Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 49

Zack's words gradually faded. He rubbed the edge of his teacup nervously, hesitating several times as a faint flush crept up his neck and the tips of his ears.

After a brief silence, he finally spoke, his voice tinged with a shy vulnerability. "Actually, I asked you out to dinner today for another reason..."

"Zack..." Willa set down her silverware, interrupting him gently.

She didn't want to hear the rest.

"Just let me finish. Give me a chance, okay?" Zack grew increasingly anxious, the red flush spreading all the way to his cheeks.

He took a deep breath, seemingly summoning all his courage. His eyes were restless, and he stumbled slightly over his words. "I know I don't have much experience with relationships, which is why I didn't dare rush into anything the other day. But I've thought about it a lot since then, and I'm sure of how I feel. I like you, Willa. I want to be your real boyfriend."

Growing more emotional, his trembling hands reached across the table, trying to grasp hers.

Willa didn't know how to react, instinctively pulling back a fraction of an inch.

"But..."

Before she could finish, a low, bone-chilling voice suddenly sounded from right behind her.

"What are you two doing?"

Willa froze completely, her blood running cold in her veins.

The voice was so close it was deafening, and she didn't even have the courage to turn her head.

She had no idea how much Randal had overheard.

The blush on Zack's face rapidly drained away.

He looked past Willa, his brows furrowing. "Randal? Miles? What are you guys doing here?"

"Oh, she even told you about that?" Randal scoffed. His eyes darkened dangerously, radiating an icy hostility that made the air feel freezing.

He glared at Zack, the tension in his jaw thickening as his chest heaved, clearly fighting to suppress a violent outburst. "Zack, step aside. Don't make me hurt you."

Seeing the escalating situation, Miles quickly stepped in, clapping a hand on Zack's shoulder to mediate. "Hey now, Randal just has some private business to discuss with Willa. He won't hurt her. I'm right here, don't worry."

"Miles, I..." Zack's tone wavered, but he refused to move.

Randal's last thread of patience snapped, his suppressed rage finally shattering his restraint.

"I heard... you've been shadowing your uncle lately to learn the family business?"

A chilling, unsettling smile twisted Randal's lips, and his gaze turned terrifyingly grim. "Funny enough, Yates Capital recently took an interest in that exact project. Normally, if my cousin wants something, I'd step back and let him have it. But..."