Page 7 of Faith
“No,” Nina said sharply. “No. Never. You know he’d never hurt me.”
Montgomery inhaled a shaky breath and closed his eyes. “I thought you were dead.”
Nina nodded. “I know.”
“Where the hell have you been?”
His tone was biting, but the care beneath the fear reminded Nina that she didn’t need to be afraid of her brother. “I… It’s a long story.”
“One you’re not ready to share. Are you safe?”
Nina looked at Zeke and smiled. “Yes. I am now.”
“With him.” Montgomery’s words were punctuated with a glare at the man who’d spent as much time at their house as Nina and Montgomery when they were young.
“I didn’t think you’d be here. You were supposed to go into the military,” Nina said.
“I did. But I didn’t stay. I came back to look for you. I searched. Twelve years, Nina. Twelve years. Where the hell have you been?” His face crumpled, the fear and pain he felt erupting from him.
“I’ve been in Niagara Falls,” she whispered.
“What?” Monty barked. His gaze snapped to Zeke’s, then slammed against Nina again. “You’ve been right here. Someone had you. Wouldn’t let you out.”
She nodded, hoping it was enough for now. There were good times with Gwendolyn. Fewer and fewer over the years, but at first, Nina almost felt like she was lucky. She had someone who cared about her. Someone who didn’t have to give up anything for her.
A dozen years brought clarity and clarity brought pain and pain brought acceptance. Nina couldn’t let it continue.
“I can’t…” Monty jumped to his feet and stalked away from her.
Nina stood, watching the lines of tension cross his features. His back bunched up so tight his shoulders rounded. His face looked a decade older than when he’d walked in the door. Everything about him read regret and anger.
“I have to go. I can’t… I’m so happy you’re here. You’re home. I… Please don’t leave again. Never again.” Monty rushed to her and pulled her in tight for a hug. “Promise me you won’t ever leave me again, Nina. I love you.”
Nina smiled and nodded, her throat tight with emotion she hadn’t allowed herself to feel in a very long time. “I love you, big brother.”
Montgomery nodded and held her back from him. He cupped her jaw and stared into her eyes. He closed his, then he turned away from her and walked straight out the door.
Nina waited, wondering if she should go after him. A few seconds later, an engine started up and tires squealed as Montgomery left.
Nina stared after him, lost in her memories until a soft meow and an even softer touch broke through her haze.
She dropped onto the couch, smiling when Franklin jumped up next to her and crawled onto her lap. She rubbed his head, and he nuzzled against her chest.
The snick of a lock met her ears and made her jump. She knew that sound well.
Franklin jumped down as Nina bolted to her feet, panic flooding her system as she looked at Zeke walking back from the front door.
Zeke held up his hands. “I don’t want anyone walking in without an invitation. Montgomery has a key. He can come back any time he wants.”
Nina struggled to ease her panic. She called Zeke because she trusted him. She knew he would never hurt her. He was one of the few reasons she survived as long as she did. The hope she would see him again. Him and her brother. Seeing both of them healed a broken piece of her, but the other broken pieces were much more damaged and would take a lot more to heal.
“This is your show, Nina. Do you want me to unlock the door?”
“No,” she blurted. “No. It’s just…”
“You’re safe here, Nina. Always safe with me. I will never hurt you.”
She nodded, knowing they weren’t just words. It was a promise. And Zeke Donovan didn’t make promises he didn’t keep.
