Bound in Sin

Chapter Five

ZUMI

Deane is silent the entire ride. He’s disappointed in me. Of all people to mess up with, I mess with his best friend. We grew up together and I started talking to Riot because of Deane and now this.

The consequences of my actions has cost their friendship as well. Things will never be the same.

I feel so guilty.

Anything could go wrong.

What if Roman rats me out? My entire life as it is right now, will be over.

I never expected we’ll be walking into the Grande hotel. The hotel, Roman and his family have booked in for their stay. I know of it because it’s literally the only hotel visitors who are of higher ranks occupy when they come visiting.

Deane drives into an underground parking lot I never knew existed. He’s trying to be as discreet as possible.

Once he parks, he throws his door open. “Wait here.” He commands.

He heads over to the back of the car and digs into the booth. I stare at him through the rear view mirror and the moment he get’s whatever he’s looking for, his brows crease and he bangs the booth shut. He storms to my side of the car and flings the door open. “Wrap this around your head. I don’t want to see even a tiny strand of your hair.” he warns, stretching forth his hand. He’s holding a black cloak.

I nod and snatch it from him, wrap my hair into a low bun and secure it tightly with a hair tie before wrapping my head with the cloak. I make sure to cover parts of my face too. My face has been all over the media recently.

We come to a backdoor where an armed guard stands in front, Deane whispers something into his ear and they shake hands. He turns and nods to me while the guard opens the door for us to go in.

Once we’re in the hotel, we are met with stairs. Deane grabs my hand and we begin to climb our way up.

“Careful,” he says. “Roman is on the tenth floor. We have to go through the back for your safety.”

I nod and hold his hand tightly. I may have broken his trust but that doesn’t change the fact that he is my big brother and I, his baby sister.

My legs nearly give out before we even get to the fifth floor. I’m panting and sweating profusely. We’re entering through the back so there is no air coonditioning here and it is super hot. Beads of sweat crown my forehead and I can feel my body melting due to the intensity of the heat.

“Zumi, hold yourself. We’ll be out soon.”

I nod.

“How long do you think it will take us to get there, Deane? I’m tired” I say, panting.

He turns to look at me. He is one step ahead of me. “Soon. I told you he’s on the tenth floor. When we get there, I want you to stay quiet and do not reveal yourself until we are in his room. Understand?” he turns and continues climbing, his grip still on my hand.

“Yes.” I manage amidst harsh breaths.

We finallly get to the tenth floor and he pushes a metal door open after using a key I suspect he got from the guard we met earlier.

The tenth floor is decorated with rich and exquisite decor. The hall is grand and I marvel at the space before me. The Grande Hotel is a massive one and although I have been in here several times, I’ve never walked past the first floor. I never knew such apartment rooms existed before now.

Deane leads me to a set of double doors that opens up to a well lit corridor. It is packed with guards. All of them are armed. The moment we step into the hall, their weapons are pointed at us.

“Keep your head down.” Deane whispers silently.

I hear fotsteps coming towards us before it comes to a stop.

“What are you here for?” The guard demands. His voice is cold and deep.

“I am here to see Prince Roman.”

The guard is silent.

“I am here to see the Alpha Prince Roman.” Deane says.

“He isn’t expecting visitors. You may leave.” The guard says and turns his feet to leave.

“Wait.” Deane calls out and the guard comes to a stop abruptly.

“What?” His voice is so stern that I’m questioning my presence right now.

Deane releases his hold on my hand and lifts my chin with his thumb and index finger. He lifts it until I’m looking into the eyes of the guard. The guard stiffens on his feet as he registers my appearance.

“Tell Roman we’re here for him.” Deane orders, letting go of my chin. I stare down again, trying to register all that just happened.

The guard moves away. His footsteps disappearing as he progresses. A couple of minutes later, he’s back and Deane takes a hold of my hand. The guard leads us to a grand door and opens it.

The moment we step into the room, there is a heavy presence that can’t be explained. Tension fills the air and Deane let’s go of my hand.

“Come on.” I nod. I haven’t uttered a single word since we got to this floor and my eyes take in my surroundings in awe. There is no doubt that someone of higher ranking resided here.

Creaking sounds welcome us as we step into the large living room. I feel a prickling heat falls on the left side of my cheeks. I turn to the weird senation.

Someone is staring at me. At my cloak…

I turn and I’m met with fiery red eyes, eyes that scream blood. Eyes that would kill me if I make a tiny mistake. Before my eyes linger on the seated figure I bow my head down as a gasp escapes my mouth.

“Roman.” Deane says, curtly.

“Deane.” A cold, stern voice returns.

So this is what he sounds like. There is a commanding tone to his voice. Thicker than any male voice I have heard but at the same time, soothing.

“I –”

Roman interrupts Deane before he says anything else.

“You are here without notice.” He points out. “It must be important as you are here with my bride”. He emphasises on the last two words.

I gulp.

“Yes, Roman.” Deane stiffens by my side and grasps my hand tighter.

“Please, leave us.” Roman commands.

My head shots up in shock. Avoiding his gaze, I try to get a hold of Deane’s hand as he let’s go.

No.

As the sound of the door closing fills the air, beads of sweat floods my face.

“Remove your cloak.” A commandeering voice commands. My neck hair stands to a fault.

I’m sure I won’t be any worse than a hedgehog right now.

Between the time I spend taking off my cloak and relaxing myself, I’m sure I hear movements in the background. I drop the cloak on my shoulder and just as I’m about to look ahead, there’s a figure in front of me. He grips my chin with by his thumb and index finger and raises it till I meet his bloody, terrifying gaze.

Just like earlier, a chill runs down my spine and slowly, I take in his features. Dark, wavy hair that crown his broad shoulders, rich in texture and volume. Glowing red eyes that almost look fake, chiselled jawline, a well-groomed stubble beard that’s not too thick but just enough to hghlight his masculine, mysterious allure. His eyebrows are dark and well-defined as well.

I gulp loudly as I take in the sight before me.

He looks terrifying but undeniably handsome.

His eyes search mine and for a moment, it’s like we’re in an entirely different realm.

“Why are you here, Zumi Redd?” His voice is still cold as earlier but a little more demanding.

Shit, he knows my name…

Of course he does. We’re getting married.

His grip tightens on my chin and I blink out of my thoughts.

“To tell you the truth. Prince Roman.” I say with a cracked voice since he still hasn’t let go of my chin.

His eyes narrow and he opens his mouth. “What truth?”

“We can’t get married.” I say sharply. “I am with child and it belongs to someone else. Obviously.”

He tilts his head to the side and his lips slowly spread into a smile.

I crease my brows in confusion. Why on earth is he smiling?

“So?” He asks. “How is that a problem, Lady Redd?”