Page 22 of Faith
“Mr. Donovan, I need you to relax.” Frannie stood and approached him. “The women and children who are my guests have been victims of violence and abuse. A man like yourself is intimidating when you’re smiling, but when you’re like this, you will scare them to death. I can’t allow that.”
Zeke looked at the woman in front of him. She wasn’t afraid of him. She had no reason to be. But he knew what she was saying.
Zeke eased his hands, releasing the fists that he held so tight his fingers ached. He swallowed hard, stuffing the emotions back inside as they clawed at his throat to get out. He shook his head, fighting the tension holding him. He drew a breath and let it out slowly.
“Thank you,” Frannie said.
Zeke nodded, not feeling much better but grateful she was going to allow him to stay.
Nina detailed all the houses she remembered going to with Gwendolyn while Lorelei recorded addresses and features of the homes. Nina relayed all the crimes Gwendolyn confessed to, and she corroborated a few things Gwendolyn hadn’t confessed to. Things others had told Nina, or people she knew were a part of the company.
By the time Lorelei finished with all her questions, and Nina had emptied her brain of all things Gwendolyn Lennox, everyone in the room looked worn out. Zeke wanted a drink and a shower and to beat the hell out of something. Preferably Gwendolyn Lennox.
Lorelei left the room first, letting Nina know she would be in touch with more questions and telling her to be safe.
Frannie hugged Nina tightly and whispered something Zeke couldn’t hear. The smile on Nina’s face said it was something good, something that made her feel better.
Zeke still had a hard time believing all of it. That she was right there under their noses for so long. That she was abused the way she was. That she got away. His guilt weighed on him. It had lightened over the years with regret and pain and time lost, but with her back, his guilt was right there again, reminding Zeke he would never be able to make amends for letting her go that night.
Frannie lingered with them, but she stepped away to let the three of them have a moment.
Montgomery pulled Nina into his arms and held her tight. The look on his face was the same as Zeke was feeling. Nina looked relieved. She was safe, and she shared information that would stop Gwendolyn Lennox from hurting anyone else.
“I have to get back to the office,” Montgomery said. “Are you good to hang out there for the day with me?”
Nina glanced at Zeke. “What about Zeke?”
“I’ll ride with you guys.”
“No, I mean, where are you going to be all day?”
Zeke and Montgomery exchanged a glance.
“I’m going to be at the office. I can manage everything while you’re gone,” Zeke told Montgomery. When Mont was on assignments, Zeke took over. He wasn’t sure Montgomery wanted him in charge, but on short notice, there wasn’t much choice.
“You’re leaving? Where are you going?” Nina asked.
Both men looked at her again. Her eyes were wide with panic.
“I’m not leaving. I’m going to be with you,” Montgomery said. “I’m not leaving you again.”
“You’re going to be with me. I thought…” Nina glanced at Zeke.
Montgomery followed her gaze.
Zeke froze.
“I thought I would stay with Zeke. I… Is that an option?”
Montgomery glared at Zeke before swinging his gaze back to his sister. “Whatever you want.”
“Are you sure?”
“You should stay with your brother,” Zeke said. “He wants you to stay with him.”
“And you don’t want me with you,” Nina said.
“No! That’s not it. At all.” Zeke struggled to find the right words. “I didn’t protect you twelve years ago. I let you walkout that door. You should be with Montgomery, not me. Your brother is the one who should be protecting you.”
