Heart of Ice

by Jalissa Pastorius

  “Matt I want you ease up on the young mother here. Don’t be too overbearing, that can cause additional stress. Okay.”

  Matt shook the doctor’s hand and escorted her to the door. Once the doctor left he returned to Christina. He’d had this ideal in his mind for a while, but he didn’t know how she would feel about it.

  “Babe”

  “Hmm?” Christina turned to look at him. He’d been meeting with the psychiatrist twice a week and it was working wonders. His smile always reached his eyes and it made her feel good inside that she was able to bring some light into his world.

  “How would you feel about a new home?”

  Christina looked at him. Was he serious? She felt a huge smile stretch across her face.

  “I would love one! I always wanted a nice family home, with a back yard. The penthouse is great in the city, but I dream of a back yard where the children could run around and play.” She couldn’t wait. Moving as fast as her pregnant belly would allow she planted a kiss on his lips, then on his forehead.

  “I love you Matt Dallas.”

  “I love you too, Christina Moore soon to be Mrs. Dallas.” He smiled.

  “I’m going to go to the office for a while. Are you going to be okay?”

  “Yes, Sarah is stopping by later today. We’ll probably look at some houses, that’s if Sarah doesn’t bombard me with anymore baby stuff.”

  “You girls have fun, don’t forget about the names. I have a few in mind. I want to know what you thought of also. We can talk about it over dinner tonight.”

  “Okay. Have a good day.”

  ***

  Charles had been busy lately. He’d been trying to locate Mr. Lexington for some time now. His blood ran cold at the thought of this criminal getting his hands on Christina. He went into work earlier and had gotten and update from Matt on how Christina was doing. She was getting bigger each day. He steeled himself for what he was about to do.

  “Kevin! Hey, how’s it going?” he said entering the warehouse.

  “Mr. X, what are you doing here? The streets said you retired. They say you were out the game. Turned over a new leaf,” he said. Charles stopped himself from grimacing at the filthy man in front of him. He was balding on top, a few of his teeth were missing thanks to Charles and dirt was caked underneath his fingernails. All these years later and he still was scum of the underworld.

  “Missing my old life. What’s going on Kevin? I know you are in on a job.” Kevin looked at the man through shrewd eyes. He knew when someone was out for blood and Mr. X was angry, very angry. Luckily, Kevin was no fool; he had some friends to help him out tonight.

  “I’m sorry Mr. X; I don’t know what you’re talking about. Maybe my friends can assist you!” he cackled. Charles looked at around and realized he’d been surrounded.

  “You little rat!” Moving fast as lightening, he whipped out his hunting knife and stabbed it through Kevin’s hand and into the desk. He screams filled the air.

  “I’ll deal with you later,” he said as he turned to face his assailants. A Cheshire grin stretched across Charles face.

  “Why can’t we all just get along?” Leaning forward he threw throwing knives instantly taking the two down. He laughed as they fell to the floor clutching the areas were the throwing knives hit them. Charles was really too old to be doing this kind of thing. He reached behind him and pulled out his 9mm.

  “Wow! Wait a minute man! Kevin didn’t say anything about this shit.”

  “Kevin didn’t tell you. I’m Shadow,” he said coldly. Charles watched as the man went ghostly pale. He pistol whipped him before turning his sights onto Kevin.

  “Now Kevin, where were we?” he asked approaching the man.

  “I didn’t know. I was just supposed to teach you a lesson!” he squealed.

  “I want to know about a Mr. Lexington.”

  “I don’t know anything,” Kevin said crying pitifully. Charles looked at the man and reached down and twisted the knife in hand. Screams tore from his throat.

  “Okay, okay, okay, he’s been in the United States for a couple months. Maybe four or five months. I swear I don’t know anything else.”

  “Good boy.” Charles said kissing the man’s sweaty head. Charles turned his back on the people and left the warehouse. He pulled out a phone.

  “I need a cleanup.” He rattled of a code over the phone that only he and a few other people knew before hanging up. He knew by the end of the day, the men would be silenced.

  Chapter 26

  Two weeks had past and Christina had been feeling irritable lately. Matt had been busy lately and Sarah kept falling off the face of the planet something was going on with the girl. Not to mention the little minions in her stomach were dancing around keeping her up through the night. Bleh. She would look forward to today. Matt told her that they had some houses lined up and she was excited to see them.

  Christina was exhausted. They’d been looking at houses all day today. She shook her head. Would the places she been looking at even qualify as houses? They looked more like castles. Christina was interested in living outside the city. Matt held her hand as the driver drove them to their next location. She caught him staring at her plenty of times. She tugged on her hair. Her black roots were finally starting to show. He leant forward kissing her head and soon her lips. Christina shook as she saw the desire in her husband to be eyes.

  “Nope. I’m thirty weeks now. The doctor said no sex,” she giggled. Her breathing hitched as he dragged his nose along her neck across her collarbone before biting into her bottom lip.

  “Your mouth still works,” he uttered huskily into her ear. Christina’s face inflamed.

  “You dirty bastard!” she screeched trying to avoid him. She watched as he roared with laughter. Matt loved the fact that he could still illicit such a reaction from his little angel.

  “It’s not funny,” she pouted resting her hands on her swollen belly.

  “Nonetheless, you love it.” Matt looked at the woman who was going to be the mother of his children. His heart thumped in his chest. She was the most beautiful creature in all of creation. Her grey eyes glowed and sparkled. Her thick hair hanged in luscious waves around her.

  “I truly adore you,” he said taking her hands into his own and smiling at her. He released her when the car door stopped. Matt got out of the car. He turned around to help Christina out of the vehicle.

  “How long did it take us to get here?” she asked.

  “Forty-five minutes. Good, that’s not too bad of a commute.”

  Christina walked hand in hand with Matt. She would have to admit that the home was gorgeous, even though she hated the realtor. Who would walk around with six inch heels while showing a house? Perky bitch. Christina hoped she fell. It wasn’t very nice of her, but she didn’t care. She saw the looks that the woman shot Matt. She knew she didn’t have to worry about Matt; after all he was a beggar. It was the wolves also known as scants that she had to worry about. She saw the slight frown that marred the woman’s face when she spotted the impressive engagement ring on Christina’s hand. Take that heifer! He was hers. The blonde was in a pencil light grey skirt with a white casual blouse that had a long neckline. Christina didn’t know if it was the blonde’s attempt to lighten up those dull brown eyes that she had.

  Matt watched as Christina grumbled and muttered under her breath. Uh oh, this didn’t bode well for him. He wondered if the twins were giving her a hard time. They were moving rather quickly toward the house. It was stunning from the outside. He hoped Christina would like it. It was up to her to pick out the house. He wanted to make sure that she was happy. He paused, turning he grabbed Christina’s hand and entwined it with his.

  “I love you,” he said before planting a chaste but passionate kiss on her lips. He smiled as the blood rushed to the surface of her skin before a bright smile stretched across her face. Whatever was bothering her, he was glad that he was able to make her smile. It was all that mattered to him. />
  “I know,” Christina said smiling at Matt. He didn’t realize how much he reassured her. He held her hand tightly in his. It was then that she was able to focus on the stunning house in front of her. It was gorgeous. It was a modernist home that sat on a beautiful landscape that featured orchids, a private koi pond, and more. She love the sleek lines of the home. The realtor said it was Bedford Hill. Christina smiled at least the woman was doing her job now. This place was massive. She hoped she didn’t get lost. What would she do with six bedrooms and nine bathrooms? It even include the pool house and a cottage house.

  “It’s gorgeous,” Christina gasped. It was like living in a garden. There was greenery everywhere. It was soothing and very relaxing. The house was done in smooth and neutral tones. It had a white kitchen, the hardware was stainless steel it; granite countertops, high ceilings. It was luxury to the fullest. Christina knew Matt was a billionaire, but she was experiencing it firsthand. The pool area was wonderful. She was starting to think that someone must had kidnap a part of Japan and placed it in the backyard.

  “What do you think?” the realtor asked ignoring her and turning to Matt.

  “I think you should direct that question to my fiancée,” he said turning those cold eyes onto the woman. The woman blanched. This man was different from other men. He made her nervous. She still couldn’t believe that she was showing a house to Matt Dallas the billionaire. She would love to get a hold of his secrets. Cleary this woman was the center; she couldn’t wait to call some friends.

  “I love it!” Christina said gasping as she turned around.

  “We’ll take it I want to close immediately. My fiancée needs to be as comfortable as possible. I want to purchase furniture and have it moved in immediately.”

  “Yes, Mr. Dallas, I’m quite sure we could work something out.”

  “Very good.” He said wrapping an arm around Christina and exiting the house.

  ***

  Matt chuckled and had a scotch on the rocks as his driver drove them back to his penthouse. Christina was talking about decorating and having the nursery set up for the twins. He smiled as she talked about keeping the twins together. Everything was finally going right. He was getting out of the vehicle when he spotted a familiar vehicle. His blood went cold. Why would she be here in a place like this?

  “Stay in the car!” he shouted.

  “Listen here Dallas, I told you before you will not take that tone with me,” she roared trying to maneuver her way out of the car. Matt muttered to himself as he turned to help her out of the vehicle.

  “Matthew, dear is that any way to treat your mother?” the woman said approaching them. Christina stared at the woman feeling a rage that she hadn’t felt since she and Matt got into an altercation. She immediately went into protection mode. She could see Matt shriveling up inside of himself.

  “My god, Matt. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Mother,” he said looking down at the ground. Christina watched as he looked so defeated. She saw him become the lonely little boy seeking for mother’s approval right in front of her eyes. Matt held her hand in a death grip. Christina knew she would have to be the one to fight this battle. She did it the only way she knew how—with her intellect. She gave the woman a look of superiority. This time it was she who reached up and looked him in the eye.

  “It’s okay. I’ll protect you,” she whispered placing a tender kiss on his forehead.

  “Mrs. Dallas, it seems you took Matt and me by surprise. Not very tactful. Love, why don’t you go on up. I’ll be fine,” she said smiling at him with reassurance.

  “But,”

  “Matt.”

  “Fine, I’m going.” He said mumbling.

  Once he was gone, Christina moved in on the woman. She reeked of money. She had on a cream tailor suit that complimented her skin tone well and she had the palest shade of light blue eyes she ever seen. The woman’s hair was pulled back in a sophisticated bun. There wasn’t a piece of hair out of place.

  “Let’s converse like adults. I’m sure you can keep up. Right Mrs. Dallas?” she sneered at the woman. Mrs. Dallas looked at the woman in front of her. She actually made the older woman nervous. Elizabeth never been talked down to before. She was used to doing it to other people, somehow this woman managed to make her feel two inches tall.

  “I…I”

  “Perhaps I was wrong, in my assumption. Let me be frank with you. If you harm him, look at him with ill intent, you will never see these your grandchildren. That’s right twins,” Christina said as she watched the woman’s eyebrows rise.

  “This is your chance to start over, to repair your relationship with your son. He’s proven himself to you. He’s expanded the company which is something you could have never done. I understand that cold exterior of yours. In fact, you’re too much like your son. Swallow your pride and apologize. The babies will be here soon, and it would be nice to have their grandmother around. Give me a call, when you’re ready.” Christina said leaving the stunned woman behind and returning to her home.

  She couldn’t see the hot tears that spilled from the woman’s eyes as she got into the car. Some people couldn’t handle the truth.

  ***

  Matt paced back and forth relentlessly. He was worried. His mother was crazy he shouldn’t have left Christina out there to deal with her alone. He wanted to know what was going on. He opened the door to rush out only to find Christina there. He took her into his arms.

  “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, calm down.”

  “What happened?”

  “Nothing, but I think I made her cry. I feel bad.” Christina mumbled into his chest. Did he hear her right? No way. He started to laugh.

  “What?” Christina whined.

  “Did you really make Elizabeth Dallas cry? You are a marvel.”

  “I’m smarter than her. I just made her feel like shit. She’s too much like you. We’ll be seeing her soon. Now let me go, the twins are craving ice cream right now.”

  “Are you sure it’s the twins?”

  “Matt,” she threaten.

  “Okay, okay.” He said grabbing the ice cream for her. She stretched out on the sectional while he massaged her feet. He smiled as she moaned and groaned in pleasure.

  “Baby, you’re so good at this,” she said in a breathy tone.

  “Should I come back at a later time?” Collum asked. He peeped over the couch only to see Matt giving Christina a foot massage.

  “Matt can I talk to you for a minute?”

  “Sure. Baby I’ll be right back.” He said kissing Christina. He laughed as she shooed him away. She had her ice cream and was watching house hunters. He knew better to bother her.

  “How come ice cream and TV always trumps me. It’s not fair.” He said moving away from her. Collum shook his head at the two. They really were perfect for each other. He wondered where he could find a girl like Christina.

  Once in the den, he closed the doors behind him after he entered behind Matt.

  “What is it?” Matt asked Collum.

  “The team has assembled.”

  Chapter 27

  Christina smiled as she went over the details with the interior decorator. She supposed money really did talk. She was thirty-two weeks now; and worried less about the babies. She knew their chance of survival was better now that she made it this far. Her stomach was huge. She needed help getting up. Her phone rang. She frown at the unknown number.

  “Christina dear where are you?”

  Christina frown at the phone, it sounded like Matt’s mom.

  “Mrs. Dallas?”

  “Yes dear, it’s me. Call me Liz. Tom and I would like to stop by and see you.”

  Christina heard the tremble in the woman’s voice. She sighed. At least she was trying. She wondered if she could introduce Martha and Charles to them as her parents. She would have to ask them.

  “Of course, I’m in the new house with the interior decorator. I’m about forty-five minu
tes from New York City.”

  “Okay dear, we’ll be there.”

  ***

  Christina was a little nervous about meeting his parents alone. Would she have to be on guard? She hoped this visit didn’t drain her. She should have called Martha and Charles. She hadn’t visited them in a while. She supposed she could go up to the office and visit Charles tomorrow; yeah she would bring him some lunch. Hearing the doorbell rang she grumbled as she struggled to get up. Finally making it to the door, she gasped when she opened it. Matt was the spinning image of his father. It was startling to see. Was this how Matt going to look in his fifties.

  “I know dear,” Liz said petting Christina on the head and moving into the house. Christina managed to close her mouth and follow the couple inside.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you Tom,” Christina said blushing as he pulled her in for a hug.

  “Move Tom, before you give the poor girl a heart attack.” Liz said shooing him out the way.

  “May I?” she asked Christina. Once she received her consent she placed her hands on the other woman’s stomach.

  “We’ve never had twins in the family,” she said tears coming to her eyes.

  “Well, I’m sure you all will have plenty of time to spend with them.” Christina said looking at the woman. She was honestly surprised. It was like she transformed into a completely different person.