Treasured

by Pinder, Victoria

  Mary would be leaving soon, and she wasn’t part of Wanda’s web of lies. Mary had made my muscles tingle, which was quite an accomplishment for such a small woman. My heart swelled just thinking about her. “Mary runs a women’s shelter. She’s very sweet and very much a do-gooder.”

  “Not what her ex said.” Her phone beeped, and she said, “Work emergency.” She then let out a small sigh and said, “I have to go, but we’ll talk soon.”

  Mary’s ex had beaten her and a baby. I pressed the gas and continued home. “One moment.”

  “What?” she asked quickly.

  No one was on the road or in the way. I ignored how tense I was. “The offer on the table has a time limit. If you want a buyout and not jail time, think fast.”

  “So sad,” she said. “Devon has said you were the best brother. He’d be rolling over in his grave.”

  I steeled my spine then said, “Or he’d have seen the truth about you, if he’d lived.”

  “Look at the time.”

  I pressed my hand on my heart, approaching the beach where I lived. “You can’t run from me for long.”

  “Bye.”

  Good. I hung up the phone, parked the car, and stepped out. The smell of the salt in the air and the crash of waves in the distance was soothing as I let myself into my house.

  Working with Cole Securities was awesome. Remembering the past all the time was exhausting but necessary. They were interested in permanently ending the arms dealing, so together, we had both gotten what we wanted.

  I let myself in and immediately charged my phone. I grabbed my computer to read more paperwork for my lawyers to handle, and I planned to speak to Mark at Cole Securities.

  Soon, I finished up the papers, took a shower, made myself coffee, exercised, and did more filing, and the sun was high in the sky when my phone rang. Mark hadn’t even said hello when I told him, “I spoke to Wanda.”

  “And?” Mark asked.

  I would have forced my way in, and they had their opportunity to investigate her on the inside. So I closed the laptop and said, “I’ll be flying to Pittsburgh for the tour.”

  “You should have our team with you.”

  I thought so, too, but I kept that thought to myself and said, “I was a Navy SEAL, too, and it will be smoother if I handle this myself.”

  “We can bug the place faster if you get your head out of your ass, Thunder Thighs.”

  Alone time with Mary meant I didn’t need an audience. I ignored how my gut twisted. At the end of the day, the company would fall under my control. I would stop all illegal activities the same day I took the reins. I stood up and said, “I’ll plant the bug. You get me the hard evidence of the deals for both the authorities to shut her down and my takeover bid.”

  “I owe it to your brother to keep your ass alive and in line.”

  Devon. His spirit was alive in every conversation with Mark. I glanced out the window and at the seagulls that sat on the fence separating my house from the white sands and ocean beyond. Until now, I’d always been landbound anyhow. “That bullshit on protecting me never worked in the SEALs, and if his death gets in your way of seeing I’m capable of watching my own damn back, then we’ll renegotiate the contract.”

  “Thunder Thighs, you have balls, but don’t be fucking stupid.”

  Laughter exploded from me. “Remember, we’re on the same team, but we have different goals.”

  “Mine include not letting you get hurt, but I’ll send over some donuts to you if you fuck this up.”

  “Later, Mark,” I said and hung up the phone.

  However, I sat back down to finish work then exercised again. To cool off, I ran on the beach, and by the time I returned home, the stars were coming out. My phone was charged, so I grabbed it and dialed the woman I wished was here with me.

  Two rings later, I heard her calming voice, which was like the ocean outside to my ears. “Did you make it home?” I asked.

  She let out a small chuckle. “You called. I hadn’t believed you would.”

  I imagined she patted her hair the way she had at the party. It was like I could still see her though we were miles apart. “Turns out I have business in Pittsburgh, so I wanted to check in and see if I can take you out when I get there.”

  A scream echoed in the air, and I knew it was her baby. She quickly said, “We probably shouldn’t.”

  “You want to.”

  “Text me when you arrive.”

  “I will. Have a nice night, Mary.”

  We hung up, and I headed to my shower. Last night I’d tasted a paradise I never thought I would experience, and now I couldn’t wait to see her again.

  Chapter Six

  Mary

  It was five o’clock, and I swung my heels under my seat. The shelter had ten percent of its beds free, so if anyone needed a place in the middle of the night, the staff was able to process and protect more women from abuse.

  Finances were in order. The shelter was cleaned from top to bottom, and we had no crises. Everything was good for the women under my care.

  I’d been one of them once—one of the women I now provided for. Beaten and practically left for dead. Now my son had just turned one, and my ex almost killed my innocent baby. I finally had my trigger to change, and so I checked in here, and now a year later, I was in charge. But in that space of time, I’d been reborn too.

  I’d been lucky, though, because I had family. Some of the women didn’t.

  I pivoted my seat to the new security monitoring system being installed as my brother finished screwing the new stand in place. As he held the driver like he was construction and not a CEO these days, he glanced over at me. I winked at him, and he said, “You seem happy today, sis.”

  Joseph knew me, but he didn’t need to know about Dwayne. I took a deep breath and decided to ignore his statement. “Thanks for upgrading our system.”

  He finished with the last corner of the stand and dropped the tools, then wiped his brow dramatically. “Since becoming President of KeyLogic, I don’t get to touch systems anymore. Now, why are you this happy?”

  I wheeled my chair closer to him. “Because my favorite brother is here?”

  He stood up and brushed his pants off and pointed to his matching jacket on the wall. “And?”

  I stood up, too, and fixed his blue tie. I couldn’t let him leave here looking a wreck, but I said, “Fine. At the benefit, I met someone.”

  He put his gray suit jacket on and said, “I thought you swore off my kind.”

  Dwayne had been in my thoughts every other second of the day. I sucked on my bottom lip then decided to speak. One of the hardest steps I had to learn was to not live in my head all the time, and my brother was always in my corner. I bounced on my heels. “Well, he was a one-night exception.”

  Joseph held the door open for me as we exited. “But?”

  I turned off the office lights as I spoke about Dwayne. “He called and asked me out this week.”

  “In Virginia?”

  “No, he’s coming here, to Pittsburgh.”

  As we stepped into the parking lot, a blue car turned on and sped out fast. My heart pumped for a moment as I stared at the smoke from the tires, but I shook my head and stayed next to Joseph as he said, “I’m happy for you. Just be careful that he’s not like Arthur.”

  Hmm. My ex had liked the color blue. I snapped my fingers like I had figured out why I had goose bumps, but as we made our way to my gray Rav4, I asked, “Well, do you want to babysit Bruce for me if I do go?”

  He opened my door for me again and said, “Sure, if that means I get to meet him, whatever his name is.”

  I squeezed my brother’s arm. I couldn’t keep a secret. “Dwayne, and yes.”

  “Okay, well, drive safe,” he said and clicked his BMW to unlock it. “Your staff should find the updates are easy in the morning, but you know how to find me.”

  I probably should cancel with Dwayne and just stay home with my son. I never wanted another man
for romance. My skin was jumpy like I was making a mistake right now, but I kissed his cheek and said, “Thanks again.”

  Joseph and the rest of my family were the reason I found my strength. I was one of the lucky ones.

  My brother waited for me to start my car, and he followed me out. If I protected my son half as much as Joseph watched out for me, then he would be better off.

  The drive home was uneventful, and I pulled into the parking lot of my red-brick apartment building, which had been built in a different century. I parked and headed up the steps to the third and top floor. My salary was decent enough, and this place lacked amenities like a working dishwasher, but it was in a good school zone.

  I unlocked the double locks and saw the clean, sparkling floors and baby carpet in the middle of the room where my boy was currently playing with his stuffed animals. Bruce was clean and fresh. I locked the door behind me and asked my cousin, Zoey—who’d picked him up from day care for me after her college classes—“How was Bruce?”

  Zoey put her schoolbook in her bag and said, “I picked him up from the day care covered in apple sauce, but I cleaned him up for you with tubby time.”

  At twenty-one, Zoey should be partying with her friends, but she took time for me and Bruce. I put my shoes away since I didn’t like to trek dirt in my apartment and said, “You went above and beyond.”

  She came over and grabbed her shoes, preparing to leave. “We’re cousins. Happy to help.”

  But as she lowered her shoes on the ground, the door rattled. We both stared at it, and then someone knocked.

  Zoey asked, “Who’s at the door?”

  My spine tingled. I slipped to the door and glanced out the peephole. Then my heart skipped a beat, and adrenaline raced in my veins. Do I call 911? Joseph would know what to do.

  I swallowed, and my hands trembled as I reached into my bag and grabbed my phone.

  I found Joseph’s number then met Zoey’s gaze with mine as I asked, “Can you stay with Bruce for a few more minutes?”

  She put her shoes back on the shelf and nodded. “Who is that?”

  “Arthur,” I said and placed my hands on the locks.

  She pressed my arm, and I glanced at Zoey as she said, “If you leave my sight, from the peephole, I’m calling the cops.”

  Right. I wasn’t alone, and unlike the woman I was before, I was different now. I still couldn’t breathe right, but this was my line in the sand now. Bruce was mine legally. He had no rights at all, and I was strong. Once I pumped myself up, I said, “Thanks, Zoey.”

  I slipped out, and Zoey locked the doors behind me. I crossed my arms and said, “Arthur, I have a restraining order.”

  “It expired an hour ago.”

  Fuck. The police wouldn’t interfere. I almost pressed my phone, but I asked, “So, you’re here to threaten me, then?”

  “I want to see our son.”

  Never. I widened my stance and blocked the door. “The boy you tried to kill the day I brought him home from the hospital?”

  “That was an accident.”

  Lies from a liar. I’d been stupid once. He’d been charged with abuse, which made my legal claim easy. “The cops didn’t believe you.”

  “I’ve changed.”

  So? Perhaps that was heartless of me, but fuck him. I pointed down the hall and said, “I’m happy to hear that, but I have sole custody, and you need to leave now.”

  My phone began to ring. Arthur saw my phone and stepped back, though he said, “This is just the beginning, Mary. I have a good job now, money, and connections. Do us both a favor and be ready to share, or I’ll sue and get full custody.”

  I glanced at the call. Dwayne. Now he was a hulk of a man who could blockade the door. “Goodbye, Arthur,” I said.

  He stepped back, and I knocked. Zoey opened the door, holding a frying pan. I entered and checked the locks. She put it down and asked, “What did he want?”

  I denied the call. I’d call Dwayne back. My son continued to play and try to figure out how to stand. “To threaten me.” I said.

  Zoey tilted her head but bounced on her feet. “Are we calling the police?”

  I shook my head. I’d been with Arthur in high school and moved in with him once my parents had died. I thought we’d be in love forever, but then the abuse started. Now I just had lists of things to handle. “He left, but he said the restraining order expired. I’ll call Joseph to stay over with us for the night, and tomorrow, I’ll call to reinstate it, I guess.”

  Zoey shrugged. “He tried to enter without permission.” I didn’t say a word. She bumped into my side and asked, “What did he say, then?”

  I met her concerned gaze and let out a sigh. The old me was inside and was used to being a silent sentinel. I forced my lips to open, and when I was able to, I said, “That he’ll sue me for sole custody.”

  She took out her phone from her back pocket. “Let’s talk to Indigo, too, so you’re lawyered up, and we’ll get that custody issue handled fast.”

  Our cousin Indigo married a billionaire, and his lawyer had been helping all the Steels since. I went to my fridge and took out my pitcher of cold filtered water and asked, “Is your sister still dating Frank?”

  She grabbed a cup and handed it to me. “Natalie denies it and says they hate each other.”

  Zoey’s older sister, Natalie, and Frank were intense. I took the cup and whispered, “That’s not hate in their eyes.”

  She snorted. I sipped my water, and the cold tickled my throat while the frigid sensation somehow calmed the nerves in my stomach. After I finished, I said, “You don’t have to stay. I’m sure you have schoolwork.”

  Zoey took another glass and poured herself a drink and said, “I can wait till Joseph gets back.”

  “I…” My pulse skipped faster for a second. I shouldn’t be a burden, but then I took a deep breath. I’d offered, and she’d made a choice. I said, “Thanks.”

  And then I called my brother. Joseph asked no questions and promised to be right over.

  Luckily, he was single and free, though one day, I would find a way to pay him back for everything.

  Zoey helped me prepare dinner. Time flew, and this time I heard my brother’s knock—three fast and one slow, with a tap of his finger. He’d had that knock with me since we were little. I opened the door.

  He hugged me right away, and I tugged him in as I said, “Joseph. We made your favorites.”

  “Good.” He patted his belly. “I’m hungry.”

  Seriously, he could eat five-star cuisine, but here he was with my frozen mac and cheese.

  Zoey quickly said, “And I have to go.”

  Joseph took my key from the wall and said, “I’ll walk you to your car, Zoey. Lock your door, sis.”

  I saluted him like we were in the army and followed them.

  Bruce had fallen asleep surrounded by his stuffed animals, and I let him. When he woke, I would snuggle with him.

  However, I grabbed my phone and texted Dwayne, I had unexpected drama to take care of. Sorry I can’t talk tonight.

  Three dots appeared. My pulse now strummed in a new way, and then my phone beeped, and I read, I’ll be in town tomorrow night. Want to get coffee or is that too soon?

  Maybe it was the amazing sex we’d shared, but Dwayne was a beautiful exception to my runaway impulse. I liked him and felt safe near. I quickly typed back, I don’t want to leave my son with the sitter too long.

  Bring him.

  Sweet words. Most men weren’t that into children. That’s not exactly romantic.

  More dots. I closed my eyes and remembered how my lips had tingled from his kiss. When my phone beeped, my smile deepened. We’ll walk the park with our coffees, and you can tell me more about yourself.

  Sweet. Dwayne was built like a tank, but somehow, I wasn’t afraid of him. I heard my brother with the key and typed fast, Okay. Text me when you arrive.

  Joseph popped in a moment later and locked the door. I put plates on the table for
us and grabbed a bottle in the fridge for my son. I scooped him in my arms now and held Bruce. I could have left him to sleep, but I didn’t have the heart. It had been too long since I held my now-twenty-pound baby.

  Joseph grabbed the silverware and sat across from me. “You had trauma tonight,” he said.

  I rested my son on one leg and ate one-handed. As I finished my first bite, I asked, “Did I interrupt a date or anything for you?”

  He shook his head and said, “My company is on path to break into billion-dollar investments. I’m too swamped to date.”

  I stopped eating and stared into my noodles. “That’s not good for you, Joseph.”

  He swallowed and said, “I wouldn’t have this chance at work if not for family, and I won’t let anyone down.”

  “You need to live too,” I whispered, and then we both ate.

  We settled on my couch, which was the old couch he had been about to toss when he’d bought himself his penthouse and all new furniture. I’d refused to sponge off him, and I’d paid for my place, on my own.

  After he cleaned the dishes, we watched a movie—some silly comedy—while my son snuggled with us.

  When the movie ended, Joseph clicked the TV off and said, “You aren’t yourself tonight.”

  I held my sleeping son a little closer and asked, “What do you mean?”

  He grabbed a diaper for me to change the baby and said, “After a confrontation, you’re usually in need of calming down. I like this stronger sister.”

  I laid my boy on the couch and switched out his diaper so he could sleep longer with a clean bottom. “I have a son who needs me. He’s why I left, and he’s why I’ll be okay.”

  He took the diaper and tossed it away for me. When he returned and I had fixed my son’s snaps at the bottom of his outfit, Joseph said, “Or it’s the new guy you’re making moon eyes over.”

  I tidied up the living room and put the toys away while my son snoozed on the couch and said, “Stop, or I won’t let you meet him.”

  Joseph helped me with the toys. “You said yes, then.”

  “I did.”

  “I hope whoever he is is good enough for my little sister.”