Page 65 of Zeke

I make two cups of coffee and fix Kira’s the way I know she likes, a result of bringing her coffee or having it at the bakery with her enough times. She likes it extra sweet with a splash of cream. I like my coffee black and unsweetened. She’s made fun of me for it enough times that I’ve tried it with cream and sugar, but I can’t get past how heavy it tastes that way.

Once the cups are ready and my mess is cleaned up from the counter, I go upstairs, hoping I haven’t taken so long that Kira has fallen back asleep. I have a lot of plans for us today, all of which involve us naked.

Which is why I’m surprised when I return to my room, open the door, and find Kira not only out of bed, but pulling on a pair of jeans over clean underwear. She looks up as I walk in and she smiles, but I don’t return the expression.

“What are you doing?”

She gives me a look like I’m crazy and says, “Getting ready for work.”

“What?” I must have heard her wrong. Does she actually think she’s leaving the house?

“Zeke, come on. I can’t not go to work.”

“You can definitely not go to work,” I tell her. “Some crazy asshole is stalking you. You’re safe here. Why the hell would you risk that by going to work?”

She continues to give me a look like I’ve lost it, but there’s impatience there, too. God, how could I forget she has this fiery side?

“Zeke,” she says patiently but with a bite to the word. “I’m not going to stop my whole life because one psycho decided to make me feel unsafe in my home. What’s he going to do, burst into the bakery in broad daylight with me, Julia, and my dad there and take me away?”

“Maybe,” I reply, though I know how crazy it must sound to her. She was never chased down by a meth-head in an eighteen-wheeler, though, so I could see why we might have different concepts of what is or isn’t possible.

“Look,” she says, no longer patient with me. “I’m going to work unless you plan on stopping me by force. I really hope you don’t make that mistake so soon after our relationship begins.”

I open my mouth to argue, but I don’t want to ruin things, so I close it again. Goddamn it, why am I such a chicken shit? I should be able to tell her to stay put while we figure this out.

But I chose a girl who has fire. How could I not want a girl who can stand up for herself and doesn’t take shit from anyone—especially men—when my sister is Eden, Big Red, president of the Ruthless Kings La Grange chapter, and first female MC president ever? I’m a strong, assertive guy, but I love women who can go toe to toe with me. Right now, Kira gives me that in spades.

“What do you expect me to do?” I ask instead of arguing. “Just leave you to it and hope you’re okay?”

“If you’re that worried,” she says, “you can park your ass at the bakery. No one will throw you out or give you a hard time for being there. But I’m going, with or without you.”

I sigh and realize there’s no point in arguing. So, I pull on my clothes and follow her out to take her to work.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO

Eli

Ibarely slept all night, trying my best to get the idea of me and Kira ever being anything out of my head. When she left with Zeke last night, I knew the fight was over and I’d lost. I hope he’ll treat her right since it’s out of my hands now.

Hearing her screaming his name several times through the night doesn’t help, and wish I was dead.

By the time the sun comes up, I’m ragged and tired, but I’ve gotten to a place where I can accept my loss and rebuild my relationship with my brother.

I crawl out of bed, Bastard at my heels, and go downstairs, where I run into Country and Julia sitting at the table, looking almost as tired as I feel. They jump when I walk in, as though I’m interrupting something.

“Morning,” I slowly say to them in a slightly suspicious voice. “You guys sleep okay?”

They avert their eyes, but Country speaks up. “Better than most nights lately. You?”

“Worse,” I admit as Bastard runs up and demands pets from Julia and Country. They give in quickly, and a wave of exhaustion hits me again. “Any chance I could get one of you to take him out for me? I need more sleep.”

“I can,” Country says, standing up and moving toward the door. “Come on, boy. Let’s go, Tardy.”

I wince at the nickname. I’ll never forgive Eden for coming up with the worst nickname in history and giving it to the club dog so I have to hear it whenever anyone talks to or about him.

“Thanks,” I say. He goes out the door, and I turn to Julia. “You doing okay?”

“Fine,” she says shortly. I can tell she isn’t up for talking. I can’t say I want to either, so I don’t press.

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