by Blue Saffire
“What was that?”
“I think we’re going to make one big happy family,” he croons and places a hand on my belly.
Why me?
“Ryan?”
He narrows his eyes. “What?”
“We can’t tell anyone. If I’m pregnant, we have to keep it between us until I can talk to my father.”
“If you are pregnant, we need to talk to your father.”
I palm my forehead. “Please, Ry,” I plead.
He’s silent for a moment. When he embraces me, I look up at him. His jaw is tight, but he concedes.
“All right. We won’t say anything until you talk to your father, but Carmen.”
“Yes.”
“We’re not lying to my family. You already know how that shit hurt them with Toby. I’m not doing that shit. You figure out your dad, but we’re telling my family.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “Okay.”
Chapter 17
Followed
Carmen
Maybe it’s the stress of my little secret or having back-to-back finals today and reaching the end of one of my goals, but I swear it feels like someone’s watching me. It’s a feeling I’ve had since walking out of my class. I try to shake it off for the millionth time as I walk to the garage to get to my car and head to my first doctor’s appointment.
Ryan comes to mind, he’s going to meet me there. He’s so sure that I’m pregnant. I get ready to text him, but my phone rings.
I smile when I see it’s Aunt Mariah. I’ve been thinking about telling her about everything, but I’m still waiting to find out for sure.
“Hey auntie,” I chirp into the phone.
“Hey, Nene. What’s up?”
I shrug as if she can see me. “Nothing much. About to head home from my last final.”
She squeals on the other end of the phone. “I’m so proud of you. You did it. Your father will be proud when he finds out how well you’ve been doing with two programs.”
“First, I have to prove that it was worth it.”
She sighs. “I don’t know why you’re so afraid of Kiyoshi. He’s a big softy when it comes to you. He will be proud, no matter what.”
“We’ll see.”
My little cousin squeals in the background and my heart swells. He’s so adorable. Uncle Kevin and Aunt Mariah made one handsome little guy.
“Aww, give my little chunk a kiss for me,” I coo.
Aunt Mariah laughs. The sound of her shifting around on the other end comes through the line. At first, I’m greeted by breathing.
“Say hi to Nene,” Aunt Mariah coaxes.
“Hi,” Kevin Jr. says.
“Hi,” I sing, causing him to laugh. I can just imagine those hazel-green eyes lighting up as he does.
“Phew, this little boy is a handful. So, have you thought about what you want for your birthday gift? I’m still waiting. Anything you want, sweetie, you ask.”
I smile from ear to ear. My aunt truly does spoil me. I’m still not sure what I want.
Ryan already bought the camera I was going to tell her about. I hadn’t told her about it even though she’s asked me a number of times to pick something. Maybe she can get me out of the country so my father doesn’t kill me if I’m pregnant.
“I’m still thinking.”
“Okay, you know how to find me when you decide. This little guy is getting fussy. Give me a call later. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I hang up and turn to look over my shoulder right before walking into the parking structure. Even during the call that feeling didn’t go away. There’s a guy walking a few yards behind me.
I swear I noticed him before. My hackles are up. I turn back around and pick up my pace. I’m not that far from my car. I parked up one level.
I pull up my brother’s number and get ready to call him. However, when I look back again, the guy I thought was following me is gone. I shake my head at myself.
I blame Ryan. He made me watch that horror movie last night. I’m going to kill him.
I brush off the crazy feeling and walk up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. However, I don’t slow. Something still feels off.
I don’t want to annoy my brother, so I put my phone away and pull out the key fob for my car. I catch movement out of the corner of my eye when I’m a few steps from my car.
Okay, I’m not crazy. My instincts kick in. My mother’s voice rings in my ear.
Always trust your instincts, Nene.
I pop the trunk and toss my bag in. Faster than I can think I unzip my gym bag I take for my workouts with Mommy. If someone plans to attack me they’re in for a rude awakening.
Ryan wanted to know what my mother and I do for workouts. We sword fight in the traditional styles of the samurai. My father has trained my mother to be lethal and she’s been teaching me since I could hold two of my own swords in my hands.
My double scabbard is on my back in one fluid motion. I slam the trunk closed and spin into a stance. Lightning fast, I pull both swords from my back.
“What do you want?” I hiss at the two men in front of me.
Ryan
My blood boils as I watch this motherfucker follow after my girl. He’s closing in on her and doesn’t know I’m closing in on him. I signal for Roni to move into the garage after Carmen.
I’ve already sent Ne a text to get his ass here ASAP. I knew something was wrong when this asshole first showed up on campus. He’s been keeping his distance watching.
Once Carmen emerged from her class he started to follow her. I wanted to rush in and stomp his ass into the ground, but he was too close to Carmen. I warred with blowing my cover but decided against it.
“I don’t like this, Ry,” Felix says in my ear. “Put him down.”
Carmen has entered the parking garage and this guy is heading straight for her. I close the distance between us and wrap my arms around his neck now that we’re in the shadows of the garage. He’s a big guy and he tries to struggle, but I put his ass to sleep.
I contemplate putting his lights out permanently, but Kiyoshi gave orders that I bring him in. We need to know where this guy came from. There are a number of enemies on the watch list. I drop him to the ground once he’s out like a light.
“Ryan, get your ass up here,” Roni says through the earpiece.
I don’t stop to think. I step over the body I just dropped and head for the stairs. I race to the next level where I watched Carmen park before class.
When I get up there and through the exit, Roni puts a hand to my chest to stop me. I go to shove her hand away, confused as to why she’s hiding behind an SUV and not keeping my girl safe.
“Don’t blow your cover. Look,” she says low.
My jaw ticks as I look around the truck. My eyes go wide. Carmen has two badass swords in her hands, moving like a character out of a Bleach episode or something.
She slashes her sword through the air, cutting one of the guys before her, then spins bringing the other sword through the air slicing off the hand of the guy aiming a gun at her. Just as quickly as she slices their asses up, she sheaths both swords on her back. Her chest heaving.
Carmen looks around wildly before rushing to her driver’s side door, slipping the swords off her back and tossing them into the car. She jumps in and peels off before I can rush to her. I shake the shock off and rush to the handless guy rolling on the ground.
Stepping on his handless arm, I lean in with all my weight. He howls in pain. I look to Roni.
“Follow her,” I bark.
Roni nods and takes off. Pulling my phone, I shoot off a quick text. I grind my teeth as I realize Carmen has gotten a good head start.
“I have eyes on her, bro,” Felix says as if reading my mind. “Nelson is heading in now.”
Tires squeal right as he gets the words out. Ne and a few other men jump out of a black van. The men collect the guys at my feet while Ne scowls and stops at my side.
“There�
�s another one downstairs. You should be able to get something from one of them,” I say, working my jaw in anger.
“I will take care of them.”
I get in his face, toe to toe. “What the fuck? Your sister just disarmed two men with fucking samurai swords on her back. When did you guys plan to tell me about that?”
He shrugs. “When do you plan to tell my father you’re sleeping with my little sister?”
“Come on. Two totally different things.”
“It looks like she saved herself, which means you weren’t there. I’d be happy if I were you. My father has not hid that Nene is able to protect herself. He tried to warn you and your father of this.”
I tighten my fists at my sides. I know Roni kept her hands off to watch Carmen in action. She was ready to take the kill shots if she had to. Roni was also right, I would have blown my cover if I’d stepped in.
“We were on it. She didn’t need to protect herself.”
“Hmm, yet that guy’s hand was severed by one of her blades.”
“Are you saying I’m not doing my job?”
He narrows his eyes at me. There’s a brief moment of silence as he regards me. I wait him out as I seethe.
“This is more than a job to you,” he says. “It’s personal.”
I get the feeling he wants to say more, but he doesn’t. I’m not going to get into how personal this is for me. I roll my shoulders back.
Both Kiyoshi and Ne already know what Carmen means to me. I’m not a fool. I’ve already caught on to Kiyoshi. It’s why I taunt him with my long nights at Carmen’s and taking her to my place. He’s called me to tell me to take my ass home almost every night I’ve been at her place.
Ne nods and pats me on the shoulder. “I am not your enemy.”
He’s right. He’s not. In all honesty, I’m more pissed with all the secrets around here than my girl being able to slice a motherfucker up.
I return the nod. “Where’s your dad? Did he land?”
“Yeah, he’s back for a few days. Arrived this morning. He should be in his office,” he replies.
I turn and head for my car to put an end to the lies. Things have just changed for me. This threat is real and there’s a real chance that the woman I just watched become a little warrior is pregnant with my baby.
There’s no way I’m playing these games with Kiyoshi a second more. “Let me know what you find out,” I call over my shoulder.
“Without question.”
This fucking Alliance is going to cause us all to have a head full of grey hair. If it were up to me, we’d bring this shit to their doorstep first. However, I get why we’re not.
Too many smiling faces with knives behind their backs. We don’t know who to trust or who plans to challenge this new Alliance. Until we figure that out, we’re all walking targets.
Too bad I’ve never been one to lie down and take an ass whipping. Won’t be starting that shit now. Damn, my girl is a fucking ninja.
What the fuck?
Chapter 18
Take Her Away
Ryan
“I think we’re beyond this game you wanted to play. She’s in real danger,” I snarl.
Kiyoshi glares at me. He then turns to my father. “I have sent visitors to those that sent those pieces of trash after my daughter. I’m sure my message will be heard loud and clear by all.”
“That doesn’t mean they’re going to stop coming,” I growl in frustration.
“No, it doesn’t,” my father says.
Kiyoshi sits back in his seat and steeples his fingers together. He finally turns his attention back on me. “What is it you suggest?”
“She’s finished her classes. We’ll go away for a bit and lay low. You’re an Alliance member. They want to hurt you the most. Carmen is a way to do that. If they can break you guys up before you fully rise to power it will serve them best.”
“Dad, he’s right. You were saying the same thing already. Carmen would be better off somewhere else for now,” Ne says.
I clench my jaw. Carmen is at my house waiting for me. It’s where she ran to after the attack at the garage. Roni has had eyes on her since Carmen got there. I’m trying to make this quick so I can get to her.
Thank God I thought to tell her how to get in if she ever needed. I can’t say how good it felt to have her go to my home for safety. However, I’ve been worried because she’s yet to reach out to me.
Kiyoshi purses his lips. “The point of the Alliance was not for us to begin to live like cowards. I don’t like this.”
“No one’s living like a coward. You’re living safe. You don’t want Carmen to know about any of this, you better do something about it. Which means she needs to disappear away from all of it.”
Kiyoshi bangs his hands on the desk and stands. “Ryan, you take my calm for kindness. There are times when you take things too far. Now is one of them.”
I stand. “Your daughter and her safety are important to me. If I ruffle your delicate feathers, oh fucking well,” I bark back.
Dad stands and places a hand on my shoulder. He gives a warning squeeze. I shrug him off and turn to leave the room. Before I’m out of the door, I call over my shoulder.
“She’s my responsibility whether you like it or not. I’m not going away and neither are the feelings we have for each other. Allow me to protect her. This isn’t a game to me.”
“Nor is it a game to me,” Kiyoshi seethes. Silence fills the room for a beat. “I will allow you to take her on a trip for the summer break. It will give me enough time to establish my hand with the Sato family and any others that plan to become foolish.”
“I will talk to her aunt and have her offer Nene a trip for herself and a friend. I have a place—”
I spin to face him. “No, it has to be somewhere I know. Someplace I can control.”
Kiyoshi glares at me for a moment before giving me a nod. “Under no circumstance are you to reveal who you are or what’s going on. You protect her like a precious treasure.”
I nearly break my teeth from the tight grip I have on my jaw. More lies. I thought we would be done with this shit after what happened today.
For now, I’ll take my victory. I’m getting to take Carmen away from this shit for a while. I’ll keep her safe away from here.
“I don’t think you’ve been listening to me. She’s the most precious thing in my life. I don’t just care for your daughter, I love her.”
With that, I leave out of his office and head for my car. I need to get to my girl. Then, I’ll get us out of here, but first, I have one stop. There’s something she and I need to clear up.
Carmen
I sit on Ry’s couch with my swords on my back and my knees pulled into my chest as the tears roll down my cheeks. I think I’m in shock. I haven’t moved from this spot since I arrived.
I didn’t know where else to go. I cut a man’s hand off and I’m pretty sure I wounded the other guy fatally. I reacted to save my life. It was the only thought I had once they drew guns on me.
Oh my God. The cops are going to come for me. I’m going to go to jail. If I’m pregnant my baby will be born in jail.
I sob harder and curl more tightly into a ball. My entire body is trembling. I’m so deep in my panic, I don’t hear when Ryan enters the house, causing me to jump when he appears before me.
“Oh my God,” I yelp and leap from the couch into his arms.
“I’m going to take the scabbards off your back,” he says softly.
I nod and turn so he can slide the straps that are holding my swords on my back off my shoulders. He tosses them on the floor and I turn back into his arms. He tugs me into his embrace and kisses the top of my head.
“I did something bad. I’m going to be in so much trouble, Ryan. They’re probably looking for me. I don’t know why I ran. I panicked. I should’ve waited for the cops to come.”
“Shh, baby. I’ll take care of it. My family will make it go away. Calm down for me.”
&
nbsp; I take a deep breath. I’m still trembling, but I feel safe in his arms. He tightens his hold and leads me out of the living room to go upstairs. I follow as my mind races over all the ways this can blow up in my face. My father is going to lose it. I’ve never used my swords on an actual person, not in real combat.
“I never thought I’d have to use my swords. I reacted,” I say absently to Ryan. “What if he bled out? What if both the men are dead? Oh my God, Ry. We have to go back and check.”
“Carmen,” Ryan says firmly.
I look up at him as we stand in his bedroom. His face is tight with emotions, anger being one of them. Oh no, he’s mad at me. Coming here was a mistake.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here,” I whisper.
He pinches my chin between his fingers. “You are right where you’re supposed to be. I need you to calm down for me. You never go back to the scene of a crime.”
“I need you to strip from your clothes. Give me everything. Once your undressed you’re going to get into the shower and we’re going to scrub you. While it’s still fresh, I want you to retrace all your steps after the incident for me. Then I want you to tell my everything that happened before the incident.”
I lick my lips and nod my head. When I look down at my clothes I see I have blood all over me. I hadn’t noticed it before.
“Oh, no, did I get blood on the couch.”
“Focus, baby. I’ll take care of all of that.”
I nod again and start to peel out of my clothes. I hand them over piece by piece. When I’m completely naked, Ryan takes my hand and leads me into the bathroom to turn on the shower.
I step inside and the water runs over me, bringing a soothing calm with it. Ryan strips from his things and steps in behind me. He takes my hair from its ponytail and kisses my forehead. I look up into his eyes. I still see anger, but this time I don’t think it’s aimed at me.
“I’ll be right back,” he says gently.
“Okay.”