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ZEKE
Ihave faith in her. I trust her. She’s going to do the right thing.
That doesn’t mean I haven’t packed my shit, though. I might have turned into an idiot for her, but I’m not a total moron. If I need to go, I want to be ready.
Maybe I should have told her before we sat down with her father that he promised me anything I wanted. That immediately, my mind went to her. She’s the only thing I’ll ever want, the one good, true thing I’ve ever known. The rest of the world could burn down, and I would roast marshmallows over the flames so long as she was with me.
I didn’t have the chance to tell her all those things. Everything moved so fast—the police, building security, horrified neighbors who finally clued into the fact that there was an emergency once Dean hit the ground. I didn’t even tell her I loved her before we were separated for questioning. I only had time to give her a cover story that we could agree on when asked to give our version of events.
And she did so well. I couldn’t be prouder.
She’s not going to let me down now. I can’t believe it. I won’t.
Still, everything I need is packed. I have money in the bank, and the Harley is mine, free and clear. If I have to go, I’m ready.
Because this isn’t up to her, is it? The boss has final say. And he doesn’t exactly have a track record of listening to women.
There’s a heavy knock on my door, and my head snaps around at the sound of it. That’s not Mia’s knock. A fist the size of a ham makes a sound like that. Dread forms in my stomach, hardening like ice. I withdraw my Glock and make sure the safety is off before approaching the door. “Yeah?”
“Somebody here to see you.” I recognize the voice as belonging to one of the lower security guys. Maybe somebody looking to rise in the ranks. Would Bruno send him to take me out? A way to prove himself?
“Who is it?” I ask, my shoulder to the door and one hand on the knob while I hold the gun with the other.
“For God’s sake, it’s me. Open up.”
I let out a long breath, slumping against the door a little. Setting the gun aside, I open it, and there she is.
And she’s smiling. “Thank you for showing me where to go,” she tells Frank, who looks almost shy when he offers a brief grin before striding away without a backward glance. So this isn’t some kind of trick.
“So? What happened?”
She shakes her head, motioning for me to let her in the room. I step aside, waiting with bated breath.
“You’re never going to believe it.” She sits down on my bed, smiling brilliantly. “It’s like a miracle.”
“What, for fuck’s sake? Tell me.”
“Philip Rinaldi called. You know, my future father-in-law?” She pretends to stick a finger down her throat. “I gave Dad the perfect out. I told him we could pretend Dean forced himself on me the way he wanted to. If I was used goods according to those Neanderthals, it might be enough of a reason to make them look elsewhere for a wife.”
It has a certain twisted logic. “Did he say it?”
“He didn’t have to.” She giggles, touching her hands to her cheeks. “I still can’t get over it. It’s like a miracle.”
“You already said that.” I get on one knee in front of her, my hands on her knees. Is she still in shock?
“They’re calling it off. They are, not us!” She throws her arms around my neck, squeezing tight before pressing her face against my neck. “They don’t want their stupid family name dragged into this. I guess word must have spread pretty fast.”
I can barely keep up. My brain’s going in so many different directions. “Yeah, you might be surprised how quick people find out about things.”
“I don’t have to get married. The contract is broken. I’m free.”
But is she? That’s where my mind immediately goes, and I almost wish it wouldn’t. I don’t want to piss all over her happiness.
But one of us has to be real. That’s why I have the displeasure of pulling myself free of her grip and taking her by the shoulders, looking her in the eye. “What about us? Am I getting a bullet in the head?”
She has the nerve to look disappointed. “Okay, I haven’t been part of this whole thing for very long, but even I know you’d be dead by now if that was true. Watch a movie, for God’s sake.”
“How can you be sarcastic right now?” I point at the duffel bag and backpack waiting to be used. “Do you think I packed up because I wanted to spend Christmas at the beach?”
