That's Not My Baby

by Erosa Knowles

  “Was Barretti the father of her child?” Brock asked.

  “I don’t believe so.”

  “Why not?” Brock pressed.

  “Adele talked to Maria about the father, and she wouldn’t do that if she were involved with Vince. His wife would have killed them both. As far as I know, he never cheated on her; it was a deal breaker I believe.”

  Since Max and Tamara had the same type relationship, he understood. “Is it possible she was involved with someone in Barretti’s operation who didn’t want it known she carried his child?”

  Pascale met Max’s gaze for a few moments. “If that were the case, do you think she would be alive?”

  Max gave him points for saying that without blinking.

  “Do you have any idea who sent her the note? Who’s threatening her? Did she tell you?” Brock asked.

  “She wasn’t sure. It could be the father of her child or his family.” He shrugged. “Like I said, she came to me for money, but Maria got the details. Ask her.” He chuckled. It was a dry, humorless sound. “Would you like me to call her for you?”

  “Yes, please,” Max said as he settled into his seat and ordered an Arnold Palmer, a tasty blend of sweet tea and lemonade.

  Pascale made a call and asked Maria to join him. “She will be here in thirty minutes. I will leave in twenty when I finish my meal.” The waiter placed a plate of calamari and other seafood in front of him. The man ate with gusto. Max and Brock ate burgers and waited for Maria. Instead of thirty minutes, she’d taken an hour.

  “Where’s Pascale?” Maria asked as she approached their table and placed a hand on her hip looking around. Her floral perfume tickled Max’s nose, he turned aside to keep from sneezing.

  “He returned to work, I suppose. I wanted to update you on Adele’s condition and ask a few more questions,” Brock said.

  She stared at him for a few seconds, looked around the half empty restaurant again as if Pascale would magically appear and then took a seat. The waiter came over immediately and took her order.

  “If I’m going to be here I may as well eat, cheap bastard,” she muttered. “Did he invite me here for you?”

  “I believe he wanted to talk to you as well, but could not wait,” Brock said diplomatically.

  “Hmph.” She took the glass of wine from the waiter and took a sip watching Max over the rim. Long red fingernails clicked on the glass a few times. Max had to give it to her, for a woman in her late forties, she looked much younger.

  “Adele okay?”

  “The cars taking her to a safe place were attacked yesterday.” Max watched her eyes widen. She coughed. Her eyes watered.

  “What? Are you fucking kidding me? What the hell’s going on?”

  “Two cars starting shooting at us on the highway. One of the men we took admitted his job had been to take Adele,” Max said.

  Maria gasped. Her face drained of color as her hand covered her mouth. “No… this can’t be true. No… there must be a mistake.”

  Max looked at Brock and leaned forward. “Why do you say it must be a mistake? Do you know who’s behind this? Who’s trying to kill your friend?”

  Her fingers shook as she turned to meet his gaze. “But… he wouldn’t do this, would he? It’s a child not the end of the world. I don’t understand how things work in your world.”

  Max tensed. “What do you mean, my world?”

  “The father, he’s an officer. She found out he was married after she told him about the baby. He didn’t want the child, but… he wouldn’t do this… would he?”

  Max didn’t move. Of all the things he expected, an officer as the father never entered his mind. A married officer at that. What the hell?

  “Did she tell you his name?” Brock asked and Max heard the underlying anger. Someone wearing the uniform did this to Adele, it didn’t bear thinking.

  Maria shook her head and clasped her hands in her lap. “No. I never asked. For months she had been happy, said she met someone she liked. Claimed it wasn’t serious but he spent a lot of money wining and dining her. He… um, he wasn’t the only man she dated.”

  “How’d she know the child belonged to the officer?” Max asked, still unsure he believed her.

  “The timing. One of her lovers was out of the country which left the other. At first she planned to have an abortion. But considering the doctors said she couldn’t have children, this baby is a miracle and she changed her mind, refused to get rid of it. I don’t blame her. She made it clear to him that he wouldn’t be a part of their lives and she thought they were okay. When the note came, she realized he was dangerous.” She looked Max in the eye. “She wouldn’t break up a family. He lied to her; otherwise she would never have dated the asshole.”

  “Did she mention his rank? Or branch of service? Or anything that’d help track him down?” Max asked.

  “No... wait, she mentioned he had his orders changed to the base close by so they could be together, but that was before she told him about the baby. Chances are he changed his mind.”

  Max and Brock’s gaze’s locked. It wasn’t that easy to change bases unless you had some serious connections. Finding an officer who committed adultery with a child on the way would be difficult, they never talked. Throw in attempted murder, assault and the all the other charges, they had a mess on their hands. Max shook his head.

  This just couldn’t be simple, could it?

  Chapter 20.

  Tamara strode into Reclamation, looked around and then went to the bar. “Hi Crystal, seen Max?”

  “No, not since earlier, everything okay?” She stood in front of Tamara wiping the bar.

  “Yeah, I just wanted to go over a few things with him while in the area. I guess I’ll see him at home.” Why did she need a reason to see her man? Worse, she scrambled to make up one instead of saying leaving it at yes. But after dealing with staff and clients today, she needed a hug or kiss or squeeze… something from him to hold her until later when they decompressed.

  Crystal smiled. “You and Chief shacking?”

  Tamara’s face warmed as a few people turned to look at her. “Ask him. Charlene here?” She turned from Crystal’s mocking grin.

  “In the restaurant. Congratulations if it’s true,” Crystal said as Tamara left to say hello to her friend.

  “Tamara,” she stopped at the sound of her name and turned to face Bernard. The man always looked polished and if her heart weren’t taken she would be flattered by his attention. He and another man walked toward her. “Meet my brother, Chip. Chip, this is the woman who sold you your house.”

  She smiled as his blue eyes lit. “Max’s lady. It’s nice to meet you, Ma’am. Viola says the house is everything she dreamed of and that’s good enough for me. Thank you for working on our behalf.”

  Tamara’s grin grew wider as Bernard continued to heap compliments on her. “Stop Bernard, I list and sale homes, that’s my job. As long as you and your wife are happy, I’m happy.” She looked at Bernard who winked. “Nice meeting you, Mr. Wilson.”

  “Please call me Chip. Max and I are old friends.”

  “Nice meeting you, Chip. I need to talk to Charlene for a few minutes, enjoy Reclamation gentlemen.” She took a few steps before Bernard called out.

  “Can I buy you a drink?”

  She wanted to remind him her man owned the club, she didn’t pay for drinks, but remained professional. “No, but thank you for the offer.” Ignoring Crystal’s frown, she headed to the restaurant.

  “Ms. Gibbs?” Chip called before she made a complete escape.

  Since he was a client, she stopped, smile in place and turned. “Yes Chip?”

  “Is Max coming through any time soon? I just returned today and there’s a project I need to talk with him about. I called his cell but there was no answer, that’s why I stopped here.”

  “I believe so, but I don’t know what time.” Max hadn’t answered her calls either.

  He nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Is
that him?” Bernard said.

  Tamara stepped around Chip and met Max’s gaze. His eyes flicked from her to Chip to Bernard, rested on him a bit, and then back to her. She knew the moment he remembered who Bernard was, his bearing straightened and if he had horns, they’d be blowing steam.

  Without responding to any of the greetings from people, he strode to her, placed his hand around her waist and pulled her close. “Hi Baby, how was your day?” He spoke next to her ear as if no one else was in the room.

  “Busy, but good.”

  He leaned back, stared down into her eyes and brushed his lips against hers in a claim of ownership. “I’m glad. You came to see me or just to grab a bite to eat?”

  She placed her hand on his chest, enjoying being the focus of his attention. “Both. I tried to reach you and swung by for dinner before heading home.”

  “Good. Smothered chicken for me if she has it.” He patted her ass and placed another kiss on her lips. “I’ll see you soon as I clear up a few things here,” he said to Chip and then stepped to the side, and nodded at Bernard. “One second, I’ll be back.” Holding hands he walked her to the restaurant, teasing her with everything he wanted to do to her body later that night.

  “I promise I won’t stop until you scream for me at least three times, woman,” he said next to her ear. His warm breath tickled more than her fancy.

  Panties wet from the hot promises he made, she sat at the counter and gave Beth their orders.

  “Hi Max, good to see you. For a while I thought you were avoiding me because of Terri’s foolishness. I ain’t got nothing to do with the fantasies that fill her mind, don’t go grouping us together. You and me always got along just fine, I hate for that to change.”

  “Adele’s sick and I been handling a lot things. Everything’s cool between us, no worries.”

  Tamara smiled at the older woman who’d always been kind to her. “Same here, Beth, we’re good.”

  Beth looked at them both and nodded. Charlene came from the back wiping her hand on an apron. “How’s Adele, Chief?”

  “Just left from there, she’s been out of it most of the day. Crying off and on. Sergei’s with her.”

  “Sergei? Did you hire him… to watch her?” Charlene asked frowning.

  “No. They’re… friends.”

  “Friends?”

  Max tilted his head and stared at Charlene.

  “Oh… what? You’re kidding? I didn’t know. Wow. It’s those quiet ones… you gotta watch them. He snuck in the hen house when no one was watching. Does he know who sent the note? Any ideas?”

  Max shook his head. The speed in which the news of Adele’s rape traveled taught him to hold his cards close; he wouldn’t make that mistake again. He and Brock agreed to keep Maria’s accusations quiet until they could check them out. Unfortunately, that meant talking to Adele again and neither of them wanted to upset her. “Still working on it.”

  “Mark’s taking me there after closing. I have some food for the guys,” Charlene said.

  Max nodded while dragging his fingertip down her arm. “Your skin is so soft,” he whispered and placed a kiss where his finger had been, delighted when she shivered. No matter how fancy Chip’s brother dressed, Max knew the man couldn’t get that kind of reaction from Tamara.

  “Your food’s almost ready, Tamara. Chief I put some extra meatloaf in the bag and a few cookies for Kevin.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it.” He rested his hand on Tamara’s thigh and moved closer, touching her arms and legs with the side of his body. Her scent filled his nostrils, a powerful aphrodisiac. “Damn, I wish I didn’t have to deal with a couple of things, we could go upstairs for a few minutes.” He squeezed her thigh and looked over his shoulder gauging the time and crowd. They could do it. “Matter of fact, let’s go to my office for a short, intense, private conversation. Won’t take long and I won’t mess up your hair or your clothes.” He grinned as she pushed him away. “I promise, I’ll be good.” Max held up his fingers implying scouts honor.

  She laughed and placed her palm on his cheek, her thumb ran across his lips. He tried to bite it but wasn’t fast enough. Beth placed the take out bags on the counter and left with a smile. Max signed the receipt and slid it across the table.

  Tamara placed a tip on the counter, stood with their dinner and headed toward the door. Max kept his arm around her waist as he escorted her to the parking lot. Once there, he took the bags from her and sat them on the front seat of her car.

  “I missed you today,” he said, placing his hands on both sides, boxing her in. Leaning forward, he nipped her neck and then laved the spot. “You taste divine.”

  She chuckled and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I do love you Maximus Delgado.” She stared into his eyes while making the declaration.

  His heart slammed into his chest. He removed one hand and made gestures as if speaking in sign language. “You complete me,” he said smiling as she grabbed his ass pulling him closer.

  “I’m going to get in my car.” She placed kisses on his lips. “And pick up Kevin.” She placed more kisses on his face. “Then watch cartoons.” She kissed him hard and broke apart with a gasp. “Then take off my panties and wait for you to fill me up and make me… scream.”

  His dick hurt as she deepened their kiss. It was hot as fire being with her when she was like this. Max grabbed her ass and pressed her against his hardness so that she knew her affect on him. They broke apart, gasping for air. She pushed and stepped to the side.

  “No panties…” She walked to the other side leaving him with his chest heaving.

  “Evil woman. Look at me.” He waved to his pants were a dime-sized wet spot appeared. Damn. He pulled out his tucked shirt to cover it and shook his head as she started her car, waved and drove off.

  Max inhaled and exhaled a few times, turned and walked back toward the restaurant. He waved at Charlene and Beth but didn’t stop. Chip, Brock and his brother had taken a seat.

  “Surprised to see you back so soon,” Max said to Chip, as he slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Yeah, me too,” Chip said. “My brother, Bernard.” He pointed toward the man quietly sitting next to him.

  Max nodded. “What’s up?”

  Chip moved his drink around a few times without speaking. “I have a problem.”

  “You’re stating the obvious,” Max said, placing his hand on the table. “Since you’re here, I assume you want to talk about it.”

  “Maybe we should go somewhere private,” Bernard said.

  “My office?” Max pointed toward the stairs.

  “That would be better,” Chip said as he stood. “I promise not to take up a lot of your time, but I wanted to run a few things by you, get your input since you’ve been in the area a while.”

  Max led the men across the club and up the private staircase to his office. “Grab a chair, and tell me what’s going on. If I can help, you know I will.”

  “I appreciate that,” Max said rubbing his palm down his pant leg. Max noticed the action and glanced at Brock. Their gazes met. Neither had any idea what had Chip so upset.

  “Calm down and just tell him. You said he wouldn’t judge you… it’s not the end of the world, Chip,” Bernard said, seated next to his brother.

  “I know, I know… it’s just. How did things get so out of hand so fast?” Chip exhaled and met Max’s gaze. “I had an affair.” He said it in a rush as if he admitted to killing someone. But since adultery was illegal in the military, it might be the death of his career. Max agreed with Bernard, it wasn’t the end of the world.

  “Okay,” Max said and crossed his arms over his chest. “Does Viola know?”

  Chip’s head whipped up. “What? No, goodness… no, she may suspect but she doesn’t know exactly.”

  “Is this why you did a character testimony for the judge?” Brock asked.

  Chip’s jaw tightened at the pointed similarities. “No. Yes.” He exhaled. “Partially.”

  “I’m
not sure how I can help you.” Max stared at the man who’d been his friend for years and wondered what made men, with a woman like Viola at home, be unfaithful. He couldn’t imagine being with anyone other than Tamara.

  The sex wasn’t the only thing that kept him tied to her, although that was a large part. Their core issues and beliefs blended into a nice seam. He never grew bored with her, her energy and love for growth challenged him on a base level. She wasn’t the same woman he met months ago; every day she changed a little. So did he, and they celebrated growing together.

  “There’s a complication… we talked and she…”

  “The woman’s pregnant and is having the child,” Bernard said.

  Max stiffened and stared at Chip. No… it couldn’t be. The Chip he served with wouldn’t hurt a woman, let alone one pregnant with his firstborn.

  “I’m going to ask you one time and do not lie to me,” Max said standing. Brock stood as well and looked at the two men.

  “Are you the father of Adele Flemming’s child?” Max asked, hoping he was wrong.

  Chip’s eyes widened. “You know Adele?”

  Brock whipped out his gun and trained it on Chip before anyone could move. “Answer the question.”

  “Whoa, wait a minute,” Bernard said standing holding out his hands.

  “Sit down,” Brock said in a low voice.

  “What’s going on, Max?” Chip said as his brother retook his seat. “Adele told me she was pregnant. I told her when we first met I couldn’t have kids, I had a vasectomy over ten years ago. We parted and that was the end of it until Bernard contacted me a few days ago with the results of my physical. It’s possible the child is mine.”

  Max glanced at Brock and then at Chip.

  “Why would you have a vasectomy?” That struck him strange that a young career officer wouldn’t want at least one child.

  Chip wiped his forehead with the palm of his hand. “Viola never wanted any. She made that clear before we got married. It was either a hysterectomy or a–”