But this was Zach she was talking about. Of course, he wouldn't be simpleton nor would his identity be. For now, all she had were feelings and trust in this man but she had no clue who he really was.
She saw how quickly the FBI took down Parton after obviously receiving a tip from him. That was a lot of information that needed to be verified and declared credible but in less than an hour of sending it all, the FBI took action.
The world, including Parton, had no clue that it was because Chris had offended Zach. Even though she erased her traces, someone could have dug up the incident and easily put two and two together. But it was like someone made sure the story never resurfaced. In a way, it was helping her. This man... there was so much he had done for her.
She looked back at the young man with the ashy gray hair.
"What's your name?"
He nervously looked around only to find his boss glaring at him. But he saw Amy's expectant gaze and decided to respond with his gaze on her.
"Madam, my name is Raphael but my friends call me Raphy", he responded politely.
"Raphy..... Your hair looks good", she told him in honesty.
"You're too kind, madam. I think you look more beautiful", he said with a bashful smile.
She was simply in a dress and coat, with no makeup and her hair tied in a messy bun. She didn't think she looked that great yet she detected the honesty in him. It reminded her of Stella's bluntness except Raphy's came with a hint of politeness. He was not uptight for a bodyguard.
She smiled at Zach. "I like him."
"Is that right?"
"Mm-hm."
She didn't detect the danger in his tone while the rest of his men did. Raphy swallowed a hard lump knowing his response sounded more like a death judgement. Is it his fault that the madam complimented him? He wanted to voice this complaint but clummed his mouth shut when he caught Zach's intensified glare.
When they reached their room, Raphy rushed forward to get the door for them. He kept his gaze low and didn't see the arched brow Zach raised at him. Maybe this would pacify the man if he was a little diligent in his work.
"Thanks Raphy", she said with a smile.
"N-not at all, madam", he didn't dare look up.
Zach didn't say a word and walked into their room. The other men shook their heads at the young man. He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. Did he just make things more difficult for himself?
Skull came with the other five and one of them was Wheeling a food cart. They had been instructed to bring in their meals after the examination. He raised his brows in question and Gomez filled him in.
"Is that right?" He chuckled with no amusement in his tone. "Well, I have a simple task for you."
He gestured at the cart with his head. Raphy quickly shook his head. He would not dare put himself in Zach's line of sight. The more glares he received, the more 'training' he would personally receive from the man later on. They had known him to hold grudges and he always settled them.
"Are you defying orders?" Skull took a defensive stance as he crossed his muscular arms across his chest.
"Uh....."
The couple inside heard a knock before food was wheeled in. Amy's eyes lit up from the bed she sat in. She had been so hungry. Zach, who was on his tablet at the foot of the bed, caught the aggrieved look on Raphy's face and knew what his men had done. 'Those bullies', he mused even though he was the bigger bully.
Raphy quietly pushed the cart without looking up at his boss. "Enjoy the meal."
"Thanks Raphy", Amy said though her hands were already uncovering the lids.
Zach put down his tablet and went to get a basin with warm water and a towel. He helped her wash her hands before he discarded those things and washed his own. When he came back, Amy had on the same expression she had when they left Susan's office.
He sat down close to and facing her and took her hands in his. "What's wrong?"
"I'm going home", she mumbled.
He could hear the sadness in her tone though her gaze run to the food. It smelled too good even in her sad moment. He smiled as he cupped her cheek.
"If you're worried about the food, I can have it delivered whenever you want it", he promised. All it took was a word from him.
Amy's heart sunk. Why should she trouble him from all the way in the city to ensure that happens back here in West Village on her request? But that's not what she was worried about. It was him.
"It's not just about the food, is it?" He guessed. "Talk to me, baby."
She felt pleasant tingles when he tucked away a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She looked at his hand that was holding hers. Did he have to have such beautiful hands? She'd love it if the baby inherited that from him. She sighed and looked up at him.
"You're leaving", she told him. She tried to mask her sad emotions on the matter but he saw right through her.
"Leaving?" His brows rose.
"We're going our separate ways after I get discharged", her sadness turned into anxiousness as she cupped his cheek. "But, you have to lay low. There's only so much I can see and do regarding Greco at the moment so you have to be careful. I don't want you to fall on their radar after last time's encounter. Promise you'll do that, hm?"
Zach covered her hand on his cheek with his own. His heart warmed up seeing her like this. She really cared about him. "I promise. But I won't do that alone."
Of course, he had his bodyguards to help him. She nodded away with this thought despite her sadness. She won't have to worry as much about him.
"I'll do it with you", he added when she least expected it.
"What?"
"I'm staying here with you. I'm not going anywhere Amy. I'm never going to leave you, that's a promise."
"Really?" Her whole demeanor lit up and he nodded away.
She happily threw herself in his arms as all her worries dissipated. He felt giddy at her reactions and wrapped his arms around her waist as hers were around his neck. He softly chuckled when she squealed.
"You've made me so happy! I was so worried about us separating again! Uh! I'm so happy! Thank you Zachery!" She cupped his face and briefly pressed her lips to his before resuming the hug.
She was acting like he had just bought her an expensive gift. He could not believe she was this moved by his actions. He too was happy.
"And yes to the food! I bet Stella would love..... Oh! My God!" She gasped as she pulled away from him in horror.
"What's wrong?" He quickly analyzed her in worry.
"I forgot....." She muttered.
She was so excited about them staying together she forgot about Stella and everyone else in West Village who knew her story. She didn't want to weave him into her web of lies nor for him to lie. She had to take care of this.
As though, things couldn't get any worse, her phone rung right then. She looked at the caller ID and grew horrified.
Zach looked down and saw the name Stella flashing on the screen. Amy looked unwell as she answered the call. She knew not answering would just worry the older woman.
"Emily dear, are you in your room? Nora is bringing me up, she said your husband is in town", Stella said with clear excitement.
"And me too!" Adrianne excitedly shouted in the background.
"Fuck!" She muttered.
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