by E. C. Land
Taking the glass jar out of her hand, I grin at her as I easily open it for her. “What have you done all these years without my strength to open things for you?”
Rebel rolls her eyes, snatching the jar back. “I opened them by myself.”
Chuckling at her sarcastic tone, I lift my coffee mug up to my lips for another sip.
“Besides the BBQ today, do we have any other plans?” she asks, scooping out some of the jam in the jar.
“Nope, why? Did you need to do something?” She better not say she needs to work.
“I just need to talk to my mom. You know she’s deployed right now, and other than emails, I haven’t spoken to her on the phone much lately.” Rebel shrugs and sets a plate of bacon, eggs, fruit, and toast in front of me. “Last time I talked to her, I did tell her you and I are back together. I swear her screams of excitement nearly blew my eardrums.”
“Your mom loves me,” I smirk, because it’s true. Rebel’s mom was upset that her daughter and I had split. Every time I saw her while she was home, she’d ask me about Rebel and me getting back together.
Rebel smiles knowingly and turns to get her own plate. Placing it on the counter, she leans on an elbow and plucks a piece of cantaloupe to pop it into her mouth.
We eat in comfortable silence for most of the breakfast. Rebel breaks the silence as she nibbles at a slice of bacon. “Have you gotten any more messages or anything from that person?”
I had known this question was coming sooner or later. Rebel had barely spoken of it this past week. I shake my head and swallow the remnants of my food. “No, I haven’t received anything. But I have Cy looking into finding out who it is.”
Nodding, Rebel finishes her breakfast and places the plate in the sink before she looks at me once again. “I haven’t received anything either, but I can’t help feeling that I’m being watched. Everywhere I go, it’s like I have eyes on me.”
“Baby, I’m not going to let anyone touch you. We’ll find this person, and when we do, it won’t be pretty.” I round the counter and pull her into my arms. “I swear right now, Rebel, I’m not going to let this person get to you.”
“I know, but I can’t help wondering who it is, and why they don’t want you and me together,” she utters, planting her face against my bare chest.
“We’ll figure it out,” I say reassuringly, wrapping my arms around her—holding her tight to my chest.
Holding my woman, soothing her worries, I have the same thoughts as her. Whoever this is doesn’t want Rebel and me together.
But who?
Something about this whole situation has my stomach tightening. There’s more to this. I’m sure of it.
Pulling away from Rebel, I slide a hand up to cup her cheek. Looking into her eyes, I know what I want us to do today besides go to the clubhouse.
“Marry me.” The words fall from my mouth without a second thought.
“What?” she blinks at me in confusion.
“You heard me, Duchess. Marry me. Today. Be my wife. I don’t want another day to go by where you aren’t mine,” I say, sliding my hand from her cheek to tangle in her hair.
Rebel’s eyes seem to search mine, looking for any sign of deceit before she smiles and gives me my answer. “Yes, Xander, I’ll marry you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Rebel
Why is it time seems to fly by when a person is blissfully happy?
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect Rogue and me to run off to a little twenty-four-seven wedding chapel to get married. It was a spur of the moment thing, and I’ll forever remember the day.
After we had got married, Rogue and I went to the clubhouse, where he announced it to the club. I’m not just his wife now, but officially his ol’ lady. That part, he didn’t even ask me. He simply declared it. I don’t mind, because it’s the truth. I’m his, just as he’s mine.
Everyone had congratulated us. Most of them stating it’s about time. They all know Rogue and I used to be together, so of course, they’d make that comment.
Sunday, Rogue and I’d spent the day alone in bed. It’s wonderful. I had even declared Sundays to be our day of doing nothing but staying in bed or lounging around the house together. Rogue had agreed, and we ended up ordering pizza and eating while watching a movie in bed.
Rogue told me last night he’d be gone before I got up this morning. He had to go on a run for the club today. At first, I’d started to panic, but he promised it wouldn’t be like last time. He’d promised he’d be home by the time I got off work.
Sitting up in bed, I pick up my phone to find a text from Rogue. I smile when I see what he’d changed his name to on my phone.
Ol’ Man: Love you, Duchess. Good luck in court today. Call me after. I’ll have my phone on me at all times.
Ol’ Man: Don’t forget if something happens, let me know ASAP. I won’t lose you.
Ol’ Man: Check this song out when you wake up.
I smile as I click on the link he’d sent me. It’s a song by Sam Riggs, “One More Chance To Stay.” Listening to the song, tears spill down my cheeks. It’s beautiful.
Texting him back, I tell him I love him and the song. I also add I’ll let him know if I won or not. I don’t know if anything else would happen, but I’d call.
Hopping out of bed, I’m suddenly hit with a nauseous feeling, but it goes away. It’s probably my nerves. I’ve been working hard at preparing for this case today, and I need to be on my game.
With my phone in hand, I head into the bathroom. I hit play again on the song while I get in the shower. As I massage the shampoo in my hair, I’m hit with another wave of nausea.
What in the world?
I never get like this.
Rinsing my hair, I finish my shower as quickly as I can. Turning the water off, I open the door to my shower and grab my towel. I wrap it around my body and pick up my phone, a thought coming to mind. But I want to double-check something.
I open the app I use to keep track of my period and stare in horror. I’d completely forgotten to mark off when I started the last two months.
Oh shit. The more I think about it, I didn’t have one.
Fudgers on a stick.
With a shaking hand, I touch my stomach.
Am I pregnant?
Kneeling down, I reach under my sink and pull out a pregnancy test the other ol’ ladies had jokingly given to me the other weekend.
I’d laughed at the fact they gave it to me then, but now as I nervously open the package and take the test, I’m scared.
I follow the directions and decide while I wait for the results to go get dressed. There’re only two possible answers I’ll be getting. I just don’t know how I’d feel either way. At least not until I see what the test says.
Picking out a black slimming pantsuit, I grab a blue blouse to go under the jacket. Dressed, I go back into the bathroom and suck in a breath as I look at the test to see the result. Positive.
My mind spins for a moment thinking of the last time I had my period. It’d have been right before Rogue and I’d had sex the first time.
Fear shoots through me that this baby might be Grant’s, but it can’t be. Grant told me he had a vasectomy after his mother attempted to kill his sister Luna. He’d said he never wanted to take the chance of knocking someone up. He also had always wore a condom with me.
This baby is Rogue’s. Mine and Xander’s.
Glancing up from the test to meet my own gaze, tears slip down my cheeks. How is Rogue going to take the news?
Checking the time, I sigh. I need to finish getting ready. I blow dry my hair, do my make-up—keeping it light, and find my shoes. Leaving the bedroom, I head for the door. Time to put on my game face.
Court went about the way I’d expected. The defendant's lawyer had tried to make it look like his client was an angel. This is not the case. He’s a sick bastard for sexually assaulting my client, the defendant’s own child.
Worst of all, they’d attempted to
make the child be in the same room with the monster. Claimed she is thirteen years old. Just because she’s a teenager doesn’t mean she could handle the pressure of being in the same room.
It’s not like this is an easy case. The child’s therapist even explained that she didn’t feel the girl should be in the same room. The trauma she had endured at his hands is more than enough.
What parent in their right mind calls sexual acts exercise? It’s disturbing in itself. I’m proud of the girl for finally getting the courage to tell her mother about what was happening.
The thought of someone doing that to my own child sickens me.
In the end, I won the case, and the mother continued to thank me after they took the defendant away. We had luck on our side today.
With Judge Raymond being removed from his duties as a judge for this court, that gave us a better chance. There were one or two other judges I am suspicious about, but until I can prove otherwise, I’m keeping my head down on that one.
Leaving the courthouse, I get in my car and head back home. I didn’t have anything else at the office to do today, so I’m taking the rest of it to relax after that win.
It doesn’t take me long to get home. Snagging the mail from the mailbox, I walk into the house, making sure to lock the door behind me.
I set the mail on the counter in the kitchen and go to my room and change out of my power-suit to a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. With the weather being cooler, I find a zip-up hoodie and throw it over my shirt. Zipping it up halfway, I head back into the kitchen. I make myself a glass of sweet tea and sort through the mail.
Most of it’s either bills or junk mail. Getting to the last thing, my brows furrow at the sight of the envelope. My stomach churns, not seeing a return address.
I pick up my phone and call Rogue. I don’t know what this is, but I have a really bad feeling about it.
“Hey Duchess,” he says, answering on the second ring. “We’re ba—”
“I just received another envelope at the house,” I stammer out, interrupting him.
“What do you mean you got another envelope? Do you mean like the other one you got at the office? And what are you doing at home? I thought you were supposed to call me after court,” he grunts in annoyance.
“I know,” I start. “I wanted to come home after court. I won, but it was emotionally draining. When I got here, I checked the mail, brought it in, changed into comfy clothes, and called you as soon as I saw that the envelope doesn’t have a return address,” I ramble, staring at the yellow manila envelope.
“Have you opened it?” he asks tersely.
“Not yet,” I murmur, picking it up in my free hand. “I’m scared to see what’s in it.”
“Open it, baby, and tell me what is in it.”
I nod, knowing he isn’t able to see the motion. I pull the phone from my ear and put it on speakerphone. Setting my phone down, I gingerly open the envelope and remove the contents.
I scan over the letter first and gasp.
I told you to stay away. You’re nothing but a whore. You can’t give him what he needs. You’ll never be nothing more than a bitch in heat to him. Keep it up and see what happens next.
I flip to the next page, and it’s a letter for Rogue.
You know you miss me. I miss you. Come home where you belong. She can’t give you what I can.
Flipping to the next, I swallow the bile threatening to come up when I come face to face with an image that has haunted my nightmares.
“Rebel,” Rogue calls my name, but I barely hear him as my head goes light and everything grows fuzzy.
This can’t be happening.
Not again.
There’s no way that’s Rogue. I know it’s not. I trust him, but what if . . .
No, I can’t think that way.
Clearing my throat, I find my voice, “Rogue, can you please come home?”
“I’m on the way, Duchess,” he says without hesitation and hangs up.
Putting my phone down, I look at the picture staring at me and try to place who the woman in the picture is. It’s the same image from ten years ago.
Chapter Fourteen
Rebel
Ten Years Ago . . .
Harmony and I are sitting at the table in my uncle’s house drinking shots of tequila as I drown my sorrows.
Xander broke up with me, and I have no one to blame but myself.
“You sure you don’t want me to go over to the clubhouse and maim him?” Harmony asks for the umpteenth time.
I shake my head and wipe the tears spilling down my cheeks. I hate that I’m a crier. I wish I was more like Harmony. She’s tougher than me.
“No, I screwed everything up. There’s no way to fix this. It’s not his fault. I should’ve listened to him,” I say, letting out a harsh breath.
“He could’ve been more understanding. I mean, what is up with all the men in this world thinking it’s their way or no way. This is why I’m happy to be a lesbian,” Harmony mutters, pouring the both of us another shot. “Drink up babe, if you don’t want me to go over there and hurt him, then I’m at least getting you drunk.”
“You’re the best friend ever.” I smile sadly and lift the shot glass to clink with hers.
“Exactly, and you’re gonna hate me in a second when I break some news to you,” Harmony states, slamming her glass on the table.
“What?” I frown. Harmony’s a senior like me. What news could she have for me?
“I joined the military. I leave right after graduation for basic,” she announces quickly and takes another shot of tequila.
“Y-you joined the military?” Harmony nods in response. “What branch?”
“Army,” she says and meets my eyes. “I came out to mom and dad about being a lesbian. Dad took it in stride, but mom, she got mad and told me she was disowning me. Dad ended up going off on mom, informing her if she can’t handle her daughter being with women, then she could easily sign the divorce papers he already had drawn up.”
“What?” I gasp at what Harmony’s telling me.
“Yep. It turned into a complete rip-roaring argument. I’m surprised the neighbors didn’t call the cops.” She shrugs. I knew her parents were on the outs and so did she. “Anyway, dad left the house, and I went with him. We’ve been staying at a hotel for the time being. He told me he already knew about my sexuality and supports me.”
Smiling, I take the tequila bottle from her hands and pour us both another shot. “That’s good.”
Harmony nods and picks up the shot and downs it. “Yeah, so anyway, he and I went to the recruiter’s office, and I signed up. The other day when you called, I’d gone to take my ASVAB test.”
Nodding, I take in what she’s said and realize what’s happening. After graduation, I’m losing my best friend. “You’ll call and email me to keep me in the loop of what’s going on, right?”
“You know it?” Harmony grins. “Now, let’s get shit-faced and forget about the future for the rest of the night. I don’t have much longer with my best friend.”
Giggling, the two of us drink the entire bottle and talk about everything under the moon. We finally pass out in my bed, and for some reason, I knew it was the last time I’d see my best friend.
With the morning sun beaming in my eyes, I sit up to find a note from Harmony.
Had to go meet dad. I’ll call you later.
Smiling sadly, I take a slow breath, trying to keep the tears at bay. She’s leaving me just like Xander did.
It’s as if everyone is leaving me. Mom does it, because that’s her career, and I respect her for being such a strong woman. My dad can’t even be considered anything by that title. Last I heard, he was living on the streets. I ended up pushing Xander away, because of my insecurities. Now with Harmony joining the Army, I’m losing everyone in my life.
Why did I have to believe who sent that picture? Xander was right about it being photoshopped, but still, I didn’t want to listen to him.
&n
bsp; God, why can’t I put a name to the face of the woman in the picture? Who is she? Why did she do this to Xander? To me?
She’s ruined one of the best things in my life, and now I don’t know what to do.
Besides, go on as if everything were okay and pretend to be happy.
Maybe if I pretend enough, I’ll start to believe I am.
Present Day
“Rebel,” Rogue calls my name, pulling me back to the present.
I blink and lift my head from the picture glaring up at me to meet Rogue’s eyes. Tears spill down my cheeks, and I can’t help but think of everything I’d lost in the one day when he left me ten years ago.
“Duchess,” he murmurs, coming to cup my face in both his hands.
“I hate her,” I whisper and close my eyes. “If not for her, I wouldn’t have lost so much time with you, and you would have been there for me.”
“What are you talking about, baby?” he asks, pulling me from the stool and into his arms.
“I lost you and Harmony both on the same day,” I sob. “Everyone left me, and I was alone. No one was there when her—when her dad told me the news.”
“Fuck, Rebel, I’m sorry. So fuckin’ sorry.” Rogue plants a kiss on the top of my head as I let it out. All the hurt and anguish of losing him. Losing Harmony.
During Harmony’s first deployment, the helicopter she’d been on was shot out of the air, and she was killed.
Lifting my head off Rogue’s chest, I meet his gaze. “Promise me you won’t leave me. I promise I won’t let anyone come between us again. That I trust you with my entire being. I can’t—”
Rogue doesn’t let me finish speaking. He claims my mouth with his, hushing my rambles.
Scooping me up into his arms, Rogue carries me into our room, where he takes the time to show me his own promises.
Chapter Fifteen
Rogue
Holding Rebel in my arms, I can’t stop thinking about this past week. She’s been through so much, and I wasn’t there for her when she’d truly needed me most. The guilt of it all is bothering me. I knew about Harmony being killed during her first deployment and what it did to Rebel. Cy had told me about my woman breaking down, not letting anyone near her. She was supposed to spend her time going to college while living at home. But after what had happened between the two of us, then losing her best friend—her only true friend—was just too much.