Page 33 of Beautiful Killer

He exhaled roughly then dipped his chin, but he didn’t leave right away. He lingered for several long seconds, like he was waiting to see if I’d change my story, then finally, when it became clear I wouldn’t, he turned and talked out the door, closing it softly behind him.

I stared at the door for a long time after he left, not sure if I wanted him to walk back in or not. Forcing myself out of the shower, I got ready, and headed back downstairs. My humiliation hadn’t lessened one bit, especially when Cage grinned at me when I hit the bottom of the stairs. But I couldn’t skulk around in my room hiding until they left, no matter how appealing the idea was. Thankfully he didn’t comment.

Zeke was nowhere to be seen.

“I’m all done,” Cage said. “Let me show you what you’ve got.”

He explained how everything worked, that my windows and doors now had sensors and if anyone tried to breach them, all holy hell would break loose. A signal would be sent to their command center, whatever that was, and they’d send someone out to make sure I was good. Then he instructed me on how to use my new control panel and gave me the codes. “This is how you change them. I want you to do that after I leave, yeah?”

“Okay.”

“I’ve also placed external cameras at the front and rear of your place.” I listened as he explained everything. “You have any trouble with this system at all, you call me.” He handed me his card. “And sorry if I came on a little strong earlier. I didn’t realize you and Zeke were an item.”

I blinked up at him. “Oh . . . we’re not.”

“No?” His head tilted to the side. “You sure about that?”

I slid my hands into my pockets and glanced at the floor then back up. “Well, ah, not anymore.”

He watched me for a few seconds. “That card I gave you? I’d love you to use it, and not just for a security emergency.”

“Right.”

“No pressure, I’ll leave that up to you. Zeke’s a friend. Don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.”

I frowned. They didn’t exactly seem friendly, especially after the way Zeke had shoved Cage out of the bathroom. Though, I couldn’t say I wasn’t thankful he’d done it.

Cage read my thoughts and burst out laughing. “I sure as fuck would’ve shoved Zeke out of the bathroom if it’d been my name you’d called out.”

My face heated again. I’d blushed so much today I was sure my face would be permanently red.

He chuckled, obviously enjoying my embarrassment, then packed up and left.

Under different circumstances, I might have taken him up on that. He seemed like a great guy. Unfortunately, he wasn’t Zeke.

I winced at those disturbing thoughts.

Crap.