Destiny Disrupted (There's Always Tomorrow Book 1)

by Saperstein, M. D.

  “God, Melina, I really am so sorry. I honestly didn’t mean to make you feel any of that. You are so much more important than any job...fuck...” Vance says quickly and seriously.

  “Good,” Melina whispers.

  “Can I come see you?” Vance asks softly.

  “Not tonight,” Melina says in a shaky voice that sounds as if she is ready to cry.

  Vance sighs heavily and drops his head back to his chair. “Melina, I'm so sorry.”

  “I know, babe. I forgive you. I just need to get a good night’s sleep and process all of this. I’ll talk to you soon, though. Goodnight,” Melina croaks then hangs up before he can say anything in return.

  “Nite,” he mutters under his breath to a dial tone on the other end. Vance hangs up and fights the urge to chuck his phone at the wall. He grinds his teeth as he sits and seethes. He is fucking furious with himself causing Melina to cry. This is not how it’s supposed to be between them; they are supposed to be enjoying the beginning of their relationship. Instead, Melina is already thinking about breaking it off because she thinks that he cares more about his job than her. There aren’t enough curse words in the world right now to call himself.

  Vance walks into the kitchen from the garage in a foul mood. He slams the door to the garage behind him then tosses his keys and cell phone onto the island counter. He flings his suit jacket over a chair then starts loosening his tie as he storms over to the fridge for a beer. He grabs a Heineken, cracks it open, and slams half of it down in one guzzle.

  “Hey, Van,” Tripp says from behind him.

  Vance wipes his mouth on his sleeve then lets out a huge burp. “Don't fucking talk to me right now,” he snarls, keeping his back to Tripp.

  “Well, shit,” Tripp grumbles and goes about making a PB&J without another word to Vance.

  He leans on the counter with his palms and hangs his head. “Fuck...I'm sorry, Tripp. I just had a bad fuckin’ day that only got worse.”

  “It's cool. Does this have anything to do with you not calling Melina all day?” Tripp asks.

  Vance whips his head around to look at Tripp. “How the hell did you know that?” Vance snaps.

  “Chill, brother. She called here around seven-ish looking for you. She was worried out of her mind about you,” Tripp says, returning Vance's hard stare.

  Vance turns his head back around to face the cabinet and closes his eyes. “Motherfucker,” he bites out.

  He slams the rest of his beer down then turns, leans his butt against the counter, and crosses his arms over his chest.

  “Is there a reason you didn't call her?” Tripp asks and takes a bite of his PB&J.

  “Man, she was the last thing on my mind today. I was completely focused on my investigation, not really thinking about anything else,” Vance says, shaking his head in disgust with himself.

  “Mmm, that's a pretty shitty excuse.”

  “Like I don't know that already.”

  “Did you talk to her?” Tripp asks.

  “Yeah, she was really friggin’ upset and refused to see me tonight,” Vance replies quietly, “She made it very clear that she doesn't have time in her life for a guy who doesn't make time for her.”

  “Which is understandable,” Tripp adds.

  “Never said it isn't.” Vance sighs and is cut off by his cell phone ringing. He rushes over to the island and grabs his phone then looks at the caller ID. Xander, his younger brother. He’s really not in the mood to talk to anybody, but his gut tells him to answer.

  “Hello?” Vance answers.

  “Vance! Thank fucking god! I need your help!” Xander's frantic voice gets Vance's heart racing.

  “Xander, where are you?” Vance barks into the phone.

  “I'm fuckin’ dead if you don't help me, man. You gotta help me!” Xander cries.

  “Jesus Christ, Xander. Where the fuck are you?” Vance shouts as his heart tries to pound its way out of his chest.

  His grip on the phone tightens when Xander doesn't answer. There is just a scuffling sound and Xander's distant voice telling someone not to touch him. Then there is the sound of flesh hitting flesh and pained grunts.

  “Fuck!” Vance exclaims, “Tripp! I need your phone!”

  Tripp hands over his phone immediately and Vance pulls up the GPS tracker and punches in Xander's cell phone number. As soon as Vance gets a hit, he grabs his keys and starts for the door. Tripp follows.

  “I'm coming with you,” Tripp says and runs around the passenger side of Vance's car.

  Vance opens his mouth to protest, but Tripp cuts him off. “Asshole, I'm a fucking Navy Seal sniper and I'm licensed to carry; two guns are better than one.”

  Vance nods once then they both get into the car. He starts the car and immediately throws it into reverse. The garage door has opened to the point where he can make it out without scraping the paint off his roof so he floors it backward out of the driveway; he throws it into drive once he is in the street then peels off, screeching his tires. His tactical driving training kicks into gear.

  Luckily, Vance knows the area where Xander is and it isn't far away. Vance drives like a bat out of hell, weaving in and out of traffic like it isn't even there. Tripp's chiseled face is cool, calm, and collected. He rarely gets to see Tripp in sniper mode and it is truly a remarkable sight. The man is in total control, not one ounce of emotion seeping out of his blue eyes. Tripp is rock steady and ready for action, as if he flipped a switch into one-bad-motherfucker-mode, and he looks fucking scary.

  Xander is twenty-one and awesome on a skateboard, going to the local skate park at least three or four nights a week. He doesn’t have the big muscular build that Vance has, more like a tall lean athletic type, and he is definitely not a fighter. He usually doesn’t have any problems with anyone because he’s quiet and keeps to himself. But lately, for whatever reason, there’s been a group of nasty kids that keep coming to the skate park, starting trouble with the skaters. Xander has yet to be targeted…well, until now.

  Vance slams his car into park once he spots the group, and he and Tripp hastily jump out of the car. Vance has his gun in an inner pants holster and Tripp has his in an ankle holster, but they will only use them as a last resort. After the day he’s had, Vance's hands itch to fucking hit someone, already curled into fists as he and Tripp storm into the skate park.

  They spot a group of about ten boys, maybe the age of eighteen or so, all in a tight circle, their feet moving in kicking and stomping motions. Vance's eyes flare at the sight. They are so not going to get away with this. Tripp must have thought the same thing because they both take off running at the same time. Vance's blood is boiling; he wants to kill somebody for this.

  The first couple of kids that Vance grabs, he knocks out with one punch to the face. When the group realizes what is going on, their attention shifts to Vance and Tripp, which is fine by them. Vance takes a few shots to the face as four of the kids try to gang up on him. He catches a glimpse of his brother, lying in the fetal position on the ground, arms covering his head, and he fucking loses it. He pulls his gun and points it right in one of the kid’s face. The rest freeze.

  “YOU WANNA FUCK WITH MY BROTHER?! HUH?! YOU’RE MESSIN’ WITH THE WRONG FUCKING PERSON!!!” Vance screams viciously in the kid’s face.

  The kid's eyes are wide with shock as they all stare at Vance. The kid who Vance’s gun is trained on pisses in his pants and is shaking uncontrollably.

  “ALL OF YOU ON THE GROUND NOW! YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!”

  One kid decides to grow a pair and says, “What are you, a cop?”

  Vance turns his attention - and gun - on the kid who spoke. “You're damn fucking right I am,” Vance sneers, pulling his badge out from under his shirt and letting it hang down his chest. “Now get on the fucking ground before I put a bullet in your goddamn knee.”

  All of the kids drop to the ground and lay face down on the ground. Vance calls the station and asks for an ambulance for Xander and a police van to transport t
he dickheads. He instructs Tripp to go into his glove compartment and grab the zip tie handcuffs. Once all of the punks are secure, Vance tends to his brother.

  He holsters his gun as he kneels down next to Xander, who hasn't moved. Vance leans over him. “Xander? Bud, it's me.”

  Xander groans and tries to move but Vance quickly holds him in place. “No, don't move. If they fucked up your neck or back, moving can make it worse. Just talk to me.”

  “Stay,” Xander whispers.

  Vance strokes his blood-matted hair. “I’m not going anywhere, Xan. I promise.”

  Vance drags his ass up the stairs to his room. He is completely and utterly drained. He spent the whole night at the hospital with Xander, who thank god, had no serious injuries other than broken ribs and a concussion. It definitely would have been worse if Vance and Tripp hadn't gotten there when they did.

  It is now 7:00 am. Vance calls the Chief, explains what happened, and tells him that he needs to get a few hours’ sleep before coming in. The Chief actually tells him to take the day off. Fuck a shower; he'll do that when he wakes up. Vance is able to make it out of his blood-covered clothes, but that’s about it. He collapses on top of the sheets on his stomach and passes out. His sleep is so deep that he doesn't even dream.

  Chapter 7

  Melina rings the doorbell of Vance's house. She is feeling kinda bad for the way she acted last night. She was upset, but that isn’t an excuse for being so bitchy, and she wants to apologize. She figured that she would just go over early evening, when he should be home from work. She isn't surprised that he hasn't called her at all today, she did hang up on him last night. He’s probably waiting for her to call him.

  The door opens and it’s Tripp, who has a black eye and a cut on his cheek. Melina looks down to see that the knuckles on his right hand are busted. “What happened to you?” Melina asks as he moves aside to let her in.

  “Long story,” he mumbles, shutting the door behind her.

  “Okay. Is Vance home from work yet?” she asks.

  Tripp sighs and rubs his short military cut hair, something she notices that he does often. “Van didn't go to work today, he's in bed,” he says, holding up his hand to stop her from interrupting. “Melina, it's been a long ass night for him, so please go easy on him.”

  “What happened? Is he okay?” Melina asks, brows furrowed in confusion.

  “He's okay, just exhausted. He’s been asleep all day,” Tripp says.

  Melina opens and closes her mouth a few times, not knowing what to ask first. Tripp just shakes his head. “You need to go talk to him about it,” he says and nods toward the stairs.

  Melina frowns at Tripp but heads for the stairs. When she reaches the top of the stairs, she sees Dayne coming down the hallway toward her and he doesn't look happy. Melina starts down the hall toward him. He narrows his eyes at her and steps into her path so she can't walk past him.

  “If you came here to bitch some more to Vance then you can turn around right now and leave. He doesn't need this shit from you in his life right now. He’s got enough on his plate and doesn't need some girl giving him shit because he is too busy to call her,” Dayne spits nastily.

  Melina is stunned. Apparently, they’ve all heard about what she said to Vance, and Dayne did not like it. And it’s very clear that these guys are extremely protective of each other. Tripp also told her to go easy on Vance, in a much nicer way mind you, but he’s still looking out for his best friend.

  “I...I...I came to...apologize,” Melina says, her voice barely above a whisper. Dayne is looming over her and he’s seriously frightening when he’s pissed. His mouth is a thin line and his body is tense. Melina finds it hard not to be scared of him.

  “Dayne, dude, what the hell is wrong with you?” comes Ryder's voice from behind Dayne. Ryder rushes up and gets in front of Dayne, pushing him back a few steps. “Vance will be fucking pissed that you're threatening his girl.”

  “I don't give a shit. The last thing he needs is for some chick fucking with his heart because she can't handle not having all of his attention on her. Boo-fucking-hoo, Melina. For real, grow the fuck up. You’re with a real man now, who has a real job; not everything is going to be about you!” Dayne yells over Ryder's shoulder at her.

  Melina's eyes tear up on their own accord. That's when Vance's bedroom door flies open and Vance appears in just a pair of sweat pants. He glances at her then turns to Dayne. “What the fuck is your problem?” Vance barks as he advances on Dayne, pushing Ryder away.

  “You heard what I said to her, so you know my problem!” Dayne says as he and Vance stand toe to toe.

  “And that is something that is between me and her. It’s none of your fucking business!”

  “Bullshit! Anything that hurts you is my fucking business! And she's acting like a little spoiled brat instead of a grown woman!” Dayne shouts then gets cut off by Vance gripping him up by his shirt and slamming him into the wall.

  “You need to shut your goddamn mouth, Dayne!” Vance growls.

  Melina rushes over and grabs Vance's wrist. “Vance, stop. It’s fine. He’s being a fucking asshole, but he isn’t wrong.”

  Both their heads whip around to look at her. “What?” Vance snaps.

  “Let Dayne go. He’s just looking out for you.” She tugs on his arm a bit, but knows that she’s not actually physically strong enough to make him move on her own, so she continues. “There’s no reason to speak to me the way that he did...ever. It was rude and disrespectful…” She glances at Dayne pointedly. “…but I understand why he did it.” She looks back at Vance. “Jesus, what happened to your face?” she asks after noticing the bruises on his cheek and jaw and the cut on his forehead.

  Vance gives her a confused look and shakes his head as if to clear it. “I got into a fight last night,” he says and releases his hold on Dayne.

  Dayne straightens his shirt and looks at Melina with a newfound admiration. Melina suspects that he respects her a little more for not backing down from him and admitting that she was wrong.

  “A fight?” Melina asks confused.

  “Yeah, I'll tell you about it in a minute. Let’s not get off track here. Did you say that Dayne was right?” Vance asks, putting his hands on his hips as he looks down at her.

  “Yeah, well, um. I didn’t exactly say that he was right…just that he wasn’t wrong.” She lets out a nervous giggle. She runs a hand gently across his bruised cheek. “I realized last night that I was acting like a bitch. That’s why I came over today; I wanted to apologize. I know your job is important, and you would have called me if you weren't so busy. It just reminded me of an old relationship and it scared me,” Melina admits, a little embarrassed.

  Vance is staring at her with a blank expression. Dayne and Ryder, on the other hand, are smiling. Dayne steps in front of her. “Sorry I yelled at you,” he says sincerely.

  Melina nods. “I understand where you’re coming from.”

  Dayne nods. “I gotta look out for my boy,” he says and opens his arms. “Let’s hug it out.”

  Melina laughs and steps into his embrace. Dayne squeezes her. “If it doesn't work out with Vance, I'm always available,” he whispers loudly and gives her a big wink as he lets her go. Melina laughs again and gives him a playful punch in the chest.

  Dayne grunts and rubs his chest. “Ow.” He winces. “Bitch,” he teases.

  “Douchebag,” Melina shoots back with a raised eyebrow in challenge.

  Dayne chuckles. “Touché,” he says tipping a pretend hat then puts his arm around Ryder's shoulders and starts down the hall with him.

  Melina turns back to Vance, who is completely confused. “What the hell just happened?” he asks, flabbergasted.

  “I think we just bonded.” Melina giggles.

  Vance shakes his head. “That would be a first. Dayne doesn’t usually get along with our girlfriends.”

  Melina steps up to Vance and puts her hands on his chest. “I’m sorry about last night. C
an you forgive me?” she asks, sticking her bottom lip out in a pout, which makes Vance smile.

  “Stop that. We were both wrong, and I'm sorry, too. I will definitely be more thoughtful when it comes to keeping in touch and letting you know what I'm doing,” Vance says, tucking her hair behind her ears.

  “Okay,” Melina says with a small smile. She lifts up to her tippy toes and kisses Vance, who wraps his arms around her and pulls her closer. Vance tucks his face into her neck and just holds her.

  When he finally lets her go, she gets a good look at his face. “Now tell me about this fight you and Tripp were in.”

  Vance takes her hand and leads her toward the stairs. “Some punk kids were beating up on my little brother, so Tripp and I went to where he was and roughed up a few of them before we got shit under control.”

  “How many kids are we talking about?” Melina asks warily.

  “About ten, and some of them were almost as big as me,” Vance says, raking a hand through his messed-up hair.

  Melina gasps. “Oh my god! Is your brother okay?” she asks, grasping his arm.

  “He's okay; a few broken ribs and a concussion. I stayed at the hospital last night with him. That's why I didn't go to work today,” Vance explains as they head down the steps and into the living room.

  “Jesus...so you were fighting multiple people at once?” she asks as they sit on the couch. Melina turns, sitting on her good leg, so that she can face Vance.

  “Yeah, that's the only reason any of them even got a shot in on me.” He snorts. Melina fights a smile but he catches it.

  “What? I'm serious,” he says frowning.

  “I believe you.” She smiles.

  “No you don't,” Vance says, narrowing his eyes at her.

  “I do. It’s just such a guy thing to say, ‘the only reason I got hit is because there were more than one,’” Melina says, using a deeper voice mockingly.

  Vance laughs. “Is that supposed to be me?”