by B. C. Falls
“Hey there, hot stuff,” I whisper. He doesn’t seem to notice he’s too busy looking over the wounds that are covering my body.
“It’s a graze,” Blake says when he lifts my hands. “Her leg too,” Dane still checks.
“How’s Kady?” I ask and that gets his attention. His jaw ticks when he looks at my face I must have big bruise.
“Fine,” he moves Blake’s hands away and puts his arms under my legs and head lifting me up off the ground. “Get to the truck,” he orders Trent. Trent doesn’t listen right away. He pulls Blake towards him and I see them kiss briefly before Dane carries me away.
“Don’t be mad at me,” I beg.
“I’m pissed.”
“I’m fine,” he scoffs. “I took down the cartel.” He laughs this time. “Did you see Jeff is dead? That bastard deserved it.”
“Baby, shut up.” I look up at his face and see a sliver of a smile.
“Dane,” I lift my hand away from my side and touch his cheek. “I love you,” he stops walking. “I think I always have.”
His features soften as he stares down at me. “I love you too,” I pull his face towards mine. He kisses me softly for just a couple seconds.
“Royce!” I hear Luke yell. I pull away from Dane and see all of my brothers and my father running towards us. Dane ignores them and heads for his truck.
“Dude, slow down,” Grayson tells Dane but he doesn’t.
“Was she shot?” Dallas asks walking briskly next to us.
“I’m okay, Daddy.” When I say Daddy he stops walking for a good five seconds before he falls back into step next to us. “That asshole Antonio just got me a little.”
“That asshole did this?” Kayden asks.
“He’s mine,” Dane growls.
“Fuck that. Take care of our girl. Love you, sis.” Grayson touches my ankle before he runs away. Danny and Kayden follow him. Dane growls at their exit but keeps heading in another direction.
“Get the door,” Dallas tells Luke who runs ahead to open the door. Dane doesn’t let me go even when he has a hard time sliding us into the back of the cab.
“I got it,” he barks to Dallas who backs off. “Shut the door,” he says with less anger in his voice.
“I’ll drive,” Luke says getting into the driver’s seat. “You follow dad,” Dallas hesitates for a couple seconds but once I nod for him that I’m good, he does it.
“Where’s Blake?” I ask Dane.
“She’s coming,” he’s looking at me again. His arms tighten around me pulling me until my face is buried into his neck. “You ran.”
“I’m sorry, Dane,” I whisper. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“You can’t do this to me again, Royce,” He pleads. There is so much emotion in his voice. “I can’t live without you.” One door closes but I don’t look to see who got in or out. I’m guessing in because seconds later the truck is moving. “Please.”
I reach my hand up again and place it on his cheek. “I promise.”
He believes me, but he doesn’t smile until he speaks “We’re having a baby.”
“We are,” I can’t help but smile also.
Even though I’m in so much pain and the last couple days have been nothing but hell for me, I’m still ridiculously delirious with happiness. This man is everything I need to be happy for the rest of my life and I’ll be damned if I don’t cherish every moment we have together for the next forever. “I love you,” he says with certainty.
“I love you. Forever.”
“Forever,” he kisses me, sealing our forever with a promise that can’t ever be broken.
“I think my blood pressure is a little high,” I whisper against his lips. “I don’t feel so hot right now.”
“You got shot and you didn’t remember to take your pills,” he whispers back. “I bet you don’t feel so hot and you don’t look it either.”
“Asshole,” he chuckles. “No seriously, Dane, I’m going to pass out.”
“Go ahead, just don’t die on me because I’ll come find you."
“You’ll always find me.”
“To cheesy?” he asks.
“So cheesy.” My eyes give in and after days of no sleep, hours of pain, and being terrified of not seeing my loved ones again, I finally feel the peace. I feel whole.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Dane
The baby is perfect. Her heartbeat is strong and reassuring. Well maybe not a her. We aren’t sure yet and we’re waiting to find out.
Once we got Royce into the truck, we drove straight to the hospital. Thank God Luke isn’t big on following the rules because if he had driven slow, I would’ve murdered him.
We’ve been here for three days now. Cops and Marshals have come and gone in what seems like a revolving door.
I pull on Royce’s hand flipping it over so I can see my ring. The day after we got here, when she finally woke up from a thirteen-hour dream, I lifted her hand to my lips and placed a kiss on the finger I’d slipped the ring onto earlier. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to. I knew her answer the minute I saw her smile. We sealed it with a kiss, of course, because my girl can’t keep her hands off of me.
I wish I could say that I’m okay with everything that happened. Royce leaving me that day still plays in my head over and over again. I don’t think I’ll ever be okay with all of it. I might have seemed under control but inside I was freaking out every second Royce was missing. Then I found her and my world seemed to stop when I saw all of that blood. I knew she was fine when she called me hot stuff, but seeing her like that changed me. She should definitely expect to be on lock down for the rest of our life’s.
I let go of her hand and place it on her stomach. She’s been sleeping for a couple hours now and I miss hearing her voice.
I pull out her phone and play the “My Man” playlist she’s had on here since we met.
I place one of the ear buds in her left ear and the other in my right. The songs on here are always the same. Perfectly describes our relationship or it’s way too sad for my taste, but I listen because she loves it.
I lay my head down on the bed next to Royce’s stomach and place my hand next to hers.
Three songs pass before ours comes on or well the song she says is ours. Sweetest Devotion by Adele.
“Dane,” Royce whispers. I turn my head to the other side so I can look at her. She has tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong baby?” I sit up a little dropping the head phone from my ear.
“I can’t stop thinking about it.”
I lift up more and place my hand on her cheek. “About what?” I brush a falling tear away.
“Everything,” she leans into my touch. “I shouldn’t have left. I shouldn’t have put our future in that position.
“You are safe Royce. Both of you,” I place my hand on her stomach again.
“I’m sorry,” she starts really crying now and I get on the bed, pulling her into my arms.
“Shh, baby it’s okay now. I got you.”
Royce passed out again. I moved off her bed once the nurse came in and saw that I was holding her.
“Dane,” I feel a hand on my shoulder. I know who it is without even turning around. “How’s our girl?”
“She’s tired, but I think she’s okay,” I turn the music up a little bit on her headphones. “They said they would let her go home in a day or two.”
“The ring looks good on her finger,” I look down at Royce’s hand, admiring it.
“It does,” I smile. Standing, I turn and hug mom. “You didn’t have to come all this way, mom.”
“I know I didn’t, but Royce is family.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask. She seems stronger right now but good days are always followed by bad.
“I’m okay, Dane. Don’t worry about me,” she pushes me back when Royce starts whimpering.
I quickly let go of my mom and go to Royce. “Dane,” she says. “Dane,” she’s
still asleep. I brush back some of her hair and cup her face in my hands.
“It’s okay baby. I’m here,” I kiss her forehead. “Wake up baby.”
It takes a couple moments and more sweet words I’d never thought I’d get the chance to say, “Dane?” her eyes flutter open.
“Was it a nightmare again?” I ask.
“Yes. I think—I think it was, at least.”
“You’re awake now,” I kiss her lips like the last time she had one, to prove to her that this is real. “You’re okay.”
“Royce,” mom says behind me. Royce smiles and pushes me away from her to see my mom, “Hi sweetie.”
“Hi,” Royce says suddenly shy.
“How are you?” mom asks.
“I’m good. I can’t have too many pain killers cause of the baby, but it’s worth it.”
My mom’s hands fly up to her mouth on a gasp. “A baby?” Mom asks.
“Good one, love.” I tell Royce. She shrugs.
“A baby?” Mom asks again this time looking at me.
“Yes mom, a baby.” I reach over and take her hand. “You think dad will be a good grandpa?”
“You can ask him, he was just parking the car.” Royce giggles and I can’t help but look back at her. I missed that sound. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a grandma,” she starts crying hard, but it’s happy sobs. The door opens right as mom lays her head down on the bed, the sheets do nothing to muffle her sobs.
I can’t help but laugh, “What the heck is going on?” Dad asks coming to stand next to me.
“A baby!” Mom says but it’s muffled so it comes out “Ahhh bayyy,” Dad looks at me confused.
“You’re going to be a grandpa,” I tell him.
My dad’s never been a huge fan of words. He talks more than me, but it’s the simple things that he loves. So when he says, “Thank you, son,” and pats me on the shoulder I know he means more than that. He lets go of me and walks to the other side of Royce’s bed. “Thank you. I couldn’t ask for a better daughter, well besides Maddie.” he kisses her on the forehead.
“Of course and please don’t thank me. I’ve done thing but love your sun and he made it pretty damn easy.” I shake my head at her potty mouth but my grin tells everyone in the room just how happy I am to hear her say that.
I’m so far gone for this girl and the way she just opens her heart to my family. To everyone.
That’s the thing about, Royce.
When she loves something it’s not just a little. She loves it with everything she is and she never breaks away from that love. It courses through her veins, it’s the breath in her lungs, the marrow in her bones, and the beat of her heart. She never falters when questioned. This women’s loyalty could be tested and she would never break it.
People like her are rare. I’ll never let her slip away again.
My parents stay for a little while longer. Mom gets mad at Royce when she finds out where she’s been. Eventually the tears come again. Dad and I just sit there trying to help them see that it’s all over. Once they leave, Kady ends up coming back. She’s been here a couple times since we got here, Dallas got her a room not far from the hospital at a nice hotel. She comes and goes, but usually falls asleep here. I don’t leave. I never leave.
I hold Royce’s hand as she sleeps, Kady is on the couch with a bag of popcorn on her lap watching some TV show, and Boxer is here too, lying on the floor near the bed. I sit in my chair and just watch.
Watch my family.
Royce
I can’t stop staring at Dane. He’s been asleep for a while now. I look over at Kady who is also asleep. Seems Boxer is the only one not interested in sleeping. “Hey boy,” he looks up at me and whines. “I know I left you behind. Don’t worry I won’t do that again,” he lifts his head up and licks my hand from the floor.
We’ve been home for a day now. I’m not tired all the time but everyone else is tired apparently.
Dane insists on being near me so right now his head is on my stomach while the rest of him is spread out on the bigger part of the couch. Thank God I got the biggest couch when I moved in here or this would be so uncomfortable.
There is a knock at the door, which causes Dane to shoot off the couch and Boxer to bark loudly which makes Kady wake up.
“Now you wake up.”
Dane scowls at me, “Wait here.”
“Oh yeah, no, I was planning on using my bum leg to get to the door.” He scowls at me again.
I wait patiently with Kady as Dane walks to the door. I barely hear the voices of whoever is here but I don’t necessarily care right now. I’m too happy to care. Too alive.
“Royce,” Dane says. I lift my attention to him and away from the TV. “Marshals are here to see you.”
We’ve met with over six Marshals, various police officers in two different states, and the FBI since we got to the hospital. I thought it was all over. Dane and the boys didn’t get into much trouble, all of their guns were registered and they were acting on defense. The only problem the cops and federal agents had was that they acted at all. They were basically scolded for crossing into another jurisdiction but because they weren’t acting on the Miller Falls police departments behalf, they didn’t end up with any reprimand. Still the Chief suspended Dane, Luke, Kayden, Trent, and a couple other guys who were involved. Grayson wasn’t suspended because he’s one of only four other guys who is on the SWAT team here.
“Okay,” I sit up a little.
The Marshal walks in, but I’ve never met him before. He’s taller, skinnier than a lot of the other guys I met before. He’s also older than all of them.
“Kady, go upstairs,” Kady looks worried but does what I ask. Once she is gone I ask, “What do you want?”
“Miss Puckett, I’m Agent Henderson,” he pulls his badge out and shows us both it. “I wanted to tell you a few things.”
“What things?” Dane asks, he’s standing at the entryway to the living room and kitchen leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. He looks fucking hot. Stupid gun shot wounds. “Get it out, buddy. We have guests coming over soon.”
“Guests?” I ask Dane. “Who’s coming over?”
“People,” is all he gives me before nodding at Agent Henderson. I turn my attention back to the Marshal.
“We’ve arrested Agent Tod,” my brows peek up. “He was connected to David and Antonio, in separate situations but all the same.”
Dane moves off the wall. I told him all about how Agent Tod had told me I had no choice in helping them if I wanted to adopt Kady. “What charges?” Dane asks.
“Treason for one. Any act against Americans for the Cartel or terrorism is treason. He’s also going to be charged with murder, kidnapping, witness tampering, and I believe fraud. The man will probably be executed by firing squad.”
“They still do that?” I ask.
“Some states do. The US Attorney wants him charged in a state that won’t allow him to ever see the light of day again. He’s being extradited to several states to face trials. He dug himself into a hole he won’t ever be able to crawl out of.”
“So what exactly did he do? I mean I understand the charges but what did he do? What brought you here?” I ask.
“We had a suspicion that he wasn’t being honest with us after he told me that you offered to help. We asked for the recorded audio or video of the meeting he had with you but he didn’t have that, he never recorded it and we didn’t push because we wanted Antonio. We’d been working with the FBI on the case for a long time and it was one we needed to put to rest. So we went with it. When we caught that guy who told us you were on the short list of targets for Antonio, we told Tod to pull you out. He fought us on it. We didn’t really understand why, but then I checked his logs and phone calls in the building. He’d been in touch with David which wouldn’t have seemed off but his bank account was also receiving a significant amount of funds every month. So we kept digging. He’d been playing us all.” His voice drops
, the disappointment in all of these facts is clear in his body language.
“So this Marshall was in on it the whole time?” Dane asks. “I don’t get how he snuck by you.”
The Marshall continues, “Apparently four years ago he met Antonio in a very troubling situation and Antonio had him by the balls, so to speak. He caved and has been working for him ever since. He knew where Blake was, knew what you were doing, and because he wanted the money, he had to let you go there and get it. We brought Tod in the day before you left with the last of the money. He told us everything before asking for a deal. We didn’t give him one,” Henderson walks closer to me and touches my shoulder, he’s trying to comfort me. “I’m very sorry that he used your daughter to get what he wanted.”
“I’m not,” I tell him. “If I hadn’t made that deal with him, I wouldn’t have Kady. I don’t regret doing anything I did.”
“I’m happy to hear that. We are in your debt, Royce. If you ever need anything,” he moves his hand off my shoulder and reaches for a card in his pocket. “Call me, okay?” He hands it over.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you, Royce. You’ve closed a case I’ve been trying to close for a decade.” We shake hands and he turns to Dane. “Take care of them.”
“Forever,” Dane says shaking his hand. “Thank you, Marshall.” Henderson just nods in response.
Dane walks him out and once the door shuts Kady comes running back down the stairs. She jumps on top of me and into my arms. “I’m so glad it’s all over.”
“Me too, baby girl,” I wrap my arms tightly around her. “I love you, Kady.”
“I love you too, mom.” I gasp at her calling me mom.
“Forever,” I tighten my hold on her, tears spill down my cheeks but this time I’m not unsure of our future or what is going to come doesn’t scare me anymore, I have three people, maybe more in the future, in my life that I will forever call my family.