Page 67 of Faith
Montgomery’s eyes narrowed, studying Zeke in a way he didn’t like at all.
Zeke resisted the urge to shuffle his feet and get the hell out, knowing that would only make Mont more suspicious. More curious. He stared down his best friend, waiting for the judgement that would come.
“I know you’re mad at me for agreeing.”
Zeke shook his head, but Mont pushed on.
“I am, too. Fuck, I hate all of this. If it was any other witness, I wouldn’t think twice about letting them, if they wanted to. But it’s Nina. I mean, fuck, it’s my baby sister.”
Zeke knew he couldn’t say anything that would make it better. He accepted Nina’s choice, but he didn’t like it. He wanted to tell her no, but Samuel was right. More than Mont, Samuel’s words kept rolling around in Zeke’s head.
“I know you’re feeling the same way I am. I’m sorry. We both love her. We are going to make sure she’s safe.”
Zeke nodded sharply.
“Are you going to come in the morning?”
Zeke exhaled. He’d hoped Montgomery wasn’t going to ask him that. He didn’t want to be there, but he had to be there. He had to make sure she was safe. “Whatever you want me to do.”
“I think we’d both feel better if you were there. The FBI wants us to stay out of sight because they think Gwendolyn knows whowe are, but I said there’s no way in hell we’re sitting it out. We’ll be in a van or some shit, watching the whole thing.”
“Okay,” Zeke said, a thread holding him together.
“Let’s get the hell out of here. Dinner? I can pick something up and bring it over if you’re okay with me invading you two again.”
“You’re always welcome,” Zeke said automatically. It was true. He never wanted Montgomery to feel like he couldn’t join them, or just Zeke once Nina moved out and built her own life. Not that Zeke was ready to think about that.
“Thanks. When you’re ready to head out, we’ll go.”
“I’m ready.”
Montgomery nodded, looking closely at Zeke again, but he didn’t say anything before he turned and went back to his office to get Nina.
Zeke couldn’t stand there and pretend he was okay, so he walked to the door, waiting for them and taking the front as they walked outside and got Nina in the SUV. Montgomery waved and jogged to his vehicle, and Zeke got in his SUV with Nina.
She was quiet as Zeke pulled out of the lot and headed toward home. He wasn’t any more talkative than she was, and the silence between them grew more and more awkward.
“I’m sorry I upset you,” she whispered when they were halfway to his house. “I never wanted to do that.”
Zeke drew a breath. He couldn’t have a rational conversation about her putting herself in danger, especially when he was driving, but it seemed she was ready to talk. “It’s fine.”
“Really? Because you don’t seem like it’s fine.”
“What do you want me to say? That I’m pissed off? That I hate that you’re going to do this? That I am honestly considering locking you up so you can’t go?”
She chuckled softly. “I know you’d never do that.”
Zeke shook his head. “Maybe not, but it’s tempting. I feel like I’m being torn in half. I understand now why that was a medieval torture method. It’s fucking painful when it’s not real.”
She put her hand on his arm, and he jumped. She quickly moved her hand back to her lap. “I’m sorry.”
Zeke sighed and reached for her hand. She let him take it and wind his fingers through hers. “I can’t lose you again, Nina. I won’t survive. She’s going to kill you if she gets the chance. And the FBI can’t stop that. You get that, right?”
Nina didn’t reply, so Zeke looked at her. She was staring out the window and nibbling her bottom lip.
“I’m not trying to scare you, angel. I’m trying to be honest with you. What you agreed to is not safe. Their priority is bringing her in. But if they bring her in after she shoots you in the face, you’re just a casualty. They still get what they want.”
“Is that how you would do it?” she whispered.
