Not Broken (Firebacks Book 2)

by Linda Verji

  “Thank you,” she sighed when he set a full plate in front of her.

  Dinner started off a quiet affair. Only the clinking of their cutlery against the china punctuated the silence. Finally Kian said, “Tasha, we need to talk.”

  “Okay?” She looked up from her plate questioningly.

  “What’s going on?” He asked. She arched her eyebrows in silent request for clarification so he did. “Things have been off between us for the last couple of days and I’m just trying to figure out why.”

  She carefully placed her fork on the plate, tilting her head slightly without looking at him she said, “A lot has just been going on.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  Kian wanted to ask more questions but he didn’t want to push her too hard and risk alienation. Besides she looked dead on her feet. Her new job as a sales-assistant at Darlene’s had put added pressure on her. He hated to see her so stressed when he could make life so much easier for her. Hopefully she’d be more receptive to a formal relationship once Polo was out of the way and safely in prison.

  With dinner over, he grabbed his car keys to leave but Tasha held him back. “It’s kind of late and we have an extra room. Do you want to spend the night?”

  “Sure,” he accepted the invitation without hesitation.

  He helped her spread the bed in the guestroom before she left to go make sure all the doors were locked. By the time she came back to say goodnight, he was seated on the bed removing his socks. On sensing her presence at the door, he lifted his gaze. His eyes lingered over her curves underneath her work shirt and khaki pants. She was barefoot and her red toe nails winked at him. Damn! Even her feet were sexy. She bit her lips as if she knew exactly what she was doing at him.

  “She’s called Hanna,” Kian said, said ignoring the way his dick jumped at the thought of soothing that bite with sweet kisses.

  “Excuse me?”

  “The woman who keeps calling me!” he clarified. He figured that since he was here, he might as well clear up the Hanna issue.

  “An ex-girlfriend?”

  “Yes.”

  “Oh.” There was no emotion in her voice which peeved him incomprehensibly.

  He stood up from the bed striding towards her in long steps before standing in front of her. Folding his arms over his chest he asked, “What’s going on?”

  She shifted uneasily on her feet, keeping her eyes lowered before moving away from him completely and towards the bed. She sat down on its edge as she asked, “What do you mean?”

  “I just told you my ex keeps calling me and your response is ‘oh’?”

  “What do you want me to say, Kian?” She asked playing with the covers instead of looking at him or confronting the issue head-on.

  What did he want her to say? He wanted her to throw a fit; say that he was hers and that Hanna needed to back away. The irony of his need for her to show jealousy did not escape him. Only a few months ago, the thought of a woman launching into a jealous tantrum would’ve sent him packing.

  He took three calming breaths before making his way to the bed. When he sat down next to her, she shifted slightly away. His lips tilted in a smile and a small guffaw escaped his lips but none of those were from amusement. She didn’t even want him to touch her. Leaning slightly forward, his elbows on his knees and his gaze on the dresser, he said. “Hanna was my girlfriend sixteen years ago – or at least that’s what I thought until…”

  He explained what’d happened with Hanna and her father; from being unable to take care of his sick grandmother to becoming a corner boy selling dope; from meeting Hanna, their clandestine relationship and his going to jail on her father’s behalf without her even uttering a word of protest and his subsequent entry into witness protection. Back then, he’d thought himself brave for taking the fall but with maturity he’d realized that they’d used him.

  For some reason telling Tasha his whole past without leaving any holes unfilled brought back the pain he’d felt back then. Though his voice remained even, she must’ve heard it because she scooted closer and wrapped an arm around his waist as she laid her head on his shoulder.

  “I followed her after we met only to see the boy. He’s much darker than her,” Kian said. Turning his head to meet Tasha’s eyes, he added, “I did some research, only to discover that she’s married to the Long Island Claytons.”

  Her eyes widened, “The white Long Island Claytons?”

  He nodded. “The white Long Island Claytons.”

  “Oh, Kian!” She sighed. Her arm tightened around his waist as she tilted his head and pecked his lips. “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah!” He shrugged even though what he wanted to do was howl in rage. If Richard, as he’d found out the boy’s name was, was his son; if Hanna had hidden his own child from him for the last sixteen years, he didn’t even know what he was going to do.

  “What are you going to do?” Tasha voiced his question.

  “I don’t know.” He sighed tiredly.

  He was surprised when she stood up from the bed then moved to his lap. Surprised but not displeased. His opening up to her seemed to have thawed part of the ice that had slipped between them. He wound his arms around her waist bringing her closer to him. Her vanilla fragrance was intoxicating and he tucked his head in the crook of her neck to inhale more of it.

  “It’ll work out,” she promised as she stroked the nape of his neck. “It always does.”

  “So you’re not mad at all about my past?”

  “Why would I be mad?” she asked, her eyes searching his in confusion.

  “I just told you I used to be a corner boy.”

  “I’m not going to judge you for stuff you did when you were fifteen. Everyone has past.” She raised her hand to trace the line of his jaw. “Have I ever told you how I met Polo? I remember the first time I saw him. I was right in front of my father’s church leading the congregation in a hymn…”

  She described how Polo had seemed like the perfect man to be her knight in shining armor and whisk her away from her alcoholic, abusive father’s grip. Little did she know that she’d walked into an even worse trap. When she’d ended up pregnant, even her mother hadn’t come to her defense when her father had kicked her out. She’d gone to Polo but he’d also tried to deny Asia. With no place to go, Tasha had ended up sleeping at his gate. On the morning of the second day he’d let her in and there started the five most horrible years of her life.

  At first Polo wasn’t abusive but within weeks his true colors started showing. It started with yelling, graduated to slaps and soon it was full on chocking, kicks and punches. Tasha had borne it all believing that if she was a better wife and didn’t do the things he hated, then he’d stop. It didn’t. It was only after he beat her up so badly that she lost their second child, that Tasha had finally decided enough was enough.

  She stayed away for five whole months working as a supermarket attendant out in Boston until one night Asia got sick. It was a symptom of a kidney disease. Not only was Tasha not an organ match, she also couldn’t afford the dialysis Asia needed until a donor could be found.

  As much as Polo was her nightmare, Asia was her life. She was the one person in the world who’d ever looked at Tasha like she was someone to be loved not controlled or stepped on. Living without her daughter was worse than living in a nightmare. Tasha went back to Polo – and things were even worse.

  “You came back on your own,” she’d whisper to herself every time his hand fell on her. For Asia.

  By the time Tasha finished her story she was crying; scalding hot tears that she’d been holding back for the last nine years fell on Kian’s shoulder wetting his shirt. He rocked her in his arms whispering soothing words. She wasn’t even listening to him, but her heart could hear him. It could hear the deep protectiveness, the gentleness and his assertions that he would never let Polo hurt her again.

  It made her feel all the more guilty for her behavior in the last couple o
f days. Ever since they’d accepted Asia into the program she’d started to pull back. A kidney for Asia meant time to go – time to leave Kian and she’d been preparing herself psychologically for it. Her tears fell harder as she realized how much she was going to miss Kian and the love and support he her offered so freely.

  “Thank you,” she managed to say though her voice was still thick with tears.

  “For what?”

  “Just for being you.” She pressed a kiss to his lips before resting her forehead against hers. “I don’t know even if I could have gotten through this without you. I’ll never forget it.”

  “You’re talk as if I’m going somewhere.” He chuckled lightly. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  His lips seized hers ravenously as if he was tattooing his promise never to leave on her lips. She knew that the fairest thing to do was to tell him of her plans to leave. But she just couldn’t. She parted her lips in wordless apology, allowing him to surge in and capture her tongue. Hopefully he would remember her kindly once she was gone.

  Giving herself up to the sensations swirling around them, she pressed her palm to the back of his head keeping him sealed to her as her desperation to make this kiss memorable mounted. The kiss was intoxicating and comforting – all in one breath. His lips smoothed and caressed hers as his tongue thrust deeper inside, tempting her. By the time he parted his lips from hers, her breath was coming in loud gushes.

  His breath fluttered over her lips as he whispered, “I’ll always be there for you.”

  The intense sadness that filled her at his words was almost crippling. She stood up and left the guestroom before she could start crying again.

  CHAPTER 21

  The courtroom was overflowing with people.

  People who liked her!

  People who hated her!

  On one side sat Tasha’s friends. Kian, Zain, Chryssa, Lucky, Eli, Victor, Qui, Raphael, Dahlia even Melanie had come to support her. But they were outnumbered by the people who were here for Polo. Though the judge had barred any cameras within the courtroom, the media had still turned up along with curious onlookers, some of whom doubled as outraged football fans who still couldn’t believe Polo was out of the Firebacks.

  Their accusatory glares bore into her as she sat before them, like ice picks ready to pierce the calm armor she wore on the outside. Inside she was a mess. Nervousness clawed at the pit of her stomach and it took everything within her to keep from trembling. She wiped sweaty palms on her skirt, hidden from their view by the witness stand.

  Polo was seated at the defendants table. He looked…well…normal, and as handsome as a model. The leg had healed and was encased in expensive Italian leather shoes that led up to an equally expensive light grey suit with a striking pink shirt to bring out his eyes. He looked nothing like the animal she knew he was. His expressions ranged from mildly bored to smug smiles as Hanna continued to grill Tasha with her flaming questions.

  Hanna paced in front of the witness box, her sensible heels clicking on the tiled floor. No hair dared to escape the perfectly coiffed, tight and controlled chignon she had managed to strangle it into. She may’ve been small in stature but there was cold power in her body and a calculating gleam in her eyes as she said, “So, Mrs. Nelson, when did you start sleeping with Mr. Harper?”

  Scott Meridian, the District Attorney, shot up from his seat at the prosecutor’s table so fast you could hear the wooden legs of his chair squeal in protest. “Your Honor, Mrs. Nelson’s sex life had absolutely no bearing on this case.”

  “On the contrary, it has everything to do with this case.” Hanna gave Scott an icy glare before turning to Judge Elizabeth Ramsey. “Your Honor, the timeline for her relationship with Mr. Harper serves to clarify the witness’s motives for accusing my client.”

  “I’ll allow it.” Judge Ramsey nodded. Already Scott was thin as a reed but with the anger pulsing in his body at being bested by Hanna, he looked like a vibrating stick. He sat down in a huff, causing some snickers from the back of the courtroom.

  “I’ll repeat that.” Hanna had a small smug smile playing on her lips when she refocused her attention on Tasha. “When did you start sleeping with Mr. Harper?”

  Her question had Tasha squirming in her seat. She didn’t want to answer-not with all these people staring at me and analyzing her relationships for their pleasure. Her eyes automatically swiveled to Kian who was seated directly behind Scott. He gave her a reassuring smile and Chryssa who was seated beside him gave Tasha a thumbs-up. Instantly she felt invigorated. I can do this.

  Tasha answered, “We’ve never slept together.”

  “Never?” Hanna walked to the table where Polo sat with his fingers linked and tapping on his chin. She picked up some sheets of paper before handing some copies to the bailiff. “Your honor I would like to submit as evidence to the court, exhibits A and B.”

  She handed the judge her own copies. The judge peered over her rimless glasses at the printed sheets of paper that Hanna had just handed her, scanned them quickly before nodding at her to continue.

  “Mrs. Nelson, we have sworn testimony from two witnesses showing that you visited Mr. Harper’s residence prior to your request for a divorce.” Hanna folded her arms over her chest, her actions pulled on the sleeves of her black coat jacket. Her voice took on a curious tone, “What were you doing there?”

  “We were just talking.” Tasha’s voice was even but inside she was seething. Even a blind person could see where this was going.

  “Just talking? Interesting.” Hanna went back to her table. She picked up a packet. When she lifted it, Tasha almost gasped aloud. At the bottom of the transparent packet lay her emergency phone. Her heart began to beat a fast rhythm of distress as she watched Hanna place it on the evidence table. The court had gone silent, as if suspended in a vacuum where only bated curiosity existed.

  “Your honor, exhibit C.” Hanna said before once more setting her sights on Tasha. “Mrs. Nelson, do you recognize that cell-phone?”

  “Yes,” Tasha murmured.

  “The court didn’t hear you.” Hanna gave her one of her haughty smiles, as if she knew what was coming and couldn’t wait for it to blow up in her face.

  Tasha swallowed before stating, “Yes!” This time her voice echoed in the crowded courtroom. “It’s my phone.”

  “Your honor,” Hanna spoke as she walked back to the defense’s table and came back with several sheets of paper and handed them to the judge. “The plaintiff’s phone records will show that she called Mr. Harper several times prior to the alleged altercation with my client.” Turning back to Tasha she asked, “What were you calling him for?”

  “We were just talking.”

  “Just talking?” Hanna smiled triumphantly at Tasha before turning to face the onlookers. Playing to her audience like she was in a theater doing the performance of her life, she said, “Isn’t it true that you and Mr. Harper were arranging for assignations during these phone-calls and that-”

  Scott shot to his feet. “The defense is testifying, Your Honor.”

  Judge Ramsey snapped in warning, “Ms. Clayton.”

  “I’m sorry, Your Honor. I’ll rephrase.” Hanna faked an apologetic look as she swiveled to fix her sharpened gaze on Tasha again. “Did you and Mr. Harper meet on the night of the alleged altercation?”

  That was the same night Kian had come to see Asia in the hospital and brought her snacks. Tasha said, “Yes, but it was only to-”

  “Thank you Mrs. Nelson.” Hanna cut her off. Turning to the judge she said, “No further questions.”

  She didn’t need any more questions. She’d made her point.

  “The witness may step down.” Judge Ramsey said. As Tasha clambered down the witness stand, she felt a mixture of relief and disappointment. Relief because it was over; disappointment because she’d not done as well as they’d hoped. Her disappointment was reflected in Scott’s eyes as he watched her walk to her seat. She sat next to Kian. He immediately took
her hand in his and gave her a reassuring smile.

  Hanna was back at the defendant’s table but she was still standing. “Your honor, at this time I would like to file for a motion to dismiss.”

  “What would give you the idea that I’d allow that?” Judge Ramsey said.

  “It is obvious that the witness was having an affair with Mr. Harper. The only reason she filed these made up assault charges was to get as an excuse for walking out on their marriage” Hanna continued. “There are no hospital or police records to show assault before she met Mr. Harper.”

  “What about the photos?” Scott stood to his feet, straightening his jacket as he spoke. “Were they made up also?”

  “Obviously the prosecution has never heard of Photoshop,” Hanna said mildly not even bothering to look at him. Someone laughed in the audience and the judge shot them a warning look.

  An irritated Scott asked, “And the recordings?”

  Hanna handed another piece of paper to the bailiff and the judge, “I submit an affidavit from the Nelsons’ security guard who testifies that both Tasha and Polo Nelson the Second are known to have ‘diverse’ tastes in the bedroom. What you hear there is nothing but recordings of their role play games.”

  “That’s ridiculous.” Scott was almost shouting now. “Those are the sounds of a woman in pain.”

  “So says the woman who was having an affair and abandoned her husband after she found someone richer than him.” Hanna appeared unshaken by the anger rolling off of Scott. “Your honor, Mrs. Nelson and her lover have harassed my client repeatedly. Unlike Mrs. Nelson, my client has hospital and police records to prove it.”

  The crowd pulsed in excitement at the strength of her words

  “There are witnesses who will testify that Mr. Harper threatened and assaulted my client repeatedly, including during a fundraiser. As if that was not enough, Mr. Harper then broke into my client’s home in the dead of the night, destroying property, before he attacked my client.” Hanna continued, “The two, Mrs. Nelson and Mr. Harper, then colluded to deny my client of his parental rights by taking his children out of his home and filing a restraining order against him. It seems to me that the wrong person is at the defendant’s table.”