Book 2 of 2, sequel to Alaska's Illicit.
In which Mikaere returns to Alaska, but upon arriving realizes that she has a new problem: Vaughn, Darren, or should she just stick with Jared?
Vaughn's past and life are revealed, and also a serial killer mi...
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CHAPTER FOUR: EZEKIEL
Their family dinners were always held on Sunday evening at 6:30. That was how Vaughn's mother had established it, and that was how it had apparently remained.
Vaughn considered waiting another week to go, but in the end, he didn't really see any point in doing so. Why extend the inevitable? He was bound to meet his sister's fiance eventually, and he at least was able to have some time to mentally prepare for any questions that might be headed his way at the dining table.
At six o'clock he pulled on his shoes and walked out of the suite. He had chosen to just wear a dark brown sweater with his dark jeans, as he wasn't certain if they still dressed up or if they all remained fairly casual.
Walking down the long driveway connecting the lodge to their large family home, he lets his mind drift, trying to keep Jasmine's words from affecting him.
He feels stupid for even reflecting on what she told him, considering Mikaere herself probably doesn't even see him the way he wishes she would. He wonders if Mikaere even thinks about him anymore, or if he was simply a side character in a small chapter of her life story. And now Jasmine's words make him feel guilty for even wishing she was a main character in his.
Was it wrong for him to admire her looks, or long to hear her laugh? She was an adult. She wasn't some sort of mindlessly incapable and easily manipulated creature that Jasmine had implied she might be in his company. He had no plans of emotionally manipulating her into staying with him, or hurting her. He could never hurt her. He wonders what he might do if she were to hypothetically show up on his doorstep. Would he, after thinking over what Jasmine said, act somewhat cold with her, to prevent her from wanting to be close again? To protect her from ever experiencing what Jasmine somehow thought him capable of? But wouldn't that just end up hurting her, which he didn't want to do?
But could he really just ignore the woman whose words of advice he had always sought out and lift Mikaere in a tight hug, spinning her around as he murmured that he had missed her?
Vaughn shakes his head, willing the second scenario from his mind. Even if she appeared in front of him this very instant, bright-eyed and happy, he would be too afraid to reach out to her.
She might reject him, now. Or he might end up getting her hurt as he did with his ex-girlfriend.
Maybe that's what Jasmine is afraid of, he considers.
Before long, he's in front of the large front door, feeling like a stranger advancing upon what used to be his home.
Hesitantly, he raises his hand and rings the doorbell, hearing it sound throughout the house. Quick footsteps echoed through shortly after, and he assumed Katelynn would be the one to greet him.
But when the door opens and he's instantly engulfed in the embrace of a man he does not know, he knows he assumed wrong. Vaughn simply stands there, arms dangling at his sides until the man, who he undoubtedly now knows is Ezekiel, pulls back.
