Page 85 of Possess

Zeke picked up the frittata and handed it to Allyson. “Ladies first.”

Allyson smiled as she took the plate and dished up a piece before handing it back to Zeke, who handed it to his mother.

With the first bite of the frittata, Allyson closed her eyes in bliss. Then came the Italian sausage egg bake. The slight spiciness of the sausage burst upon her tongue along with the taste of egg and fresh mozzarella cheese.

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” she said.

“Make sure to leave room for dessert,” Violetta said.

“Dessert after breakfast?” That was something new to her.

“Not exactly dessert, but a breakfast pastry that Momma makes sure to bring out after we’ve eaten a healthy breakfast,” Zeke said.

“Normally, we Italians are not big on breakfast, but I learned with my men”—she gestured to Quincy and Zeke—“they needed good food in the morning. And so did my other son.”

“You are a fantastic mother,” Allyson said, and she meant it. Her mother rarely bothered. She’d learned how to get herself a bowl of cereal by the time she was four. Of course, there were times she’d made a mess, but she’d cleaned it up.

Sadness overcame her. How would her life have turned out if she’d had parents as supportive as Zeke’s were? Would she be an inspector? Or doing something else?

Allyson shook her head. She’d learned not to look back at what could have been, but to deal with who she was today. But this day, it was more difficult to put things back in the box. They chatted about different things as they ate.

“Do you have any brother or sisters?” Quincy asked her.

“No. My parents never had another child after me.” Which was a blessing in a way. Her parents hadn’t been interested in raising her. A tremor went through her at the thought of having a brother or sister to deal with. She’d had a hard enough time making sure she was safe without the added responsibility.

“Do your parents live local?” Josie asked.

“They don’t.” Another small favor. After Allyson left home at eighteen, her parents decided to leave Pleasant Valley for the wilds of Montana. Apparently a friend of theirs owned land up there. It was funny that, once they left, she never heard from or saw any of their swinging friends again.

“That’s a shame,” Violetta said. “Do you get to see them often?”

Allyson shifted in her seat. How did she answer that one?

“Momma, no third degree, please,” Zeke said.

“Then how will we get to know her?” Josie said, staring at Allyson.

Zeke opened his mouth, but Allyson squeezed his leg under the table. “It’s okay, Zeke. No, I don’t see them often. They live in Montana.” She saw a gleam in Josie’s eyes and wondered about it.

“More coffee?” Quincy asked.

“Yes, please.” Allyson turned her attention to Violetta. “Tell me about your son, Ben. I understand he’s in the military.”

Violetta took the bait, and Allyson breathed a sigh of relief to have the attention off of her. She’d been a fool to think this would work. Zeke was from a loving, close family, where she had no one. Correction. She had Dani. Allyson suppressed a sigh.

* * * *

Three hours later, Zeke pulled up in front of his home. Allyson had been quiet on the drive. She held a platter of maritozzi in her lap. His mother insisted they take some of the sweet buns filled with whipped cream home with them.

They had a few hours before they were off to their respective Dom/sub meetings. This was the first one for both of them. Zeke liked the idea, because there were times, like now, he didn’t know what to do.

Allyson was so quiet. He could tell she was worried and deeply thoughtful, but when he’d tried to ask her about it, she shut him down. He hadn’t been happy with his sister.

Josie kept prodding Allyson about her childhood, even after their mother told her to stop. He was worried. His family could be a bit overwhelming.

“I’m sorry,” Allyson whispered once they got inside his home and they’d taken off their shoes.

“For what?” He put the treat in the fridge and came back to find Allyson standing with her arms around her middle. Damn.

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