Chapter 5: Devil's Princess

"I don't belong to anyone! What gives you the right to claim me?" Tessa snapped, her voice sharp with rage.

Vernon leaned back, amusement flickering in his cold, dark eyes. A smirk tugged at his lips.

She was furious—and he liked it.

Her defiance wasn’t just thrilling. It was intoxicating.

"You belong to me." His voice was smooth, edged with mockery. "And there's nothing you can do about it."

Tessa’s breath hitched, anger and fear clashing inside her. She grabbed the door handle, yanking at it—locked.

"Open the fucking door!" she shouted.

Vernon turned to the driver, voice eerily calm. "Open the door."

The driver hesitated, his gaze flickering to the rearview mirror, as if questioning whether he’d heard correctly.

Tessa stilled. He’s letting me go?

The moment the lock clicked, she didn’t wait. She threw the door open and ran—her heartbeat roaring in her ears. She didn’t look back. Didn’t stop. Just ran.

Vernon watched her disappear into the night, a smirk still playing on his lips.

The driver swallowed hard. "Sir… why did you let her go?"

Vernon’s gaze remained locked on the darkened street, a hunger in his expression.

"I love it when they run."

Then, he picked up his phone and dialed.

"At your service," Zayne’s voice came through.

"The woman. Get her."

"Consider it done."

Vernon ended the call, settling back into his seat, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

Tessa.

—

Tessa ran.

Her lungs burned, her legs screamed for rest, but she pushed forward, ignoring the stabbing pain in her ribs.

The city lights blurred around her. Unfamiliar streets. Shadows stretching under dim streetlights.

She finally slowed, gasping for breath, her chest rising and falling in sharp, uneven motions.

No car. No Vernon. No sign of pursuit.

Relief flooded her. Maybe she’d escaped. Maybe—

Then she realized.

She was lost.

Tamlin had stripped her of everything—her company, her home, her dignity. Her mother had disowned her. Dominic’s family wanted her gone.

She had no one.

A cold shudder ran down her spine. Was she really this alone?

Her eyes landed on a telephone booth nearby.

She hesitated. The only number she could think of—Dominic’s.

Tessa rushed inside, snatching up the phone and dialing.

The line rang once. Twice.

Then—

"Hello?" Dominic’s voice, urgent.

"It’s me, Tessa."

A sharp breath from the other end. "Tessa—where the hell are you? Do you know how worried I was?"

"I’m sorry, it was all Tamlin’s doing. He kidnapped me."

"Where are you?"

She looked around, searching for something—anything—to place her location.

A street sign. George Street.

"I’m at George Street," she said.

"It’s close. Stay put—I’m coming to get you."

The line went dead.

Tessa stepped out of the booth, exhaustion settling into her bones. She sank onto a nearby bench, rubbing her arms.

The night was too quiet.

The wind howled, making the trees sway, their shadows twisting under the streetlights.

Then—footsteps.

Slow. Measured.

Tessa froze.

Her breath hitched as she turned toward the sound.

"Who's there?" Her voice trembled.

The footsteps didn’t stop.

Her pulse pounded in her ears.

Then, a figure stepped into the dim light—a man in a black hoodie, his hands tucked into his pockets, moving toward her with purpose.

A warning shot of fear raced through her.

She scrambled to her feet, her body tensing, ready to run.

He moved faster.

She turned and bolted—but pain shot up her leg as her foot caught on a rock.

She hit the ground hard, her palms scraping against the pavement, the sting burning into her skin.

A breathless cry tore from her lips as she flipped onto her back.

The man loomed over her.

"Hello, pretty," he rasped, voice thick with alcohol.

Tessa gagged as the stench hit her.

He crouched, reaching for her, fingers brushing against her cheek.

"You’re all alone tonight," he whispered, his lips curling into a sick grin.

Panic clawed at her throat. No. Not like this.

Then—a blur of movement.

A fist slammed into the man’s jaw.

A sickening crack.

The attacker crumpled beside her, groaning.

Tessa's breath caught.

Her eyes snapped up to her savior. Tall. Broad. Familiar.

He stretched out a hand, his voice calm, almost amused.

"Are you okay?"

Tessa stiffened. That voice.

Vernon?

No.

Her heart pounded harder as realization dawned.

"I'm not my brother," he said, noticing her fear. "I won’t hurt you."

Then, he smirked slightly.

"I'm Zayne—Vernon’s brother."

Tessa’s stomach dropped.

Vernon sent his brother after her.

And she was trapped again.

Tessa stepped back, her heart hammering against her ribs.

"You think I’ll just go with you?" she snapped, eyes darting between Zayne and the car parked nearby.

Zayne sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I don’t have time to argue. Everything will be explained when we get there. Just get in the car."

She took another step back.

"No."

A groan sounded from behind them—the man Zayne had knocked out was stirring.

Zayne shot her a pointed look. "He’s waking up, sweetheart. I can leave you here with him if you prefer."

Tessa's pulse spiked.

She clenched her jaw, hesitating. Damn it.

Then—a car screeched onto the street, tires skidding against the pavement.

Her head whipped toward it.

Dominic.

Relief surged through her as he threw the door open, stepping out with a look of pure desperation.

"Tessa!" His voice was sharp, urgent.

She moved to run to him—but Zayne caught her wrist in a firm grip.

"Let me go!" she yelled, struggling, but his hold didn’t loosen.

Dominic's gaze darkened as he marched toward them, muscles tensed like he was ready for a fight.

"Let. Her. Go," he ground out, his voice like steel.

Zayne barely spared him a glance. "My boss wants her."

Dominic’s expression twisted with fury. "I don’t give a damn what Vernon wants."

In a blur, he lunged.

Tessa gasped as Zayne moved faster.

One swift motion.

A solid kick to Dominic’s gut.

Dominic's body lifted off the ground for a second before he crashed back down, hard.

"Dominic!" she cried, twisting against Zayne’s grip.

Zayne exhaled, shaking his head. "Relax. He’ll be fine. That was just a light nudge."

Light nudge? Tessa’s stomach churned.

Dominic groaned, clutching his side but still trying to get up.

Zayne didn’t give him a chance.

He tugged Tessa toward the car, opening the passenger door.

"Get in," he ordered.

She clenched her fists, glaring up at him.

"I hate you," she spat.

Zayne gave her a lazy smirk. "You’re not the first."

She hesitated for a beat longer, but her body was exhausted.

She was weak. Hungry. Her limbs felt like lead.

She didn’t want to fight anymore.

With a defeated breath, she sank into the seat.

Zayne shut the door behind her and slid into the driver’s seat.

As they sped off into the night, Dominic staggered to his feet, eyes blazing with determination.

He raced back to his car.

He wasn’t letting her go without a fight.

—

Tessa stared out the window, her reflection barely visible in the dark glass.

She felt sick.

Her chest ached. Her mind spun.

Dominic had come for her. He was trying to save her—and now he was alone.

Her stomach twisted.

Zayne’s voice broke the silence.

"Well, that was dramatic."

She whipped her head toward him, glowering.

His lips curled into an easy smirk, completely unfazed by the tension thick in the air.

She hated him.

Truly, deeply, hated him.

"You think this is funny?" she seethed.

He shrugged. "A little."

She turned away, clenching her fists.

Zayne suddenly tsked, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel.

"That guy is persistent," he muttered.

Tessa stiffened.

Her eyes flickered to the side mirror.

Headlights.

A car following them.

Dominic.

He was chasing them.

Tessa’s heart leaped.

"Slow down," she whispered, gripping the seat.

Zayne smirked. "Sorry, sweetheart. Can’t do that."

He gripped the wheel tighter and pressed down on the accelerator.

The car lurched forward, tires screeching.

Tessa’s breath caught.

Dominic's car was still behind them, but he was struggling to keep up.

Zayne took a sharp right turn—Dominic followed.

Tessa held onto the seat, her body jerking with the force of the drift.

"You’re going to kill us!" she shouted.

Zayne laughed.

"You really think I’d let my boss down that easily?"

Tessa’s stomach dropped.

Then—he made another turn.

Dominic followed.

But when his car rounded the corner…

Zayne's car was gone.

Vanished.

Dominic slammed his hands against the steering wheel, fury clawing at his insides.

He lost her.

Again.

Tessa swallowed hard, her pulse still erratic from the wild chase.

Zayne’s hands were steady on the wheel, his gaze sharp as he maneuvered through the dark streets like he’d done this a thousand times before.

They had lost Dominic.

She had no way out.

She turned to Zayne, her voice barely a whisper. "Where are you taking me?"

Zayne glanced at her, his smirk lazy but his eyes unreadable. "Home."

Her stomach twisted. "Home?"

His smirk deepened. "Well… Vernon’s home."

A chill ran down her spine.

No.

Not there.

She turned toward the door handle—maybe she could jump again.

Zayne tsked, as if reading her mind. "I wouldn’t do that if I were you, sweetheart."

She shot him a glare. "You can’t keep me prisoner."

Zayne chuckled. "That’s cute."

Before she could retort, his earpiece buzzed.

A deep voice cut through the silence. Vernon.

"Is she with you?"

Zayne’s lips curled. "Yeah, boss. She's right here, glaring at me."

Silence.

Then Vernon spoke, voice dangerously low.

"Good. Bring her in. It’s time she learns exactly who she belongs to."

Tessa’s breath hitched.

Zayne chuckled, shifting gears. "Hear that, princess? The devil’s waiting."

The car sped into the night.