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

on the island.”
                  Michael let out an uneasy laugh.  “Nice home they got here.  Nice view too.”  He stopped to appreciate the buildings right across the water, still not used to seeing the gaping hole where the twin towers once stood.  The Freedom Towers were in the process of being built, but still wouldn’t replace what once stood there.  
                  They walked through the short picket fence and up the steps, and before Eva could even knock, the door opened and her mother greeted her with a long hug and huge laughter. 
                  “Eva, my baby, you look wonderful! Keeping in shape.  I guess you have to for your job, don’t you honey?”  Eva resembled her.  She was a beautiful woman that almost didn’t look old enough to be her mother. 
                  “Oh Ma, you’re just saying that.”  She turned to Michael and pulled him closer. “Ma, this is Michael McGinnis.”
                  She held her hand out and Michael shook it.  “Nice to meet you.  I’m Elana. It’s nice to finally put a face with a name.”
                  “Nice to meet you too,” he said, shocked when she pulled him in for a hug. 
                  “Your dad is inside with your brothers. Watching some dumb football game or something.  I’m cooking a nice dinner for you all.”  Elana turned back to Michael again, her smile genuine.  “It’s really nice to have you here, hon.”
                  “Thanks for having me.” They walked into the house and the scent from the kitchen smelled amazing.  Michael couldn’t tell what it was, but he was sure it would be delicious.  His stomach growled and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything all day. 
                  The hunger subsided when he got his first full glance at Eva’s father.  He was sitting in a recliner, his legs propped up, and a bottle of beer sitting on the end table beside him.  What he assumed was one of her brothers was sitting adjacent to him on the couch.  He could definitely tell they were Italian, but nothing like he had thought up with the mafia movie references. 
                  “Daddy!” Eva yelled out, leaning over to hug him.  “Who’s winning?”
                  “Syracuse. I’m just as shocked as you are.”  Michael caught his attention and he did a double take, his brow creasing.  “And who is this?”
                  Michael stepped forward and extended his hand for him to shake.  Her father hesitated at first, but his grip was tight as he returned the gesture.
                  “I’m Michael McGinnis.”
                  The older man arched his eyebrow, much like Eva would do with him when she was skeptical about something.  “McGinnis?  Is that Irish?”
                  A lump formed in Michael’s throat.  Was he going to have reservations about his heritage?  “Yes sir, it is.”
                  “Well hell, have a seat, son!  Help yourself to the beer we got in the fridge.  The girls like wine for some damn reason, but I’d rather have a nice brew.”  He held the bottle up and took a long pull off of it. 
                  Michael shot a quick glance toward Eva, feeling as if someone had punched him in the gut.  “Thank you, sir. Maybe later.”  Now was not the time to be announcing his situation.  He had barely broken the ice with him, and things still seemed a bit awkward. 
                  “I’m gonna go help Ma in the kitchen. You guys enjoy the game.” 
    She shot Michael a wink, and he wondered when they’d break the bombshell about their relationship status.  Things seemed okay now, but would they change once they found out they were engaged? He turned his attention to the TV, pushing the thought aside. 
    “You can call me Albert.  That’s my