Treasured

by Pinder, Victoria

  Her face reddened. “That still scares me.”

  I held her by her hips. “Nothing will happen to you or Bruce.”

  She closed her eyes and then squeezed me into a hug. As she let go, she said, “I trust you. Now, where were we?”

  Again, she reached for my pocket. I laughed and stopped her hand from reaching inside as I said, “You’re still not getting this back.”

  She then reached out and tickled me. No one had tried in years. I wiggled and laughed. She then said, “Oh, you don’t know all my methods, Dwayne.”

  She continued, but I pushed the paper into my boxer briefs and then reached for her arm pits. She yelped as I said, “I’m a fast learner.”

  She stopped, so I did, but then she said, “One of the many things that makes you adorable.”

  This time when I smiled, I was sure my dimples appeared as I couldn’t hide them when I asked, “You’re not regretting writing these words?”

  She shook her head and said, “No, but I still feel outclassed.”

  “You’re not,” I said and pressed my forehead to hers.

  She traced my abs and chest as she asked, “Can you forgive me?”

  Adrenaline shot through me as I focused on her lips, but I asked, “For what?”

  “For how I acted earlier?”

  I hugged her and didn’t care if she felt my hard-on. “You needed to work out your feelings. I’m glad you chose me.”

  “Likewise. Now let’s go to bed.”

  Soon, she’d have the strength. I believed in her. She’d proven to me a good woman makes life complete. Instead of following her instructions, I claimed her lips. She kissed me and made me feel whole. She loved me, and I loved her, and nothing else would matter.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Mary

  The sunlight warmed my face, but instead of the sexy wall of muscles I’d fallen asleep with, now I had my squishy adorable son next to me as Dwayne blocked the edge of the bed with his eyes closed.

  I let out a small laugh. I blinked and vaguely remembered how Dwayne had kissed my forehead a few minutes—or maybe an hour—ago and said he’d get my son.

  But my son was awake, sucking on his bottle and now staring at me.

  A smile broke out on my face, and Dwayne’s brown eyes opened. I breathed a little easier. “Bruce between us wasn’t how I expected the day to start,” I whispered.

  His dimples showed, but before he could say anything, we were interrupted by his phone. He sat up. “Be right back.”

  I stood up as well, as Bruce needed a diaper change.

  I cleaned him up, then we headed out to the living room, where I tossed the diaper away. Bruce used the couch to stand, but Dwayne’s face was white as he waved for me to come, and he grabbed Bruce. I followed and asked, “What’s going on?”

  He took us to the office and said, “Look, keep Bruce in my office. The door, window, and walls are bulletproof.”

  I pressed my hand to my fast-beating heart and a second later took my son from his arms. “What? Why?”

  Dwayne kept his voice low. “Arthur is here.”

  I hugged my son, who put his head on my shoulder. “He can’t get Bruce.”

  He gave me a curt nod and his phone. “Keep him safe and hold the line for the police.”

  He stepped back into the hall. “What will you do?” I asked.

  He winked at me with all confidence, and he pressed speakerphone as he said, “Oh, I have security measures. Trust me.”

  Someone on the line typed, but I whispered, “I’m scared.”

  Dwayne returned, kissed my forehead, and said, “He’s got terrorists as clients, but he’s not used to being told no. I’ve seen his type.”

  I heard his words, but it was like I was living in an alternate reality. He stepped back. “Okay, but still,” I said.

  “I love you,” he said and closed the door.

  I needed to tell him the same. I rested my head on the closed door, locked it, and said, “That’s why I need you in my life.”

  I heard the officer speaking to someone, but their voices were muffled. Suddenly, a female voice came on the phone and asked, “Are you still in the house?”

  “We’re still in.” I sat on the floor and watched my son as he used the chairs to help him balance. “Arthur Waterstone is outside, and I think he’s here to kill me and my one-year-old.”

  The woman sounded more concerned. “Are you safe?”

  I swallowed. It was best to be honest, so I said, “We’re locked in the office, but my boyfriend is closer to the door. Please hurry.”

  My son put his head on the carpet and sucked down his milk. I refused to move an inch while he drank himself to sleep.

  Finally, I heard his light breathing and inched closer. Then I knelt down, kissed his cheek, and whispered, “Bruce, stay asleep, sweetheart. I’ll be right back.”

  I inched over to the bulletproof window and peeked out. Men I didn’t recognize were near the door.

  Dwayne was alone. I had to warn him.

  I grabbed a letter opener, squared my shoulders, and then unlocked the door. I heard nothing, so I popped my head out. Dwayne was at the kitchen counter with a tablet surrounded by weapons and wearing black Kevlar. I trotted over, ignoring the guns that were bigger than my arm, and said, “There are people out back. What are you doing, Dwayne?”

  His eyes widened as he asked, “Where is Bruce?”

  I swallowed and said fast, “Sleeping. The police are coming.”

  He showed me his tablet and explained the various screens. “There are six men. Two are trying to pry open my garage. One is at the end of the street. Two more are at the back door.”

  My gut twisted, but what held me still was Dwayne’s calmness. I also pointed to the only man I recognized onscreen. “And Arthur?”

  He pointed behind him to the front door. “He’s right there.”

  I pressed my hand on his shoulder and asked in a quiet voice so no one would hear us, “And how are you just watching this so calmly?”

  He showed me a phone-like device in his hand. “Oh, I have weapons aimed at all six of their heads.”

  I let go of him and honestly couldn’t move for a moment. “Weapons?” My pulse accelerated.

  “My security is advanced, and I have clearances.”

  I pointed to the microphone on his tablet and asked, “Can I talk to Arthur?”

  He nodded. “Sure. Hit the camera and then the talk button.”

  Maybe I was crazy, but my insides were practically on fire. A moment later, I coughed to announce myself and asked, “Why are you here and not fleeing the country? How stupid are you?”

  His thin lips pressed together as he banged on the door. He stopped when he said, “On no planet do you get to live some fairy tale while I lose everything, sweetheart. Not when you brought this trouble to me, you heartless bitch.”

  Sirens screeched behind him. I stood absolutely still, gazing at Dwayne. “Arthur, sounds like the police are here. Good. But let me tell you that while I didn’t bring Dwayne into your life directly, I’m fucking glad he’s here with me. Goodbye.”

  Dwayne gave me a half smile and tapped my arm to support me. “Good going. Head back in with Bruce until this is over.”

  I slipped the tablet in front of him, but the sirens still blared. He muted it. “Sounds like it’s getting bad out there,” I said.

  “Go,” he reminded me. I was still holding the mail opener, but I guessed I wouldn’t need it. I slipped in and waited behind the door.

  Maybe in the future, I would get my son something better to sleep on than the floor, but he seemed comfortable on the rug.

  Outside the door, everything was silent. We could be sleeping as far as anyone knew.

  The sun was already above the ocean now, and my stomach ached like I was hungry for breakfast.

  A knock tugged me out of my reverie, and I jumped up as Dwayne let himself in and said, “It’s quiet now.”

  “And the weapons?
” I asked, as the last thing we needed was my son near anything like that.

  “Locked away,” he said, and I breathed easier. He motioned with his head to follow him. “Bruce seems calm.”

  At least he hadn’t said anything judgmental about a parent letting her son sleep on the floor. “He usually is.”

  He waved for me to join him. “Come. The police want your statement.”

  I took one look at my son and decided to scoop him up. He was still sleeping, but if he woke up to sirens, I would never forgive myself. A few moments later, I followed Dwayne out of the room.

  I then looked at his shoulder and could see the Kevlar was ripped. I reached out to touch him. “You were shot.”

  “I’m fine. The vest worked.”

  I loved him. I wanted to throw my arms around him and hold him tight. But he led me to the front door, where police cars were lined up along the street outside. One woman asked me, “You and your son are good, ma’am?”

  I rocked Bruce, who woke up. “Yeah, Dwayne’s house is like a fortress. I didn’t hear anything in the office.”

  She nodded. “Good. The six men have all been arrested, and with federal charges, they aren’t likely getting out in our lifetime.”

  “Thank you,” I said.

  Dwayne placed his hand on my back and soon directed us back inside.

  Once we closed the door, the house was quiet again. The walls must have been soundproof, but I didn’t ask. We walked over to the kitchen counter, and he said, “So it’s over.”

  I put my son down, and he crawled over to the couch. “Is it?” I asked.

  Dwayne took out the coffee pot. “I have a decision to make now, Mary.”

  I followed him in and grabbed the eggs from the refrigerator to make breakfast. “What?”

  He took out the milk, and we brushed against each other near the open door. “If I move to Pittsburgh, will you and Bruce move in with me?”

  For a second, the egg container shook in my hand, but then I strengthened my grip and glanced up at him.

  We were serious, and my heart widened. Dwayne was the man I’d wanted all my life. Bruce held out his arms for Dwayne and shouted, “Dada.”

  He rubbed the boy’s head and said, “I’ll get him a bottle.”

  He reached for Dwayne, and Dwayne picked him up. Once he did, my son calmed down, and I walked beside them both as I met his gaze and said, “Dwayne, yes. I love you. I never want to live without you.”

  I froze. It hadn’t been that hard to say.

  “I love you too.” He winked at me as my son hugged him, but as we reached the refrigerator, my phone rang. He fed my son and said, “Now get your phone.”

  I showed him my brother’s name and then answered. “Joseph, Arthur was arrested.”

  I pressed speakerphone, and he said, “Good. I’m out of the hospital, but when you come home, call me, sis. I want to see you and Bruce are good, in person.”

  I jumped up and down a little. He was fine. I met Dwayne’s gaze. I had two men protecting me now. “You’re always looking out for me,” I told Joseph.

  “We’re family, sis.”

  True. And the Steel family stuck together and helped each other. I said goodbye.

  “Will he be upset if you move in with me?” Dwayne asked.

  I laughed and knelt down with them as he put Bruce down in the living room, and I said, “After I tell him about your security system, he’s going to want your contacts for his computer business.” I kissed Dwayne’s cheek. “I’ll pass along Mark’s business card.”

  My breasts stood at attention in my bra as the heat of his gaze dug under my skin. I guessed breakfast was now second on his list.

  “Now come here,” he said.

  My eyes widened. “In broad daylight?”

  He took my hand like he was about to lead me to the bedroom. “Bruce is busy with his toys…” He let me go and grabbed his phone off the kitchen counter. “Wait. Let me get my camera.”

  I turned around and pressed my hand to my heart. Bruce was wobbling, but he was standing and putting one foot in front of the other without the couch. Tears formed in my eyes. “He’s walking,” I said.

  Just like that, he fell on his butt, but Dwayne snapped his fingers beside me. “Got it.”

  I let out an audible breath and rewatched the moment. “I need to send this in the family group chat.”

  He forwarded it to me, and I sent it in the Steel family group chat. Once my phone made the sent sound, I turned it off, and he grabbed my hips. “Then we can celebrate, alone, for a few minutes.”

  Leaving my son wasn’t my normal, even if he was safe, so I said, “Okay, he won’t notice once he’s sleeping.”

  “I get it, but I need you soon, Mary.”

  My eyebrow quirked. How Dwayne loved me still struck me as crazy and amazing, but I tilted my head, playfully crossed my arms, and said, “I still need my letter back.”

  He took it out of his pocket and said, “Not going to happen, but I still love you.”

  “Me too,” I said, but I reached for it. He put it down his pants, but I didn’t care and reached inside for the paper.

  To stop me, he kissed me. And then I forgot everything else. In that one moment, it was just him and me.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dwayne

  A Month Later

  The sun was almost setting now. I’d left my new home with Mary practically at the crack of dawn. She’d locked herself in the bathroom when she woke up with me. And I swore she’d been sick, but she came out swearing she was fine and telling me to go.

  Her texts throughout the day about our date that night had made my memory fade until I parked in our garage. The ring in my pocket jingled, so I knew the diamond I’d picked out was still there. Now I stepped out, fixed my tie, and pressed the elevator button.

  We’d moved into a penthouse in her brother’s new condo building so family would be close.

  The doors closed, and I heard light music. My heart thudded as I realized the windfall I just received. The lawyers for Cole Securities transferred ownership outright to me, and I’d be a damn fool to turn away the potential money to earn.

  Plus, staying in Pittsburgh meant Mary and I and Bruce now lived together. And I toured my engineering facilities and manufacturing plant and the legal contracts. It was more than I ever expected to make, and it was because my brother left his company for me.

  I owed Devon and in a way Wanda for building this company, though Wanda was happily in prison awaiting trial.

  As I opened the door, Bruce waddled over to me, and I scooped him up in my arms. I forgot my day and focused on the warm, squishable boy in my arms. Joseph was sitting on our couch, but I didn’t see Mary at all. I put my shoes away, bouncing Bruce.

  The bedroom door behind me opened, and I pivoted around. Mary breezed out of the bedroom in a blue dress that fit her perfectly, and her hair was up like it’d been the night I met her. I couldn’t breathe. Bruce wiggled out of my arms, and I took a few steps closer and kissed her cheek. She brushed her hand to my cheek and asked, “So, how did it go?”

  I spun her around so I had a full view. “You look amazing.”

  Her face reddened a little, but she shook her head and said, “Thanks, but you didn’t answer the question.”

  I’d already committed to running the company, but she was beaming at me, clearly wondering how my day had gone, but instead of answering her, I said, “Having a legal team explain my responsibilities and contracts for me made understanding my job easier.”

  Her brother laughed as Bruce raced into his arms, but Mary crossed her arms and asked, “But did you like running it, or are you going back to Cole Securities?”

  I turned her around and discreetly pinched her ass as I said, “I belong here, with you, especially in that dress of yours.”

  She patted my chest with the tie around my neck still and said, “We met when I was super fancy.”

  Tonight was on, then. I was luckier than m
y brother ever was because I had Mary in my life. I let my gaze trail over her body. Her breasts were like orbs that I ached to suckle right then, but I only said, “You’re beautiful, no matter what you’re wearing or doing.”

  Her brother then huffed from the couch and said, “Okay, both of you, leave. Bruce doesn’t need to learn all the mushy stuff this early.”

  I called out as we headed to the closet, “Thanks again for babysitting, Joseph.”

  Bruce clung to him as Joseph said, “You literally moved into my building so I get to see you both all the time.”

  “I needed a babysitter I trusted,” Mary called out as she slipped her matching blue shoes on.

  I chose my shinier black shoes for the night.

  Joseph carried Bruce over and walked us to the door, saying goodbye.

  Mary pressed her lips together and stared at me. My skin prickled as I thought that maybe something was going on, but she didn’t say a word. We made it to the front lobby with the all-black marble fountain in the middle, and she just sailed beside me. When we stepped out, her mouth dropped. “You got us a limo?”

  Maybe whatever she had to say wasn’t that bad. I swallowed and scooted behind her into the limo as I said, “It seems I run a well-funded company.”

  She relaxed in her seat but held her belly like she’d eaten already. “And you’re splurging on me.”

  Was that her big secret? She’d made me promise a place that offered small meals. So my gaze narrowed as I said, “Even frou-frou French dinner doesn’t hurt the bottom line.”

  Her eyes widened as she asked, “Champagne?”

  I nodded as the limo stopped in front of the restaurant we had reservations at as I said, “I’m a classy guy.”

  She patted her head like she wanted to massage her scalp but then didn’t want to ruin her hair. My mother used to complain about pins when I was a boy, but I could be wrong with my guess. I didn’t ask and offered my arm as we slipped out of the limo. However, as the door closed behind us, she sucked in her breathe and tugged my arm. “I can see that. And I’m impressed, but can we go somewhere else?”