Page 28 of His Promise

I nod. “And how is Ms. Gordon?” I brace myself for the answer, picturing her shaken body curled up in her apartment. Clearly, they didn’t do anything in front of Zeke, but they must have threatened her if she let him go with them.

Zeke shrugs. “She’s sleeping. I had to be quiet so I didn’t wake her up.”

Oh thank fuck.

I nod and pull him in for another hug. I can feel Colter’s eyes on my back, and once again, I’m grateful. I pictured Zeke frightened and shaking, locked up in some storage room here. I can feel Colter’s impatience filling the foyer, but he doesn’t say anything.

“Bud, can you do me a favor?”

He nods enthusiastically. He’s always ready to help out. God, I love him.

“Can you hang out while Mr. Gruco and I have a conversation?”

Zeke leans to his left so he can peek around me at Colter. He gazes up at me and nods.

“Thanks, honey. I’ll see you soon, okay? We’re going to go home in just a little while.”

Zeke frowns. “What about the aquarium?”

I have to clench my jaw to keep myself from saying ‘shit’. I forgot I promised him we could go to the aquarium today. I hadn’t told Zeke we’d be leaving Las Vegas for good. I didn’t know how. I’ll be uprooting his life for the third time this year, and he’s made several friends at school here. My hope was giving him one last time at the aquarium would help soften the blow before we left.

“Not today, honey. I’m so sorry.” I frown and smooth his hair back when he gives me that look. Like his heart just broke. “Mom’s just really tired, but maybe we could go later this week.”

His eyes water like he’s about to cry, and Colter steps up next to me. I have the urge to shield Zeke, but I don’t want to scare him so I stand still and shoot daggers at Colter hoping he gets the warning.

I expect him to tell me to wrap it up, but he surprises me. He crouches next to Zeke and gives him a smile. Not a smirk like I’ve seen before, but something more genuine. It’s the first time I’ve seen it, and once again I hate him for being even more handsome.

“Hi Zeke. My name’s Colter.” He sticks out his hand, and I want to slap it away but still stay rooted in place. Zeke tentatively reaches out and shakes Colter’s hand. It’s too firm for a seven-year-old, a reminder of what his father taught him.

“I have an even better idea than going to the aquarium.”

Zeke’s brow furrows and eyes study Colter questioningly. “What?”

“Do you like to swim?”

Zeke’s face lights up like a Christmas tree and a smile reveals the dimples on his cheeks. “Yeah!”

“Well there’s a pool at the back of the house that I’m sure Ethan wouldloveto take you to.”

“But I don’t have a swimsuit,” Zeke says, his excitement flickering.

“That’s okay, I bet we can figure something out. How about we have someone run to the store and get you one? You’ll only have to wait a little while, can you do that?”

Zeke nods enthusiastically and gives Colter a smile that makes my stomach bottom out. He turns to me and gives me a hug before taking off with Ethan down a hallway.

Colter glances at me, and then without a word, strides down the hallway to the left. Annoyance flares, but I follow him.

We walk down a staircase, and I survey the room. There’s a pool table at one end and a drink cart next to it. One wall is lined with frames holding antique movie posters from the seventies. It’s a den. Almost a man cave.

“Sit,” Colter says, taking a seat in a black leather chair across from a couch. There’s only one more chair, and it’s close to Colter. I opt for the couch.

He leans back and places his hands on the edge of the armrest. “So… Where should we begin?”

“You’re the one that wants to talk. I personally don’t see any reason we ever need to speak again. I’ll stay until the election, but beyond that…” I shrug.

He raises a brow. “Are you really this naive, or are you getting off on annoying me?”

I don’t say anything, and when Colter realizes I’m not going to, he sighs. “We have a dinner to go to Sunday.”

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