“What’s wrong?”
“I won’t tell you what happened last night. Not all of it but I do need to let you know something. The Triad. Uncle Tsang was behind it all. I need to stop thinking of him as my adoptive uncle. He wasn’t exactly what he appeared to be.”
“I don’t understand. What are you talking about?”
He sighed. “Tsang had Joe killed. He’s the one who had you abducted.”
I sat up again. “What!”
“I don’t understand it all myself but it goes far back into Tsang and Joe’s history. Tsang wanted more than he had and Joe stood in his way.”
“And you.”
“Oh me, he wanted to stand at his side. He thought the only way to do that was to take away from me the people I loved. He let me think someone else was behind it all. But all this time it was Tsang. Always Tsang.”
“Oh, Maze. I’m so sorry.” I rested my head on his stomach and just held him. He stroked my hair. I felt the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
“After Joe, he was the closest thing to family to me. Some family, huh?”
I raised my head. “Not everyone is like that.”
“I know. I know your family isn’t. I’ve seen the closeness you all share.”
“Yes, and you’re now a part of it because you’re a part of me. Never forget that. I love you. You will always have me. Always be able to trust in us.”
He smiled but there was still a hint of sadness there. It might be a long time before it was gone completely, but I’d do my best to make damn sure of it.
There was a knock on the door. Maze got out of bed and put on a pair of shorts. He left the bedroom and a minute later, I heard him talking to Will so I took the opportunity to run to the bathroom.
I put Maze’s robe on since mine was at Dante’s condo. Crap, I wouldn’t be able to get my stuff back until next week and some of my favorite pieces of clothing were there. Oh, well. I suspected I wouldn’t need much anyway.
I went into the kitchen and found Maze fixing us both a cup of tea. He’d already spread the bagels out on plates for us. He turned around when I entered and put the cups he held in his hands on the breakfast table. I limped over to him and kissed him.
“How’s your foot?”
“It’s fine. I wanted a break from the walking cast so I’m just babying it.”
He pulled out my chair for me, and I smiled before sitting down. He waited until I was seated before taking his place. I grabbed my bagel and took a big bite. It was delicious.
“I thought we’d talk about what we wanted from the grocery, and I was going to send Will or Mark a text with a list of the stuff to pick up.”
“That’s a good idea,” I agreed.
“And I’ll even cook for us tonight.”
I smiled. Who would have ever thought that day we met on the beach so long ago we’d end up here? The guy with the dragon tattoo down his side who got into fights at the drop of a hat would be willing to learn to cook for me.
“Did you ever think we’d end up here?” I asked.
He chewed and swallowed before answering. “I wanted this. I wanted this more than anything, but didn’t dare even dream it.”
“I did.”
He smirked. “I know. I counted on that. And I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure all of your wishes come true.”
Later that day, Maze got a call. We were putting away the groceries and he was trying to decide what to make for dinner when he answered it. “It’s Will. I need you to go into the back bedroom and stay there.”
“What’s going on?”
“Some cops are on their way here and need to talk to me.”
“What? No.”
He grabbed my arm and hugged me. “Listen. I don’t want them to see you. You have nothing to do with any of this. But, I need you to stay out of sight. If they don’t see you then they have no cause to even think you were involved in anything that happened last night.” He released me then opened up the dyer, he took out sweats and a t-shirt and quickly put them on. “Now, please, babe. Go to the back room and wait there for me. Go.”
I felt tears welling in my eyes and knew he was right. One look at my face and there’d be questions. I wouldn’t, couldn’t, answer without doing Maze harm.
There was a knock on the door and I went to the backroom. I left the door slightly ajar and sat on the couch so I could try to hear what was said. I heard Maze open the door and the voices of two men. One identified himself as a detective. They came to tell Maze Tsang killed himself last night. It appeared to be a suicide. He’d stabbed himself with his own short sword. I almost gasped in shock but stopped myself before I uttered a sound. I thought Maze had killed the man.
I heard Maze tell them he’d seen Tsang a couple of days ago and he seemed fine. They wanted Maze to come down later this evening to identify the body. He agreed. They also asked him where he was yesterday. He told them he’d gone to a club and then come back home. That he’d been down in the gym working out until late. They wanted to know if he was with anyone. He gave them Will and Mark’s names. Then they left.
I stepped out of the room, but Maze was already headed in my direction. He gathered me into his arms and kissed me. I kissed him back. Giving him all of the passion he needed right then.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I will be. I have to go down to the morgue.”
“Yeah, I heard. I know not all of that was true. But did Tsang really commit suicide?”
He stared at me a moment. “Do you really want to know, Ivy?”
“I…”
“He finished what I’d already begun.”
“I don’t understand, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll wait for you here.”
He took a deep breath. “Hopefully, I won’t be long.”
“I’ll be here. I’ll even fix dinner.”
He smiled sadly then went into our bedroom. I followed him and watched him change into jeans and gray sweatshirt. He sat on the bed to pull on his boots, then stood up and grabbed his keys and wallet from the dresser. He kissed me again as he moved past me toward the door. I blinked and he was gone. I felt sorry for my poor Maze. His uncle’s betrayal cut deep. Family meant everything to him.
I don’t know what compelled me to do it but suddenly I needed to talk to my mom, so I got my phone and called her. Besides, I had good news to tell her. When I’d spoken to Dante he told me RBA had chosen our piece as one of the ten performed at the festival. She was really excited about that. We spoke for awhile. Catching each other up. I hadn’t spoken to her for about a week. She didn’t know I’d moved back in with Dante and no need to tell her now. She told me Bev was doing great and would probably come to the festival, too. I’d love nothing more. Before we got off the phone she told me give Maze her love. I smiled when I hung up. My mom. She always knew what to say and when to say it. That’s what Maze needed most now. Love. And I would show him he had plenty of it.
By the time Maze got back I had a couple of candles lit on the table and a bowl of mac and cheese, salad, and garlic bread laid out on the table. Everything came out of a box or a bag. Gourmet cook I’m not.
The front door opened and shut, then I heard Maze’s voice. “Hey, honey. I’m home. And I see you’ve been slaving over a stove for me all evening.”
“You know it.” I’d actually called Mark and asked him to text me when the car pulled up so I could put everything out just before he came upstairs.
He grabbed me around the waist and stared into my eyes. “I love you.” Then he kissed me.
“Love you too, babe. Did everything go all right?” I watched that hint of sadness creep back over his features.
“Yeah. It went fine. They’re going to run some tests before they rule out a homicide. But they also know there’s a gang war going on and suspect Tsang might be another causality.”
“Oh, baby.”
“It’s fine. I’m not a suspect. Everyone knows how close Joe and Tsang were, and h
ow close I was to both men. They actually want to put me in protective custody. I told them that’s what my bodyguards are for. It’s all good, babe.”
I smiled and took his hand. I led him into the kitchen. “Sit, eat. This is comfort food. I thought we could both use some.”
“This looks good, babe. Thank you. Tomorrow I’ll cook.”
“I’ll hold you to it.” I waited until he’d taken a bite. “Well, how is it?”
“It’s good.” He waited a beat then said. “From a box?” The smile on his face told me it didn’t matter I didn’t really cook. He loved it.
“I laughed. A package. By the way, I spoke to my mom earlier. She told me to tell you she sends her love.”
He choked and had to reach for the beer I’d placed on the table. I understood why he reacted that way. After everything he and I had both been through something as normal as my mother’s love seemed out of place. But it was what he deserved and so much more.
“You all right?”
“Ah, yeah. Fine,” he croaked out.
I took his hand and he held onto mine while we both continued to eat.
I believed with everything I was we would be fine.
Chapter Nineteen
Maze
I stared out the window up at the evening sky. In the last six months Ivy and I had come so far and still had a ways to go. The coroner’s report listed Tsang’s death as a suicide because they couldn’t find evidence to the contrary. The deaths of his men in the warehouse were attributed to a gang war and Tsang took his own life as a result of losing everything. I might have been his heir but there was more debt than funds. I knew his real wealth was tied up in the Triad and I wanted no part of it so whatever his share was they could keep. I’d already told Liu all of that.
I’d done everything I could to make sure I stayed out of it and kept Ivy out of all the shit. We were never apart for any significant length of time. Neither of us could really stand it. We’d both have anxiety attacks at times if we couldn’t at least speak to each other. But we were getting better. Ivy could actually go to class and rehearsal for an entire day without me having to show up, or getting a text from Dante to get my ass down to the theater because she needed me. I wasn’t really sure what happens next for us, but I knew whatever it was we’d be together.
Two things were happening tonight. Well, three. Ivy only knew about two. It was her return to dance. Her ankle was stronger than ever and tonight my girl was going to prove it to the world. Tonight, I was finally ready to take over as Dragon Master of the Tong. I would be its head in truth. I’d resisted for a long time, but I’d grown closer to the legitimate businessmen of Chinatown. They’d taught me a lot. And in my heart, I knew it was something I had to do and Joe would want. The Triad respected me. Funny what going on a killing spree will do for a rep. But this was also a way of making sure what Joe started so long ago would continue to prosper and remain free of corruption. The Triad was finished, at least as far as the Tong was concerned.
Ivy knew all about the Tong and that I’d been working with the legitimate businessmen in Chinatown. I finally fessed up and told her about my financial net worth. I laughed as I recalled the expression on her face. Her eyes had opened wide and her mouth formed a perfect O. Then she’d begun to cry. I had to make love to her to calm her down.
Tonight after I dropped Ivy off at her early cast call, I’d head to the business headquarters of the association for a formal meeting. All the business leaders that made up the Tong would vote tonight to make me Dragon Master. The closest thing would be the CEO of a multi-faceted corporation. It was members only tonight, so Ivy couldn’t go with me. She had to be at rehearsal before her performance anyway. After the vote, I would head over to Ivy’s performance, and I’d meet her dad and Bev and Ben there. But before we left, there was one last thing I needed to do.
The sound of soft footfalls in our apartment coming up behind me made me smile. Slender arms wrapped around my waist. I took her hands and turned into her embrace. Bending my head, I captured her mouth and inhaled her. She opened for me, and I met her tongue with mine. For a while, we danced together, her and me. Our own private tango. Reluctantly, I withdrew and took a step away from her. I watched her and saw when she opened her eyes. They’d been closed while we kissed. She smiled. Then I dropped to both knees, while still holding her hand. I put one of mine in the pocket of my pants and pulled out the box I’d been carrying around for a while now. I kept my eyes on her so I saw the smile falter and her lips tremble. She raised her eyes to mine and I watched them fill with tears.
“Shhh, babe. Please, don’t do that.” I raised one hand and wiped the moisture from her face. Then I took her hand again, and one handedly flipped the top of the box open with my thumb. I revealed to her the princess cut three-carat diamond ring on a platinum band nestled inside.
“I’m no poet. Far from it. But you manage to understand me anyway and still you love me. I’m not going to question that. Just make sure I keep you. My blood runs for you, my heart beats for you. I live only because you are in this world. I will love you like no other even after I die. All I ask is that you marry me, share a life with me, and let me love you all of our lives.”
She was full out crying now. She tugged on my hand to pull me up and took the box from me. I enclosed my arms around her hips and smiled, waiting for her answer. She went up on her toes and kissed my cheek. “I love you so much, Maze. So much. But there is something I have to tell you first.” She wiped the remaining tears off her face.
My heart slammed against my chest at those words. What could she have to possibly say before she said yes she’d marry me? “All I need to know is that you love me and say yes.”
When she tried to tug out of my embrace that’s when I knew something was wrong. I wasn’t letting go and hung on tighter. “What the fuck is it, Ivy? Just tell me.”
“You’re going to have to stop cussing like that for one thing.”
“Fine, whatever. Now, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s well. I’m pregnant.”
I froze. Nothing moved, no synapses fired. I just froze. She stepped away from me.
It was only when I felt the lack of her warmth from her arms that I came out of my paralysis. Her mom stood at the door. I’d left it unlocked. I don’t even remember hearing her knock or even the door opening. I’d forgotten she was coming with us to the theater. My brain synapses fired up again and I recalled; she wanted to be there early for the cast call with Ivy for support and to take some pictures.
“Hey, Maze,” her mom said. She came over to me and kissed my cheek, giving me a hug as she did so. “You guys ready? I saw the limo downstairs. I hope I’m not too early.”
That’s right. She was catching a ride over with us in the limo. I’d drop her and Ivy off first then go to the meeting and return in time for the performance.
I automatically raised my arms and hugged her back. I was getting used to her hugs.
I straightened up and my gaze drifted over to Ivy. She picked up her dance bag she’d left by the chair. Fuck! She hadn’t answered me and I hadn’t responded to her. Shit. She had to know how much I loved her. How much I wanted our baby. Holy mother of God, she’s pregnant! How the hell was I going to be a father?
“We better go, Maze. Maze.”
Ivy spoke my name twice. I know I heard it, but my response time was way off. I shook my head trying to function. “Ah, yeah. The limo should already be in the front.”
Wait I knew that already. We had a permanent reserved spot out front for the limo and Will knew to be there now and Allison said it was there. Still, I pulled out my phone and shot Will a text letting him know we were on our way down.
I walked over to Ivy. “Come on,” I said, guiding her away by her elbow.
I couldn’t say anything about what just happened with her mom right there. There was so much I wanted to say but it would have to wait when we were alone again, which would not be for several hours
. I stifled a groan and circled my arm around her neck and pulled her to me.
“I love you,” I whispered and kissed her temple. That’s the best I could do for now. In truth, I was still a little shell shocked. I grabbed her bags away from her and we took the stairs so we didn’t have to go through the gym. Will was right there on the sidewalk holding the door open for us.
Her mom got in first, then Ivy and me. All I could do was hold her hand and rub my thumb over the back of it. Soon enough we were at the theater and I got out to let Ivy and her mom out. I walked them to the side entrance, hoping I’d have a minute to speak to Ivy but it was not to be. Dante waited for her right at the door. I only had time to kiss her before she was whisked away from me.
She’d turned around and followed after Dante, when suddenly she stopped, tugged her hand out of his and ran back to me. She leaped and I opened my arms to catch her. She wrapped her legs around my waist and kissed me. I turned us in a circle and kissed her back. Letting it all out, letting her know how much she meant to me, and this life we’d created together and the future we would have. She pulled away and whispered, her breath brushing against my lips, one word, “Yes.”
I put her down and placed my hand over her stomach. “Yes,” I whispered back. “I want you both.” Then Dante pulled her away again. I glanced up at him and witnessed his frown.
“Dude, you can do that later,” he growled.
Laughing, Ivy blew me a kiss and followed after Dante. Her mom just grinned and winked at me. With a smile on my face, I went outside and got back into the limo. To implement the other part of my future, to ensure the one I had with Ivy would be like nothing that had gone down this year. I would become an official Dragon Master of the Tong. The war was over and I had won.
****
I got back to the theatre and took my seat minutes before the curtain rose. Was it less than a year ago I’d bought out this same box and sat by myself, watching the love of my life dance? Sitting here, ready to watch her performance took me back to the time I first saw her and how much she’d grown. The main differences are I love her even more today than I did that initial day and while I’d still bought out the entire box I didn’t sit there alone. Her family, our family, sat with me along with Will and Mark. Her mom and dad sat on my left, Bev and Ben and the little five-year-old Cambodian girl they’d recently adopted sat at my right. Will and Mark sat behind us as guests, not guards, and Vin sat with them. The box was full this time.
Maze (The Ballerina Series #2) Page 16