Chapter 16
16
Zeke didn’t care who he had to fight, he was getting inside the fucking coffeeshop and getting Nina in his arms. Now.
“For fuck’s sake, we were in the damn van with Agent Sloane and Agent Johnson,” Montgomery growled at the man guarding the door.
“I have orders not to let anyone in or out?—”
“Let them in. Now,” Adam Johnson snapped. “They have made all of this possible. Let all of us inside.” Adam flashed his badge at the dude who refused to let them all in and gave the man a heated glare that Zeke would not have wanted to be on the other end of when he was younger.
But it worked, and Zeke was grateful as fuck for it when he and Montgomery were able to rush past the other people crowding the coffeeshop and get to Nina.
Montgomery reached her first, pulling her against his chest and kissing the top of her head. Zeke twitched with the need to hold her. He wasn’t her brother, or her lover, or anyone who mattered, but after listening to the conversation, he needed to touch her. To feel for himself that she was uninjured.
Montgomery cupped her face and looked at her closely. “Are you okay?”
Nina laughed mirthlessly and shook her head. “No. Not even a little.”
Montgomery pulled her in again, his shoulders tight with the tension of the day. Nina held on to her brother, Zeke standing to the side like a third wheel who couldn’t take a hint. He didn’t fucking care.
Montgomery eased back from her again. “What can we do?”
Nina shook her head. “Nothing. I just… I trusted him, and it hurts to know I was wrong. That nothing was what I thought it was.”
“None of that is on you,” Montgomery declared. “Not one second.”
Nina jerked her head behind her. “That’s what Frannie said.”
“She’s right,” Zeke interjected. “You were lied to for years. How could you have known that? But you’re safe now. You’re with us.”
Nina looked straight at him, but there was something different in her gaze. A question maybe? Something that said she wasn’t so sure about them anymore.
Fuck that.
“Come here,” he said roughly, reaching for Nina.
She went to him, her lower lip wobbling before she clamped it between her teeth and stepped into his embrace.
“You are so damn strong,” Zeke whispered. “So strong, angel.”
Nina relaxed against him with his words, letting him hold her as she finally crumbled. Sobs shook her body and echoed around all of them.
Zeke scooped her up and carried her to a booth. He shoved the table to one side and sat on the bench.
Nina hung on him, her strength barely enough to keep her in place.
Zeke held her, both arms wrapped tightly around her. He whispered to her as she cried, reminding her how strong she was and hating that she had to relive the worst parts of her hell.
When Nina told him about the men she felt connected to, Zeke was jealous. He wanted that with her. He wanted her to trust him, to count on him. Hearing that it was all a lie, that she was manipulated into those relationships, had his heart cracking.
Nina deserved the world. She deserved love and care and passion. She deserved to be with someone who would always put her first.
Zeke wanted to be that person for her, but he wouldn’t force her into it. He would make sure she knew he was there and always would be.
Montgomery kicked Zeke’s boot. Zeke looked up, his heart skipping when he saw the look on Mont’s face. “What do you need?”
Mont’s quiet question was directed at Zeke, not Nina. Zeke shook his head, trying not to be upset that Mont was asking.
“I can take her,” Mont whispered.
Zeke shook his head again. There was no fucking way he was letting her go. She was his. Until she decided she didn’t want to be, she belonged to Zeke. He would forever belong to her.
Mont nodded. He turned to the rest of the coffeeshop, blocking them from all the others who were there. Arms crossed, feet planted wide, Mont was protecting Nina.
“I’m sorry,” Nina whispered to Zeke. “I shouldn’t be crying to you.”
“Why the fuck not?” Zeke asked.
“You didn’t sign up for this.”
“I’m here for all of it, angel. Every bad moment, every good moment, every threat, every celebration. I want all of it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Nina looked at him, her watery gaze searching his for the truth. He let her look, not caring what she saw in his eyes. He wasn’t leaving her. “Thank you.”
“Always, Nina. I will always be here for you. No matter what.”
She nodded. “I know. I always knew.”
“That will never change. You understand me?”
She sucked in a breath and nodded. “Zeke.”
“We need to speak to her,” Lorelei said to Montgomery. She glanced around him and caught Zeke’s gaze. “I know how bad this part sucks.”
“Not stopping you, though,” Montgomery told the agent.
Lorelei shook her head. “You know I can’t.”
“We’re not leaving her,” Montgomery declared.
“Wouldn’t ask you to,” Lorelei told him.
Montgomery looked back at Zeke and Nina.
Zeke raised an eyebrow at Nina, and she nodded. She moved to sit next to Zeke on the bench, next to the wall. She grabbed his hand and held on tight.
Zeke pulled the table back into place so Lorelei could sit across from him and Nina. Montgomery stood at the end of the booth, arms crossed and maintaining their privacy.
“First, he’s in custody. He is not talking, but we are not letting him go,” Lorelei said.
Nina nodded. “Thank you.”
Lorelei looked at Zeke, then Montgomery, then back to Nina. “Are you comfortable discussing what he said with them here?”
Zeke squeezed her hand, praying she agreed. He couldn’t walk away.
“Yes,” Nina said. “They know everything.”
“Okay. Can you confirm the things he said? He was a regular client of yours who paid to be with you.”
“I was never given any money. All of that was handled by Gwendolyn or whoever she had taking care of it. But our relationship was not completely consensual.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning we didn’t meet at a bar and hookup. He was brought to me and I was told he paid good money for me and if I didn’t show him a good time, there would be consequences.”
Zeke ached to carry her away. To stop all of it and just leave. Love her until she forgot about all the others, until the past was a dream and not so real her pain radiated off of her with each word.
“But eventually it became more?” Lorelei asked.
Nina sighed. “Gwendolyn liked me. Let me be more selective. Decided I could have regulars who would only see me. He was one who asked for that. That’s what I was told.”
“And you agreed?”
“He was still paying. We didn’t go out on dates. We didn’t have wine and romance and relax and watch TV. We weren’t a regular couple, and I knew that. There were others. Do you want me to say I was involved with all of them? That I liked them? I trusted him. I believed he cared. I wanted to believe he wasn’t just fucking me because he was paying for it even though I knew he was. I wanted to think someone gave a shit about me.” Nina tensed, her entire body curling in on itself. She gripped Zeke’s hand tighter, but he knew it wasn’t conscious.
“That’s enough,” Zeke growled at Lorelei. He liked her, but he was not going to sit there and let her make Nina feel worse than she already did.
“I have zero sympathy for Gwendolyn Lennox or anyone who was working for her by choice. That piece of shit we just took out of here was no better than her. He lied and manipulated Nina, likely to get information for Gwendolyn. To find out if she was loyal. He’s a piece of garbage who will never see the light of day again because of the things he confessed to.” Lorelei’s anger was clear.
“Why would he do that?” Nina whispered.
Lorelei shook her head. “We’re trying to figure that out. He knew we were watching. Gwendolyn did, too. We don’t believe it was an accident that he showed up here. She sent him. What we don’t know is what her end game is.”
“She doesn’t let people talk. When they’re in custody, they’re dead,” Nina said.
“We know,” Lorelei agreed. “We have agents with him. He won’t be alone.”
“That doesn’t mean he’s not going to die.”
Lorelei nodded. “We’re expecting something. We don’t know what, but we know it’s likely. No matter what, we’re not going to let him get away with what he did to you.”
“Thank you,” Nina whispered.
Lorelei reached across the table, offering her hand to Nina. Nina put her free hand into Lorelei’s. “I’m sorry we asked you to do this. I know this was not easy. But your help was invaluable. Even if we don’t get more out of him, we know she’s watching. We just have to figure out how and find her.”
“I hope you do.”
Lorelei nodded. “I’m not giving up until we do.”
“Good.”
Lorelei thanked all of them, then said they were free to go if they wanted to get out of there. She promised to keep them updated if they learned anything from Robert, and asked again if they wanted to be in protective custody.
“No,” Nina said. “Zeke and Monty are the best protection I could have.”
Lorelei nodded. “Be safe. All of you.”
As soon as they got to Zeke’s house, Nina went to shower. She felt dirty after talking to Robert, or whatever his name was, and she needed to escape. To separate herself from Zeke and Monty.
Zeke watched her as she made her way up the stairs, his gaze on her back burning a hole in her. She turned back when she made it to his bedroom door, and she smiled at him.
He nodded once, but the look on his face said he wanted to be there with her.
She wanted the same.
A meow at her feet drew her gaze to where Gene wound himself through her legs. He nudged her leg, then went into the bedroom.
“Did he send you up here to guard me?” Nina asked the cat.
Gene jumped up on the bed and meowed at her.
Nina chuckled. “I guess he did. Well, let’s go then.”
She took off her clothes, tossing everything in the laundry basket before turning the shower on and getting in.
A meow had her eyes flipping open as she tipped her head back. Gene was on the toilet, watching her intently.
“I’ll be out in a minute. You probably don’t want to be soaked.”
He jumped down and pawed at the door.
Nina raised an eyebrow. “It’s wet in here.”
He cried again.
“Suit yourself.” She opened the door, waiting for the cat to yell at her.
Nope. The crazy thing stepped into the shower and sat down at the far edge, mostly outside the spray but still in the shower.
Nina chuckled. “You’re an odd cat.”
He meowed once, then licked his paw and stared at her.
It was a little unnerving, but strangely comforting. She tipped her head back again, letting the water flow through her hair. It cascaded over her body and rinsed away the day. She let the tears come, cleansing herself from Robert and what happened. She washed her hair and her body and inhaled the now-familiar scent of Zeke.
She didn’t want to put on any of the clothes he bought her. She needed to be surrounded by him, to breathe his scent. She didn’t think he’d mind, so she pulled on a pair of panties he’d bought her, then searched through his drawers until she found a sweatshirt and a pair of lounge pants. She towel-dried her hair and ran a brush through it, then scratched a very content Gene behind the ears.
“Are you ready to go back downstairs?”
Gene chirped at her and went to the door.
“Smart cat.”
Nina opened the door, then stopped when she heard a female voice.
“She’s strong. And brave. She’s changing lives, but it’s going to take a toll.”
Nina wondered who Berkeley was talking about. Was it rude to interrupt or worse to listen?
“Nina has always been strong,” Zeke said with conviction.
“Yeah, she has been,” Monty agreed. “I just wish she didn’t have to be so strong.”
Nina inhaled a breath. She was used to negativity and dislike. Not encouragement.
“Are you sticking around for lunch?” Zeke asked.
“I should go,” Berkeley said, her voice changing.
Nina started down the stairs, not hiding her steps in hopes it would delay Berkeley’s departure.
She made it to the bottom and saw it worked. “Berkeley. I didn’t know you were here.”
“I just brought some lunch. Lorelei came by the office, and I ran out to grab stuff for everyone. I don’t know what you really like, but I got a bunch of stuff from the Italian place we order from sometimes. I know what these two like and added extra.”
“You’re going to join us, right?” Nina asked.
Berkeley shook her head. “I should really get back to the office. Lots to do.”
Nina went to Monty and poked her brother in the side. “Tell her to stay. She needs to eat lunch anyway.”
“You should stay,” Monty growled.
Berkeley stared at him for a long moment, the tension in the room climbing with each tick of the clock on the kitchen wall. Berkeley finally pressed her lips into a smile and nodded. “Okay. I will.”
Nina hugged Berkeley, the impulse to make the other woman comfortable overwhelming her. “I’m so happy to hear that. I think we will be friends.”
“I hope so,” Berkeley said. “I’ve heard so much about you over the years. It’s an honor to get to know you.”
“Oh, I haven’t done anything worthy of that. But I’m excited to get to know you, too.”
Berkeley smiled and led the way to the bags of food she brought over. She told Nina what everything was and handed over containers to Monty and Zeke without breaking her explanation.
“Whoa, what did you give them?” Nina asked.
“They always order the same thing. I have more of both, though, so you can choose what you want and they have leftovers if you don’t want the same thing.”
“What do you like?”
Berkeley’s gaze strayed to Monty before she forced it away. “I like everything. My hips tell you that.”
Nina chuckled and shook her head. “Mine say the same. Size does matter. Bigger is always better.”
Monty choked on air. Zeke stared open-mouthed at her. Berkeley just laughed.
“I like you.”
“I like you, too,” Nina told her.
Berkeley smiled and helped herself to some lunch.
The four of them sat in the living room. Zeke took the seat next to Nina on the couch, with Monty on her other side and Berkeley on the chair across the room.
Nina and Berkeley kept up most of the conversation. Berkeley was funny and friendly and kind. She was the kind of person Nina wanted her brother to end up with. Someone who would keep Monty on his toes but also take care of him.
“How did you all meet?” Nina asked.
“She applied for the job,” Monty growled, not offering more information.
Berkeley forced a smile. “I saw a posting for a business manager and applied.”
“How long have you been at Rose Protection Agency?”
“Three years.”
“Wow. That’s a long time. Dating? There are some cute men working there.”
Again, Berkeley’s gaze slid to Monty, but she tore it away and shook her head. “Not at work. I don’t think that would go over well.”
“Outside of work?”
“What’s with the inquisition?” Monty asked, jumping up.
“Whoa. What’s with you? I can’t get to know her?” Nina replied.
“I didn’t say that. I just don’t get why you have to ask her about dating. It’s her business if she’s dating.” Monty stalked to the kitchen, his back to all of them.
Nina watched her brother, then swung her gaze back to Berkeley. “I apologize. I didn’t realize asking you about dating wasn’t okay. I’m… I really am sorry.”
Berkeley smiled kindly. “It’s okay. I didn’t mind. But I’m not dating anyone right now.”
“I won’t bother you about that again. I really didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“Then maybe you should stop,” Monty barked.
Nina opened her mouth to say something but closed it. She didn’t know what she did wrong, but she knew better than to keep pushing. She learned that lesson with Gwendolyn and didn’t need a refresher from her brother.
“It’s okay,” Berkeley said, rising. “Um, I should go. I have some things to finish before the end of the day.”
“Thanks for bringing lunch, Berk,” Zeke said. He stood, the loss of his leg against Nina’s as much of a shock as Monty’s attitude.
“Yes, thank you,” Nina added, frozen to the couch. She smiled at Berkeley but didn’t make a move to hug her or walk her to the door.
Monty didn’t say a thing.
Zeke and Berkeley spoke quietly, their words too soft for Nina to hear. She watched as Zeke gave Berkeley a quick hug, looking away when he caught her watching them.
Nina focused on her hands in front of her, her cheeks burning with understanding. Berkeley and Zeke were not just coworkers, but no one wanted to tell her that. Berkeley probably hated Nina. Not only had Nina moved in with the guy she was interested in or dating or something, but Nina was falling for him and risking his life and getting way too close to him and more-or-less forcing him to pause whatever was going on Berkeley.
The door closed, and the lock flipped. Nina tried to find the words to apologize to Zeke, but before she could say anything, he spoke.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Zeke growled.
Nina turned to answer, ready to apologize, but Zeke wasn’t talking to her. He was in Monty’s face.
“Let it go, Zeke,” Monty snarled.
“She brought us lunch. She was being nice. And instead of saying thank you, you’re attacking Nina for getting to know Berk, and snapping at Berkeley. What the hell?”
“It’s nothing,” Monty said.
“It’s not nothing. What the hell is with you lately? Ever since—” Zeke stopped mid-sentence.
Nina wanted to ask when, but she knew when both men looked at her. Ever since she came back. Ever since they found out she left. Ever since she blew up their lives. Nothing was the same.
“I need to go.” Monty moved toward the door.
“Don’t do this, Mont.”
Monty stopped, looking past Zeke to Nina. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
Nina swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded. Monty slid a look to Zeke, then walked out the door, closing it softly behind him.
“I never should have come back,” Nina whispered.