I Walked Away And He Lost His Mind (Zephyra and Steven) novel Chapter 256

“It’s nothing. I just spaced out for a second.”

Jacob held my hand tightly and smiled. “You scared me. It was like your soul just flew away, and I couldn’t call you back. Well, if you’re okay, let’s go eat. You like those restaurants with the pretty boys, right? I’ll take you somewhere you can have one on each arm.”

I nearly choked. I was about to tell him that really wasn’t necessary when a cold, familiar voice cut in from behind us.

“Have what on each arm? If she dares, I’ll call the cops. You can both spend the night in a cell.”

I turned to see the tall, young man striding toward us, his handsome face clouded with an unreadable darkness. His gaze fell on Jacob’s hand on my arm, his eyes so sharp they felt like they could burn. Jacob quickly let go, but instead of looking embarrassed, he glared back at Steven, a hostile glint in his eyes.

Steven’s expression was grim as he looked at me. “Let’s eat.”

Eat? A minute ago, he seemed disgusted by my very presence in the room. I shot him a sidelong glance. “What made you change your mind?”

“I’m rescuing a wayward wife. And a kidnapper.”

Jacob’s expression was one of pure, unadulterated confusion. When would Steven ever learn to not be such a jerk?

“Ignore him,” I said to Jacob. “Let’s go.”

“Okay, Zephyra,” Jacob replied obediently.

But Steven stepped forward and wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me into his side with practiced ease. The faint scent of smoke on him, mixed with his usual sandalwood cologne, filled my senses. Before I could struggle, he leaned in and whispered in my ear, his voice cold, “Zephyra, are you having second thoughts about the divorce?”

I shot him an angry glare and jabbed my elbow into his stomach. “Are you trying to back out of it now?”

A shiver went down his spine, but he just beamed. “We’re all family here. I’m lucky to have you, too.”

Steven turned to Jacob, his gaze icy. “You look young. Can you drink?”

Jacob’s face was equally grim. He retorted, “You’re mistaken, Mr. Lancaster. I’m not young; I just look younger than you. And what kind of man can’t hold his liquor?”

His words were polite, but his tone was dripping with defiance. I looked at Jacob in surprise. With his delicate, almost feminine features, he usually seemed so gentle and well-behaved. He wouldn’t even talk back to Linda, yet here he was, challenging Steven. What had changed? Had he found out about Verna and Steven?

Steven’s voice was calm, almost bored. “My apologies. I thought you were a fresh graduate. I didn’t realize you were already so old and still just an intern. A middle-aged man like you should really work harder.”

He turned to Myron. “Order the strongest liquor. For this—”