Daddy's Boy

by Samantha Grady

  “Rachel.” Mason said opening the door only a crack. “What are you doing here?”

  “I need to talk to you.” I said noticing how hard he was breathing and was that blood on his hand? “Mason are you ok? There is blood on your hand.”

  Looking at his hand Mason quickly wiped the blood off on his jeans. “I’m fine, just cut myself cooking.”

  If my dad wasn’t a police officer and I hadn’t spent my life learning how to catch a lie I probably would have bought Mason’s excuse, but I was a police officers daughter and I had learned to catch a lie.

  “Stop lying to me and tell me what is going on.”

  “Rachel−”

  Screw it, pushing past Mason I ran down the hall following the noise of someone grunting in pain.

  In the kitchen Denny was laying across the kitchen table, blood all over him and Jonah was leaning over him stitching a cut on his arm.

  Oh. My. God.

  “Rachel.” Denny whispered pushing Jonah off and sitting up slowly.

  “What happened?” I asked my voice unnaturally calm considering what I was looking at.

  Looking at someone who had been beaten badly was distressing; having that person be the love of your life was something unimaginable.

  “Come sit down Rachel.” Jonah said as Mason picked me up and carried me over to the chair Jonah had pulled out.

  “Your face is white Rachel, I need you to talk to me baby.” Denny said cupping my face with a bruised hand. “Look at me sweetheart.”

  “I am looking at you.” I said through numb lips, actually my whole body felt numb.

  “Baby,” Denny whispered, “you’re looking at the ground.”

  I was looking at the ground and it was full of blood. Oh God.

  “What happened?” I asked again.

  “Nothing.” Denny said as Jonah threw a bowl full of bloody water across the room.

  “Vinnie is what fucking happened.” Jonah screamed. “He’s fucking dead.”

  “So this is what he meant when he said he gets what he wants.” I whispered.

  “What did she just say?” Jonah said stopping his rant.

  Denny pulled my face up so that I was looking at him, before his eyes were filled with nothing but pain, now they were filled with nothing but fury. “What did who mean?”

  Looking at Denny’s hurt body I knew that I couldn’t tell him. One word about Vinnie coming to see me and he wouldn’t just be hurt, he would be dead. If Vinnie could beat him this badly there was no doubt in my mind that he would also kill him if needed. I hated Vinnie, hated him more than I hated anyone but to keep Denny alive I would have to play in his world. Playing in his world meant keeping my mouth shut.

  “Rachel?” Denny said pulling me from my thoughts.

  “My dad, he said Vinnie was dangerous. I just didn’t realize he was ‘beat his son’ dangerous.”

  Looking at me with surprise Denny put his forehead to mine. “You should be running as far and as fast as you can right now.”

  “I’m not running anywhere. What did I tell you the day we found out I was pregnant. As long as I get you I’ll take the good, bad and ugly. Now lay back down so Jonah can finish stitching your arm, you’re bleeding on me.”

  “I don’t know what I did to deserve you. You’d think God would be pissed and give me some ugly chick for working for a drug lord.”

  “I don’t think you should drink anymore.” I said noticing the almost empty bottle on the table.

  “Seriously baby,” Denny said pulling my face back to his. “You deserve better.”

  “Shut up Denny I, we.” I said placing his bruised hand on my stomach, “deserve you. We also need you, so whatever you did to get this from Vinnie, don’t do it again.”

  “He told a fifteen year old he couldn’t buy from Vinnie anymore.” Jonah said pushing Denny back down on the table.

  “Denny.” I whispered a smile spreading across my face.

  “If adults want to fuck themselves up on drugs who am I to fucking care, they know better, but this kid he didn’t and that is why I told him he could buy from Vinnie.”

  If I wasn’t sure I was completely in love with Denny then this would have done it. But I was already completely in love with him, so I kissed his split lip and got to work helping Jonah clean him up. It was weird, probably wrong and I had a feeling I was going to hell for falling in love with a drug runner, but Denny and his good, bad and ugly were all mine and I wouldn’t give him up for anything. Not even Vinnie.

  For the love of Denny, hell here I come.

  Present Day…

  Denny holding Lucca in his arms followed behind me as I rushed towards the front desk. Stan an older officer I’d known since I was in my teens was at the desk looking a mixture of bored and pissed off.

  “Rachel how are you doing girl?” He said cheerfully.

  “I’m Good Stan. How are you?”

  “Retirement can’t come soon enough!” Stan said giving me a goofy smile.

  Smiling back I ignored Denny’s huff of impatience. “Is my dad around?”

  “No, Jack’s on leave. Left the State from what I’ve heard.”

  On leave? Left the State? What the hell? No way would my dad leave Colorado without telling me. Hell my dad wouldn’t even take leave without telling me.

  “Are you sure?”

  “On leave for a couple of weeks? Yes. Left the State for a vacation? Not sure, but it’s what I heard the rookie JD say last week.”

  “Is JD around for me to talk to?”

  “Nope the kids out sick. Been out sick almost as long as your Dad’s been on leave.”

  Not really sure what to think I turned to look at Denny. Lucca was trying to pull out Denny’s lip ring, something I imagine must be very painful, but Denny only had concerned eyes for me. A look I hadn’t seen in a long time. A look I actually really missed.

  “Why wouldn’t he call and tell you that Rachel?” Denny whispered to me.

  My dad would call no matter what. Something was wrong.

  “Stan I think my dad might be missing.”

  Standing up and leaning his weight into the counter the smile died on Stan’s face. “Do you have any evidence to support this claim?”

  Oh we were serious now, good. “He’s not picking up his phone. Denny’s been trying to get a hold of him all week. I really think something is wrong Stan.”

  “Rachel−”

  “Don’t you think that’s weird that he just randomly took leave?” Denny said, the words a little slurred due to Lucca’s little baby fingers pulling at his lip ring.

  That’s all I needed a trip to the emergency room to get Denny’s lip stitched.

  “No, Jack’s retiring next year and has a lot of leave stored up. Use it or lose it, as they say.”

  Shaking his head Denny stepped up beside me. “How about Jack’s apartment being trashed. Is that enough evidence?”

  What the hell?

  “Excuse me?” Stan snapped.

  “I went to see Jack today and his apartment was trashed.” Denny said calmly, his eyes locked on mine.

  I’m glad Denny was calm, because I was one word away from freaking out.

  “And how did you get into his apartment?” Stan asked looking Denny up and down, clearly not liking the tight black jeans hanging low despite the studded belt, the tattoos coloring his arms or the handful of piercings.

  “I have a key.”

  Giving Denny a looked that all but screamed ‘bullshit’ Stan reached for the phone on the counter. “Do I know you?”

  “No.” Denny said with a big smirk on his face.

  “Sure I don’t.” Stan mumbled under his breath turning his eyes back to me. “I’ll send a unit to his house but unless we find something there your dad’s just taking a break Rachel.”

  “Thank you Stan.” I said giving him a smile as I grabbed a hold of Denny’s arm and pulled him away from the desk. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me about his apartment?” I snapped in
a low whisper causing Lucca to drop his fingers away from Denny’s lip and give me big sad blue eyes. Ah crap, my baby thought I was yelling at him. Looking up at Denny while I softly touched Lucca’s cheeks I found Denny staring at me with wide, shocked eyes.

  “You hurt Lucca’s feelings.”

  “I did not.”

  “You did too. Look at his little lip?” Denny said sticking his lower lip out just like Lucca. Lucca let out a high-pitched squeal his fingers flying back to Denny’s lip ring.

  “He’s going to pull that out.” I warned in a stern voice, but inside I was holding back happy tears. Nothing in this World was more beautiful than Lucca in his dad’s arms. It also didn’t hurt that Denny had lost the dead and sad look the minute he’d picked Lucca up. Clearing my throat I re-asked my question. “Why didn’t you tell me about his apartment?”

  “The door wasn’t exactly unlocked Rachel.” Denny whispered.

  “Of course it wasn’t.” I murmured. Walking back to the desk I searched my purse for my father’s keys. Finding them, I handed them to Stan. “The cops you are sending are going to need these.”

  Nodding Stan took the keys.

  A little while later I turned from watching Stan at the front desk to watch Lucca drink from the bottle Denny held for him, Lucca cradled in his father arms, their identical blue eyes locked on each other. For six months my boys had been without each other. Seeing them together was only making me feel guilty. I let what was happening between Denny and I get in the way of what Lucca needed. Denny had missed Lucca’s birth, his first bath, his first smile for goodness sakes. Guilt weighing a ton hit me in the chest and wow was guilt an awful feeling.

  “Denny no mattered what happens today or tomorrow I need you to be a part of Lucca’s life. I don’t care how you feel about me, just please promise me you will be a part of Lucca’s life. I’m sorry I’ve kept you from him for the first six months.” I whispered, tears clouding my throat and filling me eyes.

  “Sweetheart,” Denny whispered looking at me, “you didn’t keep me away. I’ve stayed away.”

  “Why would you do that? Is it because of how you feel about me?”

  “Rachel the way I feel about you has−”

  “That’s Rachel.” Stan shouted from the front desk causing me to jump out of my skin. “This is Grant, Rachel he just got back from Jack’s apartment.” Stan said nodding to the police officer walking towards me.

  “Here,” Grant said handing me back my dad’s apartment keys along with a folded piece of paper. “Jack’s place was in perfect condition and I believe this is meant for you.”

  Taking the keys and the piece of paper I unfolded the note reading the words written in my dad’s handwriting.

  “What does it say?” Denny asked unable to lean over and read it himself as Lucca was still drinking from the bottle.

  “It says he is going out of town as he needs a time out. He’ll call me when he can.”

  “You believe that?” Denny asked standing carefully so he didn’t disturb Lucca.

  Did I believe it? My gut said no but the writing was my dad’s handwriting, what was there not to believe.

  “Thank you for your help.” I said shaking Grant’s offered hand.

  After finishing feeding Lucca and burping him, Denny holding a sleeping Lucca and I walked out of the police station.

  “So what now I just wait for my dad to call?”

  “You could do that or you could come home with me and let me take care of it.”

  What?

  “Why would I come home with you? You think something bad has happened to him don’t you?”

  “I didn’t say that. I would just feel better if you stayed with me until we are sure your dad is out of town.”

  “He would never just leave a note. If he was going out of town he would have called.” I whispered.

  Nodding Denny raised his hand slowly to my cheek. My whole body tingled from his touch. This was the first time he’d touch me since that awful night he left me. “Maybe he did go out of town.”

  “You said his house was trashed?”

  “I lied which is why they found it in perfect condition.”

  What the hell? Anger took over the tingles faster than a finger click. Narrowing my eyes I pushed his hand off my face. “Why would you lie about something like that?”

  “They wouldn’t have checked if I hadn’t.” Was he lying? Half of me thought he was but why would he lie?

  “Just to be safe you and Lucca are going to come and stay at the town house.”

  Nope, not going to happen.

  “No I don’t want to stay with a liar.”

  Shaking his head Denny turned away and put Lucca in his car seat. “Still have an attitude problem I see.” Denny whispered under his breath.

  “Still have a lying problem I see.” I snapped. God Denny could be such a dick sometimes.

  Turning around Denny let out a huge sigh. “Leave it alone Rachel and get in the fucking car. You’re coming home with me, end of discussion.”

  Denny could fuck right off. He lost the right to boss me around when he walked out on me. “Screw you Denny. I’m going home, end of discussion.”

  “Get. In. The. Car.” Denny snarled each word as he stepped into me, using his height against me.

  “Screw. You.” I yelled pushing hard against his chest.

  Something snapped inside both of us. Denny grabbed the back of my neck, I grabbed his face and we both smashed our mouths together. The kiss was a little messy and a lot desperate. I felt starved for Denny’s touch. My body had been slowly dying without it.

  Ending as fast as it started Denny pulled away with the sad and dead look back in place. “We shouldn’t have done that.” Stunned and a little hurt all I could do was nod. “Will you please just come home with me until I find out where your dad is? Do you really want another visit from Adam?”

  “Don’t you think it’s weird, I’m your ex Denny.” I stupidly said because my brain was still not working from the kiss we’d just shared.

  Looking at me like I’d just stabbed him in the heart Denny turned and walked away from me. “I know exactly what you are Rachel.”

  Ouch! I meant it as a joke. But this was exactly why I couldn’t stay with Denny because I was still in love with him and he obviously hated me. But if I went back home and Adam’s crew showed up and did something to hurt Lucca I would never be able to forgive myself.

  Wanting to hit something I flung myself down into the car and slammed the door shut. “If Lucca and I are staying with you then so is Rocco.” Maybe Rocco would eat something Denny really liked.

  ****

  Humming the last bit of song I watched Lucca’s eyes fall shut. Continuing to rock him I put my finger to my lips as Denny came into the room shutting the door silently. Lowering Lucca into the travel crib I heard clothes ruffling behind me. Looking towards the noise I almost lost my hold on Lucca. Mere feet away Denny was half naked, his hands on his jeans about to take them down. Quickly turning back to Lucca I settled him on his back and snapped my mouth shut. Denny was still the most beautiful person I’d even seen.

  “Would it kill you to change in the bathroom?” I squeaked out my throat suddenly as dry as the Sahara.

  “Nothing you haven’t seen before.” Denny mumbled.

  God wasn’t that the truth. Moving a little faster before my body could give me away I turned off the lights and jumped into bed praying I could get the image of Denny’s naked body out of my mind. Hard lean muscles, tattoos covering olive skin, sinister piercings, and a trail of black hair leading to his… Nope, wasn’t getting that image out of my mind.

  Listening to Denny move around the room I gave a sigh of relief when it sounded like he was heading towards the door. Denny whispered goodnight to Lucca then his feet sounded on the floor again, this time moving back towards the bed.

  Moving back to the bed? No.

  The covers were pulled back then a half naked Denny slid in so close I c
ould feel the body heat coming off his skin.

  “Denny what the hell are you doing?”

  “Last time I checked this was my bed.”

  “Yes but I’m using it.”

  “I can see that.”

  “Denny get the hell out.”

  “And sleep where?” He asked amusement clear in his voice.

  “Anywhere but here.” I snapped.

  “What is your problem?” Denny asked turning to stare at me in the darkness, “it’s not like we haven’t been in bed together before. Most of the time with a lot less clothes.”

  Oh God I could not go there right now. Not with his body heat warming my skin and the kiss we’d shared earlier still fresh in my mind. “The problem Denny is I have a boyfriend.” And you practically naked this close is one temptation I don’t think I can resist.

  “Shut up or take the couch.” Denny mumbled, turning away from me.

  “Asshole.” I hissed grabbing my pillow and taking a deep breath to keep from smothering him.

  “That I am.” Denny said as I stomped out of the room.

  Chapter 8

  Knees touching her chest, neck lying at an awkward angle, blonde hair tangled like a rats nest, Rachel was the definition of uncomfortable. But damn if she didn’t make uncomfortable look sexy. Half of me thought it was funny to see her like this the other half was pissed that she would rather spend an uncomfortable night on the couch than sleep with me.

  Lucca screeched as his little finger curled around my lower lip searching for the lip ring I had taken out.

  Rachel’s eyes snapped open her body flinging like a bird caught in a net as she flung herself off the couch, hitting the floor with a thud.

  I shouldn’t laugh, I really shouldn’t laugh. “Morning sweetheart. How did you sleep?”

  “Shut up Denny.”

  Nope this had to be laughed at. Laughing so hard tears filled my eyes I tickled Lucca’s tummy so he was laughing too. “Mommy is grumpy in the mornings.”

  “Oh God, morning, I’m late for work and dropping Lucca off at Emma’s.” Rachel yelled jumping off the floor.

  “Whoa Rachel you’re not going to work or taking Lucca to the babysitters.” I said grabbing her arm and pulling her back.