Done Being Friends (33 page)

“Don’t you dare touch her!” Jessica barked and shoved at Wilson’s hand, but his grip held firm.

Zac had kept his eyes on Faith even as she walked away with Jessica.
Gosh she is beautiful. And she is mine.
 

That thought alone caused the corners of his lips to turn up. As he conversed with the guest, his eyes would constantly turn to Faith, it was as though she was a magnet, attracting all of his attention. It was difficult to focus on anyone else but her.

With Faith being the only one in white, it was easy to spot her. Everyone else was wearing dark colored evening gowns, a dress code set by her grandmother. So, when Faith halted suddenly, he instantly noticed. Casting his glance over her shoulders, he saw Wilson standing before her.

He excused himself from the conversation and strode toward Faith, reaching her just as Jessica tried shoving Wilson’s hand unsuccessfully. What Jessica failed, Zac succeeded.

He grabbed Wilson’s hand and wrenched it from Faith’s shoulder before pulling her behind him. Their commotion had caused a slight stir and the guests surrounding them turned to look at the four of them.
 

“Faith, you all right?” Zac asked her without taking his eyes of Wilson.
 

“Yes.” Faith’s voice was soft, and Zac knew that she wasn’t pleased with the current situation. Then turning to Jessica, he smiled. “Thank you Jessica. I can take over from here, why don’t you take Faith somewhere else to chat.”

Jessica continued her menacing glared at Wilson for a moment, before nodding and reaching for Faith while Dylan flanked Zac’s side.

“I just came to congratulate the two of you.” Wilson’s words came out in a sneer.

“You were not invited. How did you get in?”

“Yes, I was an experienced and treasured employee at Preston’s. I’m rather upset that I wasn’t invited.” Wilson exaggerated his expression with a pretentious, forlorn look plastered on his face.
 

Zac took a step closer, towering over him. “What do you want exactly?”
 

“Nothing, I’m just here to congratulate my boss on his daughter’s marriage.”

Zac knew that Wilson was up to something. “Sorry, this party is for invited guests only.” Grabbing the collar of Wilson’s coat, he jerked him slightly off the ground. “Stay away from Faith. If I see your hands on her again, I will break them.”

Mustering all of his patience, he let Wilson go and took a step back. “Dylan, will you make sure that this weasel gets off the property.”

“My pleasure,” Dylan announced as he cracked his fingers.
 

Giving Dylan a thank-you pat on his arm, he turned and scanned the room for Faith. Before his eyes found Faith, he saw Adeline with Josh nearby, and curiosity swarmed in their eyes. He made a mental note to speak to them after he made sure that Faith was fine.

He continued moving, and saw Jessica and Faith’s family in the corner of her room, but Faith was nowhere in sight. Worried, he widened his strides toward Jessica. “Where is she?”

“She went upstairs, said she needed a break,” Jessica said.

He let out an audible sigh. “Told you to return her to me personally.” He scanned the room again to make sure that Wilson was no longer around.

Jessica scowled. “She just needs some air. You know how she is with entertaining people. Or, maybe she just needs a break from you.”

Zac shook his head. “No, something is wrong. I don’t know, but I’m sure Wilson has something up his sleeves. Why would he sneak into a party only to create a scene and get thrown out?”

Jessica bit her lips. Zac’s reasoning did make sense. “But she’s in her own house, surely she’ll be safe.”

“Right, of course.” Although he had agreed with Jessica, he couldn’t shake the apprehension from his heart. He needed to see for himself that Faith was safe. “She went upstairs, right?”

Jessica nodded. “I’ll come with you.”

“No, it’s fine...I just want to make sure,” Zac paused. “I’m sorry I took it out on you.”

“Go!” Jessica insisted. “I’ll check with Dylan to make sure he got Wilson off the property.”

Chapter Twenty One

Zac headed up the stairs, and before reaching the top of the stairs, he called out, “Faith?” Silence. The door to her room was slightly ajar, but not a sound stirred from within.

It wasn’t a big deal, perhaps Faith simply didn’t close it properly. However, his heart thumped as he slowly pushed the door open. As the door opened, he saw Faith sitting on her chair. Her face was blank, revealing nothing.

Relieved to see her, he pushed the door wide open and stepped in. Then, he froze. “Faith,” Zac breathed out her name.

Faith heard him, she turned to him and for a moment, fear swept across her face. She closed her eyes and rearranged her features, pushing the distress from her face. She knew that any sign of weakness from her would only distract Zac.
 

Zac’s face instantly drained of all colors, and he felt cold to his bones. “Nicole, drop your gun.”

Nicole smirked. “Hi sweetie, why haven’t you returned my calls?” she asked as she waved the gun before Faith.
 

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t call you back, please, put down your gun.”
 

“No!” Nicole screamed and jammed the gun against Faith’s cheeks. “I thought you were just fooling around. That you’ll get tired of her soon. I waited, Zac...I waited.”

Zac took a step forward. “Nicole.”

“No! It’s too late. I’m going to kill her now. Then, you’ll be mine,” Nicole raved and pressed the gun harder against Faith.

Faith flinched, but her actions only caused Nicole to exert more strength.

Downstairs, Jessica got to Dylan right outside the door. “Wilson out?”

Dylan nodded, but his brows were furrowed, and he was deep in thought.
 

“What’s wrong?” Jessica asked, worried.

“Nothing, it’s just something he said...” Dylan hesitated. “I think Nicole is here.”
 

Jessica rubbed her temples. “Her again? When will she learn to let go?”

“Jess, the last time I spoke to Nicole, she jumped at the chance to sabotage them. She seemed...” Dylan ran through his mind for a word. “Unstable. I couldn’t care less, and she worked with me on the photo incident.” He looked away, embarrassed at himself for such despicable behavior.

Turning Jessica, they walked back into the house together. “I called her again after sorting things out with Zac and Faith. She went hysterical, she was screaming through the phone, and said something about finding her own way. I didn’t think much of it and hung up. But now, I think she’s here.”

Instead of walking into the crowd, Jessica grabbed Dylan’s arm and hurried up the stairs.

“Where are we going?”

“Faith went to her room. Zac was right. Wilson was a distraction.”

It took Dylan a few seconds to comprehend Jessica’s words. When the meaning finally dawned upon him, he dashed up the stairs to Faith’s room.
 

He skidded to a stop right outside. Giving Jessica a frantic glance, he said, “Nicole.”

“Ah, my ex-partner.”

Jessica needed no explanation. Dylan gave her a clear signal that she was not to proceed further. Knowing that she was still out of Nicole’s range of sight, she took a few steps back and whipped out her phone to call the police.

Gathering his composure, he beamed a smile back to her. “Well, hello there.”

“Nice of you to join us,” Nicole greeted Dylan while Zac took the chance to take another step forward.
 

“What are you planning to do, Nicole? You have one gun, and there’s three of us.” Dylan had noticed Zac moving closer to Faith so he took a deliberate step to the side, shifting Nicole’s focus.

His plan worked, Nicole’s eyes shifted with his step and Zac inched another step forward while Faith took her silver letter opener, and slipped her hand to her side.

“I have more than three bullets,” she state plainly.

Dylan laughed and taunted. “Do you even know how to use a gun?”
 

Nicole flew off the handle and turned her gun toward Dylan.
 

Faith had been forcing herself to stay calm for this moment. She jumped to her feet and pushed Nicole’s arm upwards while her hand jabbed the letter opener into Nicole’s thigh.

The gun went off, and the bullet ricocheted off the ceiling. Instinct might have caused Zac and Dylan to duck, but they were both already leaping forward.
 

Zac closed the distance between them and pulled Faith away from the howling Nicole, while Dylan hurried to pin Nicole down before she could get off another shot.

As Zac pulled Faith into his arms, her knees gave way, and she crumpled. Zac supported her and wrapped his arms around her tight. His own heart was still suffering from palpitations, and he couldn’t speak. He wanted to ease her from the trepidation raging her body, but his mind was blank.
 

“Dylan!” Jessica had heard the shot and ran into the room. Nicole was still squirming and shrieking at the top of her lungs.

“I’m fine,” Dylan replied as he slid the gun that he had pried from Nicole across the room. “Are you guys hurt?” he yelled over his shoulders so that they could hear him.

Zac took in a deep breath, lifting Faith slightly off his chest, he gave her a quick look over. “No, I don’t think so.” He lifted Faith off the floor and carried her to sit on the bed.

Outside the room, loud clacking of heels grew louder and soon, the two Mrs. Prestons, Jonathan Preston and George came bursting in. “What was all that fracas?” Faith’s mother cringed as another of Nicole’s high-pitched hysteria pierced through the room.

Dylan smiled sheepishly, not sure how to summarize the events.

Irritated beyond all bearings by Nicole’s shrill howling, Jessica took off a pillow casing and stuffed it into Nicole’s mouth. “Shut up!” Sitting down on Nicole’s legs, she asked, “Can we just smash a vase over her head to knock her out?”

Faith laughed, but her hands were still cold and quivering. Zac pulled Faith against his chest and rubbed his warm palm against her back.
 

“Is everyone all right? Anyone hurt?” Mr. Preston questioned.
 

“Everyone is fine,” Zac replied.

“And I have already called the police,” Jessica added.

Mr. Preston nodded. “We’ll send the guests back. George, wait for the police and lead them up here,” George picked up the gun and proceeded down the stairs after the Prestons.

“I’m so sorry,” Zac whispered.

Faith’s head snapped up. “For what?”

“This.” He used his chin and gestured toward Nicole. “I caused this.”

“I could have easily caused this too,” Dylan interrupted. “And Miller had a hand to play in it too. Speaking of which, someone should go after him.”

“I have already informed the police about him. They should be looking for him.” Jessica shook her head. “What a party.”

Zac smiled wryly. “Looks like the universe really does have something against us getting together.”

“It’s not your fault for being such a ridiculously good catch that made me the source of envy for so many women.” Faith smiled. “Anyway, I don’t care what the universe thinks, I’m keeping you.”

He chuckled. “Have you seen the way every guy looked at you tonight? I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from shouting out to everyone that you’re mine and to keep their eyes to themselves.”
 

Faith wanted to protest, but Zac closed his mouth over hers, effectively stopping any form of conversation between them.
 

It was a soft gentle kiss, but when Faith traced her palms down his chest, Zac encased his arms around her, and deepened his kiss. His tongue explored hers while his hands cupped against her face.
 

“Hello? There are other people in this room too. Or would you like us to leave you with the deranged woman underneath us?” Dylan voiced.

Zac smiled arrogantly, pleased that Faith too, had completely forgotten the rest of the world.

When the police arrived, Nicole was cuffed and led to the police car while the rest of them trotted down the stairs to give their statements. Zac held on to Faith’s hand and kept her by his side. She was no longer shaking, but Zac still couldn’t remove the notion that he had almost lost Faith.
 

The police officers were efficient; they took down their statements and swiftly wrapped up everything that they needed to do.
 

“Zac,” Dylan called out.

He looked up at Dylan and saw him gesturing toward the door. Adeline stood by the door, beside Josh. Kissing Faith’s hair, Zac told her that he had to speak with Adeline for a moment. Faith nodded, but instead of simply walking away, he brought Faith over to Jessica.

“Jessica, would you entertain Faith for me, just for awhile?”

“I thought you couldn’t be without her,” Jessica taunted with a mischievous smile on her face.
 

“Yikes,” Zac cringed and turned to Faith. “Will you be safe with a green eyed monster?”

That comment earned him a blow in his ribs. He laughed and turning to Faith, he continued, “It will just take a few minutes.” Before walking away, he gave Dylan a look.

“What was that look about?” Jessica asked.

Dylan smiled. “It was the I-trust-you-to-take-care-of-Faith look and the I-will-kill-you-if-anything-happens-to-Faith-while-under-your-watch look.”

Faith rolled her eyes. “Nonsense.”

He shrugged. “You always know when we’re lying. Am I lying?”

She had to laugh. She knew it was true when Dylan said it, but it just sounded so ridiculous.
 

“It does sound exactly like what Zac would do. He was irate when I let you go upstairs on your own just now. Thank God nothing happened to you, or he would have never forgiven me.
I
will never forgive myself.”

Faith shook her head, but it was Dylan who spoke. “Jess, you can’t blame yourself. How would you know that a crazy woman was up there with a gun?”