Chapter 79

ZANE

Arms crossed, back pressed to the wall, I wait.

The bastard’s taking his time. Every second that ticks by grates at my nerves, winding them tighter. When the suite door finally creaks open, Stone stumbles out like he’s got somewhere urgent to be—duffel bags slung over each shoulder, head down, avoiding the world.

He doesn’t see me right away. Fumbles with the door like it’s giving him a hard time. When he finally clocks me standing there, his body goes rigid. “Za—”

Too late.

My fist snaps forward and cracks against his already bruised jaw. The force knocks him off balance, sending him stumbling into the hallway wall with a grunt of pain, one hand clutching his face.

He’s still upright. Shame.

I close the distance, grab him by the collar, and slam him hard against the wall. The bags hit the floor with a heavy thud, but his grip on them is stubborn, like they’re his last damn lifeline.

“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” I g