I jumped off the couch. “They’re the other members of Broken Bronco!” I stepped around Hyde.
The twins wolf-whistled when they saw me and I pointed my finger at them.
“Stop it. This is Logan and Decklan Bradshaw, brothers and founding members of the band. Guys, this is my team.”
I went through names and wondered why Hyde stood so close to my back.
“Ellie. Ellie. Ellie. How pretty you are, honey,” Logan said as he bent to kiss the corner of my mouth.
Decklan kissed the other side. “Let us take you to dinner and flirt shamelessly with your fine self. How’s that sound?”
I smiled and put my hands on their cheeks. “I already booked a place for all of us to have dinner, I’m not a groupie, and now isn’t the time to sow your oats.”
They leaned into the touch and each put a hand on my waist with a sigh. “Would beggin’ help?”
“Nope,” I replied softly. I moved my hands to their shoulders before dropping them. “How’s your mama?”
I watched them catch their balance and ached for what I knew of their pasts.
Decklan said, “You remembered. She’s doing real good, Ellie. She appreciated the nurse you sent while she was going through physical therapy. The woman was amazing.”
“It’s not every day a woman almost gets crushed by a five-hundred-year-old oak tree that falls out of the ground due to flooding. I’m glad she’s on the mend. Tell her I said hello.”
They took a synchronized step forward, close enough that my breasts almost touched their chests.
Logan smiled slow. “You sure you won’t come out and play, Ellie? We’d be perfect gentlemen.”
“Still no,” I replied.
Decklan winked. “You’re so damn stimulating.”
I arched a brow. “You need more rejection in your lives. It makes you strong.” Tilting my head, I added softly, “It helps you appreciate the good things when they come your way.”
They stared at me for a long moment before bending to kiss my cheeks and murmur, “Right as always, brilliant Ellie.”
“You can do this.”
They nodded, stepped back, and announced to the room of people watching our interaction closely, “About ten minutes to mic check. See you out there, Miss Kincaid. Miss Fields.”
Touching the brims of their hats, the twins nodded at me and left the room.
Sidney was instantly right beside me. “Let them pet you, Ellie. You were good for them when things went sideways.”
Staring at the closed door, I said quietly, “They were trying to beat it. I’m easy to spend time with because I don’t act like their fans. There’s no pressure to perform.” I bumped shoulders with her. “Stop trying to corrupt me.”
“Walk on the wild side. I love it. Two is the magic number.”
I shook my head with a grin. “I can’t even handle one.”
The redhead sighed heavily. “If people would let me work, they’d be so happy.”
“Or in jail. That’s another option.”
“Details.”
* * *
Spending time with the people Brooke Kincaid surrounded herself with was like a breath of fresh air.
After the wildly successful concert ended, the band returned to the stage twice and sang several encores. They asked fans to give generously at the kiosks set up at the exits and reminded everyone that it was a worthy cause they needed to get behind.
I loved their music. I deeply respected those who sang it.
I rented an entire restaurant after closing so we’d have security and privacy. It was good to see all the couples together and catch up with Brooke’s younger siblings.
We laughed all night.
As the sun lightened the sky, I hugged them all tightly.
I told Brooke, “Thank you for doing this. You let me know what you need. Anything. You name it.”
“Your friendship, Ellie. You’re giving those families a new lease on life. I’m proud to be part of it.”
Hugging Rex, he hugged me back extra tight. “Take care of yourself, Ellie. These are the people to help you do that.”
“Thank you.” I cut my eyes to Brooke and back to him.
“Not yet. I need to know it’s right for her,” he murmured.
Holding one of his big hands in both of mine, I said, “That was last year. Don’t wait too long. Take care of each other.”
“Always.”
The Bradshaw brothers hugged me hard between them. “Don’t be a stranger, Ellie.”
They kissed my jaw on either side at the same time and I gave a small gasp. “You’re doing so well. Another few months and you’ll have your one year clean. You can do this. Don’t cave now after you’ve worked so hard.”
Sighing heavily, they gave me half smiles and Logan said, “You’d be good for us, Ellie.”
“Sobriety and self-control. They’re worth fighting for and you’re going to love your life being in your control again. You’ve proven you’re strong enough. Don’t quit now.”
They nodded, hugged me between them, and let me go.
One more kiss for Brooke and I let my team hustle me into the limo. Padme sat directly across from me, staring at me intently.
“I don’t remember the twins being so…forward last year.”
“Substance abuse was the bigger issue then. Physically, they were wrecked. Now that the drugs have worked their way from their systems, the lifestyle they used to lead is probably becoming the greater concern.”
Blinking several times, my assistant asked, “Sex addiction?”
“Rampant, completely out of control. It could have derailed their career.” I cleared my throat. “It lost them a good woman. Anyone they choose now will pale in comparison. She’s the only one they’ll ever want and…she’s no longer an option.”
“Brooke.” I nodded. “Wow.”
“They have a long road ahead and I’ll be their friend. They can beat their demons if they keep their focus. That’s what matters. I can’t get involved romantically. I might not know much but I know not to accept being a winner by default.”
Hyde sat closer to me than usual and the subtle scent of him drifted over me. The warmth of his leg pressed along mine was new and different.
I didn’t mind. Not even a little. Hyde could never be too close for my comfort.
Chapter Five
August 2009
Since the children’s fair at the Boys and Girls Club, I worked steadily through the bureaucratic nonsense required to become Preston’s guardian.
My ultimate goal was to adopt him and I was glad my parents were fully behind my decision.
I spent as much time with him as I could, as much as I was allowed, and arranged events with every resident to have more opportunities.
While I waited to clear the way, I made sure his facility received personal attention from our organization.
We upgraded the building and grounds, brought in additional staff that specialized in physical and emotional therapies, and did an overhaul on their amenities to improve the lives of the children in their care.
No matter what happened, the property was practically in our back yard. They needed our help and I wanted to make sure they’d always have it. Seeing the mental and physical state of their charges made it imperative.
Two weeks before I was due to leave for California, I considered withdrawing and transferring to a Texas school.
I wanted to be on hand when I was approved to take Preston home with me. I consulted with his doctor and social worker about everything I’d need to have available for his condition.
Mom interviewed medically trained nannies who could help in an emergency.
On my way to the stables one morning, I was deep in thought when my phone rang. I fished it from my back pocket.
“Ellie Fields.”
“Miss Fields.” It was Preston’s social worker. “I’m sorry to have to call you like this but…Preston died last night.”
Grippin
g the phone, I ground out, “No. It’s a lie.”
“I’m so sorry, Miss Fields. He died in his sleep. Initial results seem to point to an undetected blood clot. The doctor believes it’s been there since his final beating two years ago.”
I held myself up on the fence around my house. “I don’t understand! It can’t be true. I saw him yesterday!”
“His monitor went off and they went to him immediately but he was already gone. They tried for several minutes to revive him but the paramedics called time of death when they arrived. I know it doesn’t help but he was smiling and holding that little stuffed turtle you gave him at the zoo.”
As the reality hit me, I told her through my tears, “I’ll handle his arrangements.”
The woman stammered nervously, “H-his mother said she didn’t care what we did with his body.”
Crying harder, I lost my composure completely. “I fucking care! I’ll take him. He deserves to be remembered. Make it happen, Miss Daniels!”
Hanging up on the flustered social worker, I returned to the house with a worried Fiaaz and Bianca at my sides.
Slamming into the house, I released a bloodcurdling scream that brought every member of my staff running. Hyde’s gun was in his hand.
I know I didn’t make any sense in my hysterics. I screamed at my assistant, “You make them give him to me, Padme. He’s not going in some fucking pauper’s grave! You tell my parents to steal his body if necessary.”
Then I ran upstairs, slammed my door, and sobbed until I lost consciousness.
Throat raw, eyes swollen, it was my mother’s voice that brought me awake. She was stretched out on her side, holding my hand.
“Mom. He died, Mom. My little Preston…”
“I know, honey. I’m so, so sorry.” I cried for a long time and she held me hard.
My parents didn’t judge me. My team didn’t judge me.
I walked around for days unable to stop endless tears for the little boy I wanted so badly. Preston’s death hit me hard and I had him interred on the estate.
In his coffin, I placed the stuffed animal along with two dozen photos, a flashlight, and a bag of cotton candy. I know I probably seemed like a stupid kid.
“I love you and I’ll miss you. I’ll miss your laugh.” I caught myself on a sob. “I wanted to make your life better, a bit more bearable, to fill it with love and happiness. I’m so sorry I didn’t get the chance, Preston. I’m sorry.”
At my side, Hyde wrapped his arm around my shoulders and whispered, “You did make it better, Ellie. The way he thought about time was different than how you perceive it. The time you spent with him, the moments you shared, those overwrote the horrible things that happened to him. It’s why he was smiling at the end. He was thinking about you.”
Through painful tears, I told him, “Th-thank you, Hyde. I-I hope you’re right. I failed.”
“No, Ellie. You gave him more joy in weeks than he’d had all his life. Remember how happy he was when he was with you. He loved you and he felt your love.”
I nodded and let him lead me out of the mausoleum and back to my house. The entire team followed us. My parents walked among them and I could hear my mother crying.
It made me love her so much more.
A few days later, hurting in my heart, I returned to school in California and settled into our well-established routine.
My loneliness crushed me.
* * *
Steeped in my own grief, when one of my few friends suffered a loss that almost killed her, I went to her side. She returned to her childhood home to heal a heart in tatters.
Our sadness, our loss, was different.
She was broken as a woman and I mourned the loss of a little boy I already considered my son in my private thoughts.
Holding hands, crying together, started the healing process for me. I’d always be thankful for her strength in her moment of darkest pain. I hope I helped her in return.
I stayed at the farm she grew up on with her brother and sisters for a week. I made a promise to myself to check on her often. We hugged for a long time before I got in the SUV with Hyde beside me.
Padme asked from the front seat, “Are you okay, Ellie?”
Swallowing hard, I stared out the window at southeastern Oklahoma and whispered, “She almost died. Her h-heart broke so badly, she almost starved herself to death.”
“She’s strong and she’s surrounded by people devoted to her healing,” Hyde murmured beside me. “They’ll keep her safe.”
I nodded. “But the loss will still be there.” I twisted my fingers together tightly. “The pain…losing what she wanted most in the world. It can be survived but it will never fully heal.”
Hyde consumed so many of my thoughts. If I lost him, especially to violence, I wondered if I would survive it.
As my bodyguard untangled my white-knuckled fingers and gently pressed tissue into my palm, I knew I couldn’t lose him.
“Everything will be alright, Ellie.”
I nodded but I didn’t fully believe him.
* * *
Almost a year after my attack on campus, I attended the sentencing of the men responsible. The full weight of my parents’ wealth and influence was brought to bear when the remaining five were charged.
While awaiting trial, two of the seven men died. One in a horrific car crash and another from drug overdose.
The unspoken deal was if the men pled guilty to the crime they committed, my parents wouldn’t make it their life’s work to destroy them.
My folks were apoplectic at the thought of me being subjected to a public proceeding, complete with police photos of my partially unclothed body.
I never stepped into a courtroom. I gave my deposition and it was played at their plea hearing.
They were convinced that doing the right thing – belatedly – was the correct course of action. Each received the maximum sentence but since I hadn’t sustained severe injuries or technically been raped, they’d be eligible for parole before my graduation.
For me, it was over.
Chapter Six
December 2009
I’ll never forget the first Christmas I spent with my team.
We celebrated together Christmas Eve and I insisted on a game of Dirty Santa. No gifts could be more expensive than twenty dollars and Hyde grinned all the way through the local discount store as I picked up silly things for stocking stuffers.
We drank the niche wines I was already accumulating despite being nineteen and we hung out in the kitchen together as Si and I made ridiculous amounts of food.
To keep the others occupied, he placed trays of sugar cookies on the island and instructed the team to decorate them from the dozens of little bowls he laid out. The results were funny but still delicious.
Naturally, I got them other gifts.
I waited until everyone went to bed and slipped handwritten cards telling them how much I appreciated their presence and their protection under their doors.
Inside were Super Bowl tickets and spa weekend gift certificates so each of them could scream at a sporting event I wasn’t sure they even liked and have themselves pampered.
Climbing under my blankets, I talked to Preston.
“I always thought nothing happened after death despite my upbringing. I thought it was just over. Meeting you, I hope I’m wrong, Preston. You didn’t get long enough. You deserved a long and happy life. Merry Christmas, honey.”
The following morning, I showered and dressed quietly. I didn’t want to wake anyone. Security from the house would escort me to my parents so we could have an early breakfast before their annual holiday gala.
Opening my bedroom door, I was shocked to see a neat stack of perfect presents on the floor with my name on them.
On top was a card signed by each member of my team. The things they said made me cry long before I sat cross-legged on the floor and opened their gifts.
They gave me several books from favorite authors I hadn’t real
ized were out along with a first edition of two Sherlock Holmes’ books I’d been searching for through collectors.
One of them gave me a slim dive watch since I broke my old one and forgot to replace it. A delicate amethyst necklace and earring set in fine silver.
Engraved chopsticks with a note from Si congratulating me on learning to roll sushi.
The last box I opened was from Hyde. Inside was a fine platinum charm bracelet and a note to, “Fill it with experiences that make you smile. Here’s one to start you off, Ellie.”
I opened the tiny locket and smiled through happy tears at a photo of me with Preston at the zoo.
Glancing up, I grinned at them in their doorways. “Thank you all so much.”
“Merry Christmas, Ellie. Thank you for your fantastic gifts. You’ll be going with us.”
I frowned. “Those are for you guys. I can hang out with my parents. You never take time off.”
Hyde approached and bent to help me to my feet. “Watching over you doesn’t seem like work. You’re going with us.” Then he took the charm bracelet out of my hand and attached it around my wrist. “Perfect.”
Picking up all my gifts, he placed them on my bed and smiled. “You never forget to make your bed.”
“Habit.”
“I know it well. Let’s get you to your parents.”
“I wanted to let everyone sleep in. It’s Christmas. You can’t work on Christmas, Hyde. This whole week, I’ll stay up at the main house. I want all of you to have downtime.”
“Hmm.” He crossed his arms and walked to stand directly in front of me. “Let’s talk about this downtime.”
“Hyde…”
“Ellie. We’ve worked together for a decade. The people in this house are my closest friends. They need only ask for time off and I’ll make sure you’re covered. They haven’t asked because you’re easy on all of us. You don’t even fight reporters and I read that was an American socialite rite of passage.”
I laughed. “Pretty much. I can’t be bothered.”
He winked. “You’d break more than their cameras. The point is, you’re a good person. We like hanging out with you whether you need guarding at any particular moment or not.” Turning me into the hall, he pulled my door closed behind us. “I’ll let you know if there’s the slightest ripple of unhappiness.”
Obsession: The Hollow Universe Page 4