He pauses.
“Whatever happens, I choose you. You know that, right?” he asks, killing my sex high. I’d somehow managed to forget about the shitstorm waiting for us.
“And I choose you, but hopefully it won’t be as bad as we think.”
Chapter 37
Talon
My leg bounces in the backseat the whole ride to my parents’ house. I’d thought about walking to burn off the energy, but the weather is total shit. The flurries from earlier have turned into freezing rain, and I just needed to let someone else deal with delivering us where we need to be.
Zeke’s hand grips mine in support while I mentally dress for battle.
Unfortunately, the mental suit of armor does little to protect me when we enter my parents’ brownstone.
“Mom? Dad? We’re here.”
“Talon, honey, come on in. We’re in the study,” my mom calls from deep inside the house.
I’m clutching Zeke’s hand so hard I’m probably cutting off his circulation, but he says nothing.
I turn the corner first, seeing my dad behind his desk, my mom on the chocolate leather couch already clutching a glass of champagne—which isn’t a good sign—Lukas is in one of the wingback chairs, and Eloise is sitting in the window seat.
“Um, hi,” I say, pulling Zeke through the doorway with me. “Mom, Dad, Lukas, this is Zeke. My boyfriend.” I want to tuck him into my chest and protect him, even from them, but I know he wants to stand on his own. “Zeke, this is my mom, Lorraine, my dad, Harrison, and my brother, Lukas.” I point to each of my family members as I give the introductions.
Zeke lets go of my hand to shake theirs, and my eyes follow him around the room, clocking their reactions.
He stops to give Eloise a hug before moving from my mom to my dad, and I breathe a little easier when my sister engulfs him in her arms and kisses his cheeks.
My father gives a firm, one-pump handshake, and then he approaches Lukas, who gives Zeke a stiff handshake and a nod of his head.
He’s clearly still not on board with this.
Too fucking bad. We’re family, so his job is to help me protect Zeke whether he likes it or not.
“Zeke, it’s nice to meet you,” my mom says. “I wish it were simply dinner where we could celebrate the happiness you’ve brought our son, but it appears we have to jump straight into business.”
“Just so everyone knows,” Zeke starts beside me, “I’m not upset about the article.”
“That’s because you have no idea what’s about to happen, son.” My dad’s words are harsh, but not unkind.
Zeke flashes a concerned look at me. This time, Idotuck him into my side and whisper into his ear.
“No matter what, I choose you. Just remember that.”
“The articles are already spinning out of control,” Dad continues. “The most recent headlines are, ‘Is New York’s Favorite Billionaire Bachelor being Bamboozled?’‘Are those hearts or dollar-signs in Devereaux’s Young Lover’s eyes?’ and ‘A Cross-Class Affair: What We Know About Zeke Hastings and Christian Devereaux’s Whirlwind Romance.’”
Zeke stiffens next to me.
I’m sure reporters are already connecting the dots, trying to figure out where he’s from and what his story is. He hasn’t even shared much of his story withme. I can’t let them blast it all over the fucking internet.
“How do I shut this down? Zeke doesn’t deserve to have his name and his face posted everywhere because of me,” I lament to my family.
“I’m not sure we can stop it at this point,” my mom says sadly before adding, “I hate to put this kind of pressure on you, but if you two are planning on staying together long term, then we need to know if there’s anything we should address.” Looking directly at Zeke, she asks, “Is there anything from your past we need to be aware of? Misdemeanors, felonies, affairs, etc.?”
Zeke sways beside me, his breathing labored.
“Hey, it’s going to be all right. Come sit down with me.”
