Reckoning (Wolfes of Manhattan 5)

Fonda. Terrence. Both were involved somehow.

But how?

38

Zee

“Baby. Oh my God!”

I jerked out of sleep and opened my eyes.

A figure loomed above me. A voice. I’m dreaming. I must be dreaming.

“Zee, baby. It’s me.”

I reached toward the mirage, expecting to feel only air.

Instead, my fingers met a stubbly cheek. I traced the nose, the jawline. The image was still a blur, but…

“Reid?”

“Oh, baby. Thank God you’re okay. We’re going to get you out of here.” He grabbed my shoulders and pulled me against his hard body. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“For what?” I choked out.

“That I didn’t protect you. Whatever they’ve done to you, they’ll pay. I promise you. They’ll wish they’d never been born.”

“But…”

He squeezed me so hard, I nearly lost my breath.

“Reid…”

“Yeah? What is it, baby?”

“They… They didn’t hurt me. I mean, other than taking me against my will.”

He pulled back a little and whispered in my ear. “You’re okay? You’re really okay?”

I nodded against his cheek.

“Still, they’ll pay. They took you from me. How?”

“I…don’t actually remember.”

He pulled back farther so our gazes met. “They drugged you.”

“Yes. But that was the only time. They haven’t drugged me since I got here. And they’ve fed me. Gave me a warm bed, some clothes, a bathroom.”

He shook his head. “And this all seems okay to you?”

Did it? None of it was okay, but it had been a heck of a lot better than the previous time I’d been taken against my will. No one had hurt me this time. No one had forced me to run for my life.

“Not okay,” I said. “Just… Well, lots better than the last time.”

He pulled me against him once more, kissing the side of my neck. “My Zee. My baby. You deserve so much more than to think this is okay because they haven’t hurt you. This is not okay, and whoever is responsible will pay.”

“Diamond…”

“Yes. I promise Diamond will pay.”

“No.” I shook my head against his shoulder. “She took care of me. She’s been nice to me.”

He pulled back, met my gaze. “She has?”

“Yes. Please don’t hurt her.”

“Then she’ll be well taken care of,” he said.

Then his lips were on mine, and everything around us stopped. Time suspended itself as Reid kissed me. I eagerly returned the kiss. I love you! my heart sang.

I had to tell him. Had to tell him my true feelings. He was here. Here rescuing me, just like Diamond said he would.

I had to tell him. Had to…

But the kiss mesmerized me. Took me away, to a place I’d only visited in my dreams. Those few dreams that weren’t nightmares.

I melted into him as he deepened the kiss. Where was I? I still didn’t know, and for the first time, I didn’t care.

Only Reid existed. Reid and me, in this perfect bubble of sweet arousal. Our lips slid together, our tongues tangled, and lust radiated through me.

Nothing mattered. Nothing except Reid and this moment.

Too soon, he pulled back when someone entered the room. “What?” he yelled.

“Reid, she’s okay. We need to—”

Reid moved gently away from me, and then stood, all gentleness gone from his demeanor. He was now a tropical storm. “Get the fuck out of here, Rock.”

“Look, I know you’re glad to see her—”

“Glad to see her? That doesn’t even begin to define how I’m feeling.”

“Dude, I know. I know the feeling. But we have to deal with this woman. With our newfound brother.”

Newfound brother? What were they talking about?

I didn’t know. Didn’t care. I just wanted Reid’s lips back on mine. His body inside mine. His soul entangled with mine.

His love. I wanted his love.

But even if he could never give me his love, I wanted to give him mine.

Now. Right now.

“Reid?” I said.

He turned away from Rock and met my gaze. “Yeah, Zee?”

I inhaled deeply. “I love you. I love you, Reid.”

His lips parted, and his eyes… They widened slightly. Was he surprised? How could he be? Who in her right mind wouldn’t love him?

That suspension of time during the kiss? I wanted it to resume. Really. He didn’t answer. Just stared into me with those beautiful blue eyes.

Say something!

“Baby?” he finally said.

Did he expect me to repeat it? If he wasn’t going to return my sentiment, no way was I saying it again.

“You love me?”

I nodded. I still was determined not to repeat the words. Never, unless he could say them to me.

“How? After all my father did to you? How could you love me?”

Really? This was where he was going?

How should I respond? I weighed my options. Finally I decided on, “You’re not your father, Reid.”

He smiled then. “No, I’m not.”

Still no return of the words. I pressed my lips together. I knew this was a possibility going in. I was okay. I wanted him to know how I felt, even if he could never feel the same way. It was okay. I was okay.