Zev Sensed Danger
Clarissa had already stormed off, but Caden was still grumbling under his breath.
Zev covered his cars to block those noises.
B Pearls
Kelly, on the other hand, found Caden’s temper admirable–he sure didn’t bottle things up. People like that? Probably live longer.
“Don’t cover your cars. That’s rude,” Kelly scolded, swatting Zev’s hands away.
“He’s always done this.” Zev looked downright miserable. “When we were in preschool, he cussed out a teacher so bad she cried.”
Kelly almost laughed. She sat down next to Zev, cuddling Jasper and Shane in her arms, quietly watching Caden rant.
“Where the heck is Charles? Go ahead, keep covering for him. Some brother you are, Caden snapped, turning his fury on Zev.
“When you were chasing after Kelly and she barely looked your way, who gave you all the bright ideas? That was me. And now you’re taking someone else’s side? Real classy, man.
“Zev, I swear, if you don’t tell me what Charles is hiding from me, I’ll spill all your secrets to Kelly.”
Caden dragged a stool over and plopped down right in front of Kelly as he continued to curse.
Kelly blinked slowly, amused. “I’d like to hear it. What’s he hiding from me?”
Zev gritted his teeth and glared at Caden. “You can’t even handle your own boyfriend, and now it’s my fault?”
“Oh please,” Caden scoffed, “Zev used to be such a heartbreaker in school. Girls would slip him love notes, and he’d toss them straight into the trash. Cold, right?” He continued to spill Zev’s secret. “You remember Thea?” he added, going for the kill. “He dated her!”
“Boom!” Zev shot up from his seat, rolling up his sleeves, ready to knock some sense into Caden. “Watch your mouth! That wasn’t dating. I was cornered!”
Kelly shot a glance at Zev, narrowing her eyes dangerously.
“Thea adored him. She clung to him. And he never pushed her away,” Caden said, pushing all the right buttons.
“Fine! You better shut up; I’ll tell you.” Zev blurted, “Charles was kidnapped, okay?! There. Are you happy?!”
But he wasn’t giving up more than that.
Caden went quiet for a moment, stunned. Then he chuckled and gave Zev a disbelieving look. “Y–you’re kidding, right? That guy could bench–press me with one arm. No way anyone
‘d take him down.”
Deep down, though, he was panicking. Zev wouldn’t joke about something like this.
“H–how could he be kidnapped? Just Clarissa’s bodyguards? I could take them, no sweat.” Caden looked at Zev anxiously.
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Chapter 383 Zev Sensed Danger
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Kelly looked worried too. “It couldn’t be Clarissa. If she really kidnapped Charles, she wouldn’t have the nerve to show her face so boldly.”
Not unless she wants to go to jail.
Caden started pacing faster. “But she knows. She has to know. She called me the other day and said she’d back off if I married her. Fine! I’ll marry her, okay?!”
His voice cracked. He was completely unraveling.
He turned to grab his phone, hands shaking.
“Don’t,” Kelly said, blocking his path. “That’s exactly what she wants. I bet she’s working with whoever took Charles. If she knows you care this much, she’ll never let him go.” She stopped him and advised, “We’ll figure something out. But not like this.”
Caden turned, eyes glassy, and looked at Zev. “I’m serious about him. If he’s gone, I’m done.”
Zev groaned, rubbing his forehead. “You’re unbelievable.”
He was on the verge of tears. “I mean it! What do we do? I’m calling my brother-
Ever since they were kids, Caden had always leaned on Sidney and Zev whenever something went wrong.
Zev sighed. “We’re in Seaville. This isn’t the Wild West. No guns, just hand–to–hand and cold steel. You need to trust Charles can handle himself.”
But Caden was already dialing; he had lost his cool, desperation written all over his face. The door creaked open before he made that phone call.
Charles stepped in, a little roughed up–cuts on his lip and forehead—but nothing serious.
It looked like he’d splashed some water on his face outside.
Whoever tried to grab him must’ve seriously underestimated him. Even Sidney’s elite team of eight couldn’t hold him back.
“Charles!” Caden launched himself across the room and clung to him like a koala.
Kelly and Zev instinctively shielded the kids‘ eyes.
Somehow, Caden–six feet tall–still looked small next to Charles’s towering six–foot–six frame.
“Was it Clarissa? That witch sent people to kidnap you just to force me to marry her!” Caden was shaking with anger.
Charles gave a worn–out sigh. “We’re in Drakonia. No one’s taking me down that easily. From now on, don’t let anyone scare you. I can handle myself.”
Caden burst into tears. “You scared the life outta me.”
Shane peeked through his mom’s fingers and asked, “Mommy, why is Caden crying on Charles like that?”
“Because…” Kelly quickly covered his eyes again. “Because Caden, well …
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Chapter 383 Zev Sensed Danger
“Because he’s not a real man. Real men don’t cry,” Zev said firmly, scooping up the boys. “Don’t pick up the bad habit from him.”
“Oh! I am a real man! I don’t cry.” Shane declared.
Jasper clapped excitedly and gave Shane a big kiss on the check. “Shane, you have to protect me!
Zev’s face darkened. He smacked Jasper lightly on the butt. “Try acting like a man, would ya?”
Jasper was stunned; he looked at Shane and complained. “Shane, Daddy hit me
Speechless, Zev nearly lost it. “Honey! We’re getting the boys out of here–both of them. Right now, Let’s go!”
Meanwhile, Charles gently peeled Caden off him and turned to Zev. “Mr. Lockhart, can we talk in private? I overheard something about your father’s kidnapping. I think you might find it useful.”
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