No more Blue. No more life. Just death. Her would-be-killer stabbed her again, clearly becoming aroused by her pain. Someone…please help me…she closed her eyes, not wanting to see the triumph on his face.
The shout. Closer this time. Now Dacre…no, not Dacre. Another man, another…Franks…Carson Franks…yes…that was him…cursed loudly and began to stab her with more urgency. She raised a hand, trying to stop him. Whoever it was coming would be too late.
God, a blow so hard that Franks had trouble wrenching the knife out of her. She could smell her blood, smell the rust and salt of it.
Her attacker bent down and whispered in her ear as she gave into unconsciousness. “I promised I’d gut you, pretty girl, and I have. You won’t survive this…but if, by some miracle you do, I’ll do it again, and again, and again until I know, once and for all, that you’re dead.” He gave a throaty chuckle. “And then I’ll kill your husband and children…”
She had no time to scream before the emptiness came.
Romy groaned now, hearing the scraping of a chair. “Sweetheart?” Her mom. She felt Magda sweep a hand onto her burning forehead. It felt nice, cooling and soothing.
Momma? God, she hadn’t called Magda that in years, but all she wanted to do now was cry. These last few years with Blue, the kids, dealing with Dacre and Gaius, and now this…everything had happened so quickly.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Magda, tears swimming in her own eyes, dried her daughter’s tears. “It’s okay, we’re all here, we all love you.”
Blue. Romy’s mouthed the words, her throat tinder-dry. Magda helped her sip some water.
“He’s just getting some coffee, darling. He’s been awake for twenty-four hours, hoping that since you woke up, he’d be able to talk to you.”
Tired.
Magda nodded. “You will be honey, you’ve been through a tremendous trauma.
Gracie, the twins.
“Artemis has them at the moment. She and Juno have been taking turns looking after them. Romy, do you remember what happened?”
She nodded determinedly. Carson Franks. Magda frowned. “You’re sure?”
Romy nodded again. She gazed at her mother. Why?
Magda sighed. “He says he has an alibi, but I believe you, darling. We’ll inform the police. But don’t you worry about anything…Blue has been working with them, as well as Atlas.”
Atlas?
Romy saw her mother’s eyes cloud over. “Atlas is fine, sweetie…but Mateo…Mateo was shot and killed. We think he was mistaken for Atlas.”
Romy groaned silently, and began to sob, covering her face with her hands, inconsolable, and eventually Magda had to call one of the nurses. The nurses injected a sedative into Romy’s i.v. drip. “You need to relax, Mrs. Allende. Your blood pressure is a little high for my liking.”
Romy closed her eyes. Everything was such a mess. When she looked at her mother again, it was with anger. She managed to just croak, “Why isn’t Franks in jail?”
“They’re working on it, honey. Now that you’re awake, it will be a big help and don’t worry about security. There are two huge guards outside your door, and the kids have a protection detail like they’re members of the Royal family. Which they are – to me, at least.” Magda half-smiled and Romy squeezed her hand gratefully.
I love you, Momma.
Magda bent over and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “Get some more sleep, baby. The more rest you get, the better you’ll feel. I’m sure Blue will be glad you’re lucid. He’ll wait if you’re asleep when you come back.”
Blue Allende walked slowly, heavily, up the stairs to Romy’s floor. Since Romy’s attack, he hadn’t had more than a few hours’ sleep, and it was taking its toll. Now Romy was…not out of danger, he thought, she’ll never be out of danger while Carson Franks is free. No, Romy was beginning to recover, and now that she was, he could start to think straight again.
“Blue?”
He turned to see Atlas Tigri walking up the stairs behind him. “Hey, Atlas.” His anger at the man was tempered now that Romy was awake – Blue had guessed that it had been Romy who asked Atlas to keep Carson Franks’ threats quiet. It would be just like her, after all. Not wanting the fuss.
Besides, Atlas looked broken. Losing his twin brother, and worse, it being a case of mistaken identification…Blue didn’t know how Atlas was still standing. “How are you doing?”
Atlas shrugged. “Like you, I suspect, some good days, most bad. If I didn’t have Ebony and Fino…”
Blue clapped his shoulder gently. “I’m sorry, Atlas, about Mateo. I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”
Atlas ignored the mention of his twin, his eyes anguished. “How’s Romy?”
“Still groggy. I’m just on my way to see if she’s still awake. Come with me.”
The two men made their way back to Romy’s room, where Magda smiled at them both. “She’s in and out of sleep and her voice isn’t very strong, but she’s lucid. She remembers what happened, and who did this to her.”
“Franks?”
Magda nodded. “She seems angry.”
“Wonder why. Hey, beautiful.” Blue stroked Romy’s cheek, and she opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Hey, sweet thing,” Blue said tenderly, and bent down to brush his lips against hers. “I brought you a visitor.”
He stepped aside so Atlas could see Romy, and she, him. Romy’s eyes filled with tears and she reached for Atlas’s hand. So sorry.
Atlas was visibly moved. “Thank you, Romy. Just keep getting stronger, will you? For all of us. Ebony sends her love. When you’re stronger, she’d love to see you.”
Romy nodded. She looked at her husband. And the kids. Blue hesitated, and she narrowed her eyes at him. He chuckled. “Fine, as long as they don’t crawl all over you. You’re still very sick, baby.”
They’ll make me… “…feel better.” Romy croaked, motioning for more water.
Blue pulled up a chair next to her and helped her take a drink, then stroked her hair back from her face, his gaze intent on her.
“Don’t worry, baby,” she whispered, finding that speaking almost under her breath worked well. “I’m going to be okay.”
Blue half-smiled. “You are in so much trouble, honey.”
“I know, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Carson Franks. We get threats all of the time, so I wrote it off as another…it was my decision not to say anything so don’t blame Atlas.”
Atlas started to protest, but Romy stopped him. “Atlas…words cannot express how sorry I am about Mateo.”
“Romy, please, don’t. I should have made sure we were fully protected. I think, like you, I didn’t take the threats seriously enough.”
Blue was still studying his wife. “Romy…you sure it was Carson Franks who stabbed you?”
“Definitely. Mom tells me he says he has an alibi. Whoever is giving it to him is a liar. I saw him, I heard him, every second while he was attacking me.” She swallowed hard, remembering. “He threatened to finish the job, should I survive, and then he told me he would go after you and the children.”
“Motherfucker!” Blue hissed and got up, pacing. He yanked out his cellphone to call Det. Halsey. “Halsey?”
“Hey, Dr. Allende, I was just going to call you. Mateo Tigri’s shooter just rolled on Carson Franks. We’re going to his place to arrest and charge him now.”
Chapter Sixteen
Ebony’s shoulders slumped. “God, that’s wonderful news, baby.” She squeezed her eyes shut, grateful Atlas was at the other end of the phone and couldn’t see her crying. “And you promise, Romy’s okay?”
“She’s getting there, it’ll be a long road, but I think hearing Carson Franks will be put away for a long time is helping.” She heard him sigh.
“Tired?”
“Exhausted, but I need to check in with my lawyer before I come home. I could bring take-out?”
“Good idea. Fino seems a little brighter, still clingy. Bella’s taken him out for hot
chocolate.”
Atlas sighed again. “Good. You’ve been an angel with him, but I’m glad you have some time to yourself. I’ll be home soon. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. Drive safe.”
The empty house still echoed with grief. Ebony decided she would go to the kitchen, bake some cookies while she waited for the others to return. Stanley, who she had grown close to over the past couple of weeks, was in New York finalizing his retirement plans, and with Bella and Fino out of the house, she felt strange about being here alone.
Mateo’s death had left a rip in their foundations, and Ebony didn’t know how they would ever repair it. She tried to imagine if Obe died, how she would feel, but couldn’t even bear to contemplate it.
Pushing the thought away, she settled into making some oatmeal raisin cookies, and when she slid them into the oven, the kitchen began to fill with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. Ebony rubbed her belly unconsciously, then startled as she heard a step behind her.
Cormac Duggan smiled at her, but his eyes were narrowed and cold. “Ah, Ms. Verlaine. I see you’ve made yourself at home.”
Don’t rise to it. “I think Atlas would rather you didn’t come here at the moment, Mr. Duggan,” she snapped back. “Not while you’re waging this petty custody battle.”
Cormac hooted. “Wow, he’s really turned you into his Stepford Wife, hasn’t he? Tell me, with your month-long experience of this family, what else Atlas would like?”
Ebony grimaced and turned away, but he grabbed her wrist. “I asked you a question.”
Ebony wrenched her arm from his grip. “Don’t you ever touch me again,” she spat at him, then took a deep breath. “Look, I’m asking politely. Please leave.”
At that moment, something in her stomach cramped violently, and with a gasp, she bent double.
Cormac’s mood shifted immediately. “Are you alright? Here, sit down.” He pulled a chair across and helped her into it. Ebony kept her head down, black dots appearing at the corners of her vision. She heard Cormac running the faucet then he was back with a damp cloth. “Here, put this on your head.”
Ebony sucked in a couple of lungfuls of air and concentrated on figuring out what the pain was. Was she miscarrying? Jesus, woman, don’t be so dramatic, it’s probably gas. Another sharp twinge and she clenched her fists tightly. Ouch. A definite cramp, but she knew it could mean nothing.
“Are you okay, Ebony?” Cormac’s voice was softer now. She nodded, but then an even harder cramp hit her.
“Jesus, no…I’m not okay. Pregnant,” she hissed through gritted teeth. The next moment, Cormac had swept her into his arms, and before she knew it, she was in his car.
“What the hell are you doing?” She managed to choke out the question between doubling-up.
“Getting you to an E.R.,” Cormac said. “Not only is it the responsible thing to do, and you do seem to be in considerable pain, but I can only imagine how Atlas would use the fact I was with you if you do miscarry.”
Ebony looked at him. “Atlas isn’t that petty, Cormac.”
Cormac gave a short bark of laughter. “Ebony, don’t be so naïve. I know you love him, but you’re young, and you see him through rose-tinted glasses. Mateo wasn’t mature enough to raise a child – what makes you think Atlas is?”
“Mateo was a wonderful father, and you damn well know it. Oh…oh…” The pain was getting worse, and she cried out as the car went over a pothole. Ebony felt Cormac’s hand on her back, rubbing it. She didn’t understand him; he seemed so kind, and yet he was set on making Atlas’ – and by extension, Fino’s – lives a living hell.
“Cormac, I’m asking you to please drop this lawsuit. When our baby is born, Fino will have his cousin and we’re going to be a family. If you really love that little boy … don’t tear us apart.”
Cormac didn’t answer her but instead tapped on the phone on his dashboard. A second later, Ebony heard Atlas’s voice.
“Atlas, I’m with Ebony…I’m driving her to the E.R. at Rainier Hope. I think she’s just experiencing cramping. I just want to get her checked out.”
Atlas was silent for a second. “Can I speak to her?”
“You’re on speaker phone. I’m driving.”
“Atlas?”
Immediately Atlas’s tone softened. “Are you okay, sweetheart? Has Cormac been bothering you?”
“No, not at all. I’m sure this is nothing, but it’s best to get a doctor to say so.”
“I’ll meet you in the E.R., baby.” There was a silence. “Thank you for bringing her to the hospital, Cormac.”
“You’re welcome. See you soon.”
Ebony didn’t have the chance to say goodbye before Cormac shut off the phone.
Atlas was waiting for them at the entrance, and he helped Ebony into the cubicle the receptionist directed them too. Cormac followed them, but as he stood by Ebony’s bed, Atlas turned to him and offered him his hand. “Thanks for bringing her in,” he said coolly, “But we can take it from here.”
Cormac looked at Atlas’s offered hand a long moment before shaking it. He gave Ebony a look she didn’t understand, then nodded, once, briefly. “I’ll let Bella know what’s going on.”
“Thank you.”
As he turned to go, Ebony called out to him. “Thank you, Cormac…and please, consider my request. That’s all I ask.”
Cormac nodded again, holding Ebony’s gaze a beat too long, then left them alone. Atlas pulled up a chair next to the bed. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “How are you feeling?”
“Crampy,” Ebony winced as another hit. “God, I know I said I didn’t know what I wanted before, and when I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t know what to do, but I hope to God that I don’t lose her.”
Atlas kissed her softly and said nothing, the pain of so much loss already etched deeply in his face.
In a few minutes, an OBGYN joined them. Dr. Melissa Fraser smiled at Ebony as she closed the curtains around them. “Hey there, I hear you’ve been having some pretty painful cramps?”
Ebony nodded, and Atlas, holding her hand, studied the doctor. “Is it usual to have these symptoms so early in the pregnancy? She’s been having morning sickness too.”
“How far along are you?”
“About six weeks or so.”
“Well,” the doctor was examining her stomach, “it’s probably just cramping from the fetus attaching itself to your uterus. Are you spotting?”
“A little.”
Dr. Fraser nodded. “Then I would be inclined to think that this is that. But we’ll run a few tests and do some scans to make sure you’re not experiencing anything like a tubular pregnancy. Is there anything in either of your medical histories I should know about?”
Ebony and Atlas looked at each other for a long moment then Atlas, clearing his throat, spoke. “Doctor…I’m not the biological father of this child, although I am hoping Ebony will let me be his or her father, to be sure.”
“Ah, okay.” The doctor’s face wasn’t judgmental in the least much to Ebony’s relief. “So, do you know anything about the father?”
Ebony’s face burned bright red. “I’m sorry, I don’t.”
“Well, not to worry, let’s just concentrate on you, Mommy.”
The doctor ran through some basic questions as she examined Ebony, then left them alone while she went to find an available scanner. Atlas kissed Ebony softly. “Are you okay, honey?”
Ebony nodded. “I feel a little foolish, but yes, I’m okay. It does make me realize how little I’m prepared to be a mother though if I don’t even know the basics of pregnancy.”
“Sweetheart, that’s something we can do something about. Classes, online research, talking to Artemis, or Romy – when she’s better, of course.”
“Of course.” Ebony leaned into Atlas’s touch as he cupped her face in his palm. “Maybe after we’re done here, we can go up and see her.”
“I’ll call Blue and see if she’s up to i
t. After the scan,” he added as Dr. Fraser returned. Ebony grinned at him, at the excitement in his eyes. She loved how the thought of being a father thrilled him. How Cormac could say he wasn’t qualified…
Midway through the scan, the doctor smiled at her. “Well, all is well, Ebony. I think it’s just the fetus implanting itself and causing you some pain. Obviously, if it continues or your bleeding gets worse, come back.”
Ebony thanked the doctor, and in a few minutes she was dressed and ready to go. Atlas was on the phone as she signed some paperwork and as she turned, she was surprised to see Cormac standing out in the corridor, staring at her. Ebony stepped toward him, then stopped as she registered the dislike on his face. It was so palpable it shocked her, and she gaped at his retreating back as he turned and stalked away from her. What had she done wrong?
Fuck. Her hormones were working against her now, and her eyes filled with easy tears. She quickly dashed them away before Atlas could see them. He wrapped his arms around her now. “Blue says Romy is sleeping at the moment but we can go sit with her for a while.”
“Okay.”
Atlas looked down at her. “You okay?”
Ebony nodded, and kissed him. “Always with you.” And she took his hand and led him to the stairwell.
Blue stepped out of Romy’s room to take the call from Det. Halsey. “Did you arrest Franks?”
He heard the hesitation in John Halsey’s voice. “He got away. He knew we were coming and disappeared.”
Blue cussed loudly. “Jesus, Halsey! How did this happen? Who screwed us?”
“We’re working on it, Doc, I promise. Until we get more answers, we’re sending extra protection for your family, for Mr. Tigri’s, for Haven. We will get our man, Dr. Allende, I promise you.”
Blue ended the call and cursed under his breath. He hated the thought of Franks being out in the world, able to get to Romy. The day she’d been stabbed…it had been the worst day of his life, even worse than the day his step-brother had shot her. Would the woman he loved ever be safe?
Her Dark Melody Page 10