by Blue Saffire
There was always something different about her. However, I did question who the phone was from. Her answer pulled me in, like a hand grasping my neck and demanding I follow.
“A friend from Russia.” Her words sent a chill down my spine.
When the text came to answer in five, I looked over to Val and she nodded her head. Anticipation coiled in my belly as I turned and crept up the stairs to find privacy. I figured I’d go to the nursery Carmen has gushed about in case someone finds me up here and questions me.
My palms are sweaty as the FaceTime call comes through. The room is dimly lit by a cute little lamp that casts stars and hearts on the ceiling. I look around as if someone’s watching me before I answer the call.
“I was right. I know you. Took moment to figure out, but I remember,” he says before I can state a greeting. “We go back to the beginning, Da.”
I look into his cold blue eyes and I’m still surprised that this is the man that saved me. I’ve looked into the eyes of men that are monsters, men that are dangerous. His are no different from theirs. Yet, he’s the reason I made it to be rescued with the others.
“I don’t know when the beginning was for you, but that wasn’t it for me.”
“Da, but we have history.” He sits forward in his chair with his words. “Your enemies are my enemies.”
“Is that so? What do you want?”
“Direct. This is good. I have something you need to do for me.”
“Why would I do anything for you?”
“Call it a favor for your life,” he says with a vacant tone.
“Will that make us even?”
He remains silent for a moment. Pulling a complicit face, he nods. “Da, you owe me nothing, but this favor I ask is not for me. It’s for everyone.”
“What?”
A smile comes to his lips. “You are not as safe as you think. Too many questions, you and your friend expose us all to people you should want to hide from.”
“And?” I lift a brow. “Do I look scared? I’ll be ready.”
“You can’t be ready for something you don’t know.”
“Will you stop talking in circles?” I snarl. “What do you want?”
He laughs but cuts off abruptly. “Make young boy stop. He doesn’t know who he’s pissing off. Your little friend has made waves.”
“What?”
“Don’t play fool with me. John is friend, but I give you courtesy of call. I am not ready to play hand. He stops or I stop him.”
“What makes you think I have any control over him?”
He cuts a hand across his neck as his face grows angry. “Don’t lose respect I have for you. I will not play this game. You want little friend you search for, you stop boy. Now.”
I gasp. “What little friend?”
“Girl you risked your life for. I can help you find her. Torque, that’s boy’s name, da. He makes too many mistakes. Call him off. I will make sure you get revenge you seek, but not at cost of everyone.”
I can’t breathe. If he can find Natasha, I can go for her. I can save her. I hold back the tears.
“How do I know you’re telling me the truth. I need proof she’s alive.”
He shrugs. “She lives for now. Smart girl. She survives off brain, not body. I will make my business to help her once you handle other friend. Be quick before he tips everything.”
I clench my teeth. He’s given me nothing to go on, but my gut tells me to trust him. Especially if Torque has gotten himself on the radar of men like him.
He gives me an evil grin. “You think too much. It’s simple. Stop boy, help girl, keep shit from our door. You are smart too. Too smart not to make right choice. You are tangled in a mess greater than you and friends.”
“Fine.” I nod. I furrow my brows. I don’t know if he has the power to answer my next request, but I try. “But I need one more thing. I want to know the truth. How did I get there?”
He sits back and steeples his long fingers in front of his lips. This guy would be a gorgeous man if he weren’t an asshole. I can’t stop gritting my teeth as I wait for his answer.
“Da. This I will do. I will give you answers when you solve problem.”
With that, he hangs up the phone. I’m going to kick Torque’s ass if John doesn’t find out and do it first. I swear, that kid drives me nuts.
“There’s always something.” I blow out a breath.
I pause and a shiver takes over me. Who is Misha Krupin? How the hell did he know to call me and not John about Torque? I look down at the phone.
Val.
She knows all of her soldiers. I should have known.
Chapter 42
Restless
Carmen
“Hey, Ry?” I call out as I come from the bedroom, headed for the kitchen.
I can’t sleep. I’ve been so tired the last few days, but sleep has alluded me. I want to close my eyes and fall asleep so bad.
“Ryan?”
I smile when I find him on the couch with the remote control to the videogame console in his hand and his headset on. However, he’s fast asleep. He’s been trying to stay up with me to keep me company as I live through this misery.
Not wanting to wake him, I turn for the kitchen and get a glass of water. I nearly spit it out when Ryan starts to snore like a buzz saw. He’s super loud. I feel so bad. He has to be exhausted. He never snores like this.
I finish my water, then waddle over to turn the game off and toss a throw over Ry. I bend a little to reach the console and that’s when it happens. My eyes grow wide and my lips part in a gasp.
The floor beneath my feet is soaked instantly. “Holy shit,” I cry out as a sharp pain shoots across my back.
Ryan jumps up from the couch with a gun in his hand. I have no idea where he pulls it from, but the moment he sees me hunched over holding my belly, he tucks it away and leaps over the coffee table to reach me. I look up at him with tears in my eyes.
“I’m not ready,” I whisper through the pain.
“Yeah, well, you better get ready. This baby is coming. Come on. I’ll get you dressed and call your doctor.”
I nod my head as the pain subsides a bit. He takes me by the arm and leads me toward the bedroom. I guess I’m moving too slow for him because he lifts me into his arms and carries me.
Placing me on my feet in the bedroom, he peels my wet panties down and goes to get me a fresh pair. I take off his shirt I wore to lie down in. Once he gets me into my panties, he rushes to the closet for something for me to wear.
I go to tell him to grab a dress, but my words are snatched by searing pain. Oh my God, why didn’t anyone tell me there would be this much pain? This is insane.
My eyes cross and I double over, reaching for something to lean on. Somehow, I find the bedpost and wrap an arm around it. I clench my teeth and fight through.
“Breathe, baby. You’ve got this,” Ry says in my ear.
I look at him and glare. “Got what? You feel this? You know this pain? What I got?”
Ryan’s eyes widen in surprise. Yeah, I might sound like my mother, but this pain is no joke. He can’t tell me what I’ve got. My back is trying to split open with his child.
I close my eyes and try to breathe. Ryan doesn’t say another word. Once I can stand again, I straighten and hold my hand out for the dress he’s holding.
He shakes his head and starts to dress me. If I wasn’t so tired, I might fight him on this. Instead, I allow him to place the dress on and then my shoes.
Ryan gets my baby bag and rushes me to the car as fast as my legs will take me. As soon as I’m inside the pain hits again. I brace myself against the dashboard and growl through the pain. Ryan jumps in and starts out of the driveway.
“Holy shit. Motherfucker,” I yell.
Ryan lets a laugh slip and I turn to glare at him. “That’s the most you’ve cursed in the same hour since I’ve met you,” he says, with a sheepish look on his face.
I don’t have it in me to
fuss at him. I close my eyes and try to filter out some of the pain. It does little to help.
“This can’t be normal. Is this normal? Call Dr. Omid. I want Dr. Omid.”
“Babe, I already called Dr. Malcolm. He’s on his way.”
“I said call Dr. Omid. Your big head baby is trying to rip its way out of me. This. Shit. Ain’t. Normal. Call Dr. Omid!”
“Calling Dr. Omid,” he mutters.
When Wyatt’s voice comes through the phone, I glare at Ryan. He holds his hand up at me. I hold back the string of curses ready to fly from my mouth.
“Bro, I need a favor,” Ryan says.
“We’re already on our way to the hospital. Mom called.”
“No, Carmen doesn’t feel right. She thinks we need to call in Omid.”
“On it. Hold on, I’ll call him now.” There’s a pause as he places us on hold. “Ry, I have Omid on the line.”
“Dr. Omid. Something’s not right. I can feel it,” I say before Ryan can speak up. “Please. Can you help me?”
“Carmen, I need you to relax. I’m already here at the hospital. I’ll be waiting for you when you arrive. Ryan, how far out are you?”
“Ten minutes, but I’ll be there in five.”
“Drive safely. I’ll be here.”
“Carmen,” Nellie’s voice comes through the speaker.
“Yes,” I pant.
My face is covered in sweat and tears. Ryan reaches over and rubs my back with one hand. It doesn’t ease the pain, but it makes me feel a little better. We stop at a light and he leans to kiss my head.
“I love you,” he whispers in my ear.
Nellie’s soothing voice helps me to keep from freaking out as she starts to coach me through. I’m so grateful to her in this moment. I know this is my first baby, but I’m not sure it should feel like this.
I rock in my seat as I continue to cry. I sob so much this baby could be baptized in my tears. I try to wipe my face, but it’s useless. Sweat and tears cling to my cheeks and run down my chin.
“Ryan,” I whisper.
“Yeah, baby.”
For weeks I’ve been having this feeling like something bad is coming. It’s been nagging me hard in the last few days. I clench the dress around my belly.
“I’m scared.”
Ryan
I’ve never felt more helpless in my life. Yeah, I was there for John and Roni when their baby came early. We all were and we stood by to support them any way we could. John wasted no time calling Omid when they first found out Roni was pregnant and that may have been what saved the baby’s life.
Dr. Omid would have been my first choice had Carmen not had her own doctor already. However, hearing my girl ask for Dr. Omid now, after she has trusted her own doctor all this time has me damn near shitting in my pants.
I reach for her hand and lace my fingers with hers. “I’m here. I made you a promise remember. Nothing is going to happen to you or our baby.”
“You don’t—”
“Carmen,” I say in warning. “Nothing is going to happen to you guys. We’re having a baby. We’re finally going to find out what we’re having.”
“We never picked a name,” she sobs.
“Okay, that’s fine. We’ll pick one when we know what she looks like,” I say and turn to peek at her.
She turns to me with furrowed brows. I wink before turning back to the road. I sort of gave up on thinking it’s a boy. Mom told me straight out I could forget it. She hasn’t missed once.
John had a girl just like she said he would so I guess I’m having one too. I’ve come to accept it. She’ll be spoiled as fuck, but who cares.
“You think we’re having a girl? Ryan Black did you have the doctor tell you without me? I swear—”
“Babe, relax. I don’t know for sure. It’s a feeling. We’ll have a boy next time.”
She kisses her teeth long and hard. “Next time. I’m not doing this again.”
I pull up to the hospital and lean to kiss her lips. “Let’s not rush things. You said you weren’t going to be mine before and look at us now. You’re about to have my baby and you love me.”
She frowns at me and pushes me away when I try to kiss her again. “I should have listened to my first mind. Look at what you’ve gotten me into. Trouble, I knew you were troub— Oh God, get me inside, please.”
I jump from the car to find Dr. Omid with a nurse and a wheelchair waiting for Carmen. I freeze for a second as it sinks in. We’re here to have a baby. The little person I’ve been talking to in her womb will be in my arms soon. I’m someone’s father.
Ah shit. Who let this happen?
Chapter 43
It’s A Girl
Ryan
“It’s a girl,” I croon as I rush out into the waiting room. “8 pounds and twenty-two inches long. My baby girl is gorgeous.”
I wipe at my face, trying to hide my tears. She’s so fucking beautiful. She also scared the shit out of us all. Carmen was right in asking for Dr. Omid.
The cord had wrapped around the baby’s neck. That man is gifted. He was able to get her out without a C-section. Our next pregnancy we’re going to him from go.
My brothers surround me and draw me into a hug. I break down. The weight of the last eight hours setting in.
“I thought I was going to lose them both,” I sob.
“You did good. You were strong for them both and they’re healthy,” Wyatt says.
I still don’t know where I pulled the strength from. I wanted to freak out right along with Carmen, but I held it together until my girls were both safe. Hearing her little cry helped ease the tightness in my chest.
I swear, I couldn’t breathe until I heard her take her first breaths. Holding my little girl for the first time was amazing. She was so tiny in my arms.
She’s not even an hour old, but I can see her mother and me in her face. She’s going to be gorgeous when she grows up. I wish I could keep her small and in my arms forever, but I’m excited to watch her grow and become amazing at the same time.
In this moment, I feel like the baby. Like the little brother that would come to them when I needed them to have my back. I absorb their strength as my fear and exhaustion hits hard.
“Let me in, let me in,” my mother says.
I chuckle and wipe at my face as John and Noah step back. My mother looks up at me with pride shining in her eyes. I bend down to wrap her in my arms.
“I’m so proud of ye,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “Yer going to make such a good father.”
I get choked up all over again. I turn toward my dad as he pats me on my back. This is what I want for my little girl. If she ever needs anything I want to support her like this and if I can’t be there, I want her family to be there.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I need to talk to my swimmers. What’s with all the girls?” Brax says and groans.
Everyone laughs and the tension leaves the room. Ne and Kiyoshi are the next to pull me into a hug. I’m surprised by the long embrace from Kiyoshi.
It reminds me that I have one more step before the proposal I now have to move back a week or two. I’ve been putting this off long enough. I turn to look toward the room where Carmen and our little girl are. Her mother is there with her. They’ll be fine for now.
“Can we go for a walk?” I say to Kiyoshi.
“Yes,” he nods his head.
Dad pats my back again as I start off with Kiyoshi. I don’t know why the heck I’m so nervous. I guess it’s because this is the only thing keeping me from proposing.
It will all be a reality once I get his blessing and I’ll be making the next biggest step of my life. I think of my little girl’s face. I know I’m ready.
“What have you named my granddaughter? A strong name will build strong character,” Kiyoshi says as I gather my thoughts.
“We haven’t settled on a name yet. I like Cassidy after my mother or Carrie. Carmen’s isn’t sold on either.”
“Cassidy is nice, but that’s some tough shoes to fill. Did your father ever tell you about the time we got drunk and had a bar fight? I was more afraid of your mother when we returned with busted knuckles and cuts she had to stitch up.” He chuckles.
“Nah, never heard about that. I think my little girl can handle her own with the name, but she probably should have her own identity.”
“Yes, this is true. What would you like to talk to me about, young Ryan?”
I stop and turn to face him. “I’m going to propose to Carmen. I have the ring and I was planning to do it this week, but since the baby is a week early, I’m going to push it back a bit. I wanted you to know.”
He laughs at me. Looks in my face and laughs at me. I ball my fists at my sides in frustration.
“You still come to tell me what you will do. Never once have you asked? You two are same coin different sides.”
I sigh. He’s right. He has a point. I rub the back of my neck.
“Your daughter means the world to me. I love her with everything I am. When I thought I was about to lose her earlier, all I could think about is that I didn’t make her my wife. I didn’t show her how much she means to me.”
“So I’m sorry. I’ve approached this wrong. I would like to marry your daughter with your blessing. May I have your blessing?”
“You know, in the Yakuza when we feel we’ve been dishonored we cut off your fingers. I may let you marry her if you part with a pinky.”
I search his face to see if he’s serious. He gives nothing away. His face is straight as fuck.
I shrug my shoulders. “If that’s what it takes. Your blessing is important to her. I know she won’t marry me without it.”
He laughs again and pats my cheek. “You, my son, will make a great husband. Keep your fingers. Babies have a lot of snot, you will need them to clean it up.”
I chuckle and tug him into a hug. “I’ve always liked you.”