he loved me. I knew it down to my soul. And Zane had one thing right. I was allowing insecurities to fuel my panic. Which was dumb, because I knew Gabe would never kick me out and tell me to leave.
“You’re wrong.”
“Evette—”
“You are good at touchy-feely advice. That is, if touchy-feely includes insults. But what you said is right. Gabe and I will get through this. But it won’t just be the two of us.”
“No, it won’t. We’ll all have your backs.”
“Thank you.”
Zane jerked his chin and smiled.
His smile was not one of glee, thus I braced for the sarcasm I knew was coming.
“Now that we got that settled, take a damn shower, woman. It’s been two days and you’re still wearing my tee.”
I looked down at Zane’s way-too-big-for-me t-shirt and flinched. It wasn’t filthy but it wasn’t clean. What it was, was some sort of weird security blanket that had held me together since he’d grabbed it from his bag after he’d loaded Gabe into the SUV at the cabin.
Since I’d put it on, I’d clung to it. After feeling alone and vulnerable with only my bra on in the dark woods with an unconscious Gabe, Zane's t-shirt had made me feel safe. He’d found us. He’d gotten Gabe help.
“Fine. But I’m keeping the shirt,” I sassed.
I thought Zane would snicker at my stupidity but instead, he gave me an infinitely gentle look and closed his eyes.
“It’s all yours, darlin’.”
“I never thanked you—”
“There’s no need.”
And I believed that, too. Under all the weight he carried, Zane cared deeply. Maybe too much. He hid so much kindness inside of him I now understood why he acted like such a jerk.
“I see you,” I whispered.
“Come again?”
“You’ll deny it, but I see you. The man behind the mask. The one you keep behind the wall guarded by growling, biting rottweilers. I see the man you are. He’s not a monster. He’s a born hero. And just so you know, Gabe sees it, too. I would bet everyone around you knows who you really are.”
“Eve—”
“Shut up, Z, and leave so I can take a shower before my parents show up and I freak them out with how badly I smell.”
“Well, I didn’t want to point that out. But you do kinda stink. Like marsh water and rotten onions.”
I couldn’t stop my smile if I tried. Zane was an asshole and he worked hard at it.
“There she is,” Zane muttered. “Brave and beautiful. Gabe’s a lucky man.”
And with that, Zane left Gabe’s room.
I took a moment to check on my man and gently kiss his chapped lips. Then I took a much-needed shower in preparation for my parents’ arrival. Something I’d been putting out of my head so I didn’t panic about that, too.
Anaya had called them yesterday and filled them in. They immediately booked a flight to Virginia. Their arrival was imminent. And before I faced them I needed to wash off the stench of fear, sweat, and blood.
Chapter 29
“Mom. Dad. This is Gabe.” I introduced them.
My dad tightened his arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer.
Some might think it was strange I was introducing my parents to the man I loved while he was unconscious in a hospital bed but I didn’t. I wanted them to get to know Gabe even if it was through his friends while Gabe slept.
I heard my mom clear her throat and sniff a few times before she humored me and played along.
“Gabe. A good strong name,” my mom started. “I’m Jenny London and it is a pleasure to meet you.”
My dad did not play along. Instead, he immediately started drilling Zane.
“You’re positive my daughter isn’t in danger.”
“I’m positive, Mr. London.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Why don’t we step outside and take a walk?”
My father all but shoved me behind him. Zane didn’t miss this—not that he missed much—but my dad wasn’t hiding the fact he was protective. Which also reminded me; I was gonna catch his ire that I hadn’t called him when I first got myself into this mess.
Damn.
“Joe,” my mom called. “Go take a walk with Mr. Lewis.”
My dad didn’t move so I did. I stepped in front of him and put my hand on his bicep. Once his gaze came to mine I smiled.
“Everything’s fine. Go talk to Zane. He’ll answer all your questions.”
“After this, I want you coming home with your mother and me. We’ll make arrangements for your apartment to be packed up and shipped back to Milwaukee.”