Page 90 of Beautiful Killer

Her hand went to my shoulder as she walked by, giving me a warm squeeze. “Sure thing,” she said.

She really was lovely. My nose started stinging again. I took a few steadying breaths, and of course when I looked up Zeke was watching me again.

Crap!

We moved to the living room and Zeke’s dad put on a game. The two of them sat there watching it together, not saying much, but still managing to bond all the same.

We ate cake in the living room and chatted some more. I was starting to feel tired. It’d been a long day and my nerves over meeting Zeke’s family had taken it out of me. I did my best to hide it. I didn’t want to be the reason they cut the night short. But Zeke seemed to catch me every time I stifled a yawn.

When the game finished, he stood. “We’re gonna head off, Ma.”

His mother stood, looking disappointed. “Already?”

“It’s been a long day.” He took my hand and I got to my feet.

Nope. He hadn’t missed that I was tired. But then, the man’s observational skills were honed to perfection.

When it came to seeing other things, like reading emotions in other people for example . . . well, let’s just say the same could not be said.

We headed toward the front door, but I stopped in the hall, looking at a lineup of medals mounted and hung on the wall while Zeke’s mom pulled him in for a hug.

“They’re Zeke’s,” his dad said stopping beside me. “He tell you he was a SEAL?”

I nodded.

“One of the deadliest snipers the military has ever seen. He earned every one of those.”

I turned to Ron and saw that his eyes were glistening. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “I don’t doubt it,” I said. “Zeke’s an exceptional man.”

“He is,” his father said.

Zeke’s hand slid back in mine. “Let’s go,” he said. Then to his dad, “See you tomorrow.”

I gave Ron a small smile and followed Zeke out the door.

We were staying at his house just down the street. I was glad about this. I hadn’t been throwing up, but I still felt queasy in the mornings and I never knew when it could sneak up on me. The last thing I wanted was for Zeke’s parents to catch me hurling.

His mother walked us out to the car, then she pulled Zeke into a second hug. “Thank you for coming home,” she said to him.

The muscle in Zeke’s jaw jumped again. “Dad looks pale. What did the doctors say?”

“It wasn’t another heart attack, but he has to take it easy. You know your father, though—getting him to rest is easier said than done.”

Zeke looked down at his mom. “I’ll talk to him before we head back to New York.”

She squeezed his hand. “You’re a good boy.”

Something moved across his eyes, a shadow; God, pain.

“Night, Ma,” he said.

“Night, baby.”

I got another hug as well, then we were in the car and heading down the street. Just a few houses to Zeke’s place.

“I never pegged you for a mama’s boy,” I said, teasing, trying to lighten the mood a little. Zeke seemed so damn tense.

He’d pulled into a short driveway, in front of a cute beach cottage, and turned off the car. “I bought close to my folks for Diane. I was away. I wanted her to have someone close by if she needed something.”