SLEEPING MY WAY INTO YOUR HEART

Chapter 6:

Zephyr’s gaze was like a sharp blade, slicing right through me—devoid of any warmth or pity. It only made my unease grow deeper, but I had no other choice.

"Zephyr," I called out, trying to keep my voice steady, though it was hard with my heart racing wildly in my chest. "How much do you want? I can pay you more than whoever hired you."

He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise mixed with mild amusement in his eyes. "Oh, really?" Zephyr scoffed, his smirk twisted in contempt. "You think you can offer more? You’re playing a risky game, princess."

"My father is Alpha Lucian," I blurted out quickly, desperation creeping into my voice. "He’ll pay any price to save me. Double, triple whatever they paid you. Just get me out of here, and I’ll make sure you get everything."

Zephyr was silent for a moment, as if weighing my words. Then he let out a dry laugh, devoid of any joy. "Money is indeed the only thing that matters to me, as you guessed," he said, his tone suddenly lowering, more serious. "But do you know how much they paid for your life?"

I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. "I don’t know," I admitted, trying to keep a calm façade. "But I’m sure my father can pay more."

Zephyr tilted his head slightly, his gray eyes assessing me. "Ten million dollars," he said softly, as if he were discussing the price of an ordinary item. "That’s what they paid to have you killed."

My heart seemed to stop for a moment. Ten million dollars? Who would be willing to pay such a steep price to see me dead? I couldn’t help but think of my stepmother, Isabelle. Could she really have gone this far? Such an exorbitant sum wasn’t just to kill me; it was to ensure that no one would dare intervene.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine, each drop feeling like a needle piercing my skin. Zephyr stood there, calm and composed, his cold gray eyes locked onto me, as if savoring the fear and confusion etched across my face.

I took a deep breath, struggling to maintain my composure. I knew I was at a disadvantage, but if I wanted to survive, I couldn’t give up. I had gambled by offering to pay double, and Zephyr seemed to be considering it. It was my only sliver of hope.

"Zephyr," I rasped, my voice rough from anxiety. "I don’t have that kind of cash on me right now. But if you take me home, I can pay you immediately. I’ll have my father prepare whatever amount you want. He can pay double," I pleaded, my voice dropping lower with uncertainty. "Twenty million. Just get me out of here, and you’ll have it."

Zephyr chuckled again, but this time it was a mocking laugh, full of disdain. "Twenty million dollars," he repeated, as if weighing the offer. "And why should I believe you? Who’s to say you’ll keep your word? And if Alpha Lucian refuses to pay, I’ll end up with nothing."

I shook my head, my eyes filled with determination. "My father will pay. He would never let any harm come to me. You can meet him in person if you want."

Zephyr fell silent, his gaze piercing into mine as if he were trying to read the truth in my eyes. He raised one eyebrow, a faint, cynical smile playing on his handsome yet cold face.

"Pay me after we get home?" He scoffed, his tone laced with derision. "Do you think I’m foolish enough to trust a hollow promise like that?"

I swallowed hard, trying not to let my fear show. "No, I’m not lying," I insisted, forcing myself to appear resolute. "My father is Alpha Lucian. He would never turn down a deal involving my life. You can accompany me to ensure you get paid right away."

Zephyr let out a dry, hollow laugh, one filled with scorn. "You clearly don’t understand your situation," he said, his eyes gleaming with a sharp, icy edge. "You’re being held hostage, Seraphina. What guarantee do I have that you won’t scream for help the moment we get there? Do you think I’m that naïve?"

A heavy weight settled on my chest, like a boulder pressing down. He was right—Zephyr wasn’t someone who trusted easily, and I knew that. But I had no other options left.

"How much do you want?" I asked desperately, my voice trembling. "I’ll try to pay right here, in any way I can."

Zephyr crossed his arms, tilting his head as he regarded me with an icy, almost mocking gaze. "In what way?" he challenged, raising an eyebrow. "You’re tied up, with no cash, no credit cards. You think I’ll accept the empty promises of a spoiled little princess?"

I bit down on my lip, tasting the salty tang of blood. I knew then that I had failed. There was no way to convince him to trust me. A wave of helplessness washed over me, making every effort I’d made seem utterly pointless.

"Please..." I whispered, lowering my voice as tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn’t believe I was begging a man like Zephyr, but I had no choice left. "Please, help me. I swear I’ll pay you everything you want. I’ll do anything."

The smile on Zephyr’s lips faded, replaced by a cold, empty stare. "I don’t need your oaths, Seraphina. Money is the only thing I care about, and I don’t accept deferred payments. If you can’t pay now, don’t waste my time."

My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vice. His words were like daggers stabbing into my chest. I had tried everything, but I couldn’t sway him. I lowered my head, my shoulders slumping, as despair washed over me.

I could actually die here. And what was scarier than death itself was the powerlessness of not being able to do anything to save myself. Fear gripped my heart, and I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks.

Zephyr remained where he was, watching me with those cold, unfeeling eyes. He wasn’t moved by my pain or my fear. To him, I was nothing but a commodity being priced—nothing more, nothing less.

"How pathetic," he muttered, almost to himself. "A privileged princess, now reduced to begging for her life."

I didn’t respond, just kept my head bowed. I knew that, in Zephyr’s eyes, I was nothing.

Loud, mocking laughter echoed from outside the cell, startling me. The men—the assassins—were gathering closer, their eyes filled with a lecherous gleam and dark intent. I could feel my fear surging back, my heart pounding like a trapped bird’s, the sensation of suffocation tightening around me.

"This little one looks quite tasty," a scrawny man with a dragon tattoo snaking from his neck down his arm sneered, eyeing me like prey ready to be devoured. "We were paid to kill her, but who says we can’t have a little fun first?"