HIS VIRGIN VESSEL: A Dark Bad Boy Baby Romance (War Cry MC)

by Nicole Fox

  When they headed out of the house the next morning to get to school, Vanessa saw a black van sitting alongside the road in front of her apartment. It shouldn’t have alerted her. It was just a plain van sitting there. But it felt ominous. It gave her the feeling that someone was watching, someone was tracking them. She hurried Opal into the car, looking back frequently to see if anyone got out or if anyone approached her car.

  She drove them to school, constantly looking in her mirror to see if the van or someone else was following. She thought they got there okay, but the feeling of eyes on her kept up as they entered the building. By the time she dropped Opal off and got into her office, she was glad to shut the door and with it, the chance that anyone could see her without her knowing it.

  Was she losing her mind? First, Hunter and now this van. Her paranoia was on overdrive. What would she do if Jeremy found them? Where would she run? How would she get Opal out of there and keep them safe? Too many unanswered questions. All morning, she was on edge. A student came to her office, knocked on her door, and she nearly jumped out of her skin.

  When it was time for her lunch break, she had to get up and do something. On occasion, she walked by Opal’s classroom if she had a few minutes. She liked to peak in on her and see her at work. But this time when she walked by the classroom, it was empty. She stood in the doorway for a moment, trying to think if they were at lunch or some special class.

  “Hi Joanna,” Opal’s teacher, Mari Snyder, walked toward her. “Everything okay?”

  “Oh, sure, I was just on break and thought I’d peak in on Opal.”

  Mari smiled. “They’re at recess, then straight to lunch. This is my break time.”

  “Ahh, I see.”

  Vanessa turned to walk away, but Mari put a hand on her arm.

  “Joanna, is everything okay?”

  Vanessa turned back to her. How badly she wanted to spill everything, to tell someone, anyone, what she was going through. She was in desperate need of a confidant. But she just didn’t know Mari enough yet.

  “Yeah, I’m okay.” She forced a smile.

  “Because Katrin seemed a bit… anxious today.”

  “She did?”

  Mari nodded. “I’m headed to the break room for coffee. Want to join me?”

  Vanessa’s need to talk with someone made her immediately turn and follow Mari. When they entered, two other teachers were there, finishing their lunches. As Mari poured them coffee, the teachers left and they were alone.

  “So, what’s going on?” Mari asked. “Is Katrin adjusting okay to the move and being in a new school?”

  “I think so. You might know better than me how she’s adjusting to school.”

  Mari took a sip of her coffee and nodded. “She seems to be doing okay. She keeps to herself, though. I try to get them all involved and working with each other, but she doesn’t always seem too interested in making friends.”

  Vanessa mulled that over. Was she afraid of messing up and using the wrong name? Or did she think they’d have to move again if something happened?

  “I guess she’s been a bit stressed out,” Vanessa said.

  “You think it’s just the move?”

  “Well…” Vanessa looked around, making sure she didn’t somehow miss someone coming in. “No, to be honest, I don’t think it’s just that. We came from a really bad situation.”

  Mari nodded. “I wondered.”

  “You did?”

  She nodded again. “There are signs. Things to look for. And especially for someone who’s been through it, it’s easy to spot.”

  Vanessa pulled her eyebrows together. “Been through it?”

  Mari leaned in closer. “Katrin’s dad, your ex-husband? Was he… abusive?”

  “Yes,” Vanessa gasped. “How could you tell?”

  “Just through observing Katrin. The way she shies away from touch, how she takes a long time to trust anyone. Things like that.”

  “We ran from him. He tried to take her, so we took off. It’s been so horrible having no one to talk to, but we can’t even use our real names. If he finds us, he’ll take Katrin, and I don’t know what he’ll do to me.”

  “Do you have a safe place to take her if something happens?”

  “Not really. We just have our apartment. I don’t really know anyone here well enough.”

  “You do now,” Mari said. “You can always bring her to my house. I’ll look after her as long as I need to, and I’ll keep her safe. I had an abusive father, and I learned how to fight back when I was a teen.”

  Vanessa pressed her lips together, unsure. She wanted the option of having a place to take Opal if she needed to, but she didn’t know this woman well.

  “I know it’s hard to trust someone new,” Mari said. “But the only way to have anyone there to help you is to trust someone. Katrin knows me, and she’s getting more comfortable with me. I know what she’s gone through.”

  “You’re right.” Vanessa took a long sip of her coffee. “I haven’t felt like I could trust anyone in a long time. And I do need help. I need someone.”

  “I know how you feel. My mother had no one to help her. She was completely isolated. She had nowhere to go to get away from it.”

  “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “No problem. Even if you need some time to yourself or have things to take care of, I’d be glad to watch her for you. Anytime.”

  “Thanks.” Vanessa thought of Hunter and the date that she’d never exactly turned down. She leaned in conspiratorially. “There is kind of… possibly… a date?”

  Mari raised her eyebrows and grinned. “Just let me know which night.”

  “Can I tell you one other thing? I feel like someone should know the truth, just in case.”

  “Anything.”

  Vanessa leaned close enough to whisper. “Our real names. I’m Vanessa Powers and Katrin is Opal Powers. If you do watch her, it would be nice to have someone use her real name for a while.”

  “I understand.” Mari put her hand on Vanessa’s arm. “Anytime you need to talk, just let me know. I get a break every day.”

  Vanessa gave her a quick hug and hurried back to her office.

  # # #

  Hunter stood outside the apartment building, waiting. He knew from watching them that they should have been home from school by now. They were late today. This was risky, waiting here like this. But he had a good excuse. “Katrin” forgot her ball and he was returning it.

  When their car appeared at the edge of the block, he watched for them to get out and for Vanessa to see him. When she did, her face went slack. She recovered quickly and put on a forced smile, but she was definitely uncomfortable. She opened the backdoor to let Opal out, then leaned in to bring out a grocery bag. So that was why they were late.

  “Hiya,” he called, walking closer. “Just wanted to bring this back.” He tossed the ball in the air and caught it.

  “My ball!” Opal ran to catch the ball as he tossed it at her.

  “Thanks,” Vanessa said. She smiled again and tried to rush right past him.

  He quickly kneeled down to Opal. “How was school today?”

  “Good,” she said.

  “What subjects did you have?”

  “Umm.” Opal tapped her lip. “The usual stuff and art.”

  “That sounds fun,” Hunter said. “What did you make in art?”

  “I drew a bunny.”

  “Awesome,” he said. He stood and grabbed the two remaining grocery bags from the car.

  When he turned to take them toward the apartment, Vanessa looked surprised, but walked on, letting him follow.

  “What color was your bunny?” Hunter asked as they walked up the stairs to their apartment.

  “Blue. He’s a sad bunny.”

  Vanessa opened the door and let them in. “Katrin, honey, why don’t you go play for a little while before dinner? Then we can do your homework and get a bath before bed.”

  “Okay.” Opal hoppe
d off toward her room.

  Hunter followed Vanessa into the kitchen and started taking things out of the grocery bags.

  “Oh, you really don’t have to do that,” she said. “Thanks for bringing them in for me.”

  “My pleasure.” He continued to help until the bags were empty. Then he even folded the bags and set them on the counter. Might as well lay it on as thick as possible.

  He turned to face her, leaning casually against the counter.

  “Thanks again,” she said. She held herself upright, too straight and stiff. She was nervous around him.

  “So,” he said with a crooked grin, “about our date…”

  “Oh, umm…” Vanessa tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and looked away before meeting his eyes.

  When their gazes met, they shared an intense stare. He felt drawn to her. He wanted to taste her lips so badly. Too soon for that. Much too soon, but he itched to reached out and grab her, to pull her close and feel her body pressed against him.

  After a long minute, she looked away, cheeks turning a slight pink. “I just need to make sure Katrin will be okay with it. I haven’t dated anyone since…”

  “I understand. Give me your number?”

  “Okay.” She took out her phone and gave him her number. He texted her so she had his number.

  “So, you’ll talk to her and when she’s okay with it, you’ll text me?”

  “I will.”

  “Or we don’t have to let her know right away.”

  “Right. I’d rather be upfront and honest though. I don’t want to hide anything from her. There have been so many changes for us recently, I want to make sure this won’t upset her or cause her more distress.”

  He pulled his mouth into a half smile. “I wouldn’t want that either. You just let me know what works for you. I would feel privileged to be able to spend some time getting to know you. It’s not easy to meet people.”

  “I wouldn’t know, I guess. I haven’t tried.”

  “All the better for me, then.” He winked and walked himself to the front door. He didn’t know if she’d text him or when, but one thing was becoming more and more clear. She was not the one putting on an act. Jeremy was.

  Chapter Seven

  Hunter

  He didn’t have the highest hopes. So when Vanessa texted him a few days later and asked to meet for drinks, he was shocked. He tried to get her to go for dinner, some place a little more intimate, but the only place she would agree to go was a local pub. Not exactly his ideal date, but he’d make it work.

  He walked in and saw her immediately. She looked gorgeous. Even more so in a short skirt and close-fitting top. He went stiff before he even reached the table and slyly adjusted himself as he slid into his seat.

  “You look amazing,” he said.

  “Thanks.” She blushed and looked down.

  Must not be used to getting compliments. She might be tough to get to open up.

  A waitress came over and they ordered drinks.

  “So, tell me about your job,” he said.

  “Well, I’m a school nurse. There’s not much to it, really. Kids come for medication or when they want to get out of class. Sometimes they come when they’re actually sick, but not often.”

  Hunter chuckled. “I recall faking it a time or two myself.”

  “They all do. It’s a decent job, though. Easy. And I get to be near Katrin all day.”

  “You like to keep her close.”

  “Sure. I think most parents do.”

  The waitress returned with their order and Hunter took a sip of his beer before continuing. “You seem a little more careful than most parents, though.”

  “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being cautious.”

  “Maybe not. Just seemed like maybe it’s hard for you to trust new people.”

  “There have been a lot of new people. Everyone is new.” She took a sip of her wine. “And like I said, I like to be cautious.”

  “So, what made you move here, anyway?”

  “My job. There’s usually only one nurse per school, so it can be hard to find an opening.”

  “Have you ever thought of doing anything else? Some other sort of nursing?”

  “No, not really.” She absently picked at the corner of her napkin. “I wanted to be close to Katrin.”

  Hunter nodded. “There’s that distrust thing again.”

  Vanessa looked down. “Sorry. I guess I am a bit over-protective at times.”

  “Is that why you have her use a fake name?”

  Her head snapped up. “What?”

  “The other day when we were tossing the ball, she said by accident that her real name is Opal.”

  “She said that?”

  “Well, not in so many words, but basically.”

  Her eyes widened. “Well, she uses that name to play pretend. It’s not really a fake name. Just a name to play pretend with.”

  “Joanna.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “It’s okay. You can tell me the truth. You’re running from something. Someone. I get it. I just want to have some clue so that if he shows up, I can protect you.”

  “I…” She stared at him with an open mouth. “How…?”

  “You’re much easier to read than you think.” He pulled his mouth into a half-smile and took another sip of his beer. “Your hesitation toward someone new, the fake name thing, the way you seemed so nervous over going out with me. It all points to one thing. A woman on the run.”

  # # #

  Vanessa gaped at him. She couldn’t believe he’d figured it out so easily. She thought she’d done a good job of hiding things, but she wasn’t fooling anyone. Who else might have guessed she was running from someone? What should she do now? Try to lie? Tell the truth?

  Something about him made her want to open right up and confess it all. But that also seemed reckless. She didn’t know him well enough. Then Mari’s words came back to her. If she wanted help, she’d have to trust someone. She had Mari to help her, but having Hunter on her side would only help keep Opal even safer. Two people to trust was a better situation than only one, wasn’t it?

  “You’re right,” she said. She took a long sip of her wine before continuing. “We’re running from my ex. We were married for over eight years, and it was after our first anniversary that he hit me for the first time. He was a drug addict, and he got worse and worse. He’d either get high and pass out — if I was lucky — or he’d go on a rampage and beat me. I thought it was best for our daughter to have her parents together. Even if it wasn’t the best marriage, at least we were all together. And he only ever hit me, not her. Until one night he did. We left the next day, when he was out scoring drugs. I filed for divorce, and he’s trying to take her from me. You were right about the names, too. We had to change them to make it harder for him to find us. I’m really Vanessa, not Joanna.”

  “That’s a lot to go through.” He moved his hand to hers again. The warmth and his touch soothed her.

  “I’m so afraid all the time now. That he’ll find us, that he’ll show up and take her. I have nightmares about it almost every night. I dream that I go to her from class, and she’s gone. Or I wake up in the morning, and he’s been in the apartment and has taken her, or that he breaks into my bedroom and…” She dropped off and looked away from him. That was one dream she didn’t want to think about long enough to talk about.

  “You’re safe here. You’re safe with me. I happen to be the protective type. I feel much better when I have someone to look out for.”

  “Well, thank you, but you barely know us. I can’t expect you to be on bodyguard duty.”

  “I’d love to have the honor of protecting you,” he said. He squeezed her hand.

  “I wish I could just go out with a handsome man and have a good time. But I can’t. I’m too busy looking around for a sign of my ex, or for someone who might be watching us. I’m the only thing keeping Opal from the meanest father you can imagine.�
�

  “You never met my old man.”

  Her lips parted, but she didn’t know what to say to that.