Love Damaged: Rock-N-Roll Heiress Book 2

by McCracken, Kelli

  I turned in time to see Ayden staring at me. His forehead wrinkled as he scrunched his face. When he shook his head, I struggled to speak. What I had to say didn’t matter the second I saw Ayden glance at the baby in the bassinet.

  “Why, Mia?” He glanced at me again. “Why did you do this to me?”

  As confusion spun through me, everything disappeared. A cold, dark vortex sucked me into its cone and twisted me. I closed my eyes, fighting back the urge to vomit.

  Just as my body collided with something, I jerked forward. My room came into view the second I opened my eyes. So did my bed. The comforter was covering my legs, and from what I could tell, it was damp. So were my clothes and hair.

  Taking deep breaths, I tried to steady the rapid pace of my heart. When I glanced beside me and saw Ayden, it did the trick. It was at that moment that I realized what had happened.

  I had a nightmare.

  The only sound in my suite was the hum of appliances running in the kitchen. Ayden’s body radiated heat to mine underneath the covers, and I did my best to concentrate on the peace I found within it.

  Easing back against the pillow, I recollected bits and pieces of the dream. For something that seemed real moments ago, it was difficult to remember. I knew it had been horrible. Ayden’s eyes and voice held so much pain within it. Izzy had been there too, taunting me with her child and rubbing it in my face that Ayden was the father.

  After witnessing the sonogram, I understood why those thoughts would be on my mind or cause me to have crazy dreams. It was the end of the dream that didn’t make sense. The bassinet, and the baby girl inside of it, left me confused. I assumed it was my niece I was looking at, but Ayden’s words messed with my mind. He’d asked me why I did this to him, except I wasn’t sure what ‘this’ was. Was my subconscious trying to warn me about something?

  Rubbing my heavy eyes, I released a sigh and stared at the ceiling. It was late. I should be sleeping—had been sleeping until the dream woke me. Now I was lying in bed, allowing my mind to drift into dangerous territory. No matter how hard I tried pushing the thoughts aside, I couldn’t.

  Easing out of bed, I glanced at Ayden to make sure I hadn’t woken him. His face was aimed at my pillow, but his eyes were closed, and his breathing pattern hadn’t changed. I took it as proof that he was asleep.

  Good. I didn’t want him knowing I was awake at three in the morning, sick to my stomach over my sister’s paternity accusations and one crazy nightmare. As much as I believed Ayden when he said he didn’t sleep with her, it would be a lie to deny that I was worried. Had he blacked out and forgot about having sex with Izzy?

  God, this was a mess.

  Tiptoeing my way out of my room, I grabbed a drink of water from the kitchen then proceeded to the living room. My knee bumped into the end table, causing the pictures atop it to move. As I readjusted them, I picked up one of Ayden and me. It was taken not long after we first began seeing each other. Andi had snapped it when she and Bentley spent the day with Ayden and me at a local hot spring.

  Holding onto the picture frame, I paced back and forth. A million questions played through my mind. I loved Ayden. I had no doubts about the way I felt for him. If he were the father of my niece or nephew, I wouldn’t treat him any differently.

  What worried me was my sister. She would do everything in her power to use the baby against Ayden and me. She wanted us apart.

  I knew it was because she hated me. She told me on several occasions that my life should have been hers. Still, I knew this wasn’t just about a vendetta she had with me. This was about Ayden too, and whether he believed it or not, Izzy wanted him back.

  My stomach knotted again. I stopped near the window and observed the sky. Stars burned brightly as I said a silent prayer. If heaven existed, and my mother was in it, I hoped she could help me. I needed her guidance—always had. My father and grandparents did the best they could, but nothing replaced my mother. What words of advice would she give me?

  “Follow your heart.”

  I glanced around my surroundings, thinking about the words she always said to me when I was little. Whenever I got discouraged about something, she would tell me to take my time, think it over, and then follow my heart.

  If I’d adhered to her advice after she died, perhaps I wouldn’t be in this position. Then again, maybe I wouldn’t have met Ayden. Had I followed my heart years ago, I wouldn’t have returned to Music Haven. I would have stayed with D.

  No one could control Fate. I realized that, but this time I had to do things right. If I allowed fear to rule me, Izzy would win. I wasn’t about to let that happen.

  The only question was, would Ayden?

  Chapter 13

  ~Ayden~

  Life had a way of kicking you in the balls when things were going great. Twice in the last few months, I had something amazing forming between Mia and me. Twice someone had told lies to break us up. While we may not have broken up this time, my gut said it was only a matter of time before something happened to take Mia away from me.

  I glanced at the rectangular piece of paper in front of me. The picture was sitting on the bar, near the coffee cup Max brought me as soon as I arrived in the arena. I emptied it a few minutes ago, hoping it would help me clear the fog from my mind.

  All it did was allow reality to crash around me sooner.

  Picking up the picture, I stared at it, still unable to make out what I was seeing. It didn’t look like a baby. I had seen a sonogram picture before, but this one looked nothing like it.

  “Dude, if that’s a nude of Mia, put it away now. I don’t want to see it.” Bentley’s voice held humor in it. So did his face when I glanced at him.

  “It’s not a nude. It’s a sonogram picture.”

  His smile faded as he observed the printout in my hand. When his brows scrunched together, he looked at me. “And you have it because . . .?”

  I never asked for the picture, but I knew why Izzy asked Chris to give it to me this morning. She wanted to torment me. Maybe she was hoping Mia would be with me and seeing the photo would cause an issue. Who knew when it came to my ex?

  “Izzy had Chris give it to me this morning.”

  Bentley sat on the stool next to me. “Uh . . . Does that mean she had the paternity test done?” His eyes grew twice their normal size. “Shit, man, you got the results, didn’t you? That’s why you have the picture.”

  “No,” I growled. “Izzy hasn’t had the paternity test done. She’s stalling.”

  “That’s a good thing, isn’t it? I mean, if she doesn’t have anything to hide, she would get the test as soon as possible.”

  He was right. I told myself the same thing this past week. Still, part of me worried my ex was stalling just so she could extend her torture. She knew how desperate I was to prove her wrong. Was she waiting because she wanted to punish me or because she knew the truth, that I wasn’t the one who knocked her up?

  “I don’t know what to think anymore.” I played with the sonogram photo as I thought about this mess. “The only thing I do know is how much sympathy I feel for this child. Regardless of who the father is, you know how Izzy operates as well as I do.”

  “Yeah,” Bentley snorted. “She’s manipulative as fuck.”

  I nodded. God only knew what horrible things she would subject this baby to before it reached eighteen. While I still had doubts, if this child were indeed mine, I would have to protect it from its mother.

  If Mia stuck by me through all of this, I knew she would be willing to help me. The child would be a part of her family, and aside from Izzy, Mia protected those she loved. Who knew? Maybe I could win custody of the child. There would be no problem in keeping it safe at that point.

  Shaking the thoughts from my mind, I rubbed the heaviness from my eyes and hung my head. I could not allow myself to think like this. It meant I cared about the baby, which is what Izzy wanted. Sure, I didn’t want any child to be with someone who would use it, but I couldn’t let myself
care too much.

  Damn Izzy. She needed to quit wasting time and have the stupid test performed. Perhaps the message I asked Chris to give her would be enough of an incentive to get her ass in gear. If she wanted me at any other appointments, she had to prove me as the father.

  “So what are you going to do?” Bentley tapped his fingers against the bar as he waited for me to answer. I wasn’t sure how to when this whole ordeal was a huge cluster fuck in my brain. There were no right answers.

  “I gave Chris a message to give to Izzy. If the test isn’t performed by this evening, I won’t be at any other doctor appointments. She wants to be the center of my attention so she can break-up Mia and me. If I ignore her, I take away her power. She has no choice but to have the test if she wants me involved.”

  “I’d say you’re right. This is all going to blow up in Izzy’s face. You know that still, don’t you?”

  I shrugged. “It’s what I’m hoping will happen.”

  The conversation came to a halt once I saw a lazy smile creep over Bentley’s face. A moment later, Andi joined us. “Morning, Ayden. How are you?”

  “Hanging on the edge of sanity.” I teased.

  “I’m sorry.” She patted my shoulder. “Everything will work out in the end. I believe it.”

  Nodding, I folded the sonogram and shoved it into my pocket. Mia didn’t know I had it and I didn’t want her finding out from anyone but me. Andi would tell her as soon as she saw her.

  “Is Mia going to be ready for work soon?”

  Andi’s question confused me. “I thought she was already working. She was stirring right before I left this morning. I didn’t wake her because she hasn’t been getting much sleep lately.”

  “I know.” Andi peered at Bentley a moment then back to me. “Mia hasn’t been on time at all this week. That’s not like her. I know this whole pregnancy fiasco with Izzy is weighing on her, but I’m really concerned.”

  Stuttering a response, I wasn’t sure what to think much less say. “I, uh . . . I didn’t know Mia had been late all week. Damn. This is my fault.”

  “How so?” She cocked her head to the side, waiting for my answer.

  “All this bullshit with Izzy is causing her to lose sleep. She wouldn’t be going through this if it wasn’t for me.”

  “You’re wrong. Believe me, Mia would still lose sleep over her sister’s pregnancy.”

  I scoffed. “Maybe so, but it’s twice as hard on her knowing I may be the father.” I didn’t want to put Mia through this any more than I wanted to go through it. I had to make this right. “I’m going to the suite to see if she’s there. Maybe she got caught up in some paperwork or something. I’ll chat with you guys later.”

  “Tell Mia to text me, please.”

  “Will do.”

  I left my seat and strode toward the opening. Other than losing sleep, I wasn’t sure why Mia would be late for work. It was the only reason I could think of, and the only one that made sense. Still, it disturbed me.

  If Mia was dwelling on the baby’s paternity, it was dragging her down a dangerous road. I couldn’t risk causing her more pain. I’d damaged her enough to last a lifetime. It was time to get my shit together and protect the woman I loved.

  My relationship with Mia depended on it.

  * * *

  ~Mia~

  “I’ll see you soon,” I spoke the words into the phone just as Ayden shut the door behind him. After I ended the call and placed my phone on the counter, I observed him again. I wasn’t sure if he had heard any of my conversation, and part of me hoped he hadn’t. I wanted it to be a surprise.

  A week in upstate New York sounded like the perfect remedy to the chaos Ayden and I had been dealing with since Izzy announced her pregnancy a week ago. He hadn’t said much about the news, and I’d lost too much sleep over the emotions consuming me. We needed to get away for a little while.

  Although I couldn’t be gone for long, I knew Andi would have no problem taking care of Music Haven while I was away. Besides, part of my trip was business. Bringing Ayden with me would provide us with the escape we desperately needed.

  “Hey,” I said as he walked up to me.

  “Hey. Sorry for interrupting your call.”

  “You didn’t. I was ending it just as you walked through the door.”

  He stared at me for a solid minute before drawing me into his arms. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

  When he eased back, I saw the worry on his face. It showed in the way his brows folded. “Andi wanted to know if you were coming to work soon.”

  “I’m already working. I just haven’t seen her today. I spent the morning catching up on some phone calls and reading emails. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed right away, but I was working.”

  This time, he caressed my face. “She said you’ve been late for work all week. What’s going on, Mia?”

  I didn’t want to hide the truth from him, but I didn’t want him worrying about me either. He already knew I’d been late meeting Andi in the mornings. Though I had told him the truth about the phone calls and emails I sorted through today, it didn’t explain my tardiness every other day.

  “Yes, I’ve been running behind this week. My sleep schedule is a little wacky right now, and it’s affecting me. I’ve been more tired than usual. Don’t worry. I’ll be okay.”

  Instead of responding, he drew me in for a kiss. Soft, full lips swept over mine, making my head dizzy. I loved kissing him, especially when he took control and teased me with those perfect lips of his.

  “Mia,” he whispered as he pulled away. “I don’t want you stressing over Izzy, her pregnancy, or this paternity test. No matter what happens, I need you by my side. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “I won’t.”

  It wasn’t a lie. I wouldn’t forget what he said. I even believed it for the most part. Still, part of me worried that something would happen and Ayden would change his mind about us.

  If this baby turned out to be his and he fell in love with it, I knew Izzy would use it to her advantage. She would make crazy demands. What scared me most is that I feared Izzy would make Ayden choose between his child and me. If it came down to it, I didn’t expect him to pick me over his flesh and blood. Still, it didn’t mean losing him would hurt any less. It would hurt a hell of a lot.

  When I realized Ayden wasn’t convinced by my answer, I took his hand and led him to the sofa. As we sat on the cushions, he wrung his hands together and stared at the chair across from us, the same chair where Chris told us about the paternity test.

  I sat beside him again and placed my hand above his knee. “Talk to me, Ayden. Tell me what’s troubling you.”

  “I just hate that we’re going through this. All of this is happening because I believed someone’s lies. If I hadn’t accused you of cheating on me, Izzy wouldn’t have had the opportunity to sneak into my room.”

  “It’s too late for that, Ayden. What’s done is done. All we can do is take things as they come. As long as we’re together, we can get through this.”

  He didn’t say anything else. Instead, he crushed me to his body, holding me like it was the last time. Neither of us knew what the future held, but I was willing to face anything with him. I would stick by his side. Why didn’t he believe me?

  “I’m scared I’m going to lose you.” The words vibrated my shoulder as he mumbled into it. Desperation weighed in his voice as much as fear. Nothing I said would comfort him. Only one thing would. Getting the paternity test results.

  I despised my sister for torturing him the way she was. All of this was a game to her. It made me sick to know she would subject an innocent life to her twisted ways. Her child would suffer more than anyone. It killed me to think of what would happen.

  We needed to get out of here for a few days. It was the perfect time to tell Ayden my plans for us. I hoped he would be up for the trip. I had to go regardless, but I didn’t want to leave him alone, especially wi
th Izzy up to her tricks.

  Andi and Bentley would keep an eye on things, and I knew Andi would do her best to keep Izzy from stressing Ayden. Bentley would too, but I preferred he go with me.

  “Listen, I have a meeting in New York that I have to attend. I was speaking with my associate right before you arrived. I think it may be a good time to get away from Music Haven for a few days.”

  I couldn’t tell him the rest when I noticed his face pinch. “Yeah. It’s probably a good idea for you to leave. This is my mess. I’ll deal with it. Hopefully, it will be over by the time you get back.”

  When he looked away, my chest constricted. “Ayden, wait.” I forced him to look at me. “This isn’t just about me getting away. I was hoping you wanted to—”

  Before I could finish, Ayden’s cell phone rang. “Who in the hell is calling? If it’s Bentley, I’m not answering. I just talked to him right before I came here.” He frowned at his phone once he pulled it out. “It’s Chris.”

  “Answer it. Maybe Izzy came in to have her blood drawn for the test. He may be notifying you.”

  Ayden grunted. “That, or he gave her my message. I bet she’s pissed as hell and he’s calling to warn me.”

  “What message?”

  He gripped his phone tighter as his finger hovered above the screen. “I told him to let Izzy know I wouldn’t be at any more appointments until I knew for sure that I was the father.”

  I didn’t have a chance to respond, even though his answer shocked the hell out of me. He was taking charge of the situation with Izzy. I was proud of him for that fact.

  Placing the phone to his ear, he answered the call and waited for Chris to speak. The deep tone of his voice resonated from the speaker, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying. A second later, Ayden’s nostrils flared, and his mouth fell open.

  “When did this happen?”

  Urgency resonated in his voice. Then I saw his eyes widen. “Yeah, Mia and I will be right over.” He ended his call, slipped the phone into his pocket, and faced me once more.