Make Me Stay II: A Second Chance Romance

by Avant, Amarie

  “Jessica, if you need me to come over and fold anymore laundry, cook, clean, I will.”

  “Oh, so you’re not offering to steal my other child anymore?” A beat passed before she waved a hand. “I was kidding this time. Last time, I envied you so badly. I had to come home and read the Book of Job.”

  Avery smiled. “Apology accepted.”

  51

  Donavan

  The backyard of the Castle mansion was massive, but not as large as Baudelaire’s. Donavan cupped his hands over his eyes to see his son off in the distance. Junior, Joshua and Maggie had made the space their own baseball field. Antonio was the pitcher. Ted, who’d taken the holiday off at the last moment, interlocked his hands over his head at second base.

  Joshua watched him like a hawk, ready to tag him if he left base before Verdie could swing the bat. They were taking it easy on her since she moved with such elegance and grace. While Jess sat on a wicker chair bundled in one of Verdie’s cashmere blankets, Greg sat at her side, chatting about how they wouldn’t make it to Florida next week with Sheriff glued to Junior. The pup’s tiny legs were on the move each time Junior ran, and luckily, he’d taken the outfield.

  Alexander flipped steaks at the grill of his outdoor kitchen. Carly held Anya, who wore a “1st 4th of July” tiara on her head. She and Avery sat on the patio, eating veggies and ranch dressing. Avery seemed to be keeping an eye on Alexander, though they both agreed that Donavan would tell her father that he would no longer be working for him.

  Alexander grabbed the pitcher of lemonade while Avery talked about their plans for Disney World next week.

  “Oh, where’s my invitation?” The wolf who’d dressed down for the occasion in checkered shorts glanced innocently back and forth at all three of them.

  Carly offered an astonished smile

  Donavan took a sip of his lemonade.

  “Dang, you have to keep Sherriff while we’re gone, Dad. I can’t afford a kennel. I was going to drop him off at the door with a thank you note on his collar.”

  Carly sniggered. “Ha! Well, I’m only going for the first day then leaving Joshua with you all, so I can start back at the dental office . . .”

  Folding her arms, Avery said, “Nope, I think my dad can do some babysitting duty.”

  Alexander rolled his eyes. “I’ll pay for a five-star kennel, princess.”

  “Still not seeing your presence as a good idea, Dad. You should understand that . . .”

  “I’ll speak with the dental office. Get Carly the entire duration off.” Alexander countered. “Five-star kennel, the entire family together. You’re my daughter, Avery.”

  Avery winked at Carly. “Damn, I still got it.”

  “Petty.” Carly shook her head.

  “Spoiled. Well,” she reluctantly started, “if you promise to follow through with what you’ve said and behave, then come.”

  Fumbling with his fingers, Alexander mustered as much of a response as he could in sign language. “I’m an old man. What trouble—”

  “Lots!” She chuckled drily then glanced at Carly, who took that as a sign to leave.

  “Anya.” Carly held the chubby baby, who had a second Fourth of July sparkly tutu on. “Let’s go sabotage your dad and Junior’s team, now that Donnie has stopped playing. We’ve gotta help the other team.”

  Donavan shook his head as Carly and Anya moved along the flagstone steps.

  “Looks like you want to have a man’s chat.” Alexander stared at Donavan, then his gaze turned expectantly to Avery. He patted her shoulder for emphasis, claiming Carly’s seat next to her.

  “Yes, a man’s chat, and that includes me.” Her eyes narrowed somewhat. The anger burning in her cheeks matched the peach of her sundress.

  She paused, catching Donavan’s eye. He didn’t need her around to tell her father that this was the end of the line for them.

  “We’ll just be a second,” Donavan signed. Avery frowned. For a split second, he was looking into the eyes of the fierce, little girl who had argued with the principal of their private school. She’d threatened to have her parents cut the additional funding they offered in order to save him from one stunt or another. The joke was on them for believing her.

  Standing with shoulders squared and mumbling under her breath, she retorted, “Alright, vote me off the island. You two figure this out because I’m not having any of it. Okay?”

  When she stalked around the table, Donavan crossed her path. His lips went to her forehead. The frown that inched across her beautiful brown face faltered for a moment. Avery glared back at her dad before she trailed down the three steps and across the lawn.

  “I’ll never see what my daughter sees in you.” Alexander’s tone was hushed as if he were contemplating a gross miscarriage of justice.

  Donavan took a seat across from him, pulling the V-neck from his thick frame. He rubbed his thumb over his newest tattoo on his forearm, Anya’s smile, which was enough to calm him in the moment. He then locked eyes on his enemy’s and said, “I’m not working for you anymore.”

  A flash of sheer animosity sprinted over Alexander’s gaze. He nodded his head thoughtfully. “You’re out? No explanation.”

  “No excuses, Castle, I’m out.”

  The vehement hatred that loomed for a nanosecond disappeared, leaving Alexander to offer a devilish chuckle. “Alright. I don’t run a gang, Donavan. You say you’re out. You’re out.”

  The Italian came to mind instantly. How well had the mark known Alexander? Donavan decided that he didn’t need to know. Donavan stood up prepared to return to the game, but Alexander spoke.

  “Guillermo Ganza was a very good friend of mine. Very good. I would be remiss not to tell you that the two of us were closer than you and Tripp. Please understand that I am highly aware of how enmeshed a society it is—having each other’s back in life or death situations. Guilly and I were friends since our undergrad days at the university.”

  Donavan’s face was stoic as he mentioned The Italian.

  Alexander pointed a stiff finger at him. “You are a good friend of mine now, as well, Donavan. The moment you put a ring on my child’s finger, and she decided that you were worthy to marry, well, that means all bets are off.”

  A hard sneer of a smile sprang onto Donavan’s face. He placed his hands onto the table and glared across. “Threaten me, Castle, and I will correct your ass then apologize to Avery later.”

  “Alexander, Alex, Pops.” He shrugged. “No more formalities. Listen, I have your DNA, and it’s not because you didn’t trust my team enough to complete their job at Guilly’s. We’ll be celebrating a wedding soon, Donavan. Here’s to a long, fruitful relationship.” Alexander held out his hand. “No Vitality included.”

  “I am not working for you anymore.”

  With a flippant smile, Alexander said, “The princess is looking, Donavan. You should shake my hand.”

  Donavan clasped the devil’s outstretched hand, bicep bulging as he squeezed tightly. “Not a fucking thing, you got that?”

  “I get that your turning my bones into dust.” Alexander’s fingertips were red. He tugged until Donavan let go. “I will not bother you, Donavan. You have my word.”

  Donavan turned around and headed toward the game. There was not a single cloud in sight. Maggie screamed loudly for her dad to run faster. Ted moved pretty swiftly, though there was a comical awkwardness to how he sprinted from second base to third.

  Donavan took in the entire scene and shoved his hands into his pockets. Avery glanced over her shoulder at him and headed toward him.

  He nudged his chin. “I said no keeping score, but their playing like scouts are watching.”

  “Well, Josh was playing nice until my mom stopped acting like this was the runway and took things seriously.” Her eyebrows furrowed. “Do I still need to talk to my dad?”

  Grazing his knuckles over her cheek, he said, “Don’t worry. We handled our differences.”

  Her thick lips were tensed
with trepidation, and so he clasped her tiny frame in his arms, holding her tightly. Donavan placed his chin on top of her head ruminating over Alexander’s words. The bastard had his DNA. There was a whole lotta bad that could be done with someone’s genetic makeup. Alexander had threatened him with that, and then out of his vile mouth he’d declared a peace treaty.

  * * *

  Later that night, Alexander boasted about having the city’s agreement to host a private firework show, repeating several times that it was his granddaughter’s first show. He also had hired pyrotechnicians to handle each display. Everyone gathered outside, except for Jess and Ted, who watched from the French windows, since it had grown too cool for Jessica.

  With Anya bundled in her cookie monster fuzzy footed pajamas and attached hoodie, Donavan held her as she screamed from the top of her lungs, babbling about the fireworks.

  Avery stood at his side, and Junior was glued to her opposite hip. Beside Junior was Maggie, who grabbed his shoulder and shook him in excitement. Sheriff rarely left his tiny master and barked at the sparkly night sky.

  His daughter squealed at the top of her lungs. Donavan tapped Avery, who was so mesmerized by the lights, so that she could see just how much Anya was enjoying the display.

  “You aren’t afraid of anything, are you, honey bun?” He kissed the top her head, smiling brightly. See, I can’t have PTSD, firecrackers are a trigger. I’m wrong. Avery’s wrong.

  Avery pawed at Anya’s face as her cheeks puffed up for another screech. “Oh my God, it’s a miracle. I can hear you.”

  Donavan reached over and kissed her forehead.

  “What?”

  “I can hear Anya and Sheriff. They’re louder than the fireworks, duh.”

  “Oh duh? That term has returned to your vocabulary?”

  Avery giddily chuckled, nodding swiftly.

  After the finale, they all headed into the Castle mansion where champagne and apple cider were served.

  “As you all know,” Alexander held his flute up, arm draped around Verdrena, “I’m a man who likes to give speeches. My daughter and son-in-law have news. But can I say a few words before I pass the microphone, metaphorically speaking?”

  “Sounds good to me.” Greg sipped at his champagne.

  Ted and Jessica sat on the couch, tipping their drinks.

  “I just wanted to say that we all do what we have to for our family.” His gaze landed on Avery and then Antonio and back to his wife. Donavan stopped himself from rolling his eyes. Alexander usually saved the long speeches for his associates, but the air was thick as if he anticipated giving a really lengthy one tonight. “We work hard, and we make mistakes.” Alexander’s voice boomed. His eyes on Donavan now. “But this is what prosperity looks like. My growing family. I love each one of you. I’m proud to be the man that I’ve become today because my little princess—”

  “Dad.” Avery smiled though her tone was testy.

  “What? All I was going to say is that you wanted your old pop to be the best man he could be. Did I not give you more than you could ever ask for? Avery? Antonio?”

  “Shiddd.” Antonio chuckled. “I can’t lie. You’ve pretty much given us everything, Pop.”

  “See?” He gestured toward his daughter again.

  “Thanks, Dad. This is your palace. You are king. Woohoo.” Her tone was lackluster until her mouth curved into a smile. “I love you, so continue being a good father, a good man. Now that you’ve hyped up the crowd, I have something to say.”

  All eyes turned toward her.

  She went to Junior, took his hands, and he stood up. “I have a date, Son.”

  “Date?” His eyebrows smooshed together, he sucked in a hitch of air, and began to jump up and down. “Mom, you have a date? A date, date?”

  Biting her lip, she nodded.

  “What’s this date?” Jess mumbled.

  “They’ll tell us, honey,” Ted replied.

  Junior screeched loudly, “My mom is going to hear.”

  Avery clasped him into a hug and laughed. She then pulled back and signed. “Now, I did tell you that I’ll be taught to hear. It may take a few months, but the surgery is in October.”

  He ran into her arms again, and she stepped back a few paces to right her stance.

  “Wow!” Junior ran over to his dad and hugged him. “I’m going to Disney World with all of my parents, Maggie, Josh, and then my mom is going to hear! Wow!”

  Ruffling his hair, Donavan nodded. His son’s infectious happiness was enough to stop any more doubts that he had about Alexander and leaving Vitality’s inner circle.

  52

  Hunter

  Last week, he’d arrived at Baudelaire and all the entrances to the estate were locked. He’d had to remind himself that the bed and breakfast closed right after the Fourth. Hunter had let himself in by picking the lock to the kitchen. He’d stayed in Room Six but left at dawn for a therapy session. With the trust that his mom had put in him, he wasn’t going to rock the boat. Not until he spoke with Avery, and they made plans to leave.

  Today, the humid heat made his skin stick to the seat as he drove his mother’s Volkswagen by to confirm if both Donavan’s bike and truck were in the lot. There was a construction truck with the word “Johnson” on the side in the driveway. A long, flowy summer dress fluttered against Avery’s curves as she pointed toward the bed and breakfast sign while talking with a black man. Hunter’s gaze never left her, and he floated out of the car. Throwing caution to the wind, he went to her.

  “I hope you don’t mind me coming by while I was in the area,” the man said. “I’ve been so busy recently. Had to squeeze in my own plumbing.”

  “That’s fine, Quintin. I know you’re a busy man.” She winked, and Hunter frowned. “Now, don’t get too busy for your wife. That is some trouble you don’t want.”

  Quintin chuckled. “You’re right. That’s some trouble I don’t want. You know I’ll always work you in. What can I do for you today, Ms. Avery? Helping you and Donavan with Baudelaire is the reason why I still have a wife. Now, where’s that knucklehead of yours?”

  “He took Junior to a movie.”

  “How?”

  Avery mentioned something about closed-captioning glasses, and they chatted for a few minutes before she said, “Alright, I know you’re in a rush. So, a little business. The front of the sign needs to be updated . . .” Avery stopped speaking, noticing Quintin discreetly nudging his jaw to something behind her.

  Darn, he hadn’t noticed how intently he stared. In what felt like slow motion, Avery turned. Her eyes brightened when she saw him.

  “Um, give me a sec, Que.” Avery started over to Hunter. “Hello, Mr. Flint.”

  “Hunter,” he corrected, moving back a few paces for more privacy.

  “We are no longer a bed and breakfast, Hunter.”

  Feeling Quintin’s eyes on him, he glanced from the man back to her. “Are you mad at me?”

  “For disappearing on my soon to be sister-in-law? No, why would you think such a thing?” She snorted. “Now, I’m sorry if you’re back to talk to Carly. You can leave your phone num—”

  He shook his head. Butterflies took flight in his abdomen. She was like a drug, transporting him back to the first time he had a crush. Smiling, though confused by her response, he said, “No. I’m not here for her. I . . .”

  “Well, then I thank you for staying at Franny’s B&B in the past, but we will be a museum soon. I can recommend a nice Inn on the other side of town.” She started to back away.

  “But I have something for you.” He cocked his thumb over his shoulder toward the car.

  Avery glanced back. Quintin placed his hands on his hips, taking a wide-legged stance. She huffed and started forward. “Sure, what is it, Mr—”

  “Hunter.”

  “Yes, Hunter.”

  “I know I haven’t seen you in a while . . .” he began. When he glanced at her eyes again, it felt like masking tape was over his mouth, stopping hi
m from being the man he’d become with her in the past. She’d been his longest conversation in so long. Also, as his sole focus for the last couple of months, his excitement wound him up to the point of suffocation.

  You’ve been gone too long man. Hunter told himself while reaching into the passenger side window. You just gotta get her away from Donavan, and she’ll be your AC again.

  He pulled out a bouquet of pink oleanders.

  Avery blinked. Head tilted, she blinked again. “What are those for? I just tried to lighten the blow. Carly really isn’t interested in you anymore.”

  “They’re for you, Avery.” He measured his words, nudging the flowers toward her. They’d been Hero’s favorite flowers. Hawk was an ass when he had said that Hunter hadn’t been there for Hero after she’d lost her hearing. Quiet by nature, Hunter had done his best. With Hero holed up in her bedroom much of the time, he’d picked the flowers she used to love and leave them outside her door. The image faded, and Hunter realized Avery had yet to take the kind gesture. “Pink oleanders . . . for you, Avery.”

  She chewed on the side of her lip. “Forgive me, but our signals are extremely off. I cannot take those flowers. You have no reason on God’s green earth to give these to me. They’re beautiful, but I just can’t. My fiancé would wonder, and again there lies the issue: ‘what reason do I have to get flowers from another man’.”

  His hand dropped to his side. A few of the petals floated to the ground. The thought dawned on him that she was being modest.

  “But I have a reason, Avery. Your chat with me about my sister. I just—” His gaze faltered before he said, “These were Hero’s favorite.”

  “Oh, I . . . I just . . . here, give them here.” She held out her hand and painstakingly pasted an uncomfortable smile on her face.

  Hunter stared at Quintin, glaring hard. The man didn’t back down. Hunter gave a half smile. “I’ll be seeing you.”