Easy. “No.”
“But you’d let her walk away, let her believe you’d given her freedom.”
“Hell, yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Aida gets in her own way, more often than not. She’d come back to me, in time.”
“Good answer, but I want truth.”
Fucker. “She’s my heart and soul. There is no life without her. I would take her any way I could get her, whether it be hand in hand, or from a distance.”
“From the shadows?”
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation.
“Aida needed freedom from me. Aidaline needed me, free of the dirty life. I gave them both what they wanted.”
Now he was starting to make sense. “But it’s a ruse.”
“You’re a smart man. To ensure Aida feels truly free, and Aidaline feels safe and loved, I need to stay sharp. In focus. In power. I’m no longer in the limelight. But I’m on top of the game. That’s the only way I can protect them both.”
“From the shadows.”
He nodded.
“Aida is no longer yours to protect. She’s mine now.”
Luciano’s dark eyes narrowed, and swear to my Maker, the temperature dropped twenty degrees. “Mind your place, son. She was mine first. She’ll always be mine.” He leaned closer, his mask of congeniality gone, revealing a demon more frightening than I could have imagined. “You are only with her because I allow it. You are still breathing right now because I believe you worthy of giving my daughter and granddaughter the life they deserve. Mark my words. Any harm comes to them, you’ll be the first to suffer.”
Two tours. In hell. I’d seen shit that would make most cower. Met evil face to face. Not once had a man made me shiver. Not once had a man given me cause to consider my religious convictions. Until Luciano Voltolini.
I was glad to have him on my side.
For now, anyway.
I rose to stand. Offered my hand, and a brief farewell.
“Sebastian will see you to your hotel.” Voltolini nodded over my shoulder.
The man who had met me in the lobby stood in wait. I followed him. Before we turned the corner, I stopped, remembering Luciano’s words. “Wait.”
One foot in the house, Luciano paused, and turned to face me.
“You said, children, earlier. Is there something else I need to know?”
His lips curled upward, slow and calculating. “You came for answers. I gave you the only truth you need to know. Go home. Take care of my princesses.” With that, he disappeared.
I prayed I would never have to look into those soulless eyes again.
I WOKE TO A PAINFUL boner and an empty house. I vaguely remembered Aida kissing me goodbye, whispering she had errands to run, and ordering me to sleep in. Not sure how long ago that had been. What I did know, was that my body seemed to weigh a thousand pounds, and my head was still stuck somewhere between Georgia and a set of heady doe eyes. I’d carried the secret for over a month now. Every day it tripled in weight, and I was breaking under the pressure.
Aida deserved to know about her mother and father. I just wasn’t sure how to deliver the facts, or if I should at all. What would she do with the truth? Let it go? Be thankful? Or would the pain eat her alive? Would all the progress she’d made, we’d made, be for nothing?
Aida and Lucia, their lives, their safety, were my responsibility now.
I slipped my phone off the nightstand, took a quick dick pick, and sent it to my queen, letting her know what she was missing. Then I pulled on a pair of basketball shorts and made my way downstairs to the home gym.
Half an hour on the treadmill helped to clear my brain fog. I stood in front of the weight rack, checking out my reflection in the wall-to-wall mirror. I no longer looked at my scars with disgust. Now, when I looked, I heard Aida’s soft moans, felt the burn of her skin tracing each jagged scar. The A she had carved close to my navel, was nothing but a faint scar, but it was everything to me. And, as I stared at the healed wound, I knew I couldn’t put off telling her the truth any longer. She’d branded me. She’d claimed me. She’d given her baby my name, giving me all of her. Committing to me for life.
The truth would hurt. But she wouldn’t run. She wouldn’t seek retribution. The A she’d gifted me was proof. She’d laid her claim, and if I knew anything about my Bambi, it was that she didn’t give of herself lightly, and she protected what was hers. I was hers. She was mine. Nothing, not even blood ties, would change that.
I would tell her. I wouldn’t wait another day.
I showered, dressed, headed back downstairs to get some work done in my home office. After an hour of hitting the books hard, I sat back, stretched, and laced my fingers behind my neck.
Quiet closed in around me, as used to be my norm. I was alone. Difference was, I wasn’t lonely. I wasn’t fucking lonely. What a great, goddamned feeling.
My phone buzzed with an incoming text.
A picture message from Aida.
Her swollen breasts, filling my screen.
Fucking beautiful.
My phone buzzed again.
Get dressed. Tango’s picking you up in twenty.
Don’t jack off to my photo. Save that cock for me, Cowboy.
Fuck that shit. I ran upstairs and back into the shower to take care of my boner. Wasn’t facing Tango with a diamond hard dick. Came down just in time to see Rocky smiling and waving at me through the front door window.
When I let him in, he screamed, “Happy Birthday, Uncle Tuck!”
“Thanks, Rockster.” I grabbed the little shit, flipped him upside down, and dusted my floor with his shaggy hair. His giggles touched me deep. I’d never have a son to pass on my name. But I had Rocky, and, in a sense, I’d helped raise the little guy, and part of who he was came from me, and the gorgeous, funny kid amazed me every day. I was honored to be a part of the tyke’s legacy.
“Tuck.”
“T-man.” I clapped Tango’s back. “Where we going? Aida gave me nothing but that you were on your way.”
He smiled wide. “Meeting the ladies for lunch.”
“Let me guess. The Stop?”
“Where else?”
“Ever get tired of that place?”
“You kidding me? It’s home, man. Fell in love with my girl there. It’s where I met my son for the first time. Slade and I will most likely shrivel up and die together in that place.”
I held back an eye-roll. “How romantic.”
We drove into The Truck Stop lot twenty minutes later. Roger Caldwell’s patrol car was parked out front. So was my dad’s truck. Signs on the window said, “Closed for Private Party.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, turning in my seat to face Rocky. My nephew couldn’t keep a secret to save his life.
He smiled a big toothy grin, his legs swinging up and down sporadically, while he clutched his football tight.
“Rockster?” I said, narrowing my eyes.
“Uncle Tuck. I can’t tell you. I promised Auntie Aida. I promised I wouldn’t ruin her surprise party. Don’t make me tell you. Please?”
Tango and I exchanged a glance. He shrugged. I tried, and failed, not to laugh at the poor little anxious dude in the back seat. “No, worries, little man. I won’t make you talk.”
Tango turned in his seat, giving his son a most serious face. “You know the drill. Run in there. Let them know we’re here.”
Rocky unhooked his belt. “Do we get to yell surprise now, Daddy?” he asked as he wiggled out of the carseat.
“Yeah, buddy. Soon as Tucker walks in.”
He hopped from the SUV and sprinted into the diner.
“Keep that kid away from the poker tables.”
“Ya think?” He laughed. “Happy birthday, brother.”
“Thanks, T.”
“Ready for this?”
“Yep.”
We headed into the diner teeming with balloons, and streamers, and smiling faces. Everyone yelled, “Surprise,�
�� Rocky the loudest. Mom held Lucia in her arms. Dad held Mom, one arm wrapped around her shoulder. Slade, Roger, and three of our local drivers, stood in the back with Charlie and Margie. Tito and Tuuli stood behind the counter.
Aida slammed against me, her arms wrapping tight around my waist, her chin raised high, fucking kewpie-doll face beaming up at me. “Happy Birthday, Cowboy.”
“Bambi,” I said, lifting her off the ground. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“I had some help.” She gestured toward Slade.
“Thank you.”
She dotted my face with kisses and wiggled free. “Don’t thank me yet. You might not be so happy when you see what I got you.”
“Should I be worried?”
“No, Cowboy.”
We ate, and drank, and danced. That damn sister of mine, always dancing. Had to admit, though, when Tango held her in his arms, and moved her across the checkered tile, there was no denying they were fated. Two halves of a whole.
Aida retired to Slade’s office to feed Lucia. I wanted nothing more than to join her, but I was the guest of honor and there were gifts to open, stories to share, and candles to blow out.
When my Bambi joined me an hour later, she handed Lucia off to Mom, and yelled to the partygoers, “Okay, everyone. Me and the birthday boy will be back in about an hour. Keep dancing, take good care of my baby, and wish me luck!” She laughed, held up crossed fingers, then dragged me outside to my Jeep.
It wasn’t until she insisted on driving that I started to get nervous.
Sweet Papa, I was a nervous wreck. All month I’d kept secrets from Tucker. His surprise party, the doctors I’d interviewed, and hired, with help from Lettie. Finding the perfect property.
Tucker had been acting weird, agitated almost, since returning from Georgia. I suspected that it was because he needed to hunt, to help those girls who couldn’t help themselves. Every time I asked about his trip, he’d change the subject or turn the tables and ask if I missed my old life. Of course, I told him no. I didn’t miss a damn thing. I was content. Happier than I’d ever imagined I could be. Even more so now that Tucker and I were about to start a new adventure together.
That was, if he didn’t freak about my gift.
We turned into the long, private road that led through a patch of pine trees half a mile deep. We proceeded through an overgrown field that blended into a neglected lawn, and up to the long-abandoned home that sat on sixty acres of secluded lakeside property. The mansion had been built in the early 1900s by one of the founding families of Whisper Springs and had been passed down through the generations.
Rita Clarkson was the sole surviving member of the family. She had no one with whom to share her wealth, and she had no use for the home. I’d arranged a visit, via Carlos Rossi, and when I’d shared my vision for the property, Ms. Clarkson not only offered to sell, she made a sizable donation to the cause.
“Aida. What is this?” Tucker asked, leaning forward in his seat to get a better view of the Great Gatsby style mansion.
“Happy Birthday,” I squeaked, nerves getting the better of me.
“Baby.” He sat back, turned to me, brows drawn tight. “I thought you loved the cabin. It’s our home. I know it’s not what you’re used to, but—”
I shut him down with a kiss. When I pulled away, he shook his head and resumed arguing.
“Tucker,” I interrupted, pinching his lips together. “The house isn’t for us. I mean. Not really. It’s ours, but we won’t be living in it.”
He scratched his head and looked out the window again. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s for the girls.”
“What girls?”
“The girls we’re going to save.”
His shoulders slumped. Eyes crystallized. “I’m done with that.”
“No. You’re not. It’s who you are. It’s what you need to do. What we need to do.” A lump formed in my throat, I choked it down, struggling to find the right words. “All that fucking blood money. All the dark knowledge I have stored in here,” I said, tapping my finger to my temple. “I can use it for good. My past, my dirty inheritance, I can make it clean by helping those innocent kids, Tucker. I need this as much as you do.”
I watched Tucker process. His gaze darting from me to the property. His face crumpling, his jaw ticking. His fingers curling and fisting at his sides.
“It’s perfect, Tucker. Private. Secure. I’ve lined up doctors, a psychologist. And I found this amazing couple who want to live here, take care of the home, the grounds, the girls. They’re perfect.”
“Fucking hell, woman. How many people did you talk to?” He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white. “What I do, what Mama and Chris Compton do, it’s illegal.”
He looked damn near ready to blow his top.
I was damn near ready to scream in frustration. “I know it’s illegal. Fuck legal. Felonious is what I do best. Tito wants to help, too. He has nothing to go back to in New York. He’s broken, Tucker. And I know. I just know, helping these kids will help him heal.”
Tucker threw his door open and exploded from the car. He paced. He fisted his hair. He studied the home. It wasn’t until he headed for the front door that I hopped out of the Jeep.
He peeked through several windows, then tested the front door knob.
“I don’t have the keys yet. Carlos is helping with the financials, to keep our names buried.”
His shoulders stiffened.
I stepped in front of him, palms to his chest, and as I’d hoped, his arms snapped around me. He didn’t make eye contact, but there was contact, and that was good.
“Tucker, listen. If you can look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want this, fine. I’m good with that. No hard feelings. I’ll turn this place into a vacation rental home, or a bed and breakfast … or something.”
His gaze stayed fixed over my head.
“Or maybe a high-class brothel. One thing I’ve noticed this town lacks is quality whores. What do ya think?”
That earned me a laugh. And a smack on the ass.
When his glassy eyes finally landed on mine, he sucked in a sharp breath and whispered, “It’s perfect, Bambi. Goddamn perfection.”
All tension left my body in one head spinning rush. Solid arms held me upright.
“There’s one more thing.”
“More?” he asked with a sigh. “Not sure I can take much more.”
“The couple I mentioned?”
“Uh huh,” he mumbled, chewing his bottom lip.
“They’re your parents.”
Tucker let me go, stepped back, and scratched his forehead. “Jesus, Aida. Is there anyone you haven’t told?”
“Tuck. Don’t be angry. Please?” I reached up, curling my fingers around his shoulders. “If I’ve learned anything from all you crazy small town hicks, it’s that family sticks together. Takes care of each other. James and Lettie are so proud of you. They’re excited to help. Living in the home was actually your mom’s idea. They want to be closer to you, and Slade, and their grandchildren.”
“Baby. Dad can’t just up and leave his business,” Tucker argued, but I could tell by the quiver in his lip, he knew he was fighting a losing battle.
“It’s already taken care of. Your dad promoted Bob Riggins. He’s the new CEO of Slade Trucking. James can do his thing from here, and you’ll be free to do your thing.”
I didn’t want his gift, or his day, sullied with worry of the details. I wanted us to celebrate. “And the thing you do,” I said, rising to my toes, pulling him down to meet me with a firm grip on his collar. “The illegal thing,” I whispered, teasing, nipping his ear. “Is one of the things I love most about you.”
I fell into him, soft curves against hard planes. The thrill of his arms wrapping around me, possessive and grateful all at once, hadn’t diminished over the months. The anticipation of his sigh, the rise and fall of his chest, his low, throaty moan, had become an addiction more than a c
omfort. Tucker’s reaction to me—his acceptance, his desire—was unfailing, and I craved it. Loved it. Devoured it.
He’d given me a life brighter and lighter than I’d known possible. He’d given me peace. “We should get back. I have one more present for you, Cowboy, but it’s at The Stop.”
It was my turn to give—the only thing I had left to give.
She’d given me the world already, and then some. Her love. A family. A child. Freedom to continue rescuing girls, without guilt and worry. What more could there be?
Trembling hands pressed against my back, then slid down my waist and squeezed my ass before she pulled away from me.
Those damn too-big-for-her-face eyes. I’d always known they’d be trouble. My kryptonite. I stared into them. Watched them sparkle, then liquefy. Her full lips parted on an exhale, causing the unruly organ in my chest to pound something fierce.
Her cheeks turned crimson. Her smile wavered.
My heart dropped three inches. “Aida. What is it?”
She’d never looked so unsettled.
“I just love you,” she said, voice cracking.
I cupped her cheeks, leaning down to bring our faces closer. “I just love you, too, Bambi.”
A crow squawked overhead. A cool breeze whipped across the lawn. Her gaze dropped to my lips and she blurted, “I know you went to Georgia. I know you visited a long-term care facility.”
Fuck. No need to ask how she knew. She’d been a criminal longer than I had. I couldn’t fault her for keeping tabs. I’d have done the same.
I brushed a wayward hair off her lip before releasing my grip. “I’ve been trying to find the right time. The right words.”
When I tried to put space between us, she only moved closer. “I told you I would trust you with the truth. And I do. You’ll tell me what I need to know when the time is right. I just wanted you to know that I knew. I don’t want secrets between us.”
“Ask me anything, Bambi. I’ll tell you. We’ll do this on your time, okay? Not mine.”
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