Accepting His Home

by Ember Davis

  Beckett nodded and then his face turned serious, “I think Amelia’s right about Zeke and the way his past holds him captive. It’s like he’s trying to atone for something. I have no idea what and I hope someday he lets someone in.” He ran his fingers through his hair, “You know I found him on the street, right?” I nodded because Zeke isn’t ashamed of that part of his life, but he never talks about the first 18 years of his life. “He was in bad shape so I just tried to be there for him in ways I thought that I could. I knew I couldn’t force him.”

  Beckett shakes his head like he’s shaking away a memory and looks down at the floor. “His last day on the streets, fuck Liv, he looked like complete shit. I just knew in my bones that if I didn’t do something that day then the next time I went looking for him that I’d find out he was dead; if I could even find out that much. I couldn’t let that happen.”

  I felt my eyes fill with tears and I gasped at the pain Zeke had to have been in. Beckett gave me a sad smile, “Just give him some time. It must be so fucking hard to hear that and I’m sorry that I have to say it because I don’t want you to hurt either.”

  I whispered, “I can give him some more time.”

  Beckett grinned and nodded, “Good.” His eyes drifted toward the hallway where Amelia was already curled in their bed. “I don’t know what I would have done if Amelia wouldn’t have given me a second chance. Five days was hell, I couldn’t imagine a month and two years sounds like torture. Still, it’s worth it, Liv. I promise you.”

  Even though I felt a pang of hurt, I felt more hope than anything else. I grabbed onto of that. I smiled at Beckett, “I’m so glad you found Amelia. She’s so fucking amazing and it’s wonderful seeing you so happy.”

  Beckett smiled at me and kissed my forehead, but it was far from sexual and I let comfort fill me knowing that no matter what I had the best family. “Thanks Sis.” He winked at me and I chuckled. “I love you, Liv. You’ll get your happily ever after, I just know it. Until then, let us help you from time to time.”

  I smiled and nodded before Beckett stood up and hurried down the hallway and back to Amelia. I slept better that night than I had in a long time. I’m pretty sure I heard Amelia moan Beckett’s name right before I fell asleep. I ignored it because yeah, it is kind of like knowing about your parent’s sex life.

  Girl’s night put some things into perspective for me. It made me consider that I haven’t really been standing behind Zeke no matter what. I had been allowing my feelings of romantic love for him to be more important than my feelings of friendship toward him. He wasn’t ready to be with me, that doesn’t mean we aren’t supposed to be together.

  I pulled Duncan aside a few days later when he dropped Amelia off at the shop. Thankfully, Zeke was in the middle of working on a client and I was up at the reception desk waiting for Amelia so we could make a coffee run. That was something she could do that helped her feel independent and was still a fairly safe environment; especially with one of Higgins Security guys with us.

  Duncan was really understanding about me telling him that I thought he was a cool guy, but I didn’t think we’d be right for each other. He gave me a knowing smile and told me he was disappointed but not surprised. Since then we’ve become friends and the Higgins Security guys have folded into our family nicely, like they were always meant to be in it.

  CHAPTER 9

  OLIVIA

  Amelia and Beckett have missed Friday night beer night for the last three weeks. That’s been a drag, but we’ve had a girl’s night as Beckett’s place a few times since that first one. If I’m honest, I kinda like those nights more than nights at the bar. The only problem is that the guys aren’t there. Which would defeat the purpose of girl’s night. So, yeah.

  It’s been stressful the last four weeks as we have been keeping an eye out for Amelia’s ex. I know I’m not as prepared to deal with a threat as the guys are, considering their muscles. Since Walsh used to do MMA fighting while he was an apprentice, he showed me some self-defense moves, just in case. That made me feel a little better, but I’ve still been looking over my shoulder. We all have.

  When Amelia texted the group yesterday and let everyone know that she and Beckett would be at the bar tonight I was a little surprised. I don’t want her to be in danger. I also know that she doesn’t want to live in fear anymore. She wants to keep traditions going with our family and Friday night beers is a big one.

  I made sure to get to the shop a little earlier than usual this morning. I wanted to talk to Beckett to get the inside scoop. I found him in the back room drawing in his sketchbook. The worry on his face was evident even as his pencil glided across the page. When he looked up and saw me, he smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

  “Good morning Banks!”

  Beckett’s shoulders sagged, “It’s okay Liv, I’m worried too.”

  I dropped down onto the couch next to him and tucked my legs underneath me. I gave him a sly smile, “Couldn’t bribe her to stay home this time, huh?”

  He cut his eyes at me and tried to hide his grin, “What do you know about my bribes?”

  I laughed, “Not much more than them involving your toy chest.” I scrunched up my nose, “Which is plenty for me to know, thank you very much.”

  Beckett laughed and I internally sighed, glad I could make him even just a little bit lighter. He shook his head and grinned, “Yeah, she wasn’t budging this time.” He flexed his arm, “Pulled out the big guns too.”

  I rolled my eyes, “Wow, got Dad jokes already?”

  Beckett’s brow furrowed and he whispered, “If only.” He pinned me with a serious look, “I just want her to be safe, Liv. I feel like going out tonight is a huge mistake, but she’s done hiding. I know she’s happy with me but this whole thing with her ex has taken a toll on her too.”

  I squeezed his shoulder, “I know. She shouldn’t have to hide. I know she wants to stop looking over her shoulder and she wants all of us to be able to stop too.”

  Beckett ran a hand over his face, “I just want this to be done.” He heaved a big sigh, “I think she’s trying to draw him out by going out tonight, especially considering he took that picture of us a month ago at our bar. That scares the shit out of me.” His voice small, “I can’t lose her.”

  “I know, Banks. I know. Maybe it will draw him out and that’ll give Higgins and his guys the opportunity to take him down. Then everyone can move on and everyone can go back to normal.”

  Beckett grimaced and then shook his body like he was trying to shake off all the things that could happen to Amelia. He nodded but I could still see the fear and worry etched into his features.

  He cut his eyes to me, “I hope one thing doesn’t go back to normal.” My eyebrows shot up in question and he shrugged. “It seems like things have been going better between you and Zeke.”

  I raised one shoulder, “Things aren’t worse. I’m figuring out how to be his friend without my heart being hurt because we aren’t more. He’s giving me space to do that. I think we’ve come to a truce of sorts, but I’m still not sure how to move forward. I’m trying to just give it time.”

  Beckett tweaked my nose, “I think that’s the best thing to do right now. I’m sure it’s not easy.” He shifted in his seat, “You’re pretty amazing Liv. You’re so strong and I don’t think you even realize how much.” His gaze met mine, “I think Zeke will appreciate it and will eventually be able to show you that appreciation.”

  It wasn’t long before everyone else filtered into the shop and we started working. It was a nice distraction, but you could feel the tension in the shop most of the day. Andrea cut it as much of it as she could by playing DJ all day where she went from 90’s pop and alternative to horrible one hit wonders to early 00’s hits to Motown and Do Wop.

  Blake sent a group text out to the family in the afternoon letting everyone know that he and Ryder would be in the bar keeping an eye on everything, Duncan would be shadowing Amelia and Grayson would be at our table a
s Amelia’s immediate point of contact. We aren’t to acknowledge anyone but Grayson as knowing us. While her ex may know who they are and see through it, it was safer to have people stationed throughout the bar. He also reminded us to be observant and watch out for each other, but to also treat it like a normal night.

  Yeah, easier said than done.

  My last client of the day just walked out of the shop and I notice that Beckett is wiping down his client. Troy has his head bent over his client working on a sick American traditional style lighthouse. Zeke finished up half an hour ago and is just hanging out at his station drawing in his sketchbook. I pull mine out and start on drawing a concept from a client consultation earlier in the day.

  I glance up and see Beckett break out into a huge grin as his client goes to check out the ink; I look to the doorway to the reception area at the same time Troy does. Amelia’s head is just disappearing from the doorway.

  Troy yells out, “Hey! None for me, Doll?”

  Amelia flips him the bird and giggles which sets everyone off laughing. It’s fucking nice. Duncan is standing in the doorway surveying the stations and shoots me a smile when he makes eye contact. I smile back, thankful that I didn’t go on a date with him because he doesn’t make butterflies take flight in my stomach.

  Beckett snaps a pic of his client’s tat and then he wraps it up, giving him aftercare instructions that we could all recite in our sleep. He hustles into the reception area ahead of his client and I can’t help but chuckle. Zeke catches my eye and gives me a grin. Thankfully, in the last month I’ve gotten more of them and they don’t make me stop breathing anymore. Well, at least not for as long.

  Duncan heads toward the bathroom but stops by Zeke’s station. He nods toward me and in his low timbre asks, “You got your girl tonight, right?”

  I watch Zeke out of the corner of my eye, trying to pretend like I’m paying attention to my sketchpad and not them. It makes my heart soar when Zeke’s eyes don’t widen in shock and he doesn’t freeze up by Duncan’s use of ‘your girl’ when talking about me. Zeke gives a curt nod and I bite my lip to hide my smile.

  Before Duncan can move on toward the back, Beckett shouts out, “Amelia!” There’s a sharp edge to his voice that I’ve never heard before and Duncan is off to the front before the next heartbeat.

  I stand up because I want to help, but Zeke’s gruff voice stops me. “No, Liv. You’re not going out there. Just wait.”

  I nod and I see his fear, worry and his care for me when I meet his eyes. It takes my breath away for a moment. I hear the shop door chime and a few moments later Amelia walks quickly through the doorway and heads toward the back. Her face is a mask of terror and she doesn’t make eye contact with Troy, Zeke or me. Her fear is like a physical thing that pulses around us.

  I wring my hands together and Zeke’s eyes dart between the backroom that Amelia slipped inside and me like he’s not sure what he’s more concerned about. Beckett comes through a moment later. He takes in the worried expression on Troy’s face and points to the client on his table.

  Zeke heaves a relieved breath when Beckett heads right to the backroom. Dex comes out of the bathroom and before he can say anything, Beckett cuts him off with a sharp shake of his head. Beckett closes the door behind him when he heads into the backroom.

  I’m sure Beckett is going to try and talk Amelia out of going to the bar tonight and part of me hopes he succeeds. I don’t know what just happened to make Amelia look so terrified, but I have no doubt it has to do with her ex. I want to feel like I’m doing something to help so I pull out of my phone and look at the picture of Caleb, Amelia’s ex, that Blake sent us. I want to have him fresh in my mind so I can help keep an eye out for him.

  Duncan comes through the door to the reception area and I realize that I don’t know how long I’ve been staring at the picture of Caleb. Caleb’s an attractive guy, but there’s something in his eyes that is dark and unhinged. I have no doubt that he’ll hurt Amelia if he’s given the chance. We can’t let that happen.

  I meet Zeke’s eyes and see a determination there that I haven’t before and it’s not just about Amelia. It makes my heart flutter in my chest and I have to wrench my eyes away from him to ask Duncan, “What happened?”

  Duncan keeps his head on a swivel as he surveys the back and then positions himself so he can see out the front window as well. “Amelia thought she saw Caleb on the opposite side of the street, half a block down. I went to check it out but didn’t see him.” He heaves a sigh, “It’s starting to get busy out there so if it was him, he was able to blend in and escape.”

  I know my voice sounds small, “Do you think he’s going to show up tonight?”

  Duncan clenches his jaw, his voice low but sure, “I don’t know. This is the first time in a month that Amelia will be exposing herself and there’s always danger in that.”

  I nod and meet Zeke’s eyes, that determination still shining strong. He scoffs, “That’s if Banks lets her go out now.”

  Troy snickers, but he doesn’t look up. “Knowing Amelia, she’s going to convince him or put her foot down.” His voice goes soft, “She’s tired of waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

  Dex heads over to Troy’s station and checks out the tat he’s working on. His tone is teasing, trying to relieve some of the tension in the room, “Is that one of the many things you talked about when you and Amelia get a pedicure?”

  Everyone releases a nervous chuckle and Troy shrugs his shoulders, “You should try it sometime, ladies like it when you take care of yourself. You probably have talons for toenails and that’s why you haven’t gotten laid in months.”

  Dex flips him off with a smile on his face, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. Dex has been different in the last few months and I don’t think he’s talked to anyone about it. He’s the kind of guy who will only talk about things when he’s ready.

  Walsh busts in through the back door and heads right to his station. Dex shifts uncomfortably, but I think I’m the only one who notices since Troy has bowed his head over his client again and Zeke is watching me.

  Walsh surveys the room and his brows furrow when he sees Duncan. He glances at the still closed door to the back room and his furrow deepens. “What did I miss?”

  I sigh, “Amelia thought she saw the dickwad when she was up front a few minutes ago, Duncan didn’t find him and now we’re kind of all waiting to see if Amelia is going to be able to convince Banks to still go out tonight.”

  Troy pipes up, “And I’m making some sick art over here.”

  I roll my eyes, “Oh yeah, can’t forget that little tidbit.”

  Walsh grins, but there’s a hard edge to it. “She’ll convince Banks. She’s a fucking tough cookie and she knows that the longer this goes on with that twatwaffle, the more time he has to plan something.” Walsh gives a sharp nod at Duncan, “We got her back if he tries something.”

  Zeke nods, “When. When he tries something.” My head whips around to him; his jaw is set. “I’ve had a feeling in the pit of my stomach since Amelia said she was going out tonight.” His whisper is almost too low, but I hear it, “The last time I had this feeling I ignored it, but not this time.” His voice is stronger, “That fuckwit is going to try something, but we’ll be ready for him.”

  I fall into the depths of Zeke’s grey eyes as they lock with mine. It’s the first time he’s even alluded to something from before he came to Denver and I desperately want to know more. I also want to wrap my arms around him and hold him.

  Duncan breaks the spell with a sigh, “Yeah, man, I feel it too. The last time I had this feeling was on my last mission overseas. Right before everything went pear shaped.” I look up and see his fists clenched at his sides, “That shit isn’t happening tonight.”

  Troy grumbles, “You all better bring down the testosterone and get your shit together before they come back out here. Amelia will rip you all to shreds if you don’t.” He chuckles, “Not that I wouldn’t enjoy the s
how.”

  We hear the front door chime, and everyone tenses for a moment before Andrea sticks her head around the doorway of the reception area. “Dex, your consultation is here.” She looks around at everyone, rolls her eyes and huffs, “Jesus, guys get your shit together.”

  Walsh barks out a laugh just before the door to the back room opens and Amelia comes out with a self-satisfied look on her face. Her shoulders are pulled back and she has the glint of victory in her eyes. Huh.

  I guess she got Beckett to go along with her going out tonight. Her lips are a little red and puffy and she shoots me a wink as she bops toward Beckett’s station. Becket’s following her close behind with his eyes locked on her and full of awe.

  The edge of Zeke’s lip twitches into a smirk and he shakes his head. His gravely voice sends a shiver up my spine, “Guess we know how that turned out.” Beckett shoots him a glare and Amelia throws her head back and laughs.

  Walsh rolls his shoulders back, “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready for a drink.” He looks between Zeke and I, “You two done for the day?”

  I nod and Zeke puts down his sketchpad and stands. Zeke looks at me, “You’re riding with me tonight.” From his tone and the look in his eye I know that he isn’t going to take no for an answer.

  I nod while my mind reels. His tone shouldn’t make me instantly soak my panties. Should it? I don’t know, but there’s something in the way he’s looking at me that reminds me of the way Beckett looks at Amelia.

  It makes me want to squirm, and it takes all my will power to stand still. “Okay, Zeke.”

  Duncan reminds us, “Blake and Ryder will be in position soon and Grayson will be meeting you guys at your normal table.”

  I hardly register Duncan’s words because I haven’t been able to tear my eyes away from Zeke’s. The longer he’s looking at me the more heat and desire I see rise in his eyes. Fuck. It makes my knees weak. Is this how Amelia feels all the time? How does she function?