Chapter 6 Caught In The Crossfire

Zara POV

It was five o'clock and I'm telling you I had already made up my mind to get the hell out of there.

I couldn't take being locked in that pressure cooker one second more. And then just as I'm putting my bag over my shoulder and about to stand up, the phone buzzed again.

Another unknown number.

I sighed and picked it up. "What now?"

"I have a job for you," Sebastian's voice was smooth as silk down the phone, but I could hear the threat beneath.

I froze. "Sebastian?"

"Come to my office. Now."

Before I could respond, the line went dead.

My heart fell.

This wasn't an invite, it was more a mugging and I hadn't much choice but to accept.

I bolstered my resolve and headed toward his office. I'd better keep focused.

The journey there seemed exceptionally long, the click of my heels on the polished white marble floor growing louder as I neared the glass doors leading to Sebastian's domain.

When I went in Sebastian was behind his desk with his back to me and the sun full on him as he faced the river view and he didn't look around when I entered.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Sebastian finally turned, his eyes locking onto mine. "Close the door, Zara."

The weight of his command pressed down on me, but I complied, the soft click of the door sealing us in the room together.

My palms were sweaty, but I willed myself to be cool, to show no fear.

Sebastian advanced on me at a glacial pace, like a predator descending on its prey.

His presence overpowered me, and no matter how much I kept telling myself he was the bad guy, I couldn't lie to myself when my pulse racket every time he came too near.

"You've been playing with fire," His voice dropped low.

I held it, didn't look away. "I don't know what you mean."

His jaw muscle ticked with tension. "Don't you fucking lie to me, Zara. I might have given you a couple of days to get your head round this shit but now? Now I need some answers."

My throat went dry as he took a step closer, his gaze boring into mine. The crackling tension was unbearable, but I couldn't let it or him, distract me.

"I'm not lying," I managed to say past my constricted throat. "You're just being paranoid."

Sebastian reached out his hand suddenly, and took my wrists in a grip of steel that was not painful, I detested him for the sensation my body could have of him even through this contact.

"Paranoid?" he murmured, his voice silky. "You think I don't know what you're up to? You and Noah? Do you really think you can keep playing both sides?"

My heart raced, but I didn't waver. "I'm not a pawn."

He squeezed my arm, his gaze growing shadowed. "If you're lying? If you are?" He shook me once. "I'll know, and when I done with you, you'll wish you had never crossed me."

The tension was unbearable, his words a mix of danger and allure.

I had to live with the constant threat that I would fall off.

But he couldn't see that.

I couldn't let go.

"I'm not scared of you Sebastian" I muttered, my voice shaky.

He tilted his head downwards so that our faces were almost touching.

Close enough that I could feel the warm brush of his breath on my lips. "You would be."

The air around us felt so heavy, I could almost breath it in. It was charged with something I couldn't begin to understand.

Something so terrifying yet so exciting. I could feel it too, the inevitable grip of her presence tugging at my core, but I had to be strong.

Not now. Not like this.

I pulled my hand from his and moved back a step, knowing I needed to put some distance between us if I were going to be able to think straight. "If you're not blaming me for something, then excuse me," I whispered quietly, "otherwise, get out of my way."

Sebastian stared at me searching across the gap he'd closed on me. Then, finally. "Go."

I didn't need telling twice. Swinging round on my heels I walked straight out of his office, the loud beat of my heart echoed in my ears.

It wasn't until I reached the corridor that I had to stop. Struggling for breath and attempting to regain some control over my legs which felt like jelly.

This couldn't go on.

I couldn't keep playing this game, dancing between Noah and Sebastian without losing myself in the process.

One of them was going to take it too far eventually. And when they did, there was no way I'd be able to escape the fallout.

But for now I had to keep going.

Keep playing both until I could find a way out. Because if I didn't, I would be the one destroyed by the flames they were creating.

I looked at my phone again. New message.

It was from Noah.

Noah: We need to talk. Tonight. Be ready at nine.

I stared at the words, feeling myself free-fall. Tonight. Everything had been moving toward this. Whatever this was supposed to be.

I was in too deep.

And I wasn't sure I could get out alive.

The night air was cool against my too-hot skin but it did nothing to dissipate the thoughts tumbling around in my head after being hauled before Sebastian.

His parting words echoed through my brain. I couldn't help feeling like I'd just been granted a view of something... something big.

Sebastian and Noah.

Two men stalking each other like wild animals over the carcass of a ministry and me stuck in the middle.

I couldn't think about the impending disaster long.

Noah's message played over and over in my mind, We need to talk.

Tonight. Be ready at nine.

It was 8:45. Fifteen minutes to figure out what Noah wanted and how far I could trust him, or if I could trust him at all.

As I walked to the curb, a sleek black car pulled up, just as Noah had promised. The tinted window rolled down, and a driver in a sharp suit nodded to me. "Ms. Morgan, Mr. Hale is waiting for you."