Zeke's Eden: The Beginning (Zeke and Eden Book 1) (10 page)
“Eden,” I beg.
She allows herself to be dragged behind that fucking prick but she casts a sad glance over her shoulder.
“When you’re tired of his brainwashing, come back to me, sugar,” I growl.
Her nod is slight but I see it. She’ll come back to me. I know it in my heart.
I follow them down the stairs, past a pacing Grant, and out the front door. A sleek white, brand new Lexus awaits for them. Don yanks open the car door and shoves her into the backseat—into the waiting arms of Parker who shoots me a pleased grin. Motherfucker!
“She’ll come back, asshole. You can’t keep her forever,” I spit out at Don.
He pulls a card from his pocket and flicks it my direction. It swirls and lands on the pavement near my feet.
“Son, you stay away from her or I’ll have you locked back up before you even know what hit you. Money, which you clearly don’t have, goes a long way in this world and I’ll dish out whatever it takes to keep you from her. Goodbye, Mr. Wilder.”
Rage consumes me as he climbs into the car and charges out of sight. I haul off and kick the street lamp with my bare foot, ignoring the searing pain that explodes within.
“You just can’t stay out of trouble,” Grant groans from behind me.
I shrug my shoulders and pick up the card. “Asshole started it. I’ll finish it. She’s mine, not his.”
When I glance at him, he’s standing with his arms crossed over his broad chest and staring after the car. “Z, you can’t go after him or her. He’ll send you back to prison.”
“He can fucking try,” I snap and flip the cream-colored card over.
The name causes my eyes to pop open in disbelief. No fucking way. Sweet Eden is the daughter of Donald Fucking Blevins.
“Grant, I need you to give me a ride to Mom and Dad’s,” I say with sudden ferocity.
His thick brows pinch together. “Why? What’s gotten into you man?”
I shake my head and think about all the hours I spent on my case before that dipshit Robert ruined my hard work. Before I was a convicted felon, I was a certified fraud examiner for the State of California. My father, an accountant himself, had been helping me figure some shit out on a huge case I was assigned to. When I beat that fucker Robert’s face in to a bloody fucking pulp, I’d been ripped from my government job and thrust into prison.
But the investigation was a high profile case.
A senior pastor suspected of embezzlement and money laundering. Money which was laundered through shell ministry accounts all over the world. We’d barely tapped the surface of the investigation but the red flags were there. Tons of them.
“He messed with the wrong guy,” I tell him, a smug grin plastered on my face.
My best friend shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders. “I’ll grab my keys. You should grab a shirt and shoes for that matter.”
I nod and follow him inside. Once in my apartment, I inhale her sweet scent that still lingers in the air. My heart soars to see her wallet which she left on my table. Her phone is around here somewhere too.
She’ll be back.
After I’d been locked up, I followed that motherfucker’s news articles and shit. Never once did I pay attention to his family, as it was of no concern to me before. The only thing I’d noticed was that four years later, he still walked around stealing money right from under people’s noses, never having been caught for it.
Little does that bastard know, I obsessed over that shit.
Every goddamned day for four years.
I considered where he would have funneled the money. Thought about who would help him in such a wide scale effort to defraud his church family. I knew I’d never work for the government again after my stint in prison.
But one thing I did know…
I was going to bring his ass down one way or another. There were piles of unsolved evidence in Dad’s basement just waiting to be combed through. Especially now.
And then I’ll get the girl.
Her phone chimes from somewhere on the floor. When I pick it up and see it’s a text from Parker, I tense up in fury. But when I read it, I smile.
Parker: Hey, it’s me, “Michelle.” I want to hear you out. Truth is, I’m miserable. It only took five minutes to realize that but it’s five minutes too long. I’ll find a way to come back. Deleting this message now so he won’t see.
I reply.
I’m texting Red from your phone with my number. Call when you can.
Parker: I miss you already.
I chuckle and imagine her sexy cheeks turning pink at her bold words.
Me: You won’t have to wait long. I’m coming for you, sugar. Pack a bag.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Zeke’s Purgatory
Coming Summer of 2016
Thank you to my husband. Matt, you’ll always be my inspiration. I love you!
A huge thanks to my best friend, PA, female version of Matt, and all around most loyal person I know. Nikki McCrae, you are always there to tell me if I’m writing crap or when something is truly good. I appreciate your friendship and our Skype chats! You’re an amazing person. Love you, girl!
I want to thank the people that beta read on this book. Nikki McCrae, Wendy Colby, Dena Marie, Elizabeth Clinton, Nancy Miller, Elle Christensen, Shannon Martin, Amy Bosica, and Ella Stewart. I hope I didn’t forget anyone) you guys always provide AMAZING feedback. I appreciate all of your comments and suggestions.
Thank you for the gals of Irrevocably Claimed for inviting me into their fun project that birthed Zeke and Eden!
I am totally thankful for my author group, the COPA gals, for being there when I need to take a load off and whine. Y’all rock!
Vanessa Bridges, thanks again for editing this story and making sure it delivered the punch I was aiming for. I’m so thankful we’re friends!!
Stacey Blake, thank you for turning my art into your art. We make beautiful creations together! Love ya, girl!
Lastly but certainly not least of all, thank you to all of the wonderful readers out there that are willing to hear my story and enjoy my characters like I do. It means the world to me!
K Webster is the author of dozens of romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, erotic romance, and dark romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she's active on social media connecting with her readers.
Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.
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