by L. A. Casey
“Move!”
“No!” Kane snapped back at me. “She happened before I even knew you. It was one time. Why the hell are you pissed off over Cala?”
I realised the answer just as Kane asked the question.
I was jealous.
I was jealous that Cala had slept with Kane.
Fuck.
“I’m not,” I replied and tried to move around him.
Kane wouldn’t let me by. “Try answering me with an honest answer this time.”
I shoved at his chest. “Move, Kane.”
“Make me.”
I screeched in annoyance, “I’ll scream and have someone call the guards.”
Kane smirked down at me. “Scream all you want, there are no tenants in this building.”
I stared at him. “What?”
“Technically speaking, you’re the only person who lives in this building.”
What the fuck?
“I don’t live here.”
Kane smiled at me. “The signed lease in my back pocket says differently.”
Oh, my- motherfucker!
“It’s invalid. I didn’t know-”
“You signed a contracted lease for twelve months, babydoll. I have it in black and white.”
I was being hustled.
“Kane... you can’t force me to live here.”
“Sure I can.”
I placed my face in my hands. “This can’t be real.”
“Sure it is,” Kane chuckled. “You get a brand new, fully furnished apartment for free. You don’t have to worry about noisy neighbours, or for your safety because I have security working twenty-four-seven in the lobby of all my complexes. Also, your utility bills are covered by your very generous, landlord. He is a really nice guy and quite the looker, or so I’ve been told.”
I hated him.
“I want to hurt you so much right now,” I whispered. “I can’t believe you have done this—it’s crazy.”
“The only crazy thing here would be if you fought me on this.”
“How can I not?” I asked. “You’re givin’ me a home, and takin’ away all me financial worries. You expect me to just be happy?”
“As a matter of fact, babydoll, I do.”
I shook my head. “It’s too much.”
“It’s not enough,” Kane countered. “Please just let me treat you like the queen you are to me. I don’t think you understand just how important you are to me.”
“Me, or the baby?”
He closed the space between us. “Both of you. You’re my family, and I take care of my family.”
I couldn’t think.
“I don’t know what to say,” I cried.
Kane leaned down and pressed his forehead to mine. “Say you won’t be a trouble tenant for me. I’m a no bullshit kind of landlord.”
I huffed, “You leased the wrong girl in that case, buddy.”
He laughed and put his arms around me.
“I’m sorry for lying to you.”
I put my arms tightly around him. “You should be. I feel so mindfucked right now I don’t know what to do with meself. Me brain is a fart right now.”
Kane laughed as he placed a hand against my lower back and rubbed it around in lazy circles.
“Do you feel a little better though? Knowing your whole paycheque can go towards food, the baby, and yourself?”
My mind was a mess.
“I’m overwhelmed. I’ve never not had bills to pay or extra cash lyin’ around for impulsive buys. I’m in unknown territory here.”
Kane kissed my head. “Keela adjusted to Alec having money, you will adjust to me having it, too.”
I frowned. “Keela put her foot down with Alec though. She didn’t want to spend money she didn’t earn.”
“You have earned this, babydoll,” Kane assured me. “Putting up with me on a daily basis means you deserve all this and more.”
I thought about it for a second then said, “That’s true.”
Kane guffawed, “You’re as modest as ever.”
I snorted and hugged him tighter.
“Thank you,” I murmured.
I could hear the smile in his voice as he said, “You’re more than welcome, babydoll.”
I couldn’t believe that I had a brand new apartment, but what I simply couldn’t wrapped my head around was that Kane own said apartment. He owned an entire building full of them, five of them.
“I can’t believe you’ve been runnin’ a business without any of us catchin’ on. I’m annoyed actually. I pride meself in findin’ stuff out, but I had no clue.”
Kane chuckled and pulled back from our hug.
“It happened by accident, actually. I came across Upton Realtors for sale and three buildings they owned for a steal of a price. I bought them a few years ago, then this building last year and remodeled them. I have a hundred tenants, you’ll make one hundred and one. I have plenty of apartments left to fill, too.”
I arched an eyebrow. “It’s all legal, right?”
Kane laughed, “Yeah, it’s all legal. I own everything fair and square.”
That made me feel a little better, but I was still feeling mind-fucked.
“I can’t believe this, I thought you were unemployed!”
“I know,” he replied, “and I was going to tell you. I just wanted you to know me before you knew about all this.”
I frowned. “You were worried that I’d act differently if I knew you had money?”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t sure of anything, so I kept it to myself.”
I was silent for a moment then I said, “I understand. Thank you for telling me even if only because I overheard Cala.”
“Aideen,” Kane sighed, “I was going to tell you when you got settled into the apartment, I swear.”
I believed him.
I bobbed my head up and down. “I know. This whole situation is just insane.”
Kane scratched his neck. “While I’m telling you about properties I own, you know the old community centre in the middle of town?”
The centre he was talking about had been empty for years.
I eyed him. “Yes?”
“I own that too,” he admitted. “I plan on turning it into a youth centre to help get kids off the street and away from gangs and trouble.”
I blinked. “Oh, my God. Kane.”
“What?” he murmured.
“That is… wonderful. I could kiss you for telling me that, I work with kids so that means a lot to me. Thank you so much.”
Kane smiled. “Kiss me if you want to.”
I pulled a face at him but got on my tippy toes and kissed the corner of his mouth.
“Tease,” he breathed.
I smiled up at him. “I remember you sayin’ years ago you wanted to do somethin’ with the centre, I just didn’t think this was it.”
He shrugged. “It’s just something I want to do. If I can help one child, It’ll all be worth it.”
My heart!
“Can I help?” I asked. “I mean, with the kids, when the centre is open?”
Kane’s eyes lit up. “I’d love nothing more than you to help me, babydoll.”
I beamed. “It’ll be amazin’. I know loads of ways to keep a child’s attention even into adolescents. We can do up plans, and get in volunteers to help...” I paused my rambling when I found Kane smiling at me.
“What?” I asked, shyly.
He shook his head. “You just make me happy.”
Oh.
“Yeah? Well, you make me happy, too.”
Kane’s eye heated and I knew I needed to change the subject or this beautiful hallway would be destroyed in bodily fluids.
I shook my head and glanced around the hallway. “I can’t believe you own this place. It’s gorgeous.”
He smiled knowingly at me. “Thanks. It’s not officially open yet because the bigger apartments upstairs aren’t ready, but they will be soon.”
I looked up and down the hallway. “I
wonder who my neighbours will be.”
Kane snorted, “You won’t have neighbours. You’ll be the only person on this floor.”
“What? Why?”
Kane deadpanned, “Because I said so. The elevator will only open on this floor to those with a special keycard.”
“That’s stupid. There are other apartments here that should be used.”
Kane shrugged. “I’d rather you had everything to yourself.”
I blew out a breath. “I really don’t know what to say.”
“Say thank you, landlord and master.”
I growled, “Thank you, master dickhead.”
Kane laughed and put his arms back around me and said, “Close enough.”
I smiled.
He was too perfect.
I pulled back from Kane when my phone rang. I dug it out of my pocket and answered it without looking at the screen.
“Hello?”
“Did you find an apartment?” Keela asked, expectantly.
I rolled my eyes. “Hello, Keela.”
“Don’t hello me. Did you find somewhere?”
I chuckled, “Maybe.”
“Aideen!” she growled.
I looked at Kane and snorted, “I found me new apartment.”
Kane winked at me while Keela screamed in my ear. I pulled the phone away and hissed, “Me ear, you bitch!”
“Sorry,” Keela said. “Where is it? What’s like?”
“It’s literally two minutes from your house, and it’s gorgeous.”
Keela screamed. Again.
“Damn it, Keela!”
Kane laughed.
“I’m so fuckin’ excited.”
I smiled. “Me too, and I can move in right away.”
“Tomorrow we can all help you move in, but tonight?” Keela cackled, “Tonight we celebrate.”
Uh-oh.
This was a horrible idea.
I was sat in a newly opened pub, fifteen minutes down the road from Upton, with all my friends and family surrounding me, and all I wanted to do was go home and go to bed. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t leave because everyone was out celebrating my pregnancy and new apartment. It was a night for me, and for Kane. I had to suck it up and pretend like I wasn’t seconds away from face planting on the table.
“Aideen?” James called out.
Yes, my brothers were here.
My father too.
They were also sat at the same table as us, which included the Slater brothers. When they first arrived, I envisioned a world war erupting in the pub, but everyone was surprisingly civil. James’ even apologised to Kane. Yeah, he apologised.
I stared at him when the words left his mouth. I didn’t trust that it wasn’t a trick to catch Kane off guard, but when I looked at James face, I saw he was being genuine.
He didn’t like apologising, I could sense that, but he was being the bigger man, and I think it was because of me. He was putting aside his differences with the Slater brothers for my sake, and for my baby’s sake. I was so grateful that I hugged my brothers long and hard, which they each thought was hilarious.
“What?” I replied to my brother’s call.
He grinned. “Are you okay?”
I nodded my head. “I’m fine, why?”
“Because,” Alec cut in, “you look like you’re about to fall asleep sitting up.”
I lightly chuckled, “I’m okay, just a little tired.”
I shivered when I felt his hand pressed against the base of my spine.
“We can leave now if you want?”
I wanted to groan when Kane spoke into my ear. It felt good and relaxed me, which only made me feel that bit more tired. I turned and looked at him, our faces inches apart.
I shook my head. “I’m fine.”
Kane’s eyes were a little bloodshot. “You sure?”
There was a faint smell of whiskey on his breath, and it made me want to nibble on him.
“I’m sure.” I nodded then swallowed. “But do me a favour?”
“Anything,” he murmured and looked at my mouth.
Stop it, Kane.
“Don’t drink anymore. I gave you a high dose of insulin before we left but don’t abuse that, please.”
Kane winked. “I’m done.”
I arched an eyebrow making him chuckle.
“I promise, I just had one beer and a whiskey.”
That was it?
“Your eyes tell a different story.”
Kane grunted, “I’ve never been a big drinker; it doesn’t take a lot for me to feel the effects from it.”
I nodded my head. “Okay then, thank you.”
He grinned at me and exhaled again.
Whiskey breath apparently got me going.
“Take a mint or somethin’,” I whispered. “I’ll nibble you if you don’t.”
Kane licked his lips. “You like whiskey?”
My brother Dante overheard Kane’s question and it made him laugh.
“She loves whiskey, probably the smell more than the taste. If there was such thing as a whiskey scented candle, Aideen would buy hundreds.”
I glared at my brother, but couldn’t correct him because what he said was completely true. I loved the smell of whiskey.
“That’s good to know.” Kane grinned.
I growled at him. “Don’t think it will get you into me knickers.”
Kane lowered his voice and said, “I’ll just keep talking and wait for you to beg me to get into your knickers.”
I burst into laughter and it got the attention of my girlfriends.
“What’s so funny?” Bronagh asked, smiling.
I chuckled, “When one of the brothers say the word ‘knickers’ I think it’s the funniest thing ever. Their accents just butcher the word.”
Nico snorted. “Which is why we say ‘panties’ instead.”
“No!” every female at the table bellowed.
Nico jumped and quickly raised his hands up in the air. “I’m sorry.”
His brothers, and mine, laughed their arses off about how terrified Nico looked of us. It amused us girls, too.
I yawned and it caused my friends to smile at me.
“It’s nearin’ eleven, Ado. Go home.”
I groaned to Keela, “I’m ready for bed at eleven? A few months ago I didn’t go out till eleven! This is so messed up.”
Everyone laughed.
“This is the easy part, baby.” My father smirked. “You don’t sleep for the first eighteen years.”
I almost cried. “Thanks for tellin’ me that, Da.”
My father winked and smiled at me. I did too until the sudden urge to go to the bathroom hit. I groaned and stood up. “Be right back.”
“Where are you goin’?” Harley asked me.
I grunted, “The toilet.”
I glared at the table when snickers were heard.
“It’s not funny. You try havin’ the spawn of Satan sittin’ on your bladder twenty-four-seven!”
I turned and walked around the edge of the dance floor that was packed with people. I rolled my eyes at the laughter from my friends and family that followed me. I made it to the bathroom and was happy to find a vacant stall.
I quickly relieved myself and sighed while doing so. I hated going to the toilet so often, but I had to admit that peeing was the only relief I felt lately. I was now twenty-one weeks and four days pregnant, and all the little things I used to take for granted were starting to catch up with me.
My feet for example: I never had any problems with my feet. I never went jogging, but I did walk a lot and I never felt any pain, but now they were swelled up at the end of each day and hurt like a motherfucker. I didn’t know how much weight I gained so far, but I was sure it was a lot more than experts would say was healthy. I knew that much.
I also knew, thanks to Google images, that I had a big bump for almost twenty-two weeks. This scared me because I didn’t want to have a big baby—my vagina wouldn’t be able to handle it.
It was like my body had an allergic reaction to being pregnant. My feet swelled, my back hurt, my boobs hurt, I couldn’t sleep very well at night, and I was always hungry. It fucking sucked.
I finished up in the toilet, then washed my hands and dried them at the sinks. I exited the bathroom and walked back into the pub, but when I opened the door I walked into a tall man and stumbled backwards. The man grabbed my arms and stopped my impending fall.
“Whoa, there!” the man said, his tone panicked.
I blew out a big breath. “Omigod! Thank you.”
“No problem, honey. Jesus, you’re pregnant, are you okay?” he asked with an alarmed look.
I looked up and noticed he was the man I met in the hospital a few days ago. He didn’t seem to recognise me, and I was little embarrassed to remind him that we already met just in case I was mistaken. I was sure I knew him though, I remembered his facial scar.
I didn't have the chance to take him in when we last met, but this time I did. I noticed was an older man with a thick head of black hair, except on his left side were his facial scar ran into his hairline. He looked near the same age as my father, which would put him in his fifties. I smiled when he let go of me and pushed his glasses further up his nose.
I bobbed my head. “I’m really fine...”
“Philip.”
I smiled. “Philip. I’m Aideen.”
Philip winked. “You take very good care of yourself, Aideen. Watch where you put your feet.”
I chuckled. “Nice advice, I’ll remember it.”
Philip tipped his head forward, glanced over his shoulder then turned and walked towards the bar. I blew out a breath and shook my head at myself.
Watch where you put your feet.
That was really good advice for me; it was advice I’d have to put into immediate use because I couldn’t afford to be as clumsy as I usually was whilst being pregnant. It was too dangerous.
I glanced around the pub and decided I need to go home. I knew everyone was out celebrating my pregnancy and new apartment, but a pub was no place for a pregnant woman. It was a hazard, a pending accident waiting to happen.
It was also hot as hell with all the bodies packed in there and the heat made it difficult to catch my breath.
I needed to leave.
Without a single thought, I turned and walked towards the exit of the pub. When I walked through the doors and made it outside, the cold air wrapped around me like a blanket. I deeply inhaled.