Broken

by Jordan Silver

  “Honey be nice, we’re having a baby it’s a good thing.” He was amazed at her resilience. A few minutes ago she looked like death, and now she was all teasing smiles. Lifting her hand to his lips, he kissed her fingers. “I am being nice sweetheart-I just don’t like seeing you hurt.”

  She laid her head on his arm and enjoyed the warmth that enveloped her at his words. The last few days have been like something out of a movie. Each day better than the one before. Kyle was on a mission to make her every dream come true it seemed, and spent every moment when they weren’t making love, bombarding her with questions.

  He wanted her to have the perfect wedding, but that was the only place they butt heads. He refused to give her the year both she and his mother told him was the norm for a wedding this size. She’d thought their wedding would be a simple little to-do right here in town with just their new elderly friends, but Kyle had other ideas. He’d reminded her of his colleagues in the business world and once his mother had forwarded a list, she’d almost passed out.

  There were more than five hundred people on the thing, and according to her soon to be mother-in-law, none of them would dare refuse an invitation. She was told she was lucky they’d cut the number by more than half. Who knew that many people? It was crazy.

  When she’d started to panic he’d called his mom and told her to take the reins, just double check with her on everything.

  The other woman had been only too happy with the news, she’d acted like they’d given her a gift, when Kerry knew it was anything but. She’d had flop sweat planning her own little wedding at the courthouse years ago, so she knew this was going to be a nightmare.

  She’d tried arguing that she could do it, but they’d outnumbered her. In the end it was decided that they’d Facetime and she’d fly out whenever it was necessary. She was secretly happy about that, she wanted Kyle to have the perfect wedding since it was going to be his only one.

  When it wasn’t the wedding, they were talking furniture for their new home, and hiring a staff. The man was a dictator, he wanted everything in its place before they moved in and he didn’t seem to want her to lift a finger to do anything more than write. If she pouted hard enough he’d give in to her wants, like when he suggested an interior designer and she told him she wanted to do it herself.

  He seemed to think carrying a baby was a debilitating disease and it was up to her to show him different. That’s why this morning sickness thing was a kick in the ass. Not that she minded all that much, believe it or not, she wanted the whole experience. But it was hard convincing him that she could do more than lie in bed all day until the baby came, when she turned green every morning and was sick as ten dogs for the first hour of every day.

  The pampering was something new as well. She would never have expected the rugged biker to be so in tune with her every need, but he cosseted her like no one ever had, telling her always how special she was to him.

  She was afraid to be this happy, no one can be this happy without some kind of fallout, it was like the laws of nature or something. But she was afraid to mention that to him for fear of what he’d do. Knowing him, he’d lock her away somewhere until the baby was born and keep everyone away.

  She hadn’t heard from Paul since a few days ago and was hoping against hope that that was the end of it. She was sure by now he’d heard the news and with the way he’d been acting lately wasn’t sure how he’d take it, but she couldn’t let that bother her. Paul was no longer her responsibility.

  She’d realized in the middle of the night on one of those nights when Kyle had fallen asleep and she’d stayed up writing, that that was her problem. She’d always felt like she had to take care of him, because somewhere along the way she’d stopped being just his wife and had also become his caregiver.

  It wasn’t that she hadn’t still loved him, she had, and would’ve stayed married to him forever if that’s what he’d wanted. But she realized now that he was more like the boy she’d met than the man he was supposed to have become.

  Then when Jen tore their world apart, she was afraid that he was no match for the other woman-that she’d end up hurting him in the long run. It was all too confusing to think about, but at least she could be happy that she was in a much better place now.

  “What are you thinking about?” His voice brought her back from her thoughts. She guessed she was going to have to get used to the fact that he always knew when Paul hopped into her mind.

  “I was just counting my blessings. My life is so changed from just a few short months ago. It’s one thing to write a story that goes from zero to sixty in a few pages, but quite another to see it unfold in reality. Thank you.”

  Now it was she who lifted their joined hands and kissed his knuckles.”

  “For what baby cakes?” He pulled into a parking space outside the doctor’s office.

  “For finding me, loving me.” He turned the key in the ignition and kissed her hair. “You’re more than welcome.”

  ***

  The doctor turned out to be a nice middle-aged woman who seemed to know her way around a disgruntled father to be. She answered all his questions with a patience that could only have been born with time and experience because he had a lot.

  Kyle had been reading up on pregnancy and fatherhood, but he still didn’t know shit and decided to lay it all out. He didn’t want any surprises, none.

  It was too soon to tell the baby’s sex but he or she was definitely in there-and thank heaven there was something she could take to help with the nausea or Kyle would’ve had poor Kerryanne committed to the hospital for the duration.

  They left with a little packet of everything and anything to do with her pregnancy and she was a little nervous at how intensely Kyle had listened to the woman’s orders. She saw her pot of coffee a day habit going out the window as well as the greasy food she was so fond of.

  They made a stop at the grocery store and this time there were no mishaps. Instead of her chips and cookies, which she was rather fond of these days she was laden down with fruits and veggies. He bought enough saltine crackers to last a lifetime and cases of water.

  Every other aisle he’d break out the nutrition sheet the nurse had given him and peruse it like it was the meaning of life. She gave herself up to the fact that this is what she had to look forward to for the next few months.

  Back at the apartment, he refused to let her help him put away the groceries even though she assured him she was more than fine. She could just imagine sitting on her ass for the remainder of her pregnancy, since the crazy man had got it into his head that pregnant women were supposed to be feeble.

  “I’m gonna go check on gramps, you sit and write. When your back starts to ache get up and walk

  around a little. I’ll be back soon.” One hurried kiss and he was out the door with her laughter following him. She wondered how she could write his brand of crazy into her story as she sat down at her computer. The knock on the door had her getting back up with a grin.

  “What did you forget?” She pulled the door open expecting to see him. Paul pushed past her into the room and she stepped back in surprise. “What’re you doing here?”

  “I waited for him to leave, where did you go with him?” She didn’t bother to answer, because the question was too strange even for him.

  “You can’t be here. Kyle will be back any second.” She didn’t like the look in his eyes, had he always had that manic look? She couldn’t remember, but she knew she felt a little unsafe with him there. She refused to move back and let him in any farther and the door was the only exit.

  “I’ve come to talk some sense into you, you can’t possibly go through with this.” He’d been set to come here before, but then Jen had told him a story. One she’d been only too happy to share, about who Kyle Clancy really was. Instead of the penniless biker he’d believed the man to be, he was a multi-millionaire.

  The news had incensed him and the sneer on Jen’s face hadn’t helped. He’d wanted to s
mash it right off. Instead he’d had to pretend indifference. Though for some strange reason he thought his wife had wanted him to have just the reaction he was having now.

  How could he win her back if she went ahead with this? He’d scoffed at Jen’s words but then she’d shown him the proof. He was all over the Internet. His picture taken with some of the country’s leading elite. After Jen had slammed out of the room, he’d done some searching of his own, and every new discovery had been like a dagger in his heart.

  Kyle Clancy was not only wealthy beyond anything he himself could ever imagine, but the man was also some kind of rogue. He was a lone wolf-one of those men women went crazy over. There wasn’t a bad word to be found about the guy, which was suspect. But no matter how he dug there was nothing he could use against him.

  “Paul, I want you to leave, we have nothing to talk about. Please go home to your wife and child and leave me alone.”

  “I will not. Now I want you to listen to me and stop this nonsense. How do you plan to fit into his world? You’re a small town girl with a high school education. A man like that needs someone with more than you have to offer.”

  He did move forward then, invading her space. When he reached out to touch her she actually felt like she would throw up. “Leave.” She was a quivering mess inside but she had to take a stand. How dare he think he could dictate to her after what he’d done? How insane was he to think that she could possibly care what he thought.”

  “I’ll find you a new apartment, I’ll…” He never got to finish that statement because the door opened up behind him and Kyle was there.

  He didn’t say a word but the look on his face was murderous. “I warned you-you fuck.” She screamed when he picked Paul up and threw him into the wall. When he went after her ex and dragged him up by his neck before plowing his fist into his face she tried pulling him off.

  “Get back before you hurt the baby.”

  “Baby…” Paul looked like someone had shot him.

  “Don’t talk to her asshole. I told you, if you come near her again I’d kill you did you think I was playing?”

  “Kyle let him go, he’s not worth it just let him go. Paul if you come here again I will go to the police and take out a restraining order against you. We’re through, get it through your thick skull. I’m in love with Kyle we’re getting married and having a baby. Now leave.”

  “You heard the lady, now get the fuck out and stay the fuck out.” He wasn’t too gentle when he opened the door and tossed Paul out on his ass before slamming the door.

  She wrung her hands with worry. Would he blame her for this? Just when things were going so well. Damn Paul.

  “Come here.” He pulled her into his chest and looked at her eyes. “Are you okay, did he touch you?”

  “No, I’m fine, we’re fine. Why are you back so soon?”

  “I saw the asshole’s car around the corner and took a wild guess that he was headed here.” He’d stood outside the door and listened instead of busting down the door right away, because he knew she needed to face her past once and for all without his input.

  But when the asshole started getting pushy he had to step in. “Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and headed for the door.

  “Where are we going?”

  “To the police station to make a complaint and get the ball rolling on that restraining order. And before you say anything to me remember my kid is inside you. I’m not taking any chances with that asshole losing his mind and coming after you.” He’d heard enough to know the guy was unraveling. Though he wasn’t about to trust a piece of paper with her safety, at least it was a step in the right direction.

  Chapter 21

  ***

  The next few months were a whirlwind of activity. Her morning sickness had disappeared at the start of her second trimester. The house was completely furnished thanks to Kyle threatening everyone to get his way, and the wedding was in two days. Surprisingly, she was calm and relaxed while her husband to be had completely lost it.

  “Kerryanne, get down from there are you nuts?” She rolled her eyes and stepped down from the mini ladder. She’d climbed up to fix the corner of the curtain thinking he was busy in his new home office. The man was a tyrant. Every afternoon, he made her take a nap whether she needed one or not. He made her breakfast lunch and dinner because the smell of food still made her nauseous, and he was like a bodyguard whenever they left the house.

  They hadn’t seen or heard from Paul since that day at the old apartment. The restraining order seemed to be working well and she had outgrown her fear. Then again Kyle was never too far away so no one had the opportunity to get to her.

  They’d had quite a few visitors since moving in. BBQs every weekend, with some of her old friends, and some new ones. She was surprised at how deferential everyone treated Kyle, how they were all always asking him for ideas and his opinion on investments.

  She was very proud to be the woman on his arm, and even though a few of them had shied away after the divorce, none of these had been outright rude to her. Funnily enough none of the ones who’d been awful were ever invited. She didn’t know how, but somehow Kyle knew who was who.

  “What were you doing up there?” He put his hands on his hips and scowled and she dared not laugh. “I was fixing the curtain.”

  “Really, that’s worth you breaking your damn neck? Why didn’t the idiot people who hung them make sure they were right?” The man’s a bear. It’s a wonder he’d been able to keep any kind of staff this long. Though she’d met his assistant on one of their trips to Chicago and she sung his praise.

  “It’s okay Kyle, it was just a tiny little fold that needed straightening out. Why don’t we take our walk along the water?” She figured it best to distract him before he blew a gasket.

  “Fine, when are they coming?” ‘They’ were the wedding planners, caterers and designers. She’d conned him into letting her have the wedding right here at home instead of at some ritzy digs in Chicago. She’d caught on to the fact that once she had him locked inside her she could get away with anything.

  Kyle wasn’t too pleased by this turn of events, seeing as how he was a manly man who was always in control, but what could he do? she had him wrapped around her little finger, the sneak.

  He took her hand and led her out the backdoor down to the beautifully landscaped lawn. It was one of their favorite things to do in their new home.

  The place was a showpiece and there wasn’t much that had needed doing since it was only a few years old, other than painting the inside in the colors of her choice. Kyle had insisted.

  In a few hours, it would be transformed into a magical fairyland. “Soon, they’ll be here soon.” She looked at the overly expensive watch she now wore on her wrist. “Your mom should be back from gramps’ soon to help me give orders.” And she was very good at it.

  You’d think a man like Kyle had followed in his dad’s footsteps. That he’d inherited that staunch no nonsense attitude from those male genes, but no. It had only taken Kerry one meeting to know who really called the shots in the family.

  Something else that Kyle despaired of, was the fact that his mom was fond of teaching her all her tricks. She’d proclaimed within the first hour of meeting that since Kerry didn’t have a mother or father, that she and her husband will now be fulfilling those roles. And she’d been true to her word ever since. Even down to arguing with her the way she did with her son.

  The men usually rolled their eyes and escaped the vicinity whenever the two of them got together, because as they said, nothing good ever comes of it. Kyle was just wary of the fact that whenever his dear old mom was left alone with his girl for more than two minutes some shit in his life was always about to change.

  “You sure this is what you want? I can still call the hotel and…” She was sure he was probably one of the only people on earth who could call at the last minute and rent out the whole venue and get his way, but she was more than happy to have their big day righ
t here.

  “No, this is perfect, and it’s free.”

  “Kerryanne!” She kissed his cheek to placate him. The man had no respect for money. Something she’d learned her whole life since she’d always had to scrimp and save.

  True to his word, he’d opened her account in her name then proceeded to add her to his. She was now the proud owner of more designer wear than it was possible for her to wear in this lifetime. She had jewelry, shoes, bags, even her makeup was now compliments of the best manufacturer there was. And if that wasn’t enough, he had these people come to her instead of her having to travel.

  He was still under the delusion that she was somehow incapacitated because she was carrying his child. She was embarrassed in the beginning at all the largesse, she didn’t want people thinking she was putting on airs. But Kyle didn’t give a fig, which was putting it nicely.

  “When mom and the others get here I do not want you overdoing it you hear. You just tell them what you want, better yet let the dictator do it, you just sit in your chair and direct.”

  “You better stop calling your mom that, she’s going to brain you again.” He rubbed the back of his head where she’d got him the last time.

  “I don’t care what that old lady does. If she lets you do too much there’s going to be hell to pay.” He muttered some other choice words under his breath that made her grin. His mom was the only one who could rein him in, other than her, she was learning fast.

  In the end, once the delivery trucks started pulling down the driveway, the two of them got him out of the way by having his dad, gramps and the boys drag him off fishing in the pond that was on the other side of the property-since the lake was going to be part of the wedding scenery.

  She spent a glorious day knee deep in wedding plans, so unlike the first one she’d had. The place was almost entirely covered with her favorite colors of turquoise and pink with silver mixed in. She’d thought the colors too much for a wedding. But once Kyle learned they were her favorite colors, he refused to hear of anything else.