“Zeke, um…could I talk to you for a moment in private?” he asked Zeke. Zeke nodded and led Richard out of the room. Jessica sat down in the seat Richard had just vacated. She had a tender expression on her face, and she took my hand in hers.
“Chelsea, are you okay?” she asked me softly. Her eyes were full of concern. “I know this has all been crazy for you. Your whole world just got flipped upside down. You know I love you like a sister, right?” she asked me.
I reached around her and gave her a hug. She was more than just a friend, and if I’d had a sister, I would have wanted her to be just like Jessica.
“Thanks, Jess. I’m fine, really. It has all been a lot to take in, but I’m glad I know now. I needed to know, and whoever killed my mother needs to pay,” I told her, and she agreed.
A plan began to take shape in my mind. I did not want to remain in the house forever, and I knew that Zeke would want to keep me in lock down until whoever was after me could be found. However, I was not willing to wait forever. I was used to overprotective parents, but not an overprotective boyfriend.
Emily was still in the room, and I didn’t want to discuss my idea with her. She had become a good friend, but I had a feeling if I revealed my plan to her, she would tell Zeke immediately. It would have to wait until I could get Jessica alone.
Jessica understood me and my need to not be smothered. I had confided in her numerous times over the years about my parents and how much I hated their overprotectiveness. She was the only one who I could talk to about this.
Zeke and my father entered the room just then. Richard walked towards me, and I stood from the couch.
“Chelsea, I have to get back to Phoenix now. I’m sorry that I didn’t have more time to spend with you, but when I get back, I’m going to work a few days into my schedule to come back and see you, if that’s okay with you?” he asked me.
I could see the hesitation on his face, but I understood it. I had been raised by two completely different parents, and he had missed out on my whole life. Reaching for his hand, I smiled up at him.
“I’d like that. I really would,” I told him honestly. He pulled me against him and hugged me tightly. When he leaned back, he reached up and grazed his fingers down my cheek. Then his hand dropped, and Zeke and I walked him to the door.
I saw the two men standing on the front porch, and they walked my father to the waiting car in the driveway. Waving goodbye, I watched my father drive away. Then I turned to Zeke.
“Can I thank you again?” I asked him, and he laughed. My heart was full, and it was because of this man in front of me.
“Enough with the thanks. I wanted to do this for you, and I know how much you love surprises,” he said with a wink. Then he pulled me into his arms.
Chapter 17
It was several days later that I finally got Jessica alone. I had followed her upstairs to her room. Zeke was in his study working with Brady, and now Jessica and I were alone in her room.
“Okay, Chelsea. I know something is up. Spill it,” Jessica said, standing in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips. She knew me so well, and the look on her face let me know that she knew I was planning something.
“Jessica, I can’t stay trapped in this house forever. If we want to find whoever is after me, we have to set a trap. We have to draw them out, and we have to use me as the bait,” I told her.
Her jaw dropped open and her eyes narrowed as she studied me. She didn’t say anything for a long time, then finally, she relaxed her stance. She walked towards me and sat down on the edge of the bed where I was seated. Her arm went around my shoulder.
“Zeke would never go for that, Chelsea,” she replied gently. “As far as we know, whoever it is doesn’t know where you are staying. Don’t you think it’s best if we keep it that way?” she asked me.
“Jessica, if anyone understands me, it’s you. For twenty-eight years, I have had my parents breathing down my back. It hasn’t been living. I need this to be over. I need to be free. The walls of this house are closing in on me, and even my wolf feels trapped. I feel like I’m being punished…trapped in a cage, and I can’t take it anymore,” I told her sincerely.
It was true. I hadn’t left the house since we got here after the incident on the tram. Zeke hovered. Not that I minded that too much, but he didn’t even let me out on the back patio. I had been completely trapped in the house.
Sure, I understood why he was being this protective. I mean, someone had actually shot at me. Tried to kill me. But this was not living. I needed to be free. I had come to Tucson to enjoy freedom and nature, and now all I could do was stare out the window at the mountains. I couldn’t take this anymore.
“What are you thinking, Chelsea? Do you
