Chapter 39
Talon
Iwrap the blanket around Zeke and me just a little tighter.
It’s only seven p.m., but it’s already dusk as we take our carriage ride through Central Park.
The snow moved out a few days ago, and the days have been cold but sunny ever since.
It seems as though even the weather recognizes that the heaviest burdens in Zeke and I’s life together have finally been removed.
We’ve not heard anything else from Derek. With his actions out in the open and his knowledge that Zeke won’t be silenced, I think he’s done the smart thing and chosen to let him go.
The park at this time of day is beautiful and extra peaceful, as most people are home or out to dinner or just gearing up for a night out on the town.
But I couldn’t be happier tucked away in this carriage with Zeke snuggled into my chest as he finally gets to see Central Park.
“It’s just like the movies,” he says in wonder as we approach The Lake.
I kiss the top of his head, choked up over how easy he is to please. Yesterday, I bought him an ‘I Love NY’ shirt, and he acted as if I’d just rescued his cat from a burning building.
I love that about him, and I want to cultivate his sense of idyllic wonder any time I can.
When we arrive at the place that I happen to know offers the best view of The Lake, I ask our driver to stop for a minute so Zeke and I can take a picture.
I think it’s time I replace the one of us in the dark.
Everything about our relationship is now out in the light, and I never want it any other way.
I can’t stop myself from tracing his cheekbones with my thumbs. They mesmerize me as much today as they did the first time I laid eyes on him.
“I am so proud of the man you are, Zeke Hastings. And I’m thankful for the man you make me. To say I’m honored to be your boyfriend is an understatement, but that doesn’t make it any less true. I love you with every cell in my body and every beat of my heart.”
As my lips connect with his, I feel his contented sigh.
When we break apart, he whispers, “I love you, too. Thank you for understanding what it cost me to trust and rely on you. Thank you for giving without expectations of receiving anything in return, knowing I had nothing left to offer.”
“I only ever wanted you,” I remind him.
We finish the carriage ride and buy hot chocolate from a food truck parked on the sidewalk in front of our building. We’re still laughing at how I almost ate the pavement when a pigeon startled me as I pull open the door to our penthouse, but one glance inside, and our laughter dies immediately.
“Lukas, given the state of things between us, I’m not sure I appreciate you using your code to just let yourself into my house. Our house,” I correct quickly.
“I understand. It’s the last time. I was afraid you wouldn’t see me if I asked, and I really needed to see you. Both of you.”
Zeke and I step farther into the penthouse, still wary as we hang our coats on the rack inside the doorway.
“Shall we take a seat, then?” I ask, gesturing to the living room behind him.
Once we’re seated, I take a second to look at my brother, really look at him for the first time in months. He’s as handsome as always, but he has noticeable bags under his eyes, like he hasn’t been sleeping well.
Lukas leans forward, bracing himself with his elbows on his knees, as usual, as he addresses us both.
“Tal, Zeke, I owe you both an apology. One that I’m not even sure words can fix, but I want to try.
My whole life, I knew what my future would look like.
I knew who I would marry by the time I was twelve.
I knew what degree I’d pursue and which college I would attend.
There’s some comfort in that, but also a sense of helplessness.
Throughout it all, though, I had Tal and Eloise to keep me sane.
But as we’ve gotten older, they aren’t following the same expected path I took, and it wasn’t until recently that I began to realize a selfish part of me resents that.
” He takes a deep breath before plowing ahead with the rest of his speech, directing it at Zeke.
“Eloise has a mind for business. Her portfolio runs circles around mine and Tal’s, regardless of how many properties we add.
Because of that, she’s allowed to do as she pleases.
Talon here has a heart of gold. There’s a reason he’s the face of our company.
He has a true love of people and an honest desire to improve the world around him.
Our parents have always made protecting Talon a priority because they felt the world would chew through his soft heart.
At first, I’d convinced myself that leaking the information to the media was me trying to protect Talon, and I still think that was a small part of it.
But the bigger part, I’ve come to realize, is that I’m jealous Talon got the luxury of choosing a different path.
” Lukas pauses, his eyes landing on mine before continuing.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love Annie and the girls, but I’d always thought we’d grow our families together: me, you, Eloise.
Our kids would grow up together, learning how to navigate this world and the business, with each other to lean on.
As you know, it is both a blessing and a burden.
But now, it seems I’m walking that road alone while you and El get to make the choices that are best for you… not just the company.”
Holy shit.
“Luke, I had no idea you felt that way.”
“Neither did I,” he says, now returning his attention fully toward Zeke.
“You were a wild card. There was no information about you. No social media and no tax returns because I’m assuming you made below the legal limit for filing.
I couldn’t even find your name on a car loan or an apartment.
You’d just appeared and had somehow gotten my brother under your spell.
” My arm, which had been draped behind Zeke across the back of the couch, moves to his thigh.
Luke tracks the movement with his eyes. “But I know better now, and I’m here to say I’m sorry for doubting you both and for causing unnecessary trouble.
I would really like to be in your lives and have you in mine if you can find it in your hearts to forgive me. ”
I’m on my brother in two strides, hauling him out of his chair and into my arms.
I hate tension and conflict.
Zeke and I have had more than enough of both in the past few months to last a lifetime. I want my brother back. I want my family to be whole.
A few seconds into our hug, Zeke’s warm body presses against my back, sandwiching me between him and Luke, his arms around us both.
Our group hug is interrupted by my phone ringing in my pocket. Breaking away, I take it out to see Ricochet’s area code and a number I don’t recognize flash on the screen.
“Hello?”
“Talon, Officer Michaels.”
What now?
“Hello, Officer. What can I do for you?” I ask, bracing for the next hit of bad news.
“Is Mr. Hastings with you by any chance? I couldn’t reach him.”
“Yeah, he’s here.” I place the call on speakerphone. “Say hi to Officer Michaels, baby.”
“Um, hello?” Zeke says over the line as Luke looks on, just as confused as the rest of us.
“I’m calling to let you know that after your story went public, the Ricochet County prosecutor felt it necessary to proceed with charging Derek Palmer.
” I grab Zeke’s hand. “Mr. Hastings, you will not be required to testify. They assured me they will be seeking witness testimony and will be using the media coverage you’ve already provided.
It seems your nightmare is truly over. I wish you all the best.”
Zeke and I stand in silence, absorbing what the fuck just happened, when my front door opens again, and Eloise walks in. I really need to revoke their codes.
“Zeke? Tal—oh, shit. What did I just walk in on?” she asks, taking in our expressions and the fact that Luke is with us as well.
I fill her in, and she immediately goes into celebration mode, making a mad dash for my bar.
Luke follows her out of the room, giving Zeke and me a moment of privacy.
“It’s over, baby. Really over. How does it feel?” I ask.
“Like I’m standing on top of the world.”