Page 95 of Beautiful Killer

Zeke’s hands went to his hips. “The baby’s coming, doesn’t matter how I feel.”

His dad was quiet for a beat. “Do you love her?”

I held my breath.

Zeke’s wide chest expanded and he looked at his father. “I’ll give her what she needs, what they both need, that’s all that matters.”

“I know you will, I never doubted that for a minute, but that’s not what I asked you,” Ron said.

A pause. “I care about her.”

“But you don’t love her?”

He let out a rough breath. “I’m not . . . I’m not capable of that kind of love, not anymore.”

I grabbed for the wall, so I didn’t drop to the floor.

“I don’t believe that, son . . .”

“I’ve let enough people down on my life,” Zeke said. “In the worst way, I won’t let Sunny down as well. She and the baby, are my responsibility . . .”

His responsibility.

I felt ill.

“Does she know that’s how you feel?” Ron asked.

“She doesn’t need to know. I’ll provide for our child, I’ll be faithful to her, that’s all that matters.”

Ron shook his head. “You’re wrong.” He took a step closer to Zeke and touched his shoulder. “She deserves more than that and so do you . . .”

I stumbled back, pain so excruciating it robbed me of breath. He didn’t love me. I was nothing but a responsibility, a way of atoning for guilt he carried around over some other transgression. I couldn’t be that for him. I wouldn’t. Zeke walked away from his dad, heading toward the beach, and I spun and raced back up the stairs to the room before Ron saw me.

I paced the bedroom. I guess I finally had my answer. I was going it alone. Nothing new there. Sadness tried to rush forward, but I shoved it back. There was no time for weakness, I had to be strong. I could not falter. I’d allowed a stupid fantasy to take hold and now I was paying for it.

I spun toward my bag, I needed to get the hell out of here. Now.

I didn’t know how long Zeke would be gone, so I tore around quickly packing my things. There was no way I could face him after that, after the nights we’d spent together here. No, it wasn’t his fault he didn’t love me, but I couldn’t spend another minute with him and not fall to pieces. I heard Ron leave and I snatched up my phone, searching cab companies. I ordered one, and quickly dressed.

I rushed downstairs fifteen minutes later, right as the cab pulled up. I reached for the door . . .

“Sunny?”

No. No, no, no.I spun to face Zeke and backed up a step. “I have to go.”

He frowned. “What’s going on?”

I frantically shook my head. “I have to leave. Now.”

His frown got deeper. “Okay. Let me get my stuff and we’ll head out.”

“No, I have to go.”

“What are you . . .”

“I heard,” I rasped. “I heard you and your dad talking.”

He jerked back and a muscle in his jaw jumped. “Let me explain . . .”