Love Damaged: Rock-N-Roll Heiress Book 2

by McCracken, Kelli

  With a concert taking place, I had a feeling Andi and Bentley were backstage. The band performing was one of the new ones we’d found, which meant Andi was most likely fielding questions from an agent.

  If Chris wasn’t checking on his patients, I had no idea where he might be this late in the evening, other than his office. On our way to the arena, I didn’t notice any lights inside the building.

  By the time we made it to the end of the left bar, I had surveyed the upper level once more. “Do you see anyone?”

  Ayden shook his head as he scanned the bodies packed inside the bar. “Maybe this is a sign that we should go back to the suite, make wild, passionate love, and worry about this shit tomorrow.”

  When he winked at me, I chuckled. As pleasant as our day had been, I had half a mind to take him up on his offer. I’d rather be in the privacy of my home, spending quality time with the man I loved.

  Guess we should have gone to Izzy’s suite and got it out of the way, but I’d hoped to speak with Chris before we saw her. Maybe Andi knew where he was.

  “Let’s see if we can find our friends.” I motioned toward the backstage. Ayden nodded and kept his arm around my back as we turned toward the stage. Just as we approached the staircase, Andi and Bentley were halfway up it. The moment she saw me, she quickened her steps.

  “You’re back. Thank goodness.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She and Bentley were a few feet away from Ayden and me before she answered, “Izzy and I were this close to fist fighting earlier.” She used her thumb and index finger to measure an inch. “She accused me of hiding your whereabouts and said you and I were keeping Ayden from her. She screamed in my face, claiming no one would keep her and Ayden apart now that they were going to have a baby together.”

  “Did she have the test?” Ayden’s body tensed when he asked the question. It became more rigid when Andi shook her head.

  “That’s what set her off. I asked if she finally got proof, but she said she wasn’t doing the test and you’d have to wait until the baby was born. I can’t remember what else was said after she made threats against me. I warned her to keep her distance. She stormed away from the conversation, and I haven’t seen her since.”

  My eyes fluttered shut. I massaged my temple, thinking of the best way to diffuse the situation. I wasn’t sure it was possible, but I had to try for Ayden’s sake, as much as my niece or nephew’s. He deserved the truth, and the child deserved to know it’s real father, no matter who it was. If not Ayden, I wanted to find out who so they could be involved in their child’s life.

  Maybe it wasn’t my decision to make. I didn’t like meddling in my sister’s affairs, but if she didn’t get her shit together, I wouldn’t allow her to take her child down with her. It didn’t ask to be created. I couldn’t let her ruin anyone else’s life. Her child was family, and we looked after our own.

  When Ayden’s arm tightened around my waist, I looked at Andi again. “I hope she didn’t get a wild hair up her ass and take off. She’s supposed to be on bed rest. God, why does she have to be so dramatic every second of every day?”

  “We can go check her suite and make sure she hasn’t left.” Bentley motioned between Andi and himself as he made the suggestion.

  “No. Ayden and I will take care of this. It’s our responsibility.”

  “If things get out of hand, let us know, okay?” Andi rubbed my upper arm before she and Bentley descended the steps again.

  Dreading the inevitable, I motioned for Ayden to follow to the staircase on the side of the arena. In truth, it was more of a fire escape than anything. No one used it that often, but I didn’t feel like walking back through the bar or putting on a fake smile so others wouldn’t know I was upset.

  Just as I made it down a few steps, Ayden grabbed my arm and eased me back to the step he was on. “What do we do if she refuses to have the test?”

  “Then we tell her we’re finished playing her games and will see her when the baby is born.”

  “What if she threatens to leave and never come back?”

  “She’s not going to do that, Ayden. Izzy always comes back at some point in time. Besides, this convinces me that all of this is a ploy to tear us apart. She knows the child isn’t yours, so she’s stalling in hopes of you giving in to her demands.”

  “That’s not going to happen.” Ayden cupped my face and leaned his head closer. “I love you, Mia. No one else.”

  He didn’t give me a chance to respond before his lips brushed over mine. I parted my mouth and gave into the kiss. All I wanted was for this mess to be over. Our lives were in limbo until then. It didn’t mean we couldn’t make the best of it, but I would be glad when we didn’t have to stress over my sister.

  “Isn’t this just perfect.” The instant I heard Izzy’s voice, I jerked my head away from Ayden and met her gaze. “I should have known. Anytime I need to find him I have to come looking for you.”

  “This is not the time or place for this,” Ayden scolded.

  “Why not? The three of us are together. I think it’s time we’re all honest about our feelings.”

  Ayden’s jaw flinched. “You can’t be honest any more than you can handle the truth, Izzy. It’s the reason you lie. The sad thing is, you’re starting to believe your own lies.”

  This time, Izzy approached Ayden. “You’re the one who can’t handle the truth.” She shook her finger at him as she spat every word. “Take Mia, for instance. You think you’re in love with her. How can you love someone who runs away every time something doesn’t go the way she wants?”

  “I’m in love with her because she’s never lied or cheated on me. That’s what you’re good at, Izzy. Mia is the best thing that’s happened to me, and it eats you alive to know she makes me happy, something you could never do.”

  “This baby will bring you plenty of happiness.” Izzy patted her stomach. I couldn’t tell she was pregnant yet, but then, she wasn’t far along. Still, the gesture irritated me because I knew she was using this child against Ayden. And just as I suspected, she was using the baby to try and control him.

  “Your baby hasn’t been confirmed as my child, and even if it had, I’m not happy about having a kid with you. You keep pushing this child in my face, thinking I’m going to come around and accept it. This baby is a reminder of a stupid mistake, one I can’t even remember making.”

  Izzy huffed. She peeked in my direction and then towards Ayden. “Your actions say something different. You were as worried as I was when I thought I was miscarrying, and you were just as happy when Chris said everything was okay.”

  “You’re delusional.”

  Rolling her eyes, Izzy crossed her arms over her chest. “Just admit it. You’re falling in love with your child. That little thump-thump-thump stole your heart when you heard it. Be honest with my sister.”

  Ayden shook his head. He backed down a couple of steps and put distance between him and Izzy. She remained at the top of the staircase, watching as he motioned me to join him. As soon as I did, he laced his fingers with mine.

  “Give up, Izzy. You’re not coming between Mia and me. She and I are worried about the baby, but it’s nothing more.”

  “Why would you be worried?” A crazed look entered my sister’s eyes. They seemed to glass over as she stared a proverbial hole through Ayden.

  “We’re worried what will happen to the child if you’re left to raise it. Which brings me to something else. If that child is mine, there’s no way in hell it will be raised by you. Mia and I will raise it.”

  “The hell she will. This is my baby. If anyone raises it, it will be you and me or only me.”

  “Over my dead body.” Ayden took another step backward. “If that’s my child, I won’t stop until I get full custody, so if you really want to press this issue, bring it on. We’re ready for you.”

  I stared at Ayden, disbelieving how cold his tone had grown. He sneered at Izzy when she approached us once more. “You’re des
tined to be with me. You belonged to me first, and now I’m carrying your child. It’s meant to be. Face the truth.”

  “You’re bat-shit crazy, you know that?” He shook his head when she tapped her foot against the step. “Get the paternity test done. Let’s settle this once and for all. The only reason you won’t is because you’re lying. If you weren’t, you would be shoving the results in my face.”

  This was escalating quickly. If I didn’t intervene, I wasn’t sure what would happen. Nothing good came from anger. Nothing.

  Wedging myself between them, I studied my sister’s face, hoping to find some shred of decency left in her. “Izzy, stop. You don’t need this stress. Chris said you should be on bed rest. Go back to your suite. We’ll talk tomorrow after everyone’s calmed down.”

  Her head shifted side to side as she gave me attitude. “You’re not my mother, and you sure as hell don’t care what happens to me. If you did, you’d let Ayden go so he could be with his child.”

  I released the breath I’d been holding. Ayden was right. She was crazy. “If Ayden wanted to be with you, I couldn’t stop him. He’s where he wants to be, Izzy. If you want him involved with the baby, get the paternity test. That’s the end of this discussion. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to turn in for the night.”

  I was only a couple of steps below the one where Izzy was standing when her bony fingers clutched my arm. “Don’t walk away from me. I’m not finished with you.” She passed me on the steps and got in my face. “I think it’s time we settle this for good. I should have whooped your ass a long time ago.”

  “You’re nuts if you think I’m going to fight you. For Christ’s sake, you’re pregnant and supposed to be on bed rest. Go home and take care of yourself.”

  “Don’t tell me what to fucking do, bitch.”

  When Izzy swung at me, Ayden pulled me out of the way and back to the step where he was standing. I was grateful he had until I saw my sister. The force behind her punch was powerful enough to spin her body when she didn’t make contact with my face. Everything that happened past that point did so like it was in slow motion.

  I watched as Izzy’s foot slid from the edge of the step, causing her to lose her balance. She did her best to regain it, but it only made things worse. I reached out for her hand as she extended it toward me. Our fingertips brushed. Then my sister fell backward.

  “Izzy!” I cried out her name, but it was too late.

  Nothing could describe the sounds my sister made once she hit the first few steps. I swore I heard bones cracking in between her screams. All I could do was watch in horror as she rolled down the staircase.

  Then she hit the ground and lay there, motionless.

  Chapter 18

  ~Mia~

  The lights from the ambulance flashed inside the emergency room waiting area as I stared at the door. It wasn’t the same ambulance that brought my sister to the hospital in Mesquite, but it served as a reminder of why I was there. Izzy had fallen down a flight of stairs and rolled to the bottom.

  I did my best to recall everything that happened past that point. Both Ayden and I had run down the stairs, over to where she lay, doing our best to get her to wake. Her unconscious body sent my mind into overdrive. I thought she was dead until Ayden found her pulse.

  A few of the security guards who’d witnessed Izzy hit the ground had come to help. I sent one for Chris and had the other call for an ambulance. Word spread quickly because a crowd of people had stood outside, gawking at us.

  Once Andi caught wind of what had happened, she and Bentley had rushed to our aid. It was Andi who got the crowd to disperse for the most part. A few of the nosier staff members and guests had remained, but they stayed out of the way.

  When Andi had finally reached me, she fell to her knees and wrapped her arms around me. The soothing sound of her voice broke through the fear controlling my thoughts. As much as I despised Izzy most days, I would never wish for something like this to happen. Worse than that, I feared the fall would cause a miscarriage.

  I couldn’t deny that I didn’t want the baby to exist, but this was too much. My sister would find a way to blame me. She wouldn’t be the only one. I already blamed myself.

  The memories faded once I felt the heat of a body leaning closer. An arm curled around my shoulder, providing me warmth from the hospital air conditioning blowing overhead. When I turned to see who it was, Andi forced a smile onto her face. “How are you holding up?”

  I shook my head as my eyes burned. Tears were welling inside them again. No matter how much I tried resisting, they spilled over my lids and rolled down my cheeks.

  “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I tried to grab Izzy’s hand, but I . . .” The lump in my throat silenced me. So did my emotions. If I’d only reacted a few seconds sooner, this wouldn’t be happening. Hell, if I’d stood there and allowed Izzy to punch me, she wouldn’t be laying in the emergency room.

  “Shhhh.” Andi consoled me as best she could. “No one is blaming you, Mia. It was an accident.”

  It didn’t matter if anyone else blamed me. I blamed myself. All of this was my fault. I should have stayed in my suite for the evening like Ayden wanted instead of going in search of Chris and Izzy. I thought I was doing right by him. If my sister had left like she threatened to do, he would have stressed over not knowing whether the child was his.

  Glancing across the aisle of chairs, I observed Ayden sitting in one. His elbows rested against his knees as he held his face in his hands. I hadn’t noticed him crying, but I knew he felt as responsible for what happened as I did. He kept saying as such the whole time we waited for the ambulance to pick up my sister.

  I scanned the glass partition separating the admittance clerk from the rest of the room, dazed by the fact that this was happening. My stomach was in knots. The longer I sat there, the more I struggled to keep my dinner down.

  “How long have we been here?” My voice shook when I spoke, but I had to do something. Each second I spent in silence, I drove myself crazier.

  Andi glanced at her watch. “It’s been forty-five minutes since you gave the clerk Izzy’s information.”

  “Maybe I should go ask someone what’s taking so long.”

  “Let me do it. You stay here.”

  Before Andi could leave the chair, Chris walked through the emergency room doors with another doctor. When they proceeded in our direction, I rose from my chair.

  “This is Isabella Giles’s sister, Mia Brooks. Mia, this is Dr. Wentz.”

  Ayden glanced up but not at me. He faced Chris and the ER doctor, waiting on word like the rest of us. Unlike me, he remained in his chair.

  Refocusing on Chris and Dr. Wentz, I found the courage to ask the dreaded question on everyone’s mind. “How is my sister?”

  The grim expression they gave me made my heart thump harder. I prayed Izzy hadn’t broken her neck during the fall, or worse, sustained life-threatening injuries they couldn’t mend in time to bring her back.

  “At the moment, she’s stable. She broke her arm and fractured her clavicle.” Dr. Wentz rubbed his hand back and forth against his shirt, referring to the bone he’d mentioned. “Her ribs are intact, but she bruised her lungs. I plan to admit her for observation tonight, and I have a procedure planned tomorrow. If she does well, I’ll discharge her under Dr. Edison’s care in a few days.”

  I was glad to hear Chris would be providing her care when she returned to Music Haven, but I was curious about the procedure Dr. Wentz mentioned. “You said she’s having a procedure tomorrow. What is it, and what about the baby? She’s pregnant.”

  He searched each of our faces before he asked. “Is the father here?”

  Ayden stood. “We haven’t established paternity yet, but she claims I’m the father.”

  Confusion covered Dr. Wentz’s face. Then he nodded. “I’m sorry to say that she lost the baby.” He paused when Ayden shut his eyes. “I assume it happened on impact. The amino sac was all that remained i
n her uterus. The procedure we’re doing tomorrow is a dilation and curettage.”

  “What is that?” I’d never heard the term before today, but I needed to know what they planned to do to my sister.

  “We go in and scrape the uterine lining to remove what’s left of the pregnancy. It’s a simple procedure.”

  “When can we see here?”

  Dr. Wentz glanced at Ayden when he asked the question. Ayden had opened his eyes but was staring at the ground. He faced me just as the doctor answered, “Give her about half an hour. She’s a little groggy from the medication, and we’re waiting to move her upstairs to her room. My nurse will find you once we do.”

  “Thank you.” Ayden eased back into his chair as my sister’s doctor refocused on me.

  “Miss Brooks . . . We haven’t had a chance to tell your sister that she miscarried. We were waiting until she was coherent. Keep that in mind when you see her. She’ll need her family’s support.”

  I nodded. “I understand.”

  Once Dr. Wentz left, I stared at Ayden. He was too quiet. Even though he had sat back in the chair, he kept his eyes on the ground. I imagined he was blaming himself for the miscarriage as much as I was.

  Neither of us wanted the child to be his, but we didn’t want it to die. And my sister . . . God, she would never forgive either of us for what happened. Even though she had swung at me, she would find a way to blame me for her fall. I tried to catch her, but I was too late.

  “Mia, Ayden, if you have questions or need anything, I’ll be around the hospital. If you can’t get a text to go through, ask the clerk to page me.”

  “Thank you, Chris.”

  I watched him disappear behind the same doors Dr. Wentz had gone through. Then, I glanced at Ayden. He was back to holding his head in his hands as he leaned his elbows on the arms of the chair.

  “Ayden . . . I don’t know what to say.” I sat in the chair beside him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “I can’t believe the baby is gone.”