Chapter 20
20
Zeke stared at the TV for the fourth straight day, studying the drawings of the people Nina described. Four days with zero credible tips. People were calling in, but nothing led to Gwendolyn. She and her people were still out there. Watching. Waiting. Hiding.
It drove Zeke crazy. Knowing they were out there and knowing they could strike at any time but not knowing where they were.
He wanted to go after Gwendolyn. Every night when Zeke held Nina, their bodies cooling after loving her, he felt her shaking and knew it was fear. She was jumpy and on edge.
They needed Gwendolyn and her people arrested. Peace. Safety.
“Still nothing?” Nina asked, coming downstairs from her shower.
Zeke nodded and turned away from the repetitive news. “She can’t hide forever.”
Nina didn’t reply. She didn’t agree. She knew Gwendolyn better than anyone else, and that part scared Zeke because it went both ways.
Gwendolyn knew where Nina was. Her stand-in, Robert, said as much. Nina might not have confirmed that they were sleeping together, but Robert still knew. Which meant either it was a good guess or Gwendolyn had a way to see into his house.
Zeke had taken to sweeping his house for bugs multiple times every day, securing windows and doors and keeping blinds and curtains closed around the clock. He didn’t want to risk anyone seeing inside his house.
He didn’t know if it mattered.
“Maybe she left town,” Nina said.
“Do you think she would do that?”
Nina shrugged. “If it was her best option, yeah.”
“Would she start over?”
Nina nodded. “I’m sure she would. She has contacts all over.”
“Does Lorelei know this?”
“Yeah. We talked about it. She asked where else Gwendolyn would go, and I told her with the connections she had, she could be anywhere. Lorelei was putting out something to all of the FBI with the drawing of Gwendolyn.”
“That’s good.”
Nina nodded and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She stared at the TV, but the story had long changed.
“What do you want to do today?” Zeke asked.
“You don’t have to babysit me, you know.”
Zeke walked over to her, pulling her into his arms and holding her close. “I’m not. I’m spending time with you. And if you were a client, we would be doing the same thing.”
“But I’m not a client. I’m not paying you.”
“No, but Mont’s maintaining my salary. I’m good.”
“That’s not fair. Don’t you have to work?”
Zeke released her and stepped back. He studied the lines in her face. “What’s going on?”
She shook her head and hugged herself again.
“Talk to me, Nina. Why are you all worked up?”
“I just want this to be over. I want to forget about her and all of them. I want to move on.”
“And you will,” Zeke said. “I know you will. We’re going to keep you safe, and the FBI is going to find her.”
“What if they don’t?” Nina whispered. “What if she finds somewhere to go and just never comes back?”
“Then we move on.”
Nina chewed her lip, clearly not satisfied with the answer.
“Listen,” Zeke said, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the couch, “she’s going to be found. She’ll slip up. At some point in time, it will all be over.”
“It took years for Damon to be caught, even though Frannie saw him murder someone.”
Zeke nodded. “And Gwendolyn manipulated that situation. She made sure the police couldn’t count on Frannie’s statement. If Frannie had been able to tell the truth, it would have been different.”
“Would it, though?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I have to believe in the good of people. We all have darkness in us, but I think we all have light, too. We want good things. The darkness comes out when we believe someone else is unfairly getting what we believe to be ours. That’s not the way life should be, but it’s reality.”
“After everything I’ve been through, I’m not sure I can find the good as easily as you do.”
“Then we find it together.”
Nina’s smile was soft and tentative, like she was debating whether to believe Zeke or not. When she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder, he sighed.
“Good is holding you in my arms. It’s sliding into you at night. It’s listening to you laugh and hearing you shout my name. It’s showers together and lunches and dinner with Mont. It’s putting away the people who want to hurt others and knowing my team is always there to have my back.”
“I don’t have any of that.”
Zeke kissed the top of her head. “Yes, you do, angel. You have me and Mont and Frannie and the Curvy Vigilantes. You might not feel like it right now, but you are loved by so many people.”
“Thank you.”
Zeke held her for a few more minutes, loving the quiet of the morning and the softness of her next to him. He closed his eyes and let his imagination run to the future, Nina laughing at something he said, a baby in her arms, another running around the living room. The vision was so vivid he almost expected it to be real when he opened his eyes again.
“I don’t think I could have handled all of this without you,” Nina said. “I can never repay you for everything you’ve done for me.”
“If there’s ever a psycho who wants to kill me, I’ll let you protect me. How about that?” Zeke teased.
Nina laughed and nodded. “Okay. Sounds good.”
He kissed her slowly, taking his time sweeping his tongue through her mouth. When she moaned softly and leaned against him, Zeke was done. He was gone. He was so in love with her, he wasn’t sure he’d survive when she left.
If she left.
He had to keep telling himself she could want the same thing, but the little voice in the back of his mind said there was no way. She was with him because she was scared. One day, she would feel safe on her own. And when that day came, he would just be her brother’s best friend again.
But until that day, Zeke was going to love her with every piece of himself and not think about what would happen when his happiness was taken from him.
Nearly every week, Monty asked Nina if she wanted to move in with him. And every week, her answer grew more and more certain that she was in the right place at Zeke’s.
She was happy. For years, she didn’t think that was possible. She didn’t dare to dream it could be. But Zeke was perfect. He was kind and attentive and loving and a dream in bed. The level of pleasure he gave her was mind-blowing. The kind of thing she thought was fictional until she experienced it for herself.
A month after the drawings went out to the public, Nina was starting to wonder if Gwendolyn really did leave the area. Packed up and bolted, saving herself from the FBI.
It was hard to believe, but with each passing day and no sign of her, Nina hoped it was true. She hoped she was safe, that Monty and Zeke and Monica and Star and all the others were safe. That they could move on with their lives and not ever think about Gwendolyn Lennox again.
It was a weird feeling for Nina. She wanted Gwendolyn dead. The night she left, she thought about how good it would feel to watch her die. To be the one who did it.
The darkness that feeling brought out scared Nina. It was the darkness Gwendolyn lived in. The darkness she thrived in. Nina never wanted to be like that, but Gwendolyn brought it out in her.
Being with Zeke made that darkness recede. It was like drowning and coming up for air and filling her lungs with it and knowing she was alive again. She was cared for and safe.
And it tore her up.
So many others didn’t have what Nina had. They didn’t have a man like Zeke to love them at night, or to tell them they were strong. They didn’t have a brother out there doing everything possible to bring down Gwendolyn.
Many of them didn’t have their lives at all.
Nina still thought about Monica and Star, but she didn’t ask Monty about them or any of the others. They didn’t trust Nina, and she had to accept that.
“What are you thinking about?” Zeke asked, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her waist. He kissed her neck and nibbled on her ear.
She sighed happily. Her body tingled with awareness, knowing they would end the night in bed, naked and sweaty, like they had every night for the last month. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
He growled and squeezed her tighter. “I’m the lucky one.”
She spun in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. “How are you still single?”
He chuckled. “I didn’t know I was.”
She grinned. “How were you single? The women in this city were so dumb to let you get away.”
“None of them were you.”
She grinned at his words. She knew he didn’t mean them the way she hoped, but she enjoyed them. When there was some kind of proof that Gwendolyn was gone, Nina wouldn’t have to live with him anymore. She could give him his life back. Let him go back to the way things were before.
She should probably do that anyway, but she was selfish. She didn’t deserve the kind of happiness Zeke gave her, but she wanted to hold on to it for a little longer.
He cupped her ass and pulled her tight against his body, his erection already thick between them. “Are you going to let me fuck you again tonight?”
“Yes,” she whispered, already halfway to orgasm with the ridge of his cock pressed against her clit.
“Are you going to come for me right now?” He thrust against her, teasing her.
“I might.”
“I love how wet you get for me. Are you already wet? Are your panties soaked?”
“Yes.”
“Are you going to come fast with my cock against your clit? Imagining my fingers teasing you, my dick inside you.”
“Please, Zeke.”
He kissed her hard, teeth clashing. He moved them, slamming her back against the wall and grinding against her hard. Everything was hard. His kisses were rough, his dick insistent, his hands demanding. He plucked one nipple and lifted the other leg, spreading her wide and rubbing himself against her.
Need welled up inside her, the orgasm rushing through her body. Everything ignited before all the sparks centered between her thighs and she came with a rush that made her dizzy. “Zeke,” she breathed against his lips.
“Fuck, you’re so beautiful when you come.”
“I need you in my mouth,” she said, pulling back and dropping to her knees. Before she could unbutton his jeans, a knock on the door had her swearing.
“He wanted to come for dinner,” Zeke grunted. “Said he hasn’t seen us lately.”
Nina rose to her feet. “Is it horrible of me to have enjoyed that? Not because I didn’t want to see my brother but because I was having fun with you.”
Zeke kissed her hard, pulling back far too soon. “Same, angel. But he won’t be here all night. I’m getting my tongue inside you later. And my dick.”
“You’re a tease.”
“Nope, just making you a promise.” Zeke moved to go around her, squeezing her gently on the backside. “Do you need to go clean up?”
Nina nodded, her heart clenching at his suggestion. He always made sure she felt clean after they had any kind of sex. She’d stopped feeling like it was all gross and loved laying in bed with him and smelling like sex, but she wasn’t sure she should smell like an orgasm for dinner with her brother. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
“No rush, angel. We’re not going anywhere.”
Nina smiled and hurried up the stairs. She heard the two men’s voices and smiled before she closed the bedroom door.
She’d made herself at home in Zeke’s house. The clothes he bought her took up space in his dresser and closet. Her bathroom products lined his sink and shower. Everything he had, he let her use. And everything she had, he gave her.
Nina used the bathroom, then changed into clean panties that weren’t soaked through. She hurried back downstairs and threw her arms around her brother. “Hey, Monty.”
“Hey, sis. How are you?”
Nina shrugged. “Good, I think. Unless you have bad news.”
“No news. Just wanted to see you.”
“Good. I’ve missed too much time with you.”
“I agree. What do you think about going somewhere with me tomorrow?”
“Where do you want to go?”
Monty shrugged. “Don’t know yet. Just want to spend some time with you. Work has been busy the last month, but I took tomorrow off so I could see you. This one’s been monopolizing you.” He hooked his thumb toward Zeke.
Nina grinned, not allowing her gaze to go to the man who gave her an orgasm just a few minutes ago and was definitely worthy of the monopolization. “You know he’d do anything for either of us.”
“I know.” Monty pulled Nina in for a hug. “I just miss you. He’s going to handle some things at the office for the day.”
Nina nodded, trying not to miss Zeke before she was already away from him. She could handle one day. “Sounds good.”
“Ready to eat?” Zeke asked from the kitchen.
Monty let Nina go first and followed her into the kitchen. They all grabbed food and sat on the couch. The men argued about the game they were watching, and Nina just listened, enjoying the sounds that she’d long ago forgotten. Them laughing and arguing and challenging each other. It was so good to be home.
“Are you done?” Zeke asked, drawing her attention back to the moment.
Both men had finished eating, and Monty was heading for the door. “Yeah. I’m good.”
Zeke hesitated and narrowed his eyes at her.
She waved him off, smiling to let him know she really was okay, then followed Monty to the door. “Tomorrow?”
Monty nodded. “Tomorrow. I’ll be here around eight.”
“Can’t wait.”
He hugged her. “Me, too. We’ll have fun.”
Nina nodded and stepped back before Monty opened the door. The usual fear rushed in, but the door closed and she flipped the lock and she trusted that she was safe again.
“He sprung the idea on me when you were upstairs,” Zeke said. “Are you good with it?”
Nina went to where he stood next to the kitchen counter. Gene rubbed his head against Zeke’s hand, making sure Zeke got the right spot behind his ear.
“Of course. I know he’ll protect me, too. One day, maybe I won’t need you guys to put your lives on hold for me. I can leave the house and open the door and do all the things normal people do without worrying.”
Zeke stared at the cat as he spoke. “My life was on hold before you came back. I feel like I’m living now.”
“You know what I mean,” she said, looking down at Franklin as he wound between her ankles.
Zeke looked up at her and nodded once.
“Are you okay with me going with Monty?” Nina asked.
“Of course. I’d never stand between you two. Or you and anything you want to do.”
She smiled. “What if I want to do you?”
He chuckled. “That’s a horrible pickup line.”
“Do I need one?” She tapped her lip with her fingertip. “Let’s see. I could say I’m still wet from the orgasm you gave me earlier. Or I could tell you I want more. Or I could say I put on those lace panties you bought me last week.”
“Fuck me,” he growled.
She threw her hands in the air. “That’s what I’m saying.”
Zeke breathed a laugh. “You are so fucking perfect, Nina.”
“Can we focus on the fucking part?”
“Absolutely.”
Zeke was on her in a second, his arm binding her to him in a bruising hold that made her even wetter than she was a second ago. His teeth nipped at her lips before she had a chance to open for him.
She gasped and held on to him, wrapping her legs around his waist when he started walking toward the stairs. His erection pressed against her body, and she shifted to ride it.
“You need to wait until we get upstairs or I might drop you.”
“Hurry,” she breathed into his ear.
Zeke growled and took the stairs two at a time, slapping his hands against the walls to keep them steady while she held on for the ride. He shoved the door closed and had his hands back on her in seconds. “Let me see those panties, angel.”
He helped her down, holding her hips steady until her feet hit the floor. As soon as they did, he stepped back, his gaze blazing her through her clothes.
Nina’s hands shook as she grabbed her shirt. She lifted it over her head, letting the fabric fall.
He sucked in a breath, one that drew all the air from the room. “Fucking hell, you’re stunning. Keep going.” He dropped his jeans, palming himself through his boxer briefs.
Her thighs shook as she watched him watching her. She hooked her thumbs in the waistband of her sweatpants and drew them down her legs. She stepped away from them, looking at him.
He licked his lips. One hand went to the back of his neck and yanked his tee off. The other slid beneath his boxer briefs and wrapped around his cock, his fist pulling the fabric from him before he shoved it to the floor.
Nina’s core flooded, looking at him and the way he stared at her. Devoured her with his gaze.
“On the bed.”
She reached back to unclasp her bra, but he shook his head.
“Just like that.”
She trembled at the commanding tone of his voice. He hadn’t used it with her before, but she loved it.
Over the last month, he’d taught her what pleasure meant, what a lover truly was. He’d delivered on every fantasy she’d had about vanilla sex. Most people wanted something that toed a line, but after all the things men wanted to do to her, Nina wanted a man who was more worried about her pleasure than his own. And she found that in Zeke.
She laid on the bed, but he shook his head again. “Feet over the edge. I need to taste you.”
Nina repositioned herself, letting her feet dangle over the edge of his bed.
Zeke dropped to his knees next to the mattress and groaned. “You’ve already soaked through the lace.”
Before she could say anything, his mouth was on her, the sensation of his tongue dulled by the fabric. “Zeke.”
He pressed her thighs wider and slid a finger inside her.
“Oh, yes.”
He added a second finger, curling them as he sucked her clit through the lace.
“Zeke!” She came instantly, her body pulsing around his fingers.
He tugged the lace, dragging the fabric over her clit, and she splintered. The rough tug of the fabric and the soft touch of his tongue the perfect combination of pleasure and pain.
“Fuck. Zeke. So good.”
He withdrew his fingers and pressed his tongue inside her, swirling the tip around and licking her clean. He surged to his feet and kissed her hard, letting her taste herself on his tongue.
Nina groaned. He made her so hot. So crazy. A month with him was nowhere near enough. She wasn’t sure any amount of time with him would be enough.
His fingers pushed into her again, immediately followed by his cock.
She broke their kiss on a gasp when he filled her completely. “You feel so fucking good.”
“I’m sorry, angel, but this is going to be quick.”
“Fuck me hard, Zeke. Don’t hold back. Let me have all of you.”
“You already do, angel.” Zeke slammed into her.
Nina cried out. The angle he hit was perfect. So fucking perfect. He grabbed one hand and brought their joined hands to her breast, tugging her bra to the side. His other hand went between her legs, grasping the panties she still wore. He tugged, dragging the fabric over her clit again.
Her body bowed, the pleasure so fierce she couldn’t see straight. “Zeke.”
“Come for me, angel. Let me feel you. Come.”
Nina’s body answered his demand, coiling tight, then releasing an orgasm so powerful her throat hurt and her body felt like it was being torn apart at the seams. She thrashed on the bed and bucked against him and fucked him harder.
“God, fuck, Nina. Shit.” He slammed into her, stilling deep inside as he trembled with his own orgasm. His entire body shook with aftershocks, sending a shiver through her.
“Wow,” she breathed after a minute.
“Always wow.” Zeke leaned down to kiss her hard, sliding from her body when he did. He helped her to her feet and steadied her before following her to the bathroom. He threw away the condom and cleaned up, then brushed his teeth in the sink next to hers.
Nina wondered if they would have had the same chance to be together if she’d never disappeared. What would life had been like?
As she crawled into bed with Zeke’s arms around her, she kept thinking about it. He told her he wanted her years ago, but what would have happened? Would he have stayed with her instead of following Monty to the military? Would he have protected her and cared for her the same way? Would they have children?
A part of her wanted answers, but she knew they would never come. Instead, she had Zeke for the moment. She was safe. And she was cared for.
It had been a long time since she felt that way. Since the early days with Gwendolyn. In the house on the eastern edge of the city. Where they were like sisters. Where Gwendolyn protected her. Where…
Could Gwendolyn be there?
No. Nina dismissed the idea even as she knew it was possible. It had been a decade since they were at that house. Gwendolyn said she sold it. Nina had forgotten about it, but was it possible?