Page 37 of Faith
“How about the beach?” Zeke asked before he could stop himself.
“Beach?” Nina asked, turning delighted eyes to him.
Zeke nodded. “There’s one at the end of the street. If you’re up for it.”
Nina’s eyes brightened even more. “Yes. I haven’t been to a beach in forever.”
“Let’s go,” Montgomery said.
Nina hurried ahead of them when she saw the sand at the bottom of the stairs. Montgomery raced to keep up with her, and Zeke realized the error of his suggestion.
They were exposed. Anyone on a boat would have a clear shot at them. And being at the bottom of the stairs meant someone could get the high ground on them.
Zeke watched behind them as they moved closer to the sand. His anxiety and anticipation ramped up, all thoughts focused on keeping Nina safe at all costs.
Montgomery’s head swung side-to-side as he followed Nina out onto the sand. But Nina was oblivious to it all. She threw her arms up, letting the warm breeze dance over her skin andlift the edges of her loose top, exposing a far-too-tantalizing strip of creamy skin that Zeke wanted to taste. She spun in a circle, laughing like she’d never been so happy in her life, and regret punched Zeke in the gut.
She should have had this all along.
Zeke stared at her and fell more in love with her every second she enjoyed something so simple as fresh air on her face. Her laughter tugged at a part of him that was so lost and forgotten he felt tears fill his eyes.
She was back. She was okay. She was beaten and broken and would never be the same, but she was alive. She was strong. So much stronger than he’d ever given her credit for. She would find her way forward.
And Zeke was honored to be there for it.
Gwendolyn Lennox snarledat the video on her phone. Nina was alive. She was happy. The bitch got away and had the fucking nerve to act like everything was fine.
Gwendolyn threw the phone across the room and watched it smash against the wall. The screen flickered, then went dark, the view of Nina disappearing.
“What do you want us to do?” Fernando asked.
Gwendolyn looked at the man she trusted as much as any other. It was a risk to trust him, but she had no choice. Nina took more from her than the fucking agent who survived. “I don’t know.”
Fernando’s look of surprise was quickly erased, but Gwendolyn saw it cross his face.
“You don’t agree?”
Fernando shook his head. “I’m not used to you not knowing.”
Gwendolyn stared at the broken phone. It had been years since she debated her actions. Since the last time she lived in the house where she was currently staying. The only house the FBI didn’t raid after Nina’s escape and confession.
She told them everything. The houses where they would stay. The women Gwendolyn had in her possession. The way they would move product around and who was involved that shouldn’t have been, according to the law.
Two nights and two raids on the company. First the agent, then her sister. Gwendolyn’s organization was crumbling around her, and it was all because of Nina Rose.
Death was too good for the sister who betrayed Gwendolyn. Especially death by one of her people. This was personal. And Gwendolyn didn’t hand off personal tasks.
“She needs to die,” Fernando said.
“I know,” Gwendolyn snapped. “But I want to see the life fade from her eyes. After I take what matters most to her.”
Fernando’s grin was one of approval. But Gwendolyn didn’t need approval. She’d fought her way to the top, taking what she wanted on her way up.
Being back where she started was a stark reminder of what she’d done to get to the top. Gwendolyn didn’t like hiding out. She wasn’t ashamed. She wouldn’t hide for long. Revenge would be hers.
No one ever thought she was good enough.Weakanduselesswere the words thrown at her as a teenager. But she proved her father wrong when she drew a knife across his throat.
After telling him his chosen heir was dead. By her hand.
