by Leaona Luxx
“Umm, Malone baby, you can’t tell me you didn’t know this? I saw this the first day at the site I found you at; they were so cute. Hardy called her hun and she flipped her shit.”
All my thoughts are on killing him, but Thayer intercedes.
“Okay, Lea. I love you, get well soon. I need to get Hardy away from One.” Thayer hustles to the door with Hardy in tow. “Call me,” she yells before the door shuts as Hadlea waits for my response.
“Malone, he’s still your best friend. How did you not know? My understanding is that they hooked up a long time ago and fought being together just as long.”
I’m going to be sick; I have to stop her. “Okay, enough. Sleep, we’re here for the night.”
Hadlea straightens a little before saying. “You’re staying with me? Really?” Questioning me with those big green eyes.
“Told you, woman, I’m not going anywhere.”
She grins before turning melancholy. “I’ve never had anyone stay with me, not even when I gave birth.” She breaks my heart, and I let her know.
“Well, I’m here now. And if the other ever happens, I will be there too.” Hadlea seems guarded.
“All right.”
We get comfortable for the rest of the night. At some point after Hadlea dozes off, a nurse comes in telling me to move. “Sir, this is her bed.”
“I know but she’s not going to sleep without me. She was attacked. She feels safe like this, so I’m not moving.” Telling her to try to calm her down.
“I don’t care, hospital policy.”
My response is laced with venom. “There is no way in hell I’m moving. This woman is my life, and I’m going to take care of her.”
Leaving in a huff, she exits quickly but to my surprise, Hadlea was listening.
“You’re going to take care of me huh?”
I close my eyes, ready for a fight. “I am.”
Hadlea presses herself against me with a heavy sigh. “I’m beginning to like you.”
About damn time.
After the detectives leave the next morning, Hadlea is released under supervision. I’m happy to provide it, with the boys filling in where I can’t. Entering her home, she seems to regress, and I know something’s on her mind but don’t push.
Aksel arranges for a security system to be installed, which pleases me. I wanted to do it but gave in. Hawk and Lath look over the property sighting thick foliage needing cleared for a better visual of the grounds. The boys love their mother.
With apprehension, I return to work after a few days with the understanding people will be checking in on her throughout the day. I’ll be spending the nights. And oh, those nights, sweet at first but as Hadlea’s health returns, so do our libidos.
Things seem to be returning to normal. Although Hadlea was still on edge, it’s to be expected. Two weeks out from the incident, I come home to find her looking terrified, demanding I leave.
“Just go, One. You’ve been here nonstop. It’s not like we’re a couple and you’re living here. Don’t you have a home?”
Spinning around to face her, I demand answers. “What’s going on? Don’t tell me nothing, Hadlea. I know, I always know. I’ve tried to be understanding and not push but when you’re dead set on getting rid of me, I know there’s something.”
She refuses to look at me. Her eyes are everywhere but on me.
“Hadlea, you never have to be alone again. Let me help. Let me in.”
Standing in front of me, her tears begin to fall. She stands very still as she quietly explains. “He said, he would kill you, Malone. I can’t take the chance. Please, leave.”
There it is, the first time she trusts me with the darkest parts of her life. Although I know, I ask anyway. “Who?”
“He’s not like you; he’ll do it for fun. Just to torture me.” I reach to comfort her, but she steps away.
“Hadlea, it’s okay. I’m all right. Telling me will help me prepare.” She goes mad, throwing her arms around and yelling.
“No, One. You can’t be and if I tell you, he’ll hurt my boys.” She’s scared to death.
The one thing she keeps safe is being threatened, her children. But I’ll not allow him to take her from me.
“I’m not leaving. This will only make me dig in, don’t you see that?”
She spins, glaring at me. “No. Leave. Please, you have to get away from me.”
Shaking my head, I continue. “I won’t let him hurt those boys, Hadlea.”
How can she think I will endanger them? Willow knocks at the door, and Hadlea opens it for her.
“I guess I’ll go take care of some things, Hadlea. I’ll see you later?”
“No. Willow is staying; we’ll be fine. Go home.” Snubbing, she continues to cry.
I give her the night but she isn’t pushing me away. A day turns into a week, and I realize she’s dodging me. Hadlea is never home, and the boys help hide her from me. I don’t blame them.
I’m sure if she’s gone to this extreme, she’s paid him. Why keep me away? Aksel told me he leaves once he’s paid; why is he staying? If Cole wasn’t around, Hadlea wouldn’t be this way. So he is close, but why?
This entire week has been crazy. First, this shit with Hadlea. Then, every site I’m running right now has issues. A few small accidents, nothing but time and money at this point.
Walking in, I spot him in our usual place. Sitting, he greets me.
“One. How are you?” Shaking my head, I extend my hand to meet his.
“I miss her, Aksel. How is she?” He tells me what I want to hear.
“Miserable, but she won’t admit it. Stubborn female.”
We nod in agreement. Then we get down to business.
“There was an accident on my site. No one was hurt but it cost me about five thousand dollars. Later that day, I get this in my mailbox.” I push a letter in a plastic bag across the table.
“Aksel, it’s bad. I’m sure your mom wouldn’t want you knowing or reading this shit. Please, if you choose to do it, don’t tell her or your brothers. It would end your mom, knowing you know.”
I know this letter is a game changer. Reaching for the letter, he responds exactly how I figured he would.
“I got this, let’s help her.”
“Dickhead-
You’re fucking my whore and you ain’t paid. Consider your ‘accident’ a small down payment. You see, that piece of fucking fine ass that can suck a mean cock belongs to me. Her cunt is mine, given to me. So, if you’re in it, you owe me. I know the bitch has it but I also know that you would pay to keep her to yourself. My fee has been set for quite some time, ask Haddie. She’ll tell you how to get my money to me. The next time, I don’t warn or bill. I take my payment.”
Aksel stares at the piece of paper. Finally, I break the silence.
“I don’t want Hadlea to know. Can we handle this? Do you know how to get this fucker his money?”
He raises his eyes to meet mine with a distraught look. “No. What are we going to do?”
I fall back against the seat. I’m so angry. She won’t even allow me close to her. Wait. Is this why? I sit upright so quickly it startles Aksel.
“You said the only time Cole ever bothered you, you were young?” He nods, looking at me in question. “So, he didn’t threaten you or your brothers, did he, Aksel? Not now, not ever. It’s me. Hadlea’s protecting me.”
Motherfucker. He’s extorting Hadlea for my safety and extorting me for Hadlea. Motherfucker.
My phone rings, and it’s Hardy. What the fuck now? “Yeah?” There are sirens going off everywhere on the other end. “What the fuck, Hardy?” I hear noises but still nothing I can make out until.
“One. It’s gone, man. The damn building is fucking gone!”
“Dude, I can barely hear you. Where are you?” More sirens and then a muffled grunt as a door slams.
“I’m in my truck; can you hear me any better?”
“Yeah, tell me what’s going on. Where are you? Are
you okay?” Heavily breathing, Hardy sounds distressed.
“I’m at The Apex site. It’s gone, man, burned to the ground. It’s gone.” The fucking hell you say. “Where are you? They tried to get ahold of you.”
I lean against my truck after leaving the restaurant, sliding down to the ground. Aksel follows close behind me, sensing the urgency of the phone call. At this minute, I know Hadlea will never agree to be with me. She’ll be scared to death. I’m crushed under the weight of missing her already.
“I’m here with Aksel. I think I know who did it. I can’t prove it, but I know. I’m on my way.” I sit there, trying to regroup. “Go home. Don’t tell your mom. Text me to let me know you made it safely there.”
He agrees, reluctantly. “One, what’s happened?”
Abruptly standing, venom spews from me.
“Cole’s burned my site down. A thirty-million-dollar luxury hotel my corporate company was building in South Myrtle. I’ve just lost my ass over this motherfucker. But I’ll be damned if I lose your mother because of him.”
I watch Aksel leave before pulling away and heading straight for South Myrtle. I spend the rest of the night on site, answering police questions. Aksel texts me to check in, and I’m thankful the boys are safe.
The insurance company is expected either this afternoon or tomorrow. There’s nothing more I can do. Checking the time: one a.m.; time for me to call it a night. But that isn’t happening. My phone rings.
“Yeah.” There’s a long pause on the other end.
“Well, well, well. Are we hot? Or are you just on fire?” A raspy voice comes through the line. Motherfucker.
“Oh, I’m positive you know exactly what’s happening here,” I growl through my end. A cackle in place of laughing ensues.
“Tsk, tsk. Expensive piece of ass you got there, man, is it worth it?” My body goes rigid with the mere insinuation of Hadlea.
“You better believe it, motherfucker.”
“Sloppy seconds don’t seem to be your style.” I’m going to kill this fucking asshole.
“What do you want from me? Have you done something to Hadlea?” I move toward my truck, getting Hardy’s attention.
“She’s fine. Just used up and a little beaten up. Still interested?” Heat burns deep in me.
“What the fuck did you do? This— this hotel—isn’t shit to me. Hadlea is. She is everything, and if you’ve harmed her…” Before I can finish, my phone beeps, and I see its Thayer.
“Better get that. I have a feeling there’s a couple of ladies needing you to be their hero.” The line goes dead.
Fucking hell. The shrill of my phone sounds again as Hardy slams my door, and we start in the direction of Hadlea’s home.
“Hello. Thayer?” Crying. That’s all I hear until there’s a break.
“Hello?” A man’s voice?
“Hello.” I practically scream at my phone.
“Hello, sir. This is Officer Hartwell, from Little River police department, I’m looking for next of kin for a Thayer Hamilton.”
Putting the phone on speaker, I hand it to Hardy. “Yes, I’m Thayer’s brother, Malone.”
“I have Thayer Hamilton and passenger Hadlea Lloyd in transport to Shallot General.”
“Yes, I’m on my way. How are they? What’s happened?” Please, dear Lord, let them be okay.
Clearing his throat before he states. “Sir, there’s been an accident.”
“We’ll meet you there.” This motherfucker is going to pay.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lea
As I lay here, I go over and over the events of this evening. If only I’d stayed at Lath’s a little longer. If only Thayer had come by ten minutes later? If Thayer didn’t show up at all? If Em, Willow, or Ryver had been with me? If Thayer had been driving faster? If I had finished what I attempted years ago?
Then, through my haze of confusion and self-loathing, I hear him: Malone. They’re telling him I refuse to see him. For the love of God, I almost got his sister killed.
The yelling’s getting louder. Closer. The door to my room bursts open; the fierce look in his eyes tells me he’s not to be argued with, and he wasn’t hearing it.
“What the fuck, Hadlea? Telling them I can’t come see you? Are you really going to let him win this way? You’re allowing him to dictate your life. Why?”
Barely holding myself together, I’m overcome with emotion when my body begins to shake all over. “I’m scared.” The only words I manage before Malone embraces me, holding me together as I fall apart. This is where I want to be, no other place.
“Oh God, baby. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be raising my voice. Are you okay? How did it happen? Thayer’s getting x-ray’s; no one will tell us anything?”
“I’m sorry.” How do I explain that it is my fault his sister was almost killed?
“What? No, baby. This isn’t your fault. It’s that motherfucker Cole’s fault. All of this is, and he’s going to pay.”
Malone’s coming apart, and there’s no way I can tell him. This is going to tear us apart. There’s voices again in the hall. It’s Thayer. She comes through the door.
“Hey. Did you tell the nurses station to not allow One in here?” Before I can answer, Malone does.
“Don’t, Thayer, she’s hanging by a thread,” Malone warns but she’s determined.
“No, One. You need to know. Lea tell him. Tell him or I will.”
I sit, looking at her knowing she isn’t bluffing. I can’t do this, any of this.
“Get the fuck out. All of you. Thayer, I’m sorry. It’s my fault you wrecked; I’ll pay for your car. Please, you all need to get away from me.” I turn my back on them, but Thayer continues anyway.
“Hell no, sister. Tell One why this started. How it started, now.”
I just lay there. Thayer moves through the door, bringing Hardy with her.
“Please, Hadlea, he needs to know. I know you’re hurt, but you have to tell him.”
I can’t. I’ll never be able to tell him the truth. I’m not sure who it will destroy first, me or Malone.
“After you called, I went by to see Lea. When I pulled up, I knew something was off because there were no lights on. I had just hung up with Willow, and I knew Lea was home. The closer I got to the door, I heard a horrible noise.
“Lea doesn’t realize; I know about Cole. I went further in the house, and I saw Cole holding Lea down, face first, on the floor. Blood everywhere. He was saying disgusting things, One. He was hurting her.”
I’m humiliated, and I try to cover my face with hands for the lack of a sheet or pillow. “Please. Please stop.”
Thayer moves my hands, bending so we can see eye to eye.
“No. I love you. He’s not going to hurt you anymore. Lea struggled with him, but he knocked her out. She still hasn’t healed from the other attack. I snuck up and hit him in the back of his damn head. I handcuffed him to her handrail and put her in the car. As we made our way here, I wrecked. Not sure how it happened, it was like I had no brakes. But we’re okay and the police have him.”
What the hell did she say?
“Thayer? What?”
She smiles as Hardy stands at her side.
“You were dazed. I got it under control. He’s been arrested and charged with a slew of things.”
Finally, I make myself look at her. “Really?”
I owe my world to this woman.
“Yes, I love you. You’re the sister I never had and hope you get to be in the future. We love you, woman. You, those boys and girls, are ours now. Family.”
Taking her in my arms, I hug her. Trying to thank her for saving me. “Thank you so much. How can I ever repay you?”
She pulls back, smiling a big toothy grin. “Allow him to love you; you deserve it.” She leans in to kiss my cheek. “Go get him, tiger.”
Malone sits half way on the bed as my lips find his, and with every pass I whisper. “I love you,” softly.
“I love you,” h
e reassures me.
Somewhere, I hear Aksel’s voice echoing in the distance.
“Auntie Thayer will go get them.” Hardy stops her from getting up.
“Their uncle Hardy has this, sit and rest.”
“At least take me with you.”
They both go get the boys. Once alone, we know we only have a matter of moments.
“What are you thinking? That he will kill me? It’s always been about you with him, baby. By the time we’re finished with him, Cole will never again be a threat to you. I love you.”
Malone kisses me as the door opens to my boys with Thayer and Hardy on their heels, followed by Cal, Elise, and Chord.
I spend the next few minutes answering questions as best I can. We didn’t tell the boys about anything other than the wreck. Trying to kill Thayer and me is enough for all of them.
We visit for the better part of an hour when Malone interrupts. “Hey, sis. Where did you get the cuffs?”
Thayer turns twenty shades of crimson. “I, uh, you know, ummm. Fuck. One, they’re, ours.” Motioning between her and Hardy.
“What the fuck? Tell me you do not use those on my sister? Ugghhh, no don’t tell me!” The room erupts in a fit of laughter.
Everyone leaves when the detectives arrive to take statements, and Malone informs them about the fire at The Apex.
Once I’m released, I fall into a dark depression of shame and hate. This is all my fault. I’ll never make this up to Thayer. I can never tell Malone the truth about what happened. My past has always been one of mistakes and embarrassment, and the thoughts of pulling Malone and his family in it has me wanting to run for the mountains.
By the end of the week, Malone knows that I’m in a really bad place. “Hadlea, I want you to talk to me; I need you to baby.”
I sit in my rocking chair in the corner, no lights. I can’t help to think about who I am or where I’ve been. My life is one of dishonor, courage, and confidence wasn’t in the plans.
“At fifteen, I thought I was in love because someone wanted to have sex with me. I learned from my brother, who molested me from the age of six, that was love. Sex was love. I could never determine what love was, how it was given or obtained.”