Harbour of Refuge

by Aliyah Burke

  After giving direction, the two friends were soon hands-deep in the nutrient-rich soil.

  “How are things with you and your new beau?” Mila asked as she weeded around the roses.

  “He’s in California right now.”

  “I know that, but I need to ask you something.”

  Halyn continued to work. “Yes, I know about his son.”

  “Oh my God, girl. Did you not, like, totally freak out when that came to light?”

  Well, yes but she wasn’t going to share that. “Why would I? Many men have children.”

  “Okay, but he didn’t seem the least bit like someone who had a child when we saw in him Monte Carlo.”

  “He’s a single dad, is he supposed to act like one when he doesn’t have his child with him?”

  “I wasn’t judging him, Halyn. Just making an observation.”

  “Yes, you were, but it’s okay. You’re entitled to your opinion.”

  “Wait a second. You’re not at all surprised by this, did he tell you he had a child?”

  In a matter of speaking. Halyn nodded and kept her head down. Mila had always been good about ferreting out the truth. Especially when Halyn didn’t want her to know it.

  “Look at me,” Mila ordered.

  “Can we move onto something else, Mila? He just didn’t want a lot of people to know about this.”

  She muttered something in Greek but thankfully let it drop. They worked for another hour or so before getting up and heading inside. They showered and Mila put on some other clothing she kept there—they both had clothing at each other’s place as they often stayed over with one another—before the friends climbed into Halyn’s convertible and headed off into town for dinner.

  * * * *

  Twirling her linguine on her fork, Halyn shook her head at her friend. “Why are you and Joe fighting now?” She didn’t quite understand the parameters of their relationship all the time.

  “He decided to be an ass and got jealous over the fact that I had met Enzo in Monte Carlo.”

  “I don’t understand. You brought him to the house for dinner.”

  “Beats me.” Mila took a sip of her wine. “There are some days I wonder why I’m even with him.”

  “Thought it was because you loved him.” She ate the bite that had been on her fork for a short time now and washed it down with her own zinfandel.

  “You don’t get it, we’ve been together for so long, I see you with Enzo and I’m jealous. It’s new, exciting.”

  “Don’t go down that road, Mila. Don’t use me as a reason to break it off with Joe, or whatever you’re thinking.”

  “I know, I was just talking. I’m sure we’ll be fine tomorrow.”

  “Not seeing him until then?”

  “Can I stay?” Mila batted her eyes then gave her a puppy-dog look.

  “Of course you can.” Her friend occasionally stayed over and she enjoyed having her there.

  They shared a dessert and took their time finishing the meal. Back at her house, they played some games and just caught up. It’d been a while—things had been hectic when Enzo had been in town and she’d not got to spend as much time with her friend as she would’ve liked. Aside from that dinner at her place, which in all truth had been more of a chaotic endeavour than anything else.

  After saying goodnight, she went to her room and got ready for bed. Stretching out, she smiled as she recalled the image of Enzo and Liev in the paper. Huge news in the powerboat racing world, the appearance of Enzo Cassano’s son.

  She was so proud of him for acknowledging his son, she couldn’t even begin to tell him how much so. To have seen him trying to find a way to dump him somewhere, to actually announcing that yes, Liev was his son. Okay, so she had a gooey moment. Seeing him as a father was so sexy.

  She missed talking to him. She missed seeing him. And he’d only been gone for a week. Burrowing herself further beneath her blankets, she sighed as the sound of rain on the windows reached her. It had been threatening all evening and had now started. She was pleased, she slept really well when it rained.

  This time however, sleep didn’t come so fast. Her mind had locked onto the memory of her last time in bed with Enzo. A light shudder overtook her as she relived his hands on her body.

  She sighed again and ran her hands down her hypersensitive skin. The way his calluses felt, his strong fingers as they tweaked and tugged on her nipples.

  She whimpered as her clit pulsed. Eyes drifting shut, she dragged her fingers down over her belly and farther until they teased the soft curls of hair between her legs. Slipping one in, she moaned at the slickness awaiting her. Teasing the stiff nub, she conjured up Enzo’s darker looks, his smouldering sexuality that could affect her from across the room.

  She teased her nipple and moved two fingers inside her, the heel of her hand stimulating her clitoris. Soon her hips thrust up, a cry spilling from her lips as she fell over the cliff.

  Sexually sated for the moment, she rolled over on her side and closed her eyes, anxiously waiting for sleep to overtake her. The ringing of her phone stirred her and she opened her eyes with a groan, fumbling to grab it.

  “Hello?”

  “Your father’s had an accident, sweetie. I think you should come home.”

  All sleep washed away in a second and fear settled in. “Mama? What happened?”

  “Just come home as quickly as you can. I love you.”

  The second the call ended, she bounded up from the bed and bolted for the door. “Mila!” she hollered as she ran down the hall.

  “What?” Her friend burst through, her multi-hued headwrap balled in one hand. “What’s going on?”

  “Mama called, something happened to Daddy and I have to go.”

  “Jesus. What do you need from me?”

  “Ticket while I shower?”

  “I’m on it.” Mila hurried back in the room and pulled out her phone. “Go, I’ll get the first one out I can for you.”

  Nausea churned in her belly as she took a fast shower. After dressing just as swiftly, she shoved a few items in a bag. Mila met her at the door.

  “I’m driving you so you don’t have to wait for parking. I have you on a nonstop flight and we need to get going or you may not make it.”

  The ride was silent as in her mind, Halyn ran over all worst-case scenarios. At the drop-off, she hugged Mila. “Thank you.”

  “Call me as soon as you know anything.” She gestured. “Go.”

  Clutching her bag, she headed through the automatic doors and went to print out her boarding pass at the kiosk. She’d made it through the checkpoints and had sat down in the uncomfortable chairs before the door when she finally realised that Mila had given her a first-class ticket.

  She called her mother back as she waited to board.

  “Hello?”

  “Mama? I’m about to get on a plane, tell me what’s going on?”

  “You know your father. Always wanting to do things himself.”

  “I know. What happened?”

  “He had a heart attack.” A short pause. “It’s not looking well. The last thing he said…he asked for you.”

  Closing her eyes, she prayed. “I’ll be there in a few hours, Mama.”

  “Do I need to come get you?”

  “No, ma’am. I have a rental waiting for me.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I love you, Mama.” Halyn hung up and rose when they called for boarding.

  She put in her music when they reached cruising altitude and tried not to continually think about her father lying in a hospital bed. Once she disembarked, she headed to the rental place and got the key before heading out to grab her car. Then she drove like a demon possessed to the hospital.

  She hadn’t had to ask where he was. The airport was about two hours away from her hometown of Elave, and there was only one hospital in their town. Parking in the lot, she hastened inside.

  “Halyn!”

  She glanced to her left and saw Sabine, who worked ther
e and had known her since she was in diapers, waving at her.

  “Hey, Sabine.”

  “Sweetie, I’m so sorry to hear about your father. He’s in Room three-two-five.”

  God bless small towns. “Thank you.” She dashed to the elevator and slipped inside.

  Her booted heels clipped on the floor as she strode along. Pausing at the door, she knocked once before opening it and entering the sterile room. Her mom looked up, and Halyn felt a painful tightening in her own chest. It was as if she’d aged thirty years since she’d seen her last.

  “Mama.”

  “Baby.” She hurried towards her and wrapped her up for a hug.

  Halyn blinked away tears and returned the embrace. “How is he?”

  “He’s in a coma.”

  She frowned and moved to the bed. Her father lay there, so small and helpless, not at all how she remembered him to be. Gone was the stalwart man who, in her eyes, could move mountains. Now he lay pale and thin.

  She leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’m here, Daddy. Right here and I’ll be here when you wake up and come back.”

  Chapter Ten

  Enzo swirled the drink around in his coffee mug. He sat at his brother’s table watching his son in the living room working on a three-dimensional puzzle of St Basil’s Cathedral. As far as he could tell, Liev was perfectly happy. Not that he would know much—the child still didn’t say a lot to him.

  Movement drew his attention from his child and he looked up to see Jaydee walk in. She gave him a slight smile and grabbed a glass. After she’d filled it with ice and water, she joined him at the table.

  “How are you?”

  He shrugged. “Settling in. It feels weird not being racing, but we’re dealing. Or rather, I’m dealing. Liev and I are still getting used to one another. He’s registered for school however, so that’s done at least. And we have the apartment.”

  It had been almost a month since the race in California, and he’d been in Oregon since. He’d not seen Halyn once. He had run into Mila, who’d told him she was back East—there’d been a family emergency with her father.

  Concerned about her, he’d called to let her know he was there if she needed anything. He’d missed her return call, which had just told him thanks. That had been it.

  “Honestly, Jaydee, I’m a bit concerned about him. I don’t know if he should be in a lower class or what? He’s so quiet, I don’t know if he’s slow. I think he may need to be tested.”

  She shook her head. “He’s not slow,” she said with conviction.

  He watched her in question. “What do you mean?”

  “In fact, I’d say quite the opposite.” She sipped some water. “You should have him tested, I’ll agree with that. But your son is anything but slow.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “He takes it all in. And I know the signs. He’s highly intelligent, and knows more than you give him credit for. He’s special, Enzo. Don’t let him feel like a freak because he’s smarter than most.”

  That gave him pause. To have Jaydee point out to him she saw the intelligence in his son. Why did I automatically assume he was slow? Why wouldn’t I have gone the other way? He felt ashamed by his actions.

  “Have you talked to him?” he asked his sister-in-law.

  “Yes. In Russian mostly. He knows his mother left him and isn’t expecting her to ever come back. He’s a bit fearful of you, for he’s not had the best experience with men. He just doesn’t want to make you mad.”

  “Do you think he’ll be okay?”

  Jaydee reached out and placed her hand on his arm. That act alone startled him—she wasn’t a touchy-feely woman, unless towards her husband, best friend and children.

  “I think he’s lucky to have a father who loves him and will keep him safe. This is new for the both of you. Give it some time.”

  “You know I would steal you from that lug of a brother of mine if I thought I had a chance.”

  “You don’t, so get it out of your head.” Gio’s voice rang assuredly.

  “Go away, brother. This is between this beautiful woman and myself.”

  Jaydee shook her head, only to tip it up accepting Gio’s kiss. Enzo clutched at his heart. “Dashed, my hopes are dashed.”

  Gio sat beside his wife. “You are so full of it. How are things with Halyn? I haven’t seen her for a while now.”

  Enzo shook his head and filled them in on her father. They hadn’t spoken on the phone but they had been texting.

  “Tell her we’re sorry as well. Has she given any notion on when she would be returning here?” Gio offered up the condolences.

  “I’m supposed to call her today, but was going to wait until evening when she is back from the hospital.”

  “Good idea. Keep us posted on everything, okay?”

  “Will do, brother. Oh, before I forget, Tiziana is coming for a visit and wants to do a dinner with everyone while she’s here.”

  “When is this?”

  “Six weeks.”

  Jaydee got up and made her way over to where Liev worked studiously on the puzzle.

  “Jaydee’ll be gone, but that’s fine.”

  “Gone? Where is she going?”

  “Something to do with Lexy. She’ll be gone for two weeks.”

  Enzo smirked. “You sure you can handle the trips alone?”

  “God, I hope so. If not I’ll be calling you. One for each of us. You, me and Liev.”

  They watched the puzzle creation for a while until both men got up and joined them. Liev welcomed the help, but Enzo noticed he only spoke in Russian, and Jaydee had to translate or answer.

  * * * *

  Later that evening, after they’d finished dinner and Liev was playing a video game, Enzo pulled out his phone and placed a call.

  “Hello?”

  “How are you doing, sweets?” His heart pounded harder just from hearing her voice.

  “Hello, Enzo.”

  “Halyn. How are you?”

  “Tired, honestly. But coming home tomorrow. He’s back home and Mama will be able to handle the rest of his recovery without me here. The neighbours will be checking in on them as well.”

  “Need me to come pick you up from the airport?”

  “Oh, I don’t want to be a hassle.”

  “Nonsense. When do you get in?”

  “Four in the afternoon.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  “Thank you, Enzo.”

  “My pleasure, sweets.” And it was. He’d missed her.

  They chatted for a short time more, then he sent her to go to bed and he hung up.

  “Liev,” he called out. “Time to get ready for bed.”

  He heard the television shut off and soon his son walked by him to his room. Enzo waited while he washed and brushed his teeth. Dressed in his star pyjamas, Liev padded back into his room and climbed into bed.

  Enzo tucked him in then went to the door. “Good night, Liev. Sleep well.” Snapping off the light, he left the door open slightly then walked back to the kitchen for a beer.

  Leaning against the counter, he drained most of his drink immediately. Then he went to the couch and sat down. Feet propped up on the coffee table, he flicked on the television and stared at the news, not really paying attention to it. He finished his beer then straightened up his apartment. It wasn’t a small place but it wasn’t a house either.

  Part of him wanted a house. He did love it here. He had family around, not to mention Halyn living here as well. Definite bonuses.

  Halyn. Tomorrow he’d see her again. Hold her. Kiss her. His cock stirred in his jeans and he rubbed his palm over it, trying to ease the ache. It didn’t work. If anything, the contact made him harder. Blowing out a breath, he locked up the house and made his way to his room.

  Part of him wanted to jerk off to the memory of Halyn, but he resisted the urge. He wanted to be inside her when he found release, not coming by his own hand. Unless that was mutual self-gratificatio
n with her in the room. That wouldn’t be so bad.

  Another throb and he gulped. Okay, he seriously had to change his line of thinking. It wasn’t easy. Until he fell asleep, he racked his brain for things to focus on as opposed to one Halyn Jennings.

  * * * *

  He made pancakes for Liev’s breakfast, along with some eggs and bacon. As his son dug in heartily, he realised he would have to add to his breakfast repertoire. Toast and or pancakes just wouldn’t quite cut it. Oh, or cereal. He could cook but wasn’t sure what would be best for a kid in the mornings.

  “We’re going to the airport today to pick up Halyn.”

  Liev stopped eating and watched him. Just when Enzo thought he’d say something, the boy merely nodded and went back to the food on his plate. Making sure the smile on his face didn’t slip, Enzo began his breakfast.

  He cleaned up while Liev showered and changed. Walking from his apartment to his second-hand Subaru Forester, he gazed around. Summer had almost ended and school would be starting up for Liev soon. The weather here was gorgeous and he could truly see making a place like this a permanent home.

  “You buckled in?” he asked, slipping behind the wheel.

  Liev nodded and Enzo got them on the road to handle the errands they had to do before picking Halyn up. His heart pounded out her name as the hours dragged by. Yes, he had it bad and couldn’t wait to see her again.

  * * * *

  Halyn walked from the plane to baggage claim. Tossed over one shoulder was her old backpack she never travelled without. She fought off another yawn and sidestepped someone else who dawdled.

  I’m just excited because Enzo said he’d be there to pick me up. No arguing that, she was definitely looking forward to seeing him again. It had been a month. A rough month on her end. She hadn’t talked to him that much either, throwing everything she had into taking care of her parents.

  Her steps faltered at the thought of her father. Deep breaths, she told herself. He’s recovering. He’ll be fine.

  One thing was for sure, she’d be going home much more now. Continuing, she blinked away her tears. All would be okay. On the escalator, she peered down towards the baggage claim, straining for an early view of the man waiting for her. She didn’t see him, but she did see the crowd that had gathered around and she knew he’d be in the centre of it.