Page 14 of Faith
“I can order some clothes, and we can drive through and pick them up, then go to the office. Then you don’t have to walk around a public place, but we still get to Montgomery.”
She nodded, her breathing steadying. “That’s probably best.”
Zeke pulled up the app on his phone for a big box store and showed her how to add things to the cart. When she was done, he paid for everything and tucked his phone away.
Nina freshened up in the bathroom, then sat on the bed while Zeke took a fast shower, leaving the door cracked in case she needed anything. He dressed in clean clothes, then led the way to his SUV.
“Where do you want to sit? The windows are all bulletproof. The whole vehicle is. But if you don’t want to be seen…”
“That might be best.”
“Sit in the back. Behind me. When we get to the store, you can hide while the bags are put in the trunk.”
“Okay.”
They picked up her new clothes without incident. Zeke drove to the office while Nina searched through the bags and chose an outfit for the day.
“Should I change now or wait until we get there?”
“It’s up to you.”
She wrinkled her nose in the mirror. “I feel like I need to have some armor on before I face him again. I hurt him by calling you.”
“He’ll be okay,” Zeke said, as much for himself as her.
“I’m going to change now. If that’s okay.”
“Of course. I won’t look. Tell me when you’re done.” He adjusted the rearview mirror so it showed him the ceiling of the vehicle and not the woman behind him.
“Okay.”
Zeke ignored the rustle of fabric and stared straight through the windshield. He hardened, swallowing the desire flowing through him at the idea of a naked Nina in his backseat.
He noticed her dress in the trash when he took a shower. The scraps of fabric she’d been in the night before were buried beneath tissues and waste from the last few days. He wanted to burn the garment, make sure she never saw it again.
Zeke turned onto the street where the office was. It was busy, morning traffic flowing through the city and slowing him down. “We’re almost there,” he said, hoping Nina was ready when they arrived.
“I’m dressed,” she replied, the click of her seatbelt a signal he could adjust the rearview mirror again.
He told himself he was checking the position of the mirror, but he was looking at her. She wore a teal top with a light gray jacket over it. A glance back showed jeans on her legs. Slip-on shoes added to the whole look.
“You look amazing,” Zeke said, his voice rough with emotion.
“Thanks. I kind of guessed at the sizes. The shoes are a little big. The jeans are good. My bra and panties are small, but they’ll work for now.”
“We can go back,” Zeke blurted as he pulled into the parking lot for the office. “Right now. Or later. Or I can have stuff delivered.”
She leaned forward and put her hand on his shoulder. “We’ll figure it out later. Right now, we need to go in.” She nodded to the door with the rose on it, Montgomery on the other side.
Zeke nodded once, then cut the engine and climbed out. He opened Nina’s door and positioned himself between her and any possible threats.
Montgomery met them halfway to the door and flanked Nina. Zeke and Mont’s heads swiveled as they hurried her to the door and inside.
“Oh my God,” Berkeley whispered. She was so much more than a business manager for the company. She’d been a sounding board and friend and knew everything about Nina. But they’d never met.
“Hello,” Nina said, smiling at Berkeley.
Zeke looked at Montgomery, waiting. Nina called Zeke, but Nina was Montgomery’s sister. It was his choice what to tell everyone.
