Chapter 17 #2
“The whole truth is that my family owns properties all over the world,” I start.
“Whenever we take over a new property, it’s always tough because people tend not to be in favor of change.
I thought this time I could learn more about the needs of the employees and the business if no one knew who I really was.
I figured they’d talk more freely and give me a glimpse of the ins and outs that I wouldn’t get otherwise.
I’m sorry it was deceitful, but I swear my intentions were good. ”
With drowsy blinks, Zeke’s words start to slur as he says, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions, you know.”
I stay silent, feeling like absolute shit.
“I want to make it better,” I finally manage to say. “That’s all I’ve wanted since I met you…to make your day better.”
“Why me?” It comes out as an exhale as his eyes stay closed and his breathing evens out, the pain medicine pulling him under once again.
“Because I see you, and you’re the first person I’ve met who sees me,” I whisper.
Zeke’s been asleep for an hour. I’ve checked in with Eloise and heard back from my attorney on what it will take to get Derek put behind bars for the violence he showed Zeke.
Unfortunately, it’s up to Zeke and the prosecutor for Ricochet County.
Since Derek’s attack was targeted and he and Zeke had a relationship, I was told it wasn’t likely the prosecutor would pursue the case without Zeke’s testimony.
My stomach rumbles, and I briefly think about grabbing something from the cafeteria, but quickly shoot the idea down. I’m not leaving Zeke’s side. Not even for a second.
To distract myself until he wakes, I also make calls to increase security at the resort until this is over and finally send Rebecca the update I’d promised.
Me
That motherfucker ruptured his spleen, broke his ribs, and punctured his lung. Zeke’s out of surgery, still sleeping.
Rebecca (Summit)
Was just about to call you. Derek came by to pick Zeke up after his shift. I told him Zeke left earlier, but I didn’t say where he’d gone or with whom.
Me
A security team will be there by the time your shift is over. You will be escorted to and from your car for the foreseeable future.
Rebecca (Summit)
I won’t say no. Derek’s out of his fucking mind.
Me
Hopefully, he won’t be a threat much longer.
I’ve just hit send when my phone vibrates in my hand.
“Hey Luke,” I answer. Tension seeps out of my shoulders at seeing my older brother’s name…but creeps right back in where I hear his voice.
“What the hell are you doing out there, Tal?”
“Eloise called you already?”
I should’ve known.
“No, our attorney did.”
“Oh. Shit. Did she call Mom and Dad?” I ask, suddenly panicked. The problem with loyalty is that it’s not always to you. Our legal team answers first and foremost to my parents. Then to Lukas, since he’s the oldest.
“No. I told her to let me talk to you first.”
I spend the next fifteen minutes quietly pacing the length of Zeke’s hospital room as I catch Lukas up to speed.
“Goddammit, Talon. You can’t fall for every sob story you hear,” Lukas says on the other end of the line. His harsh response shocks me even more than Eloise’s did.
“We aren’t talking about rescuing a stray cat, Lukas. Zeke is a human being, and he was in danger. He still is. Hell, the doctor said if I hadn’t brought him in when I did, Zeke would’ve died,” I point out in a heated whisper, defending my actions.
“Fine. Help him get back on his feet, but this had better not come back on Devereaux Holdings, Talon. You can’t employ our company’s attorney for the personal matters of someone outside our circle. You know that.”
“What happened to your humanity, Luke?” I ask, saddened by my brother’s coldness.
“I still have it, baby brother. But I also have a company to run and a family to look out for, which happens to include you.” Softening his tone, he adds, “Your heart is so good, Talon. And I hate what happened to that guy, but there are a million cases just like his.” He pauses before asking, “Does he know who you are?”
“He does as of a couple hours ago,” I admit.
“Please, please ensure he keeps his mouth shut. I’ll have the attorney draw up an NDA. We do a lot for our employees, Tal, but we can’t give them all this level of support, so it seems unfair to offer it to one.” Luke says.
“I wouldn’t give them all this support…he’s just…” What do I say here? Different? Special? Mine? “…just him,” I finally finish.
I understand where Lukas is coming from, but it doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate the scrutiny of my actions. He may be older, but my stake in the company is just as high as his.
Over the next two days, Zeke’s fever remains absent, and he’s weaned off the IV antibiotics, although he’ll have to continue with oral antibiotics for a few more days once he’s discharged.
He’s slept a lot, and I’ve been by his side through the whole ordeal, but we haven’t had any more deep conversations.
Both of us are seemingly hellbent on avoiding them: him, because he thinks he has to accept what I’m offering, and me, because I don’t know how to process what I’m feeling.
“Mr. Hastings, how are we doing today?” the nurse asks, coming into the room, pushing a computer cart on wheels.
“The best I’ve felt since arriving,” Zeke answers. His voice is less scratchy, and there’s a hint of energy behind his words.
“That’s what we like to hear. Especially since you’re going home today,” she says with a smile.
“Do you want any help getting dressed?” she asks as she fusses around, handing Zeke a cup of pills while Eloise and I stand at the ready to help if needed.
“No, I can do it,” Zeke says. “Thank you.”
Eloise has been a godsend, in and out with clothes, toiletries, and food from somewhere other than the hospital’s cafeteria.
She also brought my laptop so I could work while Zeke slept.
And most importantly, she’s been fielding calls from Lukas, who’s doing his best to navigate this from a professional viewpoint, allowing me to remain invested on a personal level.
Zeke gently pushes his covers back and stands on shaky legs, reaching for his new clothes before padding into the bathroom. He’s lost weight he couldn’t afford to lose.
Instinctively, I take a step toward the closed door just in case he needs me.
But it’s Eloise’s name he calls when he realizes he does, in fact, need help.
She knocks twice before pulling the door open.
“Hey, I’ve got you,” she says in a tone more nurturing than I’ve ever heard her use. “Here.” She pauses before adding, “Now put your hands on my shoulders to steady yourself, and I’ll pull them up the rest of the way.”
It kills me that he wants her help over mine, but I guess it could be awkward considering our whole relationship is kind of awkward right now.
Zeke and Eloise emerge from the bathroom a few minutes later. Zeke is wearing black sweatpants and my old Harvard hoodie, which sends a flood of possessiveness through me that I need to make sure I keep in check.
He won’t meet my gaze, and I fucking hate it.
A few minutes later, the doctor comes in and gives us discharge instructions: Zeke’s okay to shower, but should avoid submerging his incisions in a pool, a hot tub, or a bathtub.
Sutures need to come out in another seven days.
If he develops any symptoms at all: fever, chills, aches, headache, etc. —we’re to come back immediately.
Then, finally, at long last, Eloise and I are helping Zeke into the front seat of my Range Rover again.
He stays silent the whole ride to my house.
“I appreciate everything you’re doing,” he finally says as we pull into the garage.
“It’s honestly my pleasure,” I answer with a smile, hating that the trust between us is strained.
Eloise hops out first and runs inside, no doubt to make sure everything is perfect for our guest, and before I can unbuckle and make my way over to help Zeke out of the SUV, his hand lands on my forearm.
The touch is completely benign, not meant to do anything other than get my attention, but it’s been two days since we’ve touched at all, and my body responds by sending goosebumps skittering across my skin and heat trailing in their wake.
“Talon, I promise I won’t overstay my welcome, and I’ll contribute as much as I can.”
Placing my hand over his, not to trap him, simply to convey how much I want him here, I hold his gaze, imploring him to relax.
“Zeke, I want you to stay as long as you need to…as long as you want to,” I correct. “I know it will take some time for you to trust me again, not only because of what I kept from you but also because of the way you were treated in your last relationship, but I’m glad you’re here. I want you here.”
I also think maybe I want more than that.