Page 31

THIRTY-ONE

SAVANNAH

“I BET IT’S nice having your stuff.” Lydia sits next to me at the island sipping her coffee.

“Super nice.” I don’t mention the computer in front of me isn’t mine. It’s Zeke’s. “It was great to relax yesterday, but I was starting to get antsy.” Especially without Zeke. I’ve gotten so used to having him around, and yesterday gave me a taste of what it’s going to be like once our lives go back to normal and he’s back to being the head of Shadow and traveling all over the place.

It’s going to suck.

I’m going to have to figure out how to keep myself busy in his absence, and today will be a great trial run. At least I won’t be on my own. Christian’s at work too, but Lydia and Maddox are here with me, so I have people to talk to. To keep me from feeling like I’m right back where I started—sitting alone in a house staring at the walls.

“What’s on your docket for the day?” Lydia tucks both feet up into the seat of her stool, hugging her knees to her chest. “Anything exciting?”

“Well…” I take a deep breath, because I’m about to spill a lot. Things I haven’t told anyone. Technically not even Zeke. “The company we work for is planning to open a location close to Nashville and I’d really like to keep looking for options for that.” I press my lips together before adding on the bit I care about most. “Zeke and I will be coming here too, and I’d love to find a place for?—”

The loud chime I’ve mostly gotten used to echoes through the house, indicating someone’s here, and Lydia and I both turn to watch Maddox as he disappears into the main hall. I kinda feel bad that the poor guy’s been relegated to serve as a glorified doorman, but so far he hasn’t seemed to mind. That’s probably another reason Zeke left him. The man’s basically a lethal golden retriever.

I know there’s something else that made Zeke choose Maddox for this job. I haven’t figured out yet, but, based on the flicker of emotion I caught on Zeke’s face yesterday when I was questioning him, I’m probably not going to like it.

And it’s probably going to break my heart.

“Are you fucking kidding me? You’re here too and didn’t bother to freaking call me?”

My eyes widen at the voice that carries into the kitchen. I barely manage to get on my feet before Sadie bursts into view, her expression murderous. “I’m going to kill your boyfriend.”

I open my mouth to explain that Zeke isn’t my boyfriend, but I doubt she’ll be any happier to hear he’s probably more than that, so I settle for a weak, “I’d rather you didn’t.”

Sadie scowls at me. “Fine. I’ll just mess him up a little.” She storms my way, voice loud as she continues ranting. “Do you know how many times I’ve tried calling him to find out what the fuck is going on?” She holds up both hands, fingers splayed. “Ten.”

Jamison comes in behind her, silently shaking his head as he mouths the word, twenty, at me.

“Didn’t Pierce tell you?” I haven’t had my phone since we left Nashville, but I genuinely expected someone to tell Sadie I was fine and staying with Zeke’s friend in Memphis. We might not be on the same page about a lot of things, but I would never leave her to worry like that.

“He told me you were fine.” She fights her coat, wrestling with the zipper. “But it’s not the same as hearing from someone who’s actually here.” Sadie shoots Maddox a glare. “I didn’t realize freaking everyone was here.”

“Not everyone is here.” I know she’s frustrated, but I won’t let her take it out on Maddox. He’s been babysitting me without complaint even though I’m positive he’d rather be out with everyone else doing whatever exciting things they’re doing. “Just Shadow.”

“Zeke still should have called me.” Sadie’s not letting it go. “He knows damn well I would want to hear this shit straight from the horse’s mouth.”

“He’s been a little freaking busy,” I snap. “You know, trying to figure out who in the heck attempted to blow us up.” She can be mad, that’s fine. But she’s not gonna act like Zeke did anything wrong. He didn’t. He’s doing exactly what he’s always promised. He’s keeping me safe. Doing whatever it takes to protect me.

And I’ll do the same for him.

“So if you’re going to be mad at someone”—I stand taller, lifting my chin—“be mad at me.”

Sadie’s expression softens. “I would never be mad at you.” She gives up arguing with her coat and comes to me, hands gripping my shoulders. “I can only imagine how all of this has affected you.” Her dark brows pinch together. “That’s why I’m here. Jamison and I got a room a few minutes from here. We’re sticking around until we figure out what’s going on. I knew you’d need someone in your corner.”

If I was mad before, I’m freaking pissed now. Insinuating Zeke isn’t in my corner is crossing the line. “My corner is just fine, thank you.”

Sadie’s head bobs back like I slapped her. “What does that mean?”

“It means I’m doing just fine, so you and Jamison can go do your Florida thing.” My sister used to be the person I was closest to in the world, but right now it feels like there’s a world between us instead. “Maybe a little space would be good for us.”

I know we need to find new ground, but this isn’t the time or the place. There’s too much happening. Too much changing. Too much I’m looking forward to. Sadie’s only going to try to drag me back to those dark places I fought so hard to escape.

My sister opens her mouth, no doubt ready to tell me how soon I’ll be just like I used to be, but an oddly loud ringing cuts her off and drags every set of eyes in the room to a cell sitting on the table by the back door.

“Shit.” Lydia jumps up and races to grab it. By the time it’s pressed to her ear, her complexion has paled by about three shades. “Do you need immediate help?” She starts to pace as she listens to whoever’s on the other end of the line. One hand comes to rest against her head as she zips from one side of the room to the other, moving faster with each passing second.

Suddenly she stops, her eyes jumping to me before drifting to where Sadie stands beside me. “Send me the address. I’ll have someone there within the hour.” Lydia’s eyes stay on my sister as she disconnects the phone. “I need your help.”

“Zeke is going to lose his shit.” Sadie frowns as we close in on the address the woman Lydia spoke with less than an hour ago gave her. “When he finds out I brought you here?—”

“He won’t be upset.” I know it with absolute certainty. Will he hate that he wasn’t here to go with me? Sure. But he won’t be mad that I’m here to help a woman suffering. He would never try to keep me from helping someone else. Not ever.

Sadie stares at me like she’s never seen me before. Like I’m a complete stranger. “Oh.” Her lips purse, but not before I see the slight wobble of her chin. “Sounds like you know him pretty well.”

“I do.” I can still hear the defensiveness in my voice. I’m not trying to make her feel bad, I’m genuinely not. But I will defend Zeke against anyone. Including her.

“Two minutes,” Maddox updates us as he exits the highway.

Jamison shifts around where he sits in the front passenger seat of the black SUV we loaded into, checking his weapons. Sadie’s hurt gaze lingers on me a second longer before she turns away to do the same, systematically going through each deadly item hidden on her slim frame.

“When we pull up, I go in first.” Jamison is all business as he rattles off the plan I’ve already heard three times. Like he thinks I’m going to suddenly decide I’m the best first wave of offense.

I barely suppress rolling my eyes. After spending so much time with Zeke, I forgot what it’s like dealing with people who don’t know me as well. “Lydia and I will stay here with Maddox until you give us the all-clear,” I finish for him so he knows I’m not incapable of following basic instructions.

Jamison’s brows lift, but he doesn’t say anything about my slightly snarky tone. Just nods and turns back to face the road as we turn onto a side street lined with gorgeous homes.

It’s something so many people don’t realize. There are bad men in every income bracket. Sometimes the more money they have the worse they are. They can pay to shut mouths and change stories. They have the funds to turn allies and close off escape paths.

Little does this guy know he’s about to face someone with just as much money as he’s got.

And a whole hell of a lot more power.

I know Sadie and I are in a not-so-great place, but I’m still filled with pride as we pull to a stop and she unloads right behind her husband, sticking close as they make their way toward the side door the woman we’re coming to rescue indicated would be the best access point.

“There are cameras all over that place.” Lydia leans across me, trying to get a better look at the expansive property. “I hope she’s right about this, or we’re going to have to deal with a bunch of shit.”

“No you’re not.” I smile as Sadie and Jamison move as one, carefully picking their way through the snowy landscape in a path that will make them the least likely to be seen if the woman wasn’t able to turn off all the cameras she hoped she could. “Sadie and Jamison will deal with it.” I turn to Lydia, taking my eyes off my sister for just a second. “And this prick won’t like the way they deal with things.”

Lydia’s eyes come to mine, locking on as they widen.

I think she just had the same thought I did.

Unfortunately, we don’t get the chance to discuss the possibilities that lie between us, because when Jamison barks out Lydia’s name, we both scramble out the door Sadie left open. Maddox is right behind us, scanning our surroundings as I do my best to follow the same path my sister and her husband did.

The side door we were instructed to use leads to a mud room that’s perfectly organized and so clean I’d for sure eat off the floor. A pretty blonde woman with big blue eyes and soft curves stands with my sister. She trembles as big fat tears roll down her cheeks, tracking over the swell of a purple bruise coloring her fair skin. Sadie speaks to her softly while Jamison collects the single bag at her feet.

“Are you okay?” Lydia’s eyes narrow. “Did he hit you again?”

“Let’s get moving.” Jamison hefts the bag off the floor and motions for us to leave. “The longer we stand here, the more likely we’ll have to deal with someone none of us want to deal with.”

“I want to deal with him.” Lydia’s words are laced with venom. “I want to peel his skin off his body one strip at a time and then dip him in a vat of lemon juice.”

Jamison and Maddox both stop and stare at the woman who seemed so sweet and quiet. So gentle and calm.

I just smile, because I’d be happy to help her with that task.

My sister seems impressed, giving Lydia an approving once-over as she passes with the blonde woman still tucked under her arm. “You’re vicious.”

I lean into Lydia’s side as we follow behind Sadie and the woman. “That’s a compliment.”

“I took it as one.” Lydia gives me a little smile. “Believe it or not, it’s not the first time someone’s called me that.”

I’m not super surprised by that. “Have you threatened to peel other men and dip them in lemon juice?”

“Not that specifically.” Lydia purses her lips, eyes lifting to one side as she considers. “I think I threatened to castrate the last guy and feed him his chicken-fried balls.”

We reach the car and Jamison and Maddox stand at each side as all four of us girls pile into the back seat. Once we’re closed in, both men climb in and we pull away. As soon as we reach the highway, the woman slumps against my sister, her relief palpable in the silence of the SUV.

I swallow hard, waiting for the moment to pull me back in time to my own moment of rescue. The seconds tick by, anticipation and dread hovering in the wings, ready to settle around me the second the opportunity presents itself.

But my lungs never constrict. My stomach never lurches. My throat never closes up. The visceral reaction I’ve experienced at almost every reminder of what happened never materializes. All I feel is deep empathy and sadness for what happened to the woman clinging to my sister. It’s just as strong and just as consuming, but for the first time in a year, the pain isn’t my own.

Leaning forward, I tap Maddox on the shoulder. “Can I use your phone?”

Once it’s in my hand, I open the texting app and tap out a message to Zeke.

I helped Sadie and Lydia save a woman from her abuser today.

I chew my lip as I wait, uncertain if he’s even able to respond. Within seconds a little bubble appears and I clutch the phone tighter.

Zeke

How do you feel?

I knew he wouldn’t be upset. Zeke will always support me in anything I need or want to do.

I’m okay. I hate what she went through though.

Another bubble pops up.

Zeke

That part never gets easier.

I press one hand to my stomach, because I realize this is a little of how Zeke felt when I came to him. When Mona and every other woman came to him. He suffers for each one of us. Faces his own pain and ours.

Because Zeke can never leave his behind. Not like I can. It doesn’t belong to him. He carries it for someone else. Someone who couldn’t bear it.

I force in air, fighting through a similar sort of pain. Pain for him. Pain for Kendra. Pain for the woman beside me.

But none of it’s mine.

I’m done carrying that. Forever.