Page 198 of Those Who Are Bound

“No, spaz, I’ve been here all night. Haven’t had a smoke since before this shindig started.” He moved away from her, his expression wary.

“Then…” She started scanning the room.

Jonah looked as well, but he didn’t see anything; of course, he wasn’t sure what she was looking for. Elliot was watching them both, confused.

“There!” Lucy cried out. She was glaring across from her. “Someone’s outside smoking! The nerve! This event is non-smoking!”

Jonah turned at the same time Elliott did. Sure enough, the glow of a cigarette could be seen as someone inhaled. The man was standing at the edge of the patio, near the fire pit.

“Becks.”

Jonah looked at Elliott. But she was already in motion, at first a halting walk, and then she was running. Right before she threw herself at him, the man tossed his cigarette into the fire pit and wrapped her in his arms.

“Who’s that?” Killion asked. His voice sounded protective and defensive; he sounded how Jonah felt.

“Becks,” Jonah repeated. The only person left in her life.

“Elliott Beckman,” Lucy chimed in. “She calls him Becks. She didn’t mention that he was coming, though.”

Jonah watched their interaction on the patio. She’d sounded and looked surprised. She hadn’t known he was coming. But… if this was the man she’d known since she was a child…

“Old boyfriend?” Killion asked.

“No. He’s like an uncle, except they aren’t related. I mean, she’s named after him.ElliottBeckman. He’s a detective.” Lucy sounded impressed.

Killion made a noise, then mumbled, “I don’t hugmyuncle like that.”

“What do you mean?” Lucy asked.

What he meant, Jonah thought, was that the two on the patio were standing together in a pose more intimate than family members. His hand was lower on her hip than appropriate. He was looking at her with morefamiliaritythan an uncle should be, and she was brushing her hand across his forehead like a lover would, like he himself would—like he had—to soothe.

Jonah was confused, wondering if he was reading it wrong. He looked over his shoulder at Killion, who made a face and half shook his head. No, the other man saw it, too.

When Jonah looked back, Elliott was leading the man into the building, pulling him by the hand. She was looking over her shoulder at him, but he was taking stock of the three at the bar. Medium height, probably in his fifties, graying blond hair; handsome man—he’d be called distinguished if his suit wasn’t rumpled and hair disheveled.

When they approached, she started babbling. Yes, babbling. Her face was flushed. She was taken off guard by his appearance, and she was nervous. But she was happy, too. Jonah saw so many emotions ping-ponging in her, he wanted to pull her in and tell her to take a breath.

As she started making introductions, she stood in front of him, blocking Jonah. He wasn’t sure if it was intentional, her putting her back to him as she faced her… uncle, godfather, family friend, whatever he was to her.

“So, Becks,” she said breathlessly, “you’ve heard all about Lucy and how she’s brought life back to ESE, and here she is!”

Becks leaned over the bar and shook her hand. “Nice to finally meet you, Lucy. I have heard a lot about you, and you are just as pretty as Elliott said.”

Jonah glared.

Lucy giggled. “Oh, thank you.”

“And this is Killion. Be nice!” Although she said it laughingly, there was also a warning in her voice.

Becks and Killion gave each other hard, assessing looks. But Becks reached over to shake his hand, although it came with a, “You and me? We’ll be having a ‘get to know you better’ chat.”

“We sure will,” Killion countered, not the least bit cowed.

“Good grief,” Elliott said. “Neither one of you needs to have any issue with the other, so calm down.”

Becks leaned a bit to look at Jonah. “And who are you?”

“Oh!” Elliott said it as though she’d forgotten all about him.

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