Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty One
Elizabeth’s POV
I felt like every new thing I learned about Zen tested the faith I had in him, and it terrified me that one day something could come along and tip the scales, making it impossible for my trust to recover. Was I making a mistake after all?
I knew he could protect me. He had proven that much with Tom. I just couldn’t keep up with him. Just like when he hit me. He was thinking three steps ahead, while I was frozen in time. I could barely even process what had happened when I hit the floor. How was I supposed to work with him if he was faster, stronger, and smarter than me? I knew that eventually, I would fall behind.
He said that I disarmed him, but I didn’t understand how that could be possible. He disarmed me in every conceivable way. I was foolish and impulsive around him, as was evident by every decision I had made since I met him. I wasn’t particularly naïve before him. I was cautious and intelligent, but now I was disoriented. I had an inexplicable urge to stay with him, no matter the circumstances. He could’ve shot me and I probably would’ve still trusted him, and that terrified me. He had power over me, and I wasn’t sure when or how he took it. All I knew was he was in control.
Tom shook his head, more in disbelief than disappointment. It was humiliating that he heard about Zen and I having sex. I didn’t want him to think any less of me for it. It was obvious that I slept with a stranger. Not only that, but a stranger that I snuck past him using the animal shelter as deception.
“You’re dad would fucking kill me if he found out I was doing this. Look, I’ll tell him I couldn’t find you. It would be stupid for me to take you back to the city, especially since I apparently am no match for this group.” He shot Zen a glare and Zen winked in return. I had to stifle a giggle. “About five years ago my stepmother passed away. She left me a house in the burbs about two hours away across state line. I’ve been hiring a caretaker, but haven’t done shit with it ‘cept for a few remodeling projects. I was planning on taking her there, but I think you would be the better choice. Get there, lay low. Get a pay phone and call me for reports every day. Liz has my cell number memorized.” He took one more step towards Zen, lowering his gaze. “If you take her anywhere else besides those burbs without telling me, I will know. I have my own connections, Warren, and I will kill your ass.”
Zen held up his hand, flashing the symbol for scouts honor. “I wouldn’t fucking dream of it, Tom. Her safety is my priority. I already have a cab that’s agreed to cross the border. I have 10k in cash that should hold us over for awhile. Tell the damn housekeeper to stop coming over and to leave her key in the mailbox. You should drive around to a few other motels in the area once you leave, in case you were followed. We’ll leave ten minutes after you. Expect a call by noon tomorrow. Now, the key?” Zen held out his hand and I stepped aside so Tom could hand it to him. He gave him the address and offered to write it down for him, but Zen declined, insisting he could just memorize it.
The more I watched Zen, the more in awe I was of how his mind worked. Every little detail was thoroughly considered, all in the span of a few seconds. I was fascinated. I wanted to learn more about how he came to be this way. Was he born a genius, or was it a taught skill?
He caught me staring at him, and gave me a soft smile. I had never seen him smile like that before. It was unlike his usual charming displays, mischievous grins, or even his embarrassed smiles. This one was tender and sweet. His eyes were unguarded and his lips barely curled up at the ends, but it seemed to hold more genuine joy than any other smile he had ever made before. So much so that it had my heart racing and my toes curling.
We said our goodbyes to Tom, and exactly ten minutes later were heading out to the cab parked in front of the room.
Although we had been gone for an entire night, it felt like our journey together was just beginning, and I was ecstatic to be along for the ride.