The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.

by Mj Fields

  The door opened and Emma and Dad walked in, Lucas and Logan Links followed behind them.

  ���Hey Loggy.��� Ava jumped up and gave her brother a hug.

  ���You got yourself into trouble huh Ava?���

  ���What are you talking about dork?��� Ava laughed and pushed him. She hugged her father. ���Did you miss me Daddy?���

  Lucas let out a grumble and hugged her tightly. ���Sure did.���

  ���Lexington and London, let���s get you into bed.��� Emma smiled.

  ���Mom! It���s like seven o���clock.��� London grumbled.

  ���Okay well, we���ve had a long day,��� Emma gave her a look.

  ���Come on Lexington, apparently being almost fourteen means absolutely nothing around here.���

  Logan chuckled and London glared at him. ���What���re you laughing at?!���

  ���London that���s enough,��� Emma corrected her.

  ���What, Mom, he���s like������

  ���I���m eighteen,��� Logan cocked an eyebrow at London.

  ���That���s really old,��� Lexington looked up at London and gasped.

  ���Yeah ancient. Come on, Lexington, maybe Mom can read us some bedtime stories.���

  ���Do you need your blanket London?��� Emma held up London���s favorite blanket.

  London gasped, turned red, and looked over at Logan who was snickering.

  ���Laugh it up dork,��� she mumbled as she walked quickly past him out the door dragging Lexington behind her.

  I laughed when she was out and Harper looked at me and smirked, ���What?���

  ���Nothing,��� she whispered.

  ���No spill it.���

  ���She likes him.���

  ���She does not,��� I laughed.

  I looked at Harper and she was trying to hide her amusement.

  ���Harper that���s not funny, at all.���

  ���Sorry but it kind of is.���

  ���No, not at all.��� I was starting to get annoyed. ���She���s thirteen years old Harper.���

  ���You were fifteen.���

  I looked at her for a long time and she finally looked away smirking.

  ���She���s not like me.���

  ���Who���s she like then?��� Harper asked goading me on.

  ���Well more like you and������

  She laughed, ���Then you better ready yourself. I wouldn���t have ������

  ���We were different.���

  She grabbed my hand and rested her head on my shoulder. ���Sorry, Maddox, I didn���t mean to get you all worked up.���

  ���Oh I think that���s exactly what you���re trying to do. Just so you know, I���m gonna take it out on you later,��� I looked down on her and pointed to the bedroom, ���In there.���

  She leaned up and puckered her lips and of course I kissed her.

  ���Promise?��� she whispered against my lips.

  I pulled back and looked down at her tits, ���Promise.���

  Emma had left with the girls and Lucas looked at Ava, ���So you made the news.���

  She laughed, ���I did?���

  ���Yeah you did. What were you thinking Ava? Acting like a wild������

  ���She was sticking up for Harper,��� I interrupted. ���Personally I am fucking grateful for that.���

  Lucas looked at me and then Harper, ���You have a black eye.���

  ���Yeah, it wasn���t a good morning.��� Harper smiled slightly.

  ���I received a call from my attorney������

  ���Your attorney?!��� Tessa gasped.

  ���Yes apparently the girl that my daughter went after is Samuel Hammond������

  ���The Sam Hammond?��� Ava laughed.

  ���Ava, it���s not funny in this instance.���

  ���Why are lawyers involved?��� Tessa stood up and walked toward Lucas.

  ���He wants to press charges against Ava,��� Lucas looked at Ava.

  ���Me?��� she gasped as she pointed to herself. ���That skank bitch was saying horrible things about Harper.���

  ���You can���t hit people Ava, you know this.��� Lucas��� tone reminded me of a warning, one he seemed to have given before.

  ���She elbowed Harper in the damn eye Daddy.���

  ���Okay,��� Lucas nodded. ���We���ll figure it out but you can���t have a record either if you still intend on becoming a lawyer.���

  ���Maybe you should become a boxer Ava,��� Logan laughed.

  Tessa giggled and Lucas smirked and shook his head and looked up at her.

  ���How did they find out who we were?��� Ava asked.

  ���I assume that weasel Sam looked into it and as soon as he found out it was my kid he probably just about burst.���

  ���Why is that Lucas?���

  ���He won a contract for a big job on Seventy Eighth Street. We were contracted to do another part of the project. I noticed that he was using cheaper materials, ones that wouldn���t hold up, to pocket more money. My crews would have been going in when his phase was completed. I talked to the general contractor and said no way would my crews��� safety be put in jeopardy because Sam was a fuck up. They looked into it, he lost his contract, we gained and the bastard has hated me since.���

  I noticed Tessa smile. ���Okay so what do we do?���

  ���I���ll handle it. You guys just enjoy your getaway. I am going to go to Sam in the morning to chat.��� Lucas scowled.

  ���I���ll go as well,��� Dad piped up.

  ���I can take care of it,��� Lucas smiled.

  ���No, I���ll go too,��� Dad was adamant.

  ���I think I���ll be fine Hines,��� Lucas looked at him.

  ���If this could cause issues for my future daughter-in-law I���d like to be there,��� Dad stared him in the eyes.

  Lucas���s eyebrow cocked up, ���I to am concerned about Harper. I���ll see to it that she is fine as well.���

  They said nothing more and their glacial stare was broken when there was a knock on the door.

  Tessa looked between Lucas and Dad and then went to answer the door. ���Oh thank you, hold on just a moment.���

  She went to grab her wallet. ���No Tessa, I have it.��� I stood and walked toward the door and Lucas was already paying

  ���How much do I owe you?���

  ���Nothing, we���re the ones who crashed the party; the least we could do is buy dinner.��� Lucas sat the pizzas on the table and looked over at Ava who smirked. I saw him scowl at her and she giggled.

  I looked at Harper and she smiled. ���We���ll be fine.���

  ���Yes, you will be.���

  ���What topping do you want?���

  ���You,��� I bent down kissed her nose and wrapped my arms around her. ���But first I should go get the girls and Emma.���

  ���I can send a text,��� she offered.

  ���No, London was a slight bit sideways; I get to go play the hero.���

  I kissed her again as she laughed and then walked away.

  London was happy that I sprung her and even more excited that Lexington was tired a
nd would rather stay snuggled up on the couch in Emma���s arms.

  We walked into the suite and I looked at Logan who was looking at London out of the corner of his eye. I quickly looked at her to see if she had noticed and she was scowling at him.

  Logan smirked and held up her soft yellow blanket lined in tattered ribbon. ���Did you forget this kiddo?���

  ���Ha ha very funny dork,��� she blushed.

  I looked at Harper who was sitting on her knees next to Ava on the floor by the coffee table. They both looked at one another and laughed.

  ���Come on London, let���s get some pizza.��� I gave Harper a scowl and she sucked in her lips trying not to smile.

  ���So what brings you to the city Logan?��� Dad asked.

  ���NFC playoff game tomorrow. Dad thought we should stay overnight near the Meadowlands, apparently a nor���easter is coming in. We don���t want to miss it.���

  ���Freezing in the cold sounds like a lot of fun, just to watch men beat on each other,��� London snapped.

  ���Dad used to play professional ball. We enjoy going to watch games.���

  ���Logan here plays too. You ever see a game London?���

  ���No Mr. Links,��� London smiled politely.

  ���It���s Lucas, London,��� Lucas smiled. ���If you���d like to go we have a box, it���s not cold in there. If Dad and my sisters can���t make it in with their families we���ll have the entire box to ourselves. You could all come, that���s thirteen extra seats.���

  ���That���s thoughtful of you.��� Dad sat back in his seat.

  ���Logan, who are they playing?��� Tessa asked.

  ���Dallas,��� Logan smiled. ���My favorite team.���

  ���They were mine once too,��� Tessa smiled.

  I noticed Lucas laugh. ���It was a long time ago, Tessa, but I was sure it was the Giants you loved.���

  ���I hardly think so,��� Tessa laughed.

  ���Oh that���s right, you hated the Giants.���

  ���Yes and still do. Even though I don���t watch that much football anymore.���

  ���That settles it then, if they don���t make it you should all come. You remember Jose?���

  ���Of course I do. He and Kendall dated right?���

  Lucas smiled at her, ���Yeah I remember. Well he���s an assistant coach for the Giants. It���s his first season.���

  ���No way!��� I looked at Tessa and she was smiling.

  ���Yeah, I bet he���d love to see you.���

  ���Do you keep in touch?���

  ���We exchange Christmas cards,��� Lucas smiled and looked down. ���Twenty one years now.���

  ���Will Ashly be coming?��� Tessa took a bite of her pizza.

  ���Maybe,��� Lucas looked over at Logan and wrapped his arm around his shoulder. ���Too bad you didn���t have an extra Cowboys jersey. You and Tessa could both be the cause of whatever fight I have to break up tomorrow.���

  ���Don���t you worry Logan; if I go I���ll be sure they don���t mess with you.��� Tessa winked at Logan and he laughed.

  I looked over at Harper; she was watching the interaction between the two of them intensely. CJ and Matthew were doing the same.

  Matthew looked up at me, ���You still leaving the band?���

  ���You���re what?��� Ava gasped.

  ���Yeah,��� I nodded and then looked at Harper.

  ���He shouldn���t, he loves music.��� She got up and walked over and sat at my feet.

  She looked up at me and smiled. ���He���s an amazing artist too.���

  I looked down into her big blue eyes and smiled. ���We���ll figure it out.���

  ���Why would you do that?��� Logan asked.

  ���Because he loves Harper.��� London answered for me.

  I looked at London. ���Harper and I will decide what works best for us.���

  ���Of course you will,��� London beamed.

  There was a knock on the door and CJ got up to answer it but Tomas and Surge barged through the door.

  ���NYPD is coming up in the elevator now,��� Tomas growled. ���They want to question Ava and Harper.���

  ���Bullshit,��� Dad jumped up and Lucas followed.

  ���Just questions, they don���t have enough to hold them if an arrest������

  ���An arrest!���

  Harper grabbed my hand. ���Maddox don���t, it���ll make things worse. Surge, go get Emma and stay with Lexi.���

  Tessa walked up to Dad and Lucas. ���Don���t act like a couple of asses. Let them talk. Ava and Harper, just be honest, you���ll be fine.���

  I looked at Harper and my blood started to boil. ���You are staying right beside me.���

  ���Of course I am.���

  Emma walked into the suite followed by the police and looked between Dad and me giving us both pleading eyes.

  ���Good evening, we���d like to speak to Ava Links and Harper Abraham.���

  ���That���s us,��� Ava smiled and waved them in. ���Would you like some pizza officers?���

  ���No thank you ma���am.���

  ���Now do I look like a ma���am, isn���t it more like Miss?���

  ���Ava,��� Lucas growled.

  ���Ladies, please step out in the hall with us,��� one of the four officers nodded to the door.

  ���No, they stay,��� Lucas said calmly.

  ���You Lucas Links?���

  ���Yes I am.���

  ���We were warned about your temper and about these two,��� he pointed to me and Dad. ���Ladies step outside in the hall please.���

  Dad stepped forward and I stood in front of Harper. ���Maddox I���ll be fine.���

  My ears began to ring and I could feel the veins in my neck starting to pulse. ���Emma please make him stay. Maddox,��� she grabbed my face and kissed me on the cheek. ���We did nothing wrong, it���ll be fine.���

  They walked out into the hall and I stood in the doorway watching them. ���Step back into the room Hines.��� One of the fuckers snapped at me.

  ���No.���

  ���Fine, ladies you���ll be coming downtown with us.���

  ���What? You have got to be kidding me! I have a black eye and I���m getting arrested.���

  I started to walk out in the hall and Dad grabbed my shoulder. ���Stay back Maddox.���

  ���They aren���t taking her!���

  ���We aren���t arresting you. We���re taking you back to the precinct to interview you. This appears to be a hostile environment.���

  ���You���re fucking kidding me right! You four are armed for fuck sake,��� Lucas laughed haughtily.

  ���Tell me your three G men aren���t,��� the oldest officer laughed.

  ���Are you gonna cuff me?��� Ava smiled and held her arms out.

  ���Do we need to?��� the youngest officer smiled.

  ���Watch how you talk to my daughter, fuck stick!���

  ���Lucas, shut up.��� Tessa stood in front of him. ���Officers this is unnecessary, can���t you all just go down in the lobby and chat?���

  ���Sorry m
a���am,��� he tipped his hat.

  ���Hey Tessa, Ava, we���ll be right behind you,��� Tessa���s voice quivered.

  ���With an ass load of lawyers and a fucking lawsuit or at least media coverage talking about what pussies NYPD is!���

  ���Hey Maddox, it���s alright,��� Harper smiled trying to calm me.

  I could feel my body shake. ���You���ve been through enough!���

  ���She has me. Oh and by the way boys, unless your cuffs are pink and fuzzy I would prefer they not be put on me.��� Ava smiled and took Harper���s hand. ���Come on, we���re just going on an adventure.���

  ���If anything happens to them I will ������

  Tessa stood in front of me. ���Not another word or you���ll be joining them and not for questioning.���

  The elevator doors opened and I heard Ava. ���Did you guys know I���m a law student?���

  ���No ma���am.���

  ���Well technically, I���m a third year student, concentrating on criminal law. So I know we are cooperating nicely with you and am sure you���ll treat us as such. Harper is ������

  The door shut on the elevator and we all scrambled to get dressed and head down to the police station.

  I looked at Lucas. ���I want that fucker Sam���s address!���

  ���Maddox, don���t worry. I think Ava������

  ���Fuck! She better control herself.��� Lucas crouched down.

  ���Give her some credit Lucas,��� Tessa patted his head. ���Come on let���s get a move on.���

  I looked at Tessa and she hugged me. ���She���ll be fine.���

  Lucas looked at her and then at me. ���They both will be. Hey Logan, you hang here.���

  ���No Dad������

  ���Logan it wasn���t a question and for God���s sake don���t call your mother!��� Lucas clenched his eyes and then looked at me. ���We got this.���

  ���I want his number.���

  ���I have a better idea. Besides he���s probably padding the pockets of half the city officials. Trust me on this one; he���ll back down or I���ll fucking ruin him. Let���s get going.���