“Because I see you, and you’re the first person I’ve met who seesme,” I whisper.
Zeke’s beenasleep for an hour. I’ve checked in with Eloise and heard back from my attorney on what it will take to get Derek put behind bars for the violence he showed Zeke.Unfortunately, it’s up to Zeke and the prosecutor for Ricochet County. Since Derek’s attack was targeted and he and Zeke had a relationship, I was told it wasn’t likely the prosecutor would pursue the case without Zeke’s testimony.
My stomach rumbles, and I briefly think about grabbing something from the cafeteria, but quickly shoot the idea down. I’m not leaving Zeke’s side. Not even for a second.
To distract myself until he wakes, I also make calls to increase security at the resort until this is over and finally send Rebecca the update I’d promised.
Me
That motherfucker ruptured his spleen, broke his ribs, and punctured his lung. Zeke’s out of surgery, still sleeping.
Rebecca (Summit)
Was just about to call you. Derek came by to pick Zeke up after his shift. I told him Zeke left earlier, but I didn’t say where he’d gone or with whom.
Me
A security team will be there by the time your shift is over. You will be escorted to and from your car for the foreseeable future.
Rebecca (Summit)
I won’t say no. Derek’s out of his fucking mind.
Me
Hopefully, he won’t be a threat much longer.
I’ve just hitsendwhen my phone vibrates in my hand.
“Hey Luke,” I answer. Tension seeps out of my shoulders at seeing my older brother’s name…but creeps right back in where I hear his voice.
“What the hell are you doing out there, Tal?”
“Eloise called you already?”
I should’ve known.
“No, our attorney did.”
“Oh.Shit. Did she call Mom and Dad?” I ask, suddenly panicked. The problem with loyalty is that it’s not always toyou.Our legal team answers first and foremost to my parents. Then to Lukas, since he’s the oldest.
“No. I told her to let me talk to you first.”
I spend the next fifteen minutes quietly pacing the length of Zeke’s hospital room as I catch Lukas up to speed.
“Goddammit, Talon. You can’t fall for every sob story you hear,” Lukas says on the other end of the line. His harsh response shocks me even more than Eloise’s did.
“We aren’t talking about rescuing a stray cat, Lukas. Zeke is ahuman being, and he was in danger. He still is. Hell, the doctor said if I hadn’t brought him in when I did, Zeke would’vedied,” I point out in a heated whisper, defending my actions.
“Fine. Help him get back on his feet, but this had better not come back on Devereaux Holdings, Talon. You can’t employ our company’s attorney for the personal matters of someone outside our circle. Youknowthat.”
“What happened to your humanity, Luke?” I ask, saddened by my brother’s coldness.
“I still have it, baby brother. But I also have a company to run and a family to look out for, which happens to include you.” Softening his tone, he adds, “Your heart is so good, Talon. And I hate what happened to that guy, but there are a millioncases just like his.” He pauses before asking, “Does he know who you are?”
“He does as of a couple hours ago,” I admit.
“Please,pleaseensure he keeps his mouth shut. I’ll have the attorney draw up an NDA. We do a lot for our employees, Tal, but we can’t give them all this level of support, so it seems unfair to offer it to one.” Luke says.
