Page 65 of Beautiful Killer

He was quiet a beat. “Make it sound like I’m nearly there, okay? Do it.”

“I’ll see you in a couple of minutes then,” I said, doing what Zeke told me to.

Bobby snatched my phone out of my hand, hit END CALL, and flung it aside. “We’re not done. Me and Julia, we’re not fucking done, you understand?”

I stood there, pressed against my kitchen counter, trying not to hyperventilate.

Bobby’s dark eyes moved over my face, then one of his hands shot out and he grabbed my jaw, hard enough to leave a bruise, forcing my head back. “This conversation isn’t finished,” he spat. “I promise you I’ll be seeing you again soon.” Then he turned and strode down the hall and out the door.

I stood there frozen for a second, before I managed to shake off the fear. I ran to the door and slammed it, threw the locks, then raced back to my phone. It was ringing, had been since Bobby hung up on Zeke. I quickly answered. “He’s gone.”

“Did he hurt you?” Zeke asked, voice like a whip.

“No. He just . . . he threw around some threats, then left.”

“I’m nearly there. Don’t move.” Then he disconnected.

I paced the hall, waiting, scared out of my mind. The door all but flew in ten minutes later. Van and Jude were with Zeke. Both men ignored me and stormed the house, while Zeke strode to me and tugged me into his arms, cursing repeatedly.

“I’m okay,” I said against his chest.

Zeke didn’t answer, just held me. I could feel his heart thumping against my cheek. Boots thumped toward us, then Van and Jude were there.

“House is clear,” Jude said.

“Check those bags,” Zeke said, motioning to the ones Bobby had brought.

Both Van and Jude riffled through them. “Just clothes and shit,” Jude said.

Van stood and looked down at me. “You doing okay, Sunny?”

Zeke loosened his hold enough for me to straighten. “I’ve been better.”

Zeke lifted a hand, his skin rough and warm, and slid it under my chin, tilting my head back. His jaw tightened. “That motherfucker touched you?”

“He just grabbed my jaw . . .”

“Hard enough to leave a fucking mark,” he growled.

“How’d he get in?” Van asked.

“I, ah . . . I let him in.” All three men towering over me frowned, brows lowering. “He said he had Julia’s things, and he looked sober. I thought it’d be okay, until he started threatening me if I didn’t tell him where Julia was. I’ve never . . .” I shook my head. “I’ve never seen him like that. I mean, he’s always been an asshole, but this was different. He seemed more in control, which was more frightening than anything.” I felt Zeke turn to stone against me.

Jude shook his head. “Shit, wrong call, Sunny.”

“I’m getting that,” I said. God, I was such an idiot.

Van’s hands went to his hips, his eyes on Zeke. “You think this guy’s a real threat?”

“I’m not risking it. I’m moving her back to my place,” Zeke said. “Then I’m tracking this asshole down. Time we had another chat.”

Jude dipped his chin. “Good idea.”

“Um . . . is anyone going to ask what I want?” I asked.

They ignored me and carried on talking like I wasn’t even in the room.

After talking for a while longer, planning out my life, Van and Jude finally left.