Page 53 of Shattered Veil
“Or...” I smile. “Your brotherscare about you.”
“Errr, I think it’s the former.”
Trace stands up with his empty plate and heads back to the serving trays for another round. I smile, glad I got him to eat.
“I’m sure it’s both.” I toss my plastic fork into the center of an empty paper plate.
“Have you heard from your dad?”
“Since I called him and told him I was here with you? No.”
“I just think considering what you went through he’d—”
“I lied to him, Balor. I didn’t tell him the truth about the abuse until we left for Sydney.” I cover my mouth for a second. “I worried if my father found out about Wes, he’d try to hurt the bastard. Not kill him of course. My father isn’t a...” I hesitate to say killer, sitting with a mob boss. “I worried Wes would have him investigated. I think my father’s side work isn’t always on the up and up.” I wait for a reaction from Balor but get none.
“Go on.” Balor probably investigated my father andknows more than me.
Or Dad isthatgood at covering up his shady side-gigs.
“I explained when we prepared to move back here that he had to let what happened with Wes go. My ex isn’t worth having his life torn apart.”
“I’m not afraid your dick ex could tearmylife apart.” Balor leans in, eyes above his horn-rimmed glasses. “I can run circles around anything that bastard might try to do to me.”
I think about that, but I just don’t trust what kind of connections Wes has.
Still, I smile at those green eyes and wonder if Lois Lane felt this way getting close to Clark Kent, only to see Superman behind the glasses.
And thrilled at how the Man of Steel punched a hole in the world to stop it from spinning just to save her.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Balor
“Ineed to stretch my legs.” Ella stands up and without waiting for a word from Trace or me, she strolls away.
Maybe she wants some space. We’ve been together since seven a.m.
I, like many other people around me, am glued to my phone. She isn’t. It makes me jealous how she can live in the real world, while I’m sucked into cyberspace and the dark web.
Even if it’s all in service to protect my family.
Ella moves languidly and explores the otherwise banal lobby with a few pops of colorful pieces of art on shelves of a massive bookcase on the opposite side of the dining area.
Outside, the snow piles up. A custom feed on my phone from the New York State Highway Department posts alerts and updates on snow removal plans.
It’s bad. Plows are grounded until the storm slows down. According to the weather reports, there’s a blizzard warning until sunrise.
The main highway is closed but they left smaller two-lane parkways open for local traffic. Still, they’re too treacherous to risk a journey home.
Why risk it when I have a roof over my head and a warm bed? Which bed, though?
Good Christ. What the hell do I do about this bed situation?
“Balor, can I speak to you?” Trace’s voice lifts my head.
“What’s up?” I look up at him.
“I didn’t want to say anything in front of Ella.” His words ring ominous.