Zilla's fun-loving and slightly irresponsible lifestyle is thrown into disarray when his childhood love, Isla, unexpectedly reappears with a baby in tow. Zilla finds himself taking on the unexpected role of father.
As the evening grew darker, Zilla felt the weight on his shoulders lighten, if only a little. He was still vigilant, of course, the gnawing sense of danger never quite leaving him, but for the first time in what felt like forever, he felt like he had taken a step in the right direction. Joe was handling the situation with Dante—quietly, efficiently, and most importantly, legally. Zilla had called his cousin and let him know what Dante was doing to Isla. Zilla knew Joe wouldn't let him down, but there was still a part of him that couldn't help but wonder: How far would Dante go? What kind of consequences would they all face when this was over?
The drive back to Isla's house was quiet, save for the soft hum of the engine and Inayah's light chatter from the back seat. Zilla was lost in thought, his grip on the wheel a little tighter than usual, his mind still on what lay ahead. His phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of his reverie. He reached for it without looking, already knowing who it was.
It was Joe. Zilla hit answer quickly, pulling the phone up to his ear.
"Yo," Zilla said, trying to keep his tone light, despite the tension still swirling inside him.
"Zilla, it's done," Joe's voice came through, calm but with a note of finality. "I made sure Dante knows he's not welcome anywhere near Isla or Inayah. I also put a little fear into him, so he understands that if he steps out of line again, the consequences won't be so easy to avoid. It's over. For now."
Zilla's grip on the wheel relaxed just a bit, the relief palpable. He hadn't realized how tightly he'd been holding onto the stress until Joe's words took some of it away.
"Thank you, man," Zilla said, his voice low but sincere. "I can't tell you how much this means to me. I didn't know what else to do."
Joe let out a soft chuckle. "You did the right thing by calling me. Now, just keep your head straight, alright? Don't let this mess with your focus. I know you've got bigger things on your plate with wrestling and everything. Keep moving forward. I've got this handled."
Zilla glanced in the rearview mirror, watching Inayah as she played with a toy in the back seat, blissfully unaware of the danger that had hung over them all day. Her giggle reached him, a sound so pure and innocent that it made him want to protect her even more fiercely. He didn't have time to waste second-guessing himself.
"I will. I won't let this affect anything. But I owe you, Joe. Big time."
"No debt," Joe replied firmly. "Family's family. Just keep your head in the game, Zilla. You're doing alright. You've got this. I'll keep an ear to the ground in case Dante decides to make any more noise, but I'm confident we've closed the door on this chapter."
Zilla nodded even though Joe couldn't see him. "I trust you. Thanks again."
Before he could hang up, Joe added one last thing. "One more thing, Zilla. Be careful. You've got a lot riding on you now—don't let personal stuff distract you from what you're building. Wrestling's your future, man. You don't want to mess that up for anything."
Zilla's chest tightened at the reminder. He knew Joe was right. Wrestling had always been his dream, but now, it felt like more than just a career—it was a way to build something solid. Something he could be proud of, something to offer Isla and Inayah if he was ever able to fully step into that role of protector, of provider.
"I won't forget. Thanks, Joe."
With that, Zilla hung up the phone, a weight lifting from his chest. He turned his attention back to the road, focusing on the drive. He was glad this chapter with Dante seemed to be over, but it wouldn't be the last challenge he faced. There were always obstacles—both personal and professional—that tested him. But right now, he felt ready. Ready to keep pushing, ready to keep moving forward with his life, his career, and his family.
When they pulled up to Isla's house, the porch light flickered in the night, casting a soft, welcoming glow. Inayah had fallen quiet in the back seat, her head resting against the window as she drifted into a peaceful sleep. Zilla turned off the engine, glancing over at Isla, who was staring out the window, lost in thought. He could tell she was still processing everything, but there was a noticeable calmness in her now, a relief that hadn't been there when they first arrived at the park.
"Everything okay?" Zilla asked, his voice gentle, as he turned to face Isla.
Isla smiled at him, a quiet appreciation in her eyes. "Yeah. It feels... better. Safer."
Zilla nodded, his gaze softening as he turned back to the sleeping Inayah. "I'm glad. You both deserve that peace."
She didn't say anything for a moment, just watching him as though she were trying to find the right words. "I don't know what I would've done without you, Zilla. I know I don't always make it easy, but you've really come through for us."
Zilla reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, his eyes filled with a warmth that matched the glow of the porch light. "You don't have to thank me, Isla. You and Inayah are my family now. I'll always be here, no matter what."
Isla's eyes softened, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them. Zilla couldn't place it, but there was a depth to her gaze that told him she was thinking about more than just the danger with Dante. For a brief moment, he allowed himself to imagine a future with her and Inayah—a future built on stability, trust, and love.
But he didn't push it. Not yet. He knew they still had a long way to go, and right now, his focus had to be on what lay ahead. His career, his place in wrestling, and making sure that this family—his family—remained safe and intact.
Isla's voice brought him back from his thoughts. "I think we're going to be okay now. With you here... I feel like we've got a chance at something better. Something real."
Zilla smiled, a real smile, one that reached his eyes and lit up his face. "We've got this, Isla. We'll make sure of it."
He helped Isla gather Inayah from the back seat, carrying the little girl in his arms as they made their way into the house. The warmth inside was comforting, the scent of something baking in the kitchen reminding Zilla of the simple things in life that truly mattered. He could feel the weight of the day begin to fade as he set Inayah down on the couch, pulling a blanket around her small body.
Isla watched him for a moment, her arms crossed over her chest, but her eyes softer than they had been all day.
"Thank you," she said again, her voice quiet, her gaze lingering on him with a new kind of understanding. "I don't know how I could've done this without you."
Zilla met her eyes and for a moment, it felt like they were both understanding something bigger than what was happening in the present. This wasn't just about the threat of Dante. It was about the trust that had grown between them, the bond that had begun to form, something deeper than either of them had expected.
"We'll always be alright," Zilla said, his voice low and full of promise. "Together."
As they settled in for the night, Zilla allowed himself a moment of peace, knowing that they were safe for now. He'd dealt with the immediate threat, and now, he could focus on what truly mattered. Making sure Isla and Inayah never had to worry about anything again.
Tomorrow would bring its own challenges. But Zilla was ready.
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