She pointed to her bruised eye. They already got ugly. Viper tried to squeeze the money from me. But Im done being your ATM. Havent you stolen enough from me?
Derek sidled around Gage and approached Zoey. You cant do this to me, Zoey! I need that money. Do it for what we had. He paused and got a gleam in his eye. Do it for our kid.
She stiffened. You lost any right to speak of our baby when you told me not to keep it!
Im sorry about that. Really. I just panicked. He paused and hung his head, turning his palms up in a pleading gesture. Please, I just need a little cash.
What you need is professional help. Youre a gambling addict, Derek. Whirling away, she slid into the front seat and slammed the Escapes door. Gage took his cue and headed toward the drivers side, but when
Derek jerked Zoeys door open to confront her again, he detoured.
Please, Zoey. I need money! Ill get help. I will, but please, dont do this
Gage grabbed the back of Dereks shirt and hauled him away from Zoey. He could smell the desperation that rolled off Derek in waves. Pitiful. With a firm thrust, he shoved Derek to the pavement. Im warning you, if you ever come near her again or try to steal money from her in any way, I will hurt you worse than any loan shark ever could.
Without looking back, Gage stormed around the front fender and climbed behind the wheel. Protective rage seethed inside him as he gunned the engine.
Derek staggered to his feet and smacked the side of the SUV as Gage peeled out of the motel parking lot. You havent heard the last of me, Red! You owe me!
In the passenger seat, Zoey shuddered and squeezed her eyes shut. Gage wrapped his hand around the fist she balled in her lap. I wont let him hurt you, Zee. I swear it.
She cast a green-eyed glance at him, full of trust, apology and appreciation, and his heart kicked. Hed keep his promise to protect Zoey and her baby, no matter what. And somehow hed find a way to guard his heart.
Chapter 4
Within seconds of Zoeys firm knock on the massive mahogany door, her mother answered the summons, her face reflecting first shock, then joy, before the first hints of suspicion and concern etched creases around her eyes. Zoey! Honey IWhat?
Her mother clapped a hand to her chest as if trying to catch her breath. Ellen Bancrofts gaze darted to Gage before returning to her prodigal daughter.
Surprise. Zoey forced a grin, her heart tap-dancing in her chest. Im home and I have news. Is Dad around?
Yes, somewhere. Come in. Her mother ushered them inside, greeting Gage with a hug.
Neil, its Zoey and Gage! Where are you? Ellen called toward the kitchen, then waved them toward the family room couch.
On the mantel, Zoey spotted the newest framed pictures in her parents collection. Wedding pictures for both of her older sisters, a family shot of Holly with her husband and her new stepchildren, and a cameo of Paige and her husband, Jake, at the ribbon cutting of their new private security firm. A twinge of jealousy nipped at her. Her sisters had success, family, careers a multitude of reasons their parents could be proud. Zoeys picture was conspicuously missing. But, then, what had she done lately that was memorable or photo-worthy?
Sibling rivalry was nothing new to her. Shed long been falling short of her sisters high-water marks. Shed learned early in life that she didnt have the good grades and ambition that earned praise for Paige or the good behavior and sweet disposition that garnered Holly their parents endearments. Shed fought her restless nature, struggled to make passing grades, but her adventurous impulses continually led her into mischief and her parents bad graces.
Then in junior high, shed discovered drama club. She could be melodramatic, loud and over-the-top, and people approved. She could pretend to be someone else, and her family applauded. Shed found her niche in acting, a way to live her life in bold gestures and big emotions, and her family didnt roll their eyes in frustration or shake their heads in dismay.
But when high school ended, so had her acting career. Shed abandoned the stage in pursuit of new adventuresEurope after graduation. A half-dozen attempts to find a career that had a brighter future than that of starving actor. Then Derek.
The thud of footsteps on the hardwood hall floor preceded Neil Bancrofts appearance at the study door. When he spotted Zoey, he stilled, stared, then crossed the room in three giant steps to fold his daughter in a warm embrace. Welcome home, sweetheart. Are you all right?
Zoeys throat tightened with emotion. She hadnt expected her fathers affectionate greeting, considering the acrimony of their last conversation in this room. Still pressed against her fathers chest, she nodded, not trusting her voice. Finally, Neil stepped back,
squaring his shoulders. Shaking from her rioting emotions, Zoey sank onto the couch next to her husband. Her husband. Leapin lizards.
Gage rose long enough to shake Neils hand in greeting. Her father nodded a welcome before casting a quick look around the room. Is he here, too?