Heart of Ice

by Jalissa Pastorius

  “Thanks old man!”

  “Don’t disappoint me son.” Charles watched as Matt hurried away from the office. They both deserved a happy ending. He sat at his desk and pulled out his phone.

  “I needed you to pull some files for me.”

  “Who?”

  “Christina Moore.”

  “I wonder what is up with this chick. You’re not the first person to request information about her.”

  “You are aware of who I am?”

  “Yes, Shadow. No one can forget a voice like yours. I am aware that two men had already made inquiries.”

  “They couldn’t get past the red tape is that so?”

  “Yes…sir.” The voice stuttered into the phone.

  “Surely, you won’t deny me?” he asked in a voice hard as steel.

  “No sir, it’s just there was one other. A Lexington.”

  “Hmm, what do you know about him?”

  “I was surprised he provided his last name. He’s a kingpin, and one of his men were involved in the case years ago.”

  “Is that so, send me both files,” Charles said as a frown marred his features, that meant Christina was no longer safe. It was time to assemble the team again.

  “Yes sir!”

  ***

  “Okay, this is where I leave you.” Collum said stretching after having brunch at the sea side cottage that Christina had been staying. Sarah had been taking excellent care of her. He was surprised when the leggy blonde words mirrored his own.

  “Where are you going Sarah?” Christina whined.

  “Umm, how about to my own bed. This couch has been killing me.”

  “I told you we could share the bed.”

  “Not happening, there isn’t enough room for twins and me.” She said. Collum laughed at the women. He’d would be very intrigued if this conversation was taking place under different circumstances. God he needed to get his mind out of the gutter.

  Christina watched the two of them leave. She immediately felt abandon. It wasn’t fun anymore. She was exhausted. Climbing into bed, she closed her eyes and went to sleep.

  ***

  Matt landed in Cornwall, England. He wore large shades to cover his face and a baseball cap. He was pretty popular in England and he didn’t want any of the press discovering that he was in here. The property was gorgeous. It was the perfect getaway nestled on the sea side cliff. He hadn’t had a vacation since Aspen. It was early morning and the air was crisp. He was here to put his heart on the table, to beg for total forgiveness and to come clean about everything. He was no longer interested in her past. He just wanted her back. He couldn’t stand being by himself anymore. He knocked on the door. His heart pounded in his chest while he waited for her to answer.

  He looked up as he heard the door opened. His eyes widen at her swollen belly. She was still rubbing sleep out of her eyes. Matt fell to his knees and hugged her. He kissed her belly as tears spilled from his eyes. He seemed to be doing a lot of crying lately. Christina was bewildered. She looked down while Matt Dallas, the billionaire cried on his knees with his arms around her. She had this moment planned out. She was going yell at him, threaten to leave him, better yet castrate him, but seeing him so vulnerable, it scared her. She petted him on the head told him it was okay. She waddled back into the house, with him following behind her.

  “Are you okay? Do you needed anything? Do your feet hurt?” he asked her. Christina took one look at his concerned tear-stricken face and laughed. Soon tears followed.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner,” she cried.

  “I thought you didn’t want me or the babies. We’re having twins, a boy and girl,” she said crying harder. Matt took her into his arms.

  “Dammit! I should hate you! What you did to my babies! You fucking bastard!” she screamed shoving him away from her. This is your fault. Digging into things that don’t pertain to you. I will not allow you to ever subject me to that type behavior ever again!” she screamed, her voice hurting.

  “I’m sorry!”

  “You should be! Did you think you were going to mumble a few sweet words and everything was going to go back to normal?” she said patronizing him.

  “I…I,” he started.

  “Did I say you can fucking speak?” she roared at him. Matt was terrified. He never seen such rage before.

  “Christina, please.”

  “Get out.”

  “But baby please,”

  “I said get the fuck out!” she raged at him, until he left the cottage and then she slammed the door behind him. Fucking bastard. She started to feel guilty, but then she remembered the terror she felt for herself and for her children before coming here. Serves him right.

  Matt knew she was angry but she was crazy if she thought he came all the way out here to let her go again. He refused to let her out of his sight. Looks like he would be camping out on the seaside cliffs tonight. He’d slept in worse conditions. He took off his jacket bundling it up into a makeshift pillow before falling asleep. All that flying had him tired anyway.

  Christina puttered around the rest of the day in the cottage. He was a coward anyway giving up so easily she thought. He didn’t deserve her, but she had promised Sarah that she was going to work things out. She retired early for the night. She was too worried about the stupid man to do anything else.

  Three days had past and Christina still hadn’t seen the stupid man. Grr! Why did she have to fall in love with someone like him? He was supposed to come back! Idiotic man. Now he wanted to start listening to her. Typical. She wore a nice lavender cotton maternity dress that was soft against her skin and flowed around her. She decided to look for him.

  Before long, Christina had exerted herself looking around looking for the stupid man. She rushed down the hillside when she saw the haggard looking body on the ground. He was covered in dirt, his clothes were wrinkled and he looked every bit of a pauper.

  “You stupid man!” she shouted slapping him. He better not be dead. She was going to resuscitate him and kill him herself.

  Matt wanted to show Christina that he could be just as stubborn as she was. He would wait her for her. He spend the last few days observing her in the cottage, she stilled moved with angry movements. He would give her a few days to cool off. After all, he didn’t want to go in there with her all angry. She scared him. He still couldn’t believe it. Twins. It was his last thought before he drifted a sleep. There wasn’t anything else to do since he refused to leave her side.

  A woman shouts pulled him from his nap. He groaned. He realized there was a very upset pregnant woman crushing him and shaking him to death.

  “You’re going to kill me,” he moaned. His poor stomach was in knots. Taking her scraps of food left him quite ravenous. It had been a while since he spent this much time outside.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing? How long have you been out here? You stupid man. I’m going to strangle you. Next time go stay in a hotel.” She ranted.

  “I didn’t want anyone to know I was here. You really are going to kill me if you keep that up,” he groaned. Christina got up and looked away from him. She wouldn’t admit that she was worried about him, but he already knew she was worried because she was down here looking for him. Eh! She hated men.

  “Christina, I have to say this, I thought you were using me. I thought you were only interested in money. I didn’t know,”

  “Shh,” she said placing her figure on his lips.

  “You don’t need to say any more Matt. Let’s just promise to be honest with each other. No more secrets.”

  “No more secrets,” he said sealing his lips against her.

  ***

  Charles sat at home reading the files. After giving him a cup of coffee Martha left him alone. She knew better to bother him when he got that look in his eyes. Charles body shook as he read her file.

  After killing her father and attacker Christina Moorehead remained trapped under a dead body for forty-eight hours. Law e
nforcement was contacted a few days after the neighbors heard commotion from the home—the neighbors suspected foul play for a while. They knew the Mooreheads had a daughter but never saw her. When police arrived to the scene the young teen was covered in feces along with the corpse. Police found two bodies at the scene. One male deceased corpse was located in the home office, the second male deceased corpse was located atop of the female teen, and a woman who’d been severely beaten that she was unrecognizable was also at the home. Paramedics realized both girl and woman were alive. Emergency treatment was immediately provided.

  It was at the hospital the girl recounted her story of abuse. She told authorities that her father had sold her to the man for sexual gratification. A child psychiatrist was called into the room. After an evaluation, the child psychiatrist stated that the teen was mentally stabled. Law enforcement disagreed with the psychiatrist’s analysis and asked for a second opinion. The psychiatrist explained the girl was being used for her intellect. Pulling out an old article, they verified that she was a child genius and prodigy.

  Law enforcement linked the murdered man to a crime ring. He was on the FBI’s most wanted list. It was decided that the child would go into a witness protection program. The money found at the residency was confiscated. Criminal charges were filed against the child’s mother—felony abuse charges. She faced up fifteen years in prison.

  Charles cried for Christina, how could such innocence existed in her eyes when she experienced firsthand the cruelty of the world. He was stunned and had a new found respect for her. She persevered and survived. He was going to ensure that no one stole that light from her.

  ***

  Christina lay in the bed while Matt’s hands rested on her belly. She had finally told him everything there was to know about her past. She wanted everything to be out in the open. She was scared when she told him that she had killed her father and the man that tried to rape her. He laughed and kiss her and told her they were monsters and they deserved what they got. It was then that she heard about his past concerning Natalia and more about his childhood.

  “There’s more?” she asked him.

  Matt was very concerned about telling Christina about his past life especially after he ran away from home. He wanted to protect Charles and Collum’s identity. The ring burned in his pocket. If he was going to propose, he wanted her to know everything.

  “You see Christina, I was a mercenary.”

  Christina thought she was going crazy. Surely the man was joking.

  “It’s not a joke.”

  Immediately she started to hyperventilate. She calmed down after Matt began rubbing soothing circles on her hands.

  “How’d you do that?”

  “It’s a technique.”

  “How many people did you kill?”

  “Honestly I lost count.”

  “None of the hits were illegal. You’d be surprised how much the government use our services. Especially when they need things to remain quiet.”

  “Should I be afraid?”

  “Never. Christina, words can’t express how much I love you. I was so terrified of losing you that it made me sick. Then it happened, I can’t sleep, eat without you. You’re my air.” Christina cried. It was the most romantic thing that Matt had ever told her. It was a big deal; he’d never shown so much emotion altogether.

  “I want to build a family with you. I want to get to know the kids and maybe even have more. All I ever wanted was to be loved unconditionally and you’re it.”

  “I love you Matt Dallas. You stubborn, egotistical, domineering, but your also kind, gentle, and compassionate.” She cried. These hormones were driving her crazy. Matt began to shake as he looked into the stunning grey eyes.

  “Christina Moore, will you marry me?” he asked getting down on one knee never breaking eye contact with her. He bared his soul to her. It was now or never.

  Chapter 25

  The stranger strode through the building. It was a little odd that security was a little lax around the place. Oh yeah, that’s right. He was part of the security detailed. He was waiting for the perfect moment to catch his little bird; he couldn’t wait to see how she’d grown. After all, she cost him millions. The FBI, Interpol, CIA…ran a microscope so far up his ass that he was still paying for it. It was time to teach his little bird that she was nothing but a pet. Freedom was nothing but an illusion. Then he remembered he wasn’t good with pets, somehow, they always ended up dead.

  ***

  Christina sat there stunned. She felt fat, sweaty, and her equilibrium was off all due to the pregnancy. This was pure insanity. When he opened up the small black velvet box her heart stumbled in her chest. Was he crazy? The diamond was gorgeous. It was a six-karat princess cut at it center Tacori styled diamond ring. The diamonds on the band were interwoven. The brilliance of the rings blinded her. Different colors of light played in its brilliance as the light hit it. The clarity of the ring was so beautiful she felt like she could see into the very heart of the diamond. She had to buck up. She was going to lay down some ground rules with Matt; if he couldn’t abide by them then she wouldn’t marry him.

  Matt watched Christina. She had been silent for a little too long. Was she going to say no? His body shook and his mind flinched away at the possible rejection. If she said no, he would have to keep trying until she said yes. He was going to take care of her whether she wanted him to or not. He watched wide eyed as she took his hand into hers.

  “Look, I believe you are the guy for me, but there are some ground rules that need to be laid down.”

  Matt gulped, nodded his head and waited for her to continue.

  “I want you to get some therapy,” she said.

  “But Christina,” he whined.

  “No, this is not up for discussion.” She said scowling at him.

  “Fine, I want to apologize for the way I’ve been treating you. You’re not an object, and I won’t use sex as a punishment. No means no,” he said looking into her grey eyes. He was ashamed that he went that far with her. It was the sole reason why he worked so hard to be perfect. Matt wasn’t accustomed to apologizing, but he would do it again if it meant her happiness.

  “But what if I’m feeling kinky and naughty?” she asked looking at him from under her lashes.

  “Then I’ll have to punish you,” he whispered, kissing her on the neck. Christina giggled.

  “No distracting me! If you are ever in doubt just ask me.”

  “I will. Promise.” Matt watched as he saw the steel in Christina’s eyes.

  “If you ever threaten me again, I will take your children and leave. I will never forgive you or return to you. So don’t fuck up. Kay,” she said as she let fury fill her eyes. Matt swallowed nervously and then relaxed when Christina took the ring and slid it on her finger.

  “Pretty!”

  Matt watched as Christina left him in the cottage to stand on the deck. He smiled as she stuck her hand in the air to watch the different colors play off the diamond. He would get the help, especially if it met keeping her at his side. This was major. He wanted to get a large home with a backyard. This was pure insanity! He was going to be a father!

  Christina sighed as she felt Matt’s arms encircled her. They stood together on the sea cliff looking out into the scene. This was it. The engagement ring sat on her finger and it glittered in the light. No more timid little girl. She had to grow up. She felt freed from her past; talking it out with Sarah and Matt really helped. She no longer felt chained down. She had two little babies to protect. It felt good to say, she had family and friends around her. People who knew the true her and didn’t judge. She had Sarah, Charles, Martha, Matt and strangely enough Collum. It was going to be okay.

  ***

  Christina was on her back. Matt sat by her side as the doctor did her checkup. She was twenty-four weeks and getting bigger every day. Things had been great in her relationship with Matt since laying out the ground rules. Lately, he’d been getting more excited about
the babies; not that he wasn’t excited about them from the very beginning, but he was just going overboard. Her eyebrow twitched in frustration. There were bags of baby stuff everywhere, and top it off; instead of going to the doctor’s office like normal people he had the doctor bring all her equipment to the penthouse. The man was crazy!

  “Well, Christina dear the babies are doing well. Their lungs are still developing at this stage. They need to mature to be prepared for breathing.”

  “I’m glad everything is going well,” Christina smiled down at her belly.

  “Doctor is there anything we should be worried about?” Matt asked with concern. Christina swore he was turning into a worrywart. If she so much as sneezed he was right there. He was going to drive her crazy with all his overbearing tendencies.

  “Not really, but a word of caution. Twins are rarely carried to thirty-seven weeks. I want you to be cautious and to relax. What I want is for you to carry the babies to thirty-two weeks. They have a better chance of survival and fewer complications.” The doctor smiled looking at the young woman in the bed. Even she had heard about Matt cold hard exterior, but that wasn’t the case here. Apparently, this girl brought the light back into his eyes.