The Long Way Home (Corps Security #6)(76)

I don’t know why, but I open my mouth and begin to talk. Telling him about Ray, Olivia, and Riley without reservation. He lets me speak, focused completely on me and what I have to say with rapt attention. Bess comes back and places our food down, a big-ass steak and potatoes for both of us. And still, I talk. Seems like once the floodgates opened, there was no way I would be able to stop.

“When you go big, you really go all out, don’t you?” He rumbles out a small laugh and takes a big bite of his food. “You need to tell her, you know that … so why haven’t you?”

“Million-dollar question, isn’t it?”

“Not really.” He takes another bite and washes it down with a big pull of his water. “See how she looks at you and it’s just how my mom looks at my dad. She’ll be mad, maybe even big mad, but a woman doesn’t look at you like that and not forgive you. Cheat on her, that’s a different story—but they’re born with forgiving hearts for the people they love. Keep the days ticking by without telling her and it’ll only be harder.”

His words, simple and no-nonsense, hit their mark.

“You’re one hell of a man, my boy,” I softly say, and I feel ten feet tall when I see my praise made him happy.

“Damn right I am.”

We both get busy eating more of our food, swapping out simple conversation back and forth as we get to know each other. My mind continues to wander back to Liv. He’s right, something I already knew and have known for some time now. The longer I let this go, the harder it’ll hurt her, and I just can’t have that.

Fuck me, she’s going to be pissed.





“Nobody” by Keith Sweat ft Athena Cage



I look terrible.

My eye, the whole left eye and the area around it down to my cheekbone are colorful.

The colors of my bruise have started to change into a deep black. It makes it look like I took all the blacks, blues, and purples of my eye makeup and went to town.

To be honest, I look like I ran smack dab into a wall going about sixty. That’s putting it lightly.

With a sigh, I pick up my foundation and pray for a miracle. The way I see it, I might as well get to work on trying to camouflage this hot mess express the best I can. Not because it bothers me but because it bothers Zeke. I don’t want him seeing it and thinking negatively about his brother. It wasn’t intentional. He knows that, but that doesn’t mean the alpha male in him is soothed by that knowledge.

It doesn’t take me long to make some progress in hiding the bruise. Axel’s wife, Izzy, had given me some tips on how to hide it. I didn’t have the heart to ask, but something tells me she had way too much talent and a clear practiced hand at concealing. I also have a feeling that she learned it out of necessity.

I sit back in my chair at the vanity and look at my handiwork.

Well, not too bad.

It’s clearly still there, given that my eye is swollen, but it doesn’t look nearly as bad as it did.

It had been a long day, waiting for Zeke to come back to the hotel after his lunch with Zac. I had gone out with the ladies earlier, but now the only thing left was tidying the room up and packing. Tomorrow was our last day, and I didn’t want to waste what time we had to spend with his family by having to pack.

My phone rings as I place my suitcase on the bed, and I can’t help but smile huge when I see Ella’s name come across the screen.

“Hey, gi—”

“Livi,” Ella cries softly.

“What is it?” I ask, instantly alert at her tone.

“There’s been an … accident.” She pauses, and I swear my whole world falls at my feet while I wait for her to continue. “Riley is fine. We’re at the hospital getting her checked out. Just a little bump on her head.”

“What kind of accident?” I wheeze, eyes shooting up the hotel door when it bursts open and an out-of-breath Zeke comes rushing in. His wild eyes search until he sees me standing next to the bed. He rushes over. “What accident?” I ask again, my voice low and panicked.

“I don’t even know what happened, Liv. We were standing outside of the shop one second, and the next, I had two big bodies on top of Riley and me.” She takes a breath, and thank God, I braced. “Someone was shooting at us, Liv. God, I’m so sorry.”

“You’re okay?” I question, body numb.

“Just a little scratch. Riley hit her head when Hunt and Evan …” She trails off. “They saved us, Liv.”

“Are they okay?”

Zeke nods, and for the first time, I notice the phone pressed against his too pale face.

“Yes. We’re all okay.”

“You promise she’s okay?”

“God, Liv. She’s so brave. She’s fine, just the bump. She’s more worried about her, and I quote, ‘giant’s friends.’”

I close my eyes and drop my head to rest against his strong chest. I can feel the wild beat of his heart.

“I’ll call the airlines now and get the next flight out. You really are okay?”

I can hear it in her voice. She’s not okay. Hell, I’m not okay.

“I will be, Liv. I will be.”

I lift my head to wipe my eyes, seeing the makeup that was left behind on Zeke’s black shirt. I just stare at it.