Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(32)

Zach touched her arm. “That must have been tough.”

His hand was warm and comforting against her arm, but she couldn’t let herself lean into him. She had to be as strong as she’d been then. “I survived. Just like I’ll survive now.”

Zach nodded, a speculative expression on his face, then he directed his attention to Sam. “OK, buddy. Time for dinner.”

Sam yelled his approval then shot across the room to the table while Zach drained the pasta. He mixed in the sauce, then carried the steaming bowl over and set it next to the Romano cheese.

Without comment, he pulled out Jenna’s chair for her and she slipped into the seat. His mother had definitely taught her son manners.

In the next half an hour, Jenna laughed more than she had in years. Zach told her story after story about strange and unusual happenings on movie sets and location shoots. None of which answered the question of why he would have an elaborate escape plan ready. Should she ask him? Brad had taught her to be careful about questions.

Dampening her aroused curiosity, she pushed her chair out. “First we do the dishes, then it’s time for bed, Sam.”

“Aww, Mom.”

“I mean it.”

He bit his lip. “Where do I sleep?”

“You can sleep with me,” she said, at the same time as Zach chimed in, “Down the hall.”

She was dubious. “I don’t think—”

“There’s a room with bunk beds. If Sam wants—”

“Yes. Can I, Mommy? Please?”

“Clean the dishes and no lip.”

She’d never seen her son more eager. After helping with so much enthusiasm that several puddles had to be mopped, Sam brushed his teeth—with the toothbrush Zach had purchased because he really had thought of everything.

Jenna tucked her son into bed and settled down beside him. She toyed with his hair.

He gazed up at her with not-completely-innocent eyes. She hated that he’d lost some of his childhood because of Brad’s temper…and that he’d lose more innocence once their life changed.

“A story,” he pleaded. “Please.”

She kissed his forehead. At least she could give him the gift of her father. Stories and dreams. She glanced over her shoulder. Zach wasn’t there. She let out a long breath. Searching for inspiration, she noted an outline of an iron bear hanging on the wall. “Once upon a time, in the forest of a magical land, a boy lived with his mother…”

But not with his father.

She’d barely gotten to the bear winning his magical powers from the wicked wizard when Sam began to snore softly in her arms. Quietly, Jenna rose, turned on the hall light, and left the door cracked open.

She glanced around the living room and recognized the outline of Zach’s broad shoulders on the porch that surrounded his cabin.

He sipped from a mug. She hesitated. Maybe she’d be better off just going back to bed. Her head still ached a bit, despite the ibuprofen she’d downed. Not so much because of the accident. Maybe more because of the uncertainty of tomorrow.

She couldn’t stay. Brad would eventually find her. Of that, she had no doubt. She had to cut the last line between them—Zach.

She eased open the outside door. Zach’s back stiffened a bit. She paused. “You want to be alone.”

“Not really,” Zach said. “Sam asleep?”

“It’s been an eventful day. He couldn’t stop talking about your secret room,” she said, her voice full of questions.

Zach shrugged. “Just a computer room with some way-too-expensive toys.” He faced her and leaned back against the wooden railing. “I ran a quick search of the news websites in California. Brad hasn’t reported you or Sam missing. He doesn’t want the publicity.”

“What does that tell you?” Jenna asked.

“That your life is in danger. And you need me. You have since you hid out in my pool house.”

A chill raced up her arms. “You knew I was there.”

“I’m an observant kind of guy,” he said. “I saw the towel and the empty water bottles.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I didn’t know you’d stowed away in the truck, though. You surprised me, and that doesn’t often happen.”

She stared at him as if he were an alien. “Who are you, Zach? Why do you say you can help me disappear? What’s the truth?”

“I play a superhero on the silver screen,” he said. “You pick up a few things here and there.”

She reached out a hand and laid it on Zach’s arm. His muscles tensed under her touch, but she didn’t let go. “You’re…not what I expected, Zach Montgomery. Why get involved?”

“Everyone needs choices.”

His warm, strong hand covered hers. Her breath stuttered at his hooded gaze. She still couldn’t get over the truth that he’d tried to help her when he didn’t even know her. Who did that?

A hero?

A real hero?

Not a fake. Not a man who lived a lie. Not a man like her husband.

Her husband.

He lifted a finger to her cheek and trailed down the softness of her skin. She leaned into his touch.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, his voice dropping low and husky.

“Not like the women you know.”