Page 80 of Possess

“That’s what I wondered. Zeke won’t say much. This is hurting him, and I don’t like that my brother is hurt.”

“What?” This was the first she heard of this. She never intended to hurt Zeke in any way. Her gut tightened.

“I see it in his face each Sunday when he explains that you’re not coming. Allyson, I love my brother, but if you’re going to keep locking him out like this, then please break it off.”

“I don’t think that’s your place to ask,” Dani said, standing next to Josie.

Josie looked up. “I don’t want to see my brother in pain.” Josie stood and left.

Dani sat down, and Allyson stared at her friend for a long moment before hiding her face in her hands. “She’s right.”

“No, she’s not.” Dani placed her hands on the table. “Your relationship is growing and changing. Meeting the parents is a big step. I can understand why you’re reluctant. Your parents were lousy role models, true. And yeah, their rep wasn’t the best. People weren’t nearly as accepting then of alternative lifestyles as they might be today. But most people — at least those who are worth knowing — aren’t going to hold you responsible for what your parents may have done.”

Allyson snorted. “I know, Dani. It’s hard to shake the damage they did when I was kid.” While her parents made sure there was food in the house, and Allyson had a roof over her head, that was it. It was like Allyson didn’t exist the rest of the time. “But the last thing I want to do is hurt Zeke.”

“His sister is seeing what she wants to see. Trust me. Zeke would tell you if there’s an issue. Remember, one of the things about a D/s relationship is communication.”

“Yeah.” But would he? Allyson wasn’t so sure. The few times he tried bringing up her childhood, she’d shut him down. Hard.

“Now, tell me more about last weekend. We’ve barely had a chance to talk.”

* * * *

Allyson pulled up to Zeke’s house at eleven on Saturday, still thinking about Josie’s bombshell last week. She hadn’t had the guts to ask Zeke about it. Heck, they’d barely seen each other this past week, between her job and his.

There was another car parked in front, so she parked behind his truck. She wondered who he had visiting him as she rang the doorbell.

Zeke opened the door. His hair was disheveled. “Thank goodness.” He grasped her by the shoulders. “Save me.”

Before she could ask him what he needed saving from, an older woman came bustling up. Her brown hair framed her face, and her dark eyes made Allyson think she could see all the way into one’s soul.

“Ah, you must be, Allyson.” She elbowed Zeke out of the way, then she framed Allyson’s face with surprisingly strong hands. “So pretty.” She kissed both of Allyson’s cheeks.

Allyson blinked, not sure what to do, but she didn’t have to guess who this was. Zeke had his mother’s eyes. “Hello, Mrs. Riggs.”

Zeke’s mother made a tsking sound. “Violetta, dear.” She looked at her son. “Do you always leave your women standing on the threshold?”

He looked up as if praying for patience. “I was about to invite Allyson in when you came running up and pushed me out of the way.”

“Pshaw.” His mother waved her hands in an exasperated gesture. “Come in. Quincy will want to meet you.”

Allyson glanced at Zeke as his mother grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house and toward the family room.

“One moment, please.” Allyson slid off her shoes.

“So polite.” Violetta stared at Zeke.

Allyson fought not to laugh at the contrite look on Zeke’s face. Is this how families acted?

“Come, please.” Violetta pulled her down the hall into the family room with Zeke following. When they entered, an older gentleman stood up, his dark hair tinted with gray and his dark eyes twinkling.

This is how Zeke would look as he aged. Not bad at all. “Mr. Riggs, I’m Allyson.” She held her hand out to him.

“Call me Quincy, my dear.” He took her hand and squeezed it.

“She has such warm manners, not like this one.” She waved her hands at Zeke. “Has he brought any women home to meet us?”

“Maybe because you’d scare them off,” Zeke muttered.

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