Page 100 of Beneath Your Beautiful
I raised my brows. “How do you know that?”
“Good guess. You’re not that tech savvy.”
“And I guess you are.”
“You’d guess right.”
I’d underestimated Zeke. In fact, I barely recognized the guy sitting across from me. If he’d told me any of this a few months ago, I would have shot him down within the first two seconds. But now I was listening to his opinions. What had the world come to? I was declaring my love in coffee shops, considering a move to a waterfront loft so Eden had good light in a building with good security. I’d gone rug shopping with her and hadn’t complained about it. I didn’t slam out of my house when she overheard all the shit that went down in my life. I made peace with Connor even though I was tempted to kick him out, punch him in the face, or stuff his head in the toilet bowl to shut him the fuck up.
The house of cards had fallen, but I was still standing, and Eden was still standing by my side. Despite everything, she loved my fucked-up self and accepted me exactly as I was. I had nothing to hide from her anymore, and I’d never known this kind of freedom. Now, I was listening to Zeke. Unbelievable how much my life had changed.
“Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking. This could be a win for both of us. Louis likes me. I’m sure he’d come around when he figured out I’m serious and I could be an asset to the business. Not saying you’re not good. You’re very good at what you do. But it’s not your jam.”
“Not my jam.”
He gave me one of his shit-eating grins. “Nope. I’m offering to lighten your load. Free you up for something you’re better at.”
“And what’s that?” Jesus. Was I asking his advice now?
“You still have all the skills of a fighter and your name holds currency. Use it.”
Yeah, that’s what I thought. Not happening. I was a one-trick pony.
When are you gonna smarten up and get back to fighting? It’s the only thing you’re good at.
But I promised Zeke I’d think about his offer. While we prepped the bar for opening, I did think about it. I also thought about what he’d said about my fighting skills. I’d never step foot inside the Octagon again, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t teach other people those skills. As I worked next to Zeke, I felt something taking hold—something I hadn’t felt in so long, I almost didn’t recognize it. Hope. Possibility.It’s a new day and a world of possibility. I was starting to believe in this world of possibility.
Throughout the night, my belief grew. Until I got the phone call from Eden that changed everything.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Killian
“These guys are in the house…they said…if the cops come, they’ll kill Con—” Eden broke off on a sob.
Ice froze my spine. I pressed the phone closer to my ear. “Where are you?”
“Locked in the bathroom.”
“I’m on my way.” I ignored the customers and held out my hand to Zeke. “Your phone.”
“My phone?”
I wiggled my fingers. He handed it over, a perplexed look on his face. I didn’t have time to play nice or make explanations. “Baby, it’s going to be okay.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
I pushed past Louis and strode out of the bar. On her end, I heard a pounding on the door and she whimpered. A man’s voice said, “Call the cops, and you’re as good as dead.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
“I’m just using the toilet,” she said, her voice strong. “Who are you and why are you here?”
I climbed into my Jeep and jammed my keys in the ignition, trying to think fast. The bathroom was the worst room to be trapped in. The only window was above the shower. Too high to reach and too small to climb out of.
“Baby, listen to me…don’t say anything. Everything is going to be okay. I’m coming for you. If they get to you first, use everything at your disposal…spray them with deodorant…anything. Put your phone in the cabinet. Turn on the shower and flush the toilet.” What the fuck was I saying? Nothing helpful, that was for damn sure. She did as I asked, and I waited until I heard the water running and the toilet flushing before I called Seamus on Zeke’s phone.
He was a shitty excuse for a father, but he was a good cop. He answered on the second ring, and I wasted no time with greetings. “I need you. At my house. They’ve got Connor and…Eden,” I said, keeping my voice low.
