeah? So what? You degrade a girl and now you’re Mr. Wise guy, huh?” He was so close, so close to beating the s**t out of Zachary Everdeen.

“Awe, what? Jealous you weren’t there to be with your little girlfriend?” Zach mocked before dropping his tone, his grey eyes made of steel as they burrowed into Chris’. “I wouldn’t have you let you step foot in that doorway.” He informed, leaning forward and resting his forearms on the table, “I would’ve killed you first.” He cocked his head, as if contemplating something, “Or maybe just beat you to a pulp and make you watch. She can scream your name and cry and beg, and you can watch, helpless and paralyzed. Not even able to close your eyes, because I, my friend, am five steps ahead of you.” He let his lips spread lazily into a dark smirk, “Unless… Unless you want in,” Chris jumped to his feet, sensing the action, Zach lifted his arms, kicking up with his knee and shoving the table forwards. It fell on Chris, top down, with a satisfying thud. Zach only smirked as half the room drew their guns, aiming for him. “Go ahead,” He encouraged, those grey eyes sparking at his newest game, “Shoot me.”

 

 

XXX

 

Air. Fresh, untainted, natural, wholesome air. She breathed in again, half expecting to wake up, Nate laughing at the dried up drool that undoubtedly had rolled across her cheek. It felt like years since she’d been outside, free, although the engravings in her wooden desk indicated it only been four days. “HAZE!”

Her head snapped to the side, watching the wind blow Chris’ black hair from his face, his black T clinging to his built frame, those dark brown eyes lined with long, black lashes, casting shadows over his high cheek bones as he examined the gun closely before leaning his shoulder into the side of the car, facing him. “Chris, “ She greeted, turning her attention back to the diner. “Big case, huh?”

“Bigger than I’d like.”

She pouted, “Don’t you have any faith in me? I get I’m reckless, careless, and an all around screw up, but I have to be doing something right! I mean, I’m still alive!”

 “That’s not what I meant.” He countered, effectively gaining her attention, “And you’re not a screw up,” He added before continuing, “This is a case for ‘the best’.” She blinked in confusion and he rolled his eyes, “Mutants, darling. Including Zach.”

 

            Although her gaze was on Chris, the mention of Zach’s name did something to her. She could hear it. The kill of the engine, the simultaneous click of all four doors unlocking in unison, the soft, harmless thump of three hundred pounds stepping foot on the paved driveway before them. Slowly, she turned her head, watching as some guy in a black suit opened the back door, Zach stood in one swift, effortless motion, ducking under the arm of his supervisor. He stopped, his eyes frozen on hers, twinkling with recollection. Pulling her eyes from his, she allowed herself a quick once over, and what she saw made her jaw go slack. He was handcuffed, one man on either side of him, his eyes locked on hers. She knew it was wrong, it was so wrong. But there was something about the way he looked in those handcuffs, something that had her biting her lip- hard. His blonde hair was tussled and unkept, his black shirt wrinkled and blood stained. His pants were dark, ripped and somewhat faded, his black combat boots only blending in with the rest. Zach walked right over, flashing a wide smile to Chris who cocked the gun he was holding, “Nice to see you, Christine, fine day, yes? Might I have a moment with the lady?”

“Its fine,” Hazel said before Chris could clench his jaw, “Honest. Go talk to Nate about guarding me or whatever,” Reluctantly, Chris pushed off the car, nodding at Zach’s guards who followed without hesitation. She didn’t know when Chris pulled the high ranking of second command, but didn’t question it.

 

            Zach’s eyes fell on her, smirking, so careless- all the time. How exhausting would that be? “Handcuffs,” She complimented, crossing her arms over her chest, “Are a good look for you.”

“Yes, well, before I talk to you, it’s requested by coven law that I make one thing clear.” He cleared his throat, “Zach’s the name, rapin’s the game.”

She chomped down on her bottom lip, trying to contain her laughter, “I didn’t know they arrested you.”

“Yeah, I can see how that’d be confusing. You just told them I was raping you, no big deal.” She flinched at his words. But the thing that got under her skin was that he declared it with such ease, like it didn’t even matter. He was too light hearted about the whole thing.

 

            “I’m sorry, I don’t know what ha-“

“Yes,” He interrupted, “You do.” As he stepped forward, she found that playful spark and arrogant glint gone, completely wiped from his face. If she didn’t know better, she’d say it’d never been there at all. Her head throbbed with her up and coming migraine as she starred at him tentively. “When you figure out where we stand, call me.”

“Zach,” She sighed, closing her eyes, “If this is some kind of gam-“

“It’s not a game.” Her eyes snapped open, looking at him in complete and utter shock. His voice…. Emotion. His sincerity had been raw, harsh, and honest. But as her eyes met his, all traces of warmth fled, replaced by the usual grey walls of emotionless steel. “But this is,” He added, his lips lifting into a smirk as those grey eyes sparked to life. He stepped forward in one stride, her heart drumming wildly in response to his closeness. Yet, he wasn’t even touching her. Slowly, he lifted a hand, the other not far behind, as he placed two flat palms on the car behind them. He gave a slight shove, the car shaking roughly. His smirk only grew, eyes brightening, as the car began to rock, creating the illusion of something else entirely.

 

            She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the grin from slowly materializing on her face. There was something about Zachary Everdeen, something worth saving. The two guards appeared from no where, holding him at gun point. The rocking stopped as he somewhat bristled at the threat, “Wanna know a secret?” She rolled her eyes, but waited, freezing as his lips brushed her ear, “I only played along for you.” He whispered before stepping back and flashing a daring grin, “Officers! Officers!” He pleaded, holding his hands up in a surrendering fashion, “I was only joking,” He rolled his eyes then, as if they were the ones at fault, for not getting the joke. “If I were to rape anyone, it’d be the teenager I saw across the street.” And for the second time in less than a half hour, her jaw fell slack.

 

 

            The entire coven quieted, astounded when the handcuffs caught fire. They fell from his free wrists with a loud clatter, he swiftly bent at the waist, bowing. When he was back at his full height, he flashed a brilliant smile and winked, “Zach’s the name, rapin’s the game.”

 

Author’s Note:
            So after that scene right there (which I named “Worth Saving”), I had another one all planned out. But I’m prosponing it for the next chapter. Okay, and I just want to get oen thing off my chest- Zach is extremely sexy and I call Dibs!!

 

            It goes without saying that this is my favorite chapter and for those of you who I email regularly, it’s yours as well. It’s dedicated to blackbblue787 because she’s been talking to me through writing the whole thing and has given me great feedback. Plus, I enjoy her company and swooning over Zach together. (;

 

            See ya soon! �"Zi<3