Fire Escape - Book Three: Troubled Heroes Series (An Action Thriller) Read Free Page A

excited and surprised that it had taken as long as it did.  They were supportive, and Michael couldn’t help but surmise that it would be complete opposite of how Eva’s dad would take it. 
                  “Mikey, you look like you’re about to puke!” Eva grabbed his hand as they leaned over the railing of the ferry that took them from Manhattan toward Staten Island.  “I’m glad your mom was so happy about all of this.”
                  “I’m sea sick,” he replied, rubbing his belly with his free hand. 
                  “You’re such a bad liar.  Don’t worry! We’re a big Italian family, but we’re inviting.”
                  Michael scoffed and ducked his head.  “That’s exactly what worries me. I keep imagining your dad as this big mafia guy like from Scarface or Goodfellas .”
                  “So you’re placing stereotypes on my family?” She let out an infectious laugh.  “Now that would be a very quick way to get him on your bad side.  Get all of those images out of your head now.”
                  “That makes me feel so much better,” Michael said, his tone sarcastic.  “And what do you mean, you’re glad my mom was so happy? Did you expect something different?”
                  Eva pursed her lips as she stared out into the water.  “Yeah, I sort of did.”
                  “C’mon! She loves you! She’s always loved you!” He put his arm around her shoulders.  “It’s hard not to love you.”
                  “I don’t know. I just assumed things, just like you’re assuming things.” She pointed her finger into his chest.  “Just kept thinking that she’s gonna view me as stealing you away from her.  You know, the whole mom-son complex.  Some women want to keep their boys around.  Some don’t.  Since you are her oldest and Casey is down in Texas, it was just my silly imagination thinking it to death.”
                  “Silly is right,” Michael said, kissing her on the head. 
                  “Exactly.  Silly like you’re being.”
                  The ferry ride pulled in to one of the harbors on Staten Island and all of the people began to file off.  Maybe he was being silly.  He just had memories of times he had met old girlfriend’s families and things didn’t go well at all.  Of course, that was when things weren’t going so well for him either, and he was drinking like a fish.  He was sober now, and had been for quite some time.  Hopefully her dad wouldn’t catch on to him being a recovering alcoholic. 
                  Attempting to hide his emotions, he forced a smile as she took his hand and led him in the direction of her parent's house.  There was an added skip to her step, like she thrived being on the island.  Even though it wasn’t far from the city, she still didn’t get to see them as much as she would like to. 
                  “They don’t live far from here - right off the edge of the water, a few blocks up. It’s a nice walk.”
                  Michael followed behind her for a few steps, taking in the air.  The days had started to grow cooler, and winter was right on the horizon.  It was such a contrast compared to being down in Texas just four weeks ago, where the heat was blazing and there was not much transition from summer to fall.  He was certain that Casey would enjoy the mild winters down there, compared to what they usually endured in New York. 
                  Eva’s pace quickened as they got closer to residential areas.  The houses were quaint, and there was an awesome view of the New York skyline from where they were standing. 
                  “It’s the blue two story house on the left,” Eva pointed.  “It looks like my brothers are there too. Daddy didn’t mention they’d be