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THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 68 ~
The next night, Maya stepped into another room in the bar Darius frequented with calculated grace, her heels clicking softly against the polished marble. It was dimly lit, draped in a blend of red and amber lights. Private. Discreet. Dangerous. It smelled of expensive cigars and something stronger beneath—the kind of space where secrets were shared, and sins were sealed with a drink.Darius was already seated, his long fingers drumming lazily on the surface of his glass. He looked up as she entered, his smirk carved like a blade.“You're right on time,” he said.“I always am when it's about my enemy,” Maya replied coolly, sliding into the leather seat across from him.He leaned forward, eyes glinting. “So, what plan do you have cooked up, darling?”Without a word, Maya reached into her purse and drew out a folded photograph. She slid it across the table, her manicured fingers trailing the edge. Darius picked it up, raising a brow.It was a candid photo of Zach and Barbara—Barbara’s h
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 69 ~
At Daniella's small dinner the sun filtered gently through the blinds. It was a quiet noon, the lull between breakfast and lunch rush, and Daniella was wiping down the counter with a cloth when the bell above the door jingled.She turned, expecting a regular customer.Instead, she froze.Zach stood there, tall and composed, but beside him was a man Daniella instantly recognized from old news interviews and health columns.“Zach?” she said, surprised and clearly not expecting him. Her gaze flicked to the stranger. “Is that—?”Zach gave a warm smile. “Doctor Kieran Voss,” he said, gesturing toward the man. “I thought your mother might need him.”Her mouth dropped slightly as she gasped. “You brought the city’s best doctor to see my mother?” she asked in disbelief. “No way…”Doctor Kieran smiled gently, nodding. “I got to know a while back about you and your mother.”Daniella’s chest tightened with emotion. She looked back at Zach, eyes misting. “You got the best doctor… how possible?”“
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 70 ~
Daniella stood motionless for a beat, then without warning, rushed into Zach’s arms and hugged him tightly. Her emotions overwhelmed her — relief, joy, gratitude — all colliding in that singular moment.“You are Godsent into our lives, Zach,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am for this moment.”Zach blinked, stunned, but slowly wrapped his arms around her. A soft smile tugged at his lips as he embraced her back, holding her like someone who just found home in a stranger’s gratitude. He didn’t say anything right away, but the warmth in his eyes said enough.Lou, still seated, nodded with tears in her eyes. “She’s right, young man. You’re a blessing — a living one. May your days be long and filled with goodness.”Zach was about to respond when a strange chill prickled his skin. Something shifted in the air.He pulled back gently from Daniella and turned towards the door, his eyes narrowing. Through the glass, he caught a brief shadow
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 71 ~
Laura raised an eyebrow. “Is your memory coming back?”Zach closed his eyes briefly. “No. I just… followed a pull.”“You’ll remember soon,” she said softly. “Please, sit.”Zach took the seat and looked up. “What’s going on?”Bull stepped out, giving them privacy.Laura brought up her iPad. “We’re facing a security breach in our satellite division. Someone’s intercepting classified logistics. We don’t know who — not even how. We’ve locked down comms, but if we don’t figure this out soon…”She hesitated. “You always used to fix things in minutes. I don’t know if you can now — but I’ll try to come up with something soon. I just thought you should know.”Zach sat still for a beat, his eyes scanning the glowing data screens like they were speaking a forgotten language. The lines of code, the flickers of red alerts, the satellite activity — it was all vaguely familiar, yet unfamiliar. He tilted his head slightly, frowning.Laura watched him, her brows pulled together with a blend of concern
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 72 ~
Maya's smile widened as she glanced at Daniella, slumped unconscious in the passenger seat. The scent had worked faster than she imagined. With calm precision, she reached into Daniella's coat pocket and retrieved her phone. Her fingers moved swiftly, lifting Daniella's limp hand and pressing her fingertip against the scanner. The device unlocked with a soft click."Too easy," she muttered.Navigating to the messaging app, she composed a brief text to Lou: "Something came up. I’ll be home later. Don't worry about me, Mother." She hit send, then tossed the phone on the backseat like trash.Shifting gears, she drove off smoothly, a satisfied grin plastered on her face.---At that same hour, the golden glow of the afternoon sun streamed through the tall windows of Barbara’s office. She had just finalized a report and stacked it neatly into a file. She pulled off her heels with a sigh and slipped on her flats, preparing to head out. Her assistant had already left, and the once-busy floo
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 73 ~
Barbara’s heels clicked sharply against the ground as she stepped out of her car, the breeze brushing against her cheeks like a warning whisper. “Hey! What do you think you’re doing here?” she barked, her voice bold and unwavering.But then, her heart stopped.The glint of metal caught her eye. Guns. They had guns.Her confident stride faltered. Her breath hitched. She instinctively turned, attempting to dive back into the safety of her car and grab the pistol she kept in her glove compartment. But before she could reach the handle, one of them dashed toward her.Bang!The door slammed shut in her face as his palm crashed into it.“Let go of me!” Barbara snarled, swinging her fist.But the man caught her hand mid-air with chilling ease, his grip like iron. Another grabbed her from behind. She twisted, adrenaline blazing through her veins, and rammed her knee into his side. He staggered back with a grunt, but the first one retaliated with a slap so hard, her vision blurred.She crumple
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 74 ~
In a dimly lit underground lair that reeked of oil and iron, Darius Fitzroy leaned against a rusted pillar, flexing the sharp fingers of his mechanized arm. It whirred softly each time he clenched his metal fist. A cigarette hung from the corner of his lips, and smoke curled around his chiseled face. His grimace was harsh, his jaw sharp, and his mismatched eyes—one steel, one hazel—were hollow with fury.He puffed on the cigarette again, exhaling a thick cloud that faded toward the ceiling. His expression softened, curiosity replacing irritation, when the heavy iron gate screeched open.He turned to face it, shoulders tense, eyes narrowed.Two of his men dragged in a barely conscious Daniella, her wrists limp, her legs dragging across the floor. Dirt clung to her clothes, and a bruise bloomed near her temple. Her breathing was shallow, chest rising and falling with faint effort.Darius grinned.“Put her on the chair,” he ordered, voice deep and amused.The men carried her to the iron
THE UNFORSEEN DOMINANCE OF ZACH MARLOW ~ 75 ~
Lou sprang to her feet as if stung by a bee, her breath caught in her chest, and her heart pounded wildly. The emptiness of the diner seemed to echo her panic, growing louder with every dreadful thought that filled her mind.“This has never happened before,” Lou muttered under her breath, pacing in short, rapid strides. “What if something’s happened to her? What if she’s hurt—or worse?” Her voice cracked on the last word. Her palms were slick with sweat, her eyes wide, darting to the clock on the wall like it could give her answers.“Mrs. Lou, please,” Zach said with calm urgency. He reached for her gently. “Relax. I won't let anything happen to Daniella. I promise, I’ll find her and—”He paused abruptly as the door creaked open. Maya stepped in, casually dressed with a tote bag hanging off her shoulder. Her expression was unreadable, cool and unbothered, as she glanced around.“Daniella, where are you…?”“Maya…” Lou's voice was sharp with alarm. “Where’s my daughter?”“Aunt Lou?” Ma
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~ 92 ~
Zach stood at the back of his car, his fingers moving swiftly across his phone screen. After tossing Daniella’s backpack onto the back seat, he typed a message, his brow furrowed in thought.{Mary, I'll be away for today or a couple of days at most. Please take care, and whatever you need, you can ask Barbara.}He hit send, then slipped the phone into his pocket, glancing toward the porch. Daniella was stepping out with her mother, Lou.“So, so, so, you’ve been dodging your grandfather for years,” Lou teased, grinning slyly. “But because Zach wants to visit the village, you're running like a happy puppy?”“Mother…” Daniella whispered sharply, halting on the porch. “It’s not about Zach. I just want to help him. He’s done so much for us.”Lou’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Right. And when Grandpa begged you, you suddenly had a hundred excuses.”Daniella rolled her eyes but said nothing. As they reached the car, Zach greeted them warmly, gratefulness shining in his tired eyes."Thank yo
~ 91 ~
Yvonne’s hands trembled slightly as she took the parcel from the nurse. Her father and Ricky exchanged wary glances, their bodies tense, but Yvonne barely noticed. Her mind spun wildly, heart thudding against her chest.Slowly, she peeled away the brown wrapping. Nestled inside was a small, plain flash drive. The sight made her breath hitch. Memories rushed back—how she had handed the flash drive over, how the horrible man stabbed her, how Zach had come to save her, and how he had chased after the goons only because she begged him to retrieve it.Tears burned behind her eyes.That man didn’t just save my life... he saved this too, she thought, clutching the flash drive tightly in her palm. “He’s an angel... a real one.”A small, grateful smile unknowingly curved her lips.Chairman Weather noticed. His voice cut through the room, sharp. “What’s funny?”Yvonne looked up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, masking her emotions. “A present from an admirer.”“Really?” His tone was he
~ 90 ~
Outside the hospital, the sun cast a dull glow over the street where a line of exotic cars gleamed under the morning light. Security guards in dark suits paced near them, keeping watch. Inside the private hospital room on the top floor, the atmosphere was tense.Yvonne lay against the white pillows, her face pale but calm. Her father, Chairman Weather, stood by her bed like a storm contained in human form, his arms crossed, his brows furrowed with anger.The doctor, adjusting his glasses, bowed slightly and said with careful respect, “Sir, Miss Yvonne is stable now. She can be discharged today.”Chairman Weather gave a sharp nod, his face hardening further. His gaze then shifted to his daughter, seething.“How could you be so careless, Yvonne?” he scolded, his voice gruff. “How could you endanger yourself like this?”Without giving her a chance to answer, he spun toward Ricky, her personal guard, his glare sharpening.“And you! You are supposed to protect her with your life! Instead,
~ 89 ~
Zach stood there, hands stuffed deep in his pockets, his heart oddly restless as he watched Barbara flee through the door like a startled bird.What just happened? he wondered, frowning, his mind scrambling to process the last minute.A soft shuffle from behind him made him turn his head slightly. Mary reached downstairs, studying him with a knowing look. She feigned a little cough, a deliberate attempt to draw his attention.Zach blinked. "Uh, Mary. You're awake.""Hmm. Good morning," she replied, her voice carrying a teasing undertone as she folded her arms."Yeah, good morning," Zach muttered, scratching his head, unable to resist glancing back at the front door, half-expecting Barbara to barge back in and take back her unintended confession."Well, Barbara is gone," Mary said, struggling to suppress the mischievous smile threatening her lips.Zach nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah... she’s gone," he murmured, still lost in thought. She said "yes". Did she really mean it? His chest tigh
~88~
The hours dragged by like slow-moving clouds as Zach cultivated, seated cross-legged on the floor, palms resting on his knees, his breathing controlled and deep. Even after the poison in his system had been washed away in mere minutes, he pressed on. His body ached for restoration; his energy reserves felt hollowed out by the night's turmoil. He could feel the faint rush of new energy coursing through his veins, splashing and crashing like a roaring tide against his inner walls.When at last he opened his eyes, the dark circles beneath them had faded slightly. He heaved a breath, steady and low, before dragging himself to the bathroom. Under the steaming water of the shower, he tilted his head back, letting the rivulets wash away the weariness clinging to him like a second skin.After drying off, he made his way barefoot toward the kitchen, gulped down a glass of cold water, then turned to leave. Passing by the first room in the hallway, he noticed the door ajar. Curiosity stirred. He
~ 87 ~
Zach's steps faltered slightly as he entered the villa, a wave of dizziness clouding his vision. He instinctively reached out to the wall but missed. His body leaned dangerously forward—then firm hands caught him."Hey, are you okay?" a concerned voice asked.He blinked away the haze and straightened, forcing a smile as he recognized Barbara’s face. "Yeah," he said, though the faint spinning in his head said otherwise. "Wasn’t expecting to see my finance manager at my house past 11 p.m."Barbara rolled her eyes, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Well, I wasn't planning on staying either. Should’ve been gone hours ago, but your sister wouldn’t let me."He frowned. "Mary wouldn’t let you?""Yeah. I just put her to sleep."He blinked in disbelief. "What?""I brought her back like I said I would. Wanted to leave, but she begged me to stay. Said she felt uncomfortable being alone in such a big house—especially not knowing you’d be back tonight.""I see," Zach murmured, stepping past her,
~86 ~
The doctor cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. "Is that actually yours?" he asked stiffly.Zach raised an eyebrow. "You want to find out?"The nurse, still skeptical, grabbed the payment machine. "If it's counterfeit, security will be happy to deliver you to the police."The doctor leaned in, clearly expecting the worst. "Treatment bills will be approximately ten thousand dollars."Zach inserted the card with a bored expression. "Make it fifty. Get them the best."He input his pin. The transaction processed instantly.Approved.The machine chimed brightly.Silence fell.The nurses blinked at him like he'd grown wings. The doctor paled, sweat beading on his forehead."I...I apologize, sir," he stammered. "Please forgive our...mistake.""You!" he barked at the nurses. "Apologize at once!""Sorry, sir!" the nurses chorused, heads bowed.Zach barely spared them a glance."Move them to the special wards. Get them prepped now." the doctor barked, snapping his fingers at the stun
~ 85 ~
His scream snapped the others out of their daze.“Get him!” The leader yelled.Two of them lunged forward at once.Zach ducked beneath the first swing, then drove his elbow hard into the man’s ribs. The impact sent him spinning to the pavement, wheezing.The second came with a short blade.Zach seized his arm mid-strike, twisted, and with one violent jerk, flipped him over his back. As the man hit the ground, Zach snapped the joint with ruthless precision. The crunch echoed.Two more were already coming.Zach didn’t hesitate. He grabbed one by the neck mid-charge, slammed him headfirst into a nearby brick wall. The man’s body slumped as blood sprayed down the wall in a thick line.The last attacker barely had time to shout before Zach spun, gripped his throat with both hands, and squeezed.The man struggled, legs kicking, fingers clawing at Zach’s arms, but it was no use. His gasps turned to silence, and then—nothing.The leader, still on the ground, stared wide-eyed. His last man—a y
~ 84 ~
“No…” Yvonne breathed, panic crawling up her spine.She watched in frozen horror as he raised his hand to strike.“Fine!” she shouted, her voice cracking. “I’ll get it!”She rushed back to the car, her hands trembling as she reached beneath the front passenger seat — the only place she could think of hiding it earlier. Her fingers curled around the small, black flash drive. Reluctantly, she walked back toward them, raising it up.“Hand it over,” the man ordered, eyes greedy.“Not until you let him go,” she barked, refusing to be intimidated.The leader smirked, then flicked his fingers lazily. The two men shoved Ricky down and released him.Yvonne’s eyes stayed on Ricky, making sure he was breathing, before she slowly stretched the flash drive toward the leader. He snatched it and inserted it into a portable reader clipped to his belt.She crossed her arms. “You and whoever sent you — Pablo — you’re both going down. Soon.”He looked up from the device, laughter dancing in his eyes. “
