Her son’s words brought tears to Storm’s eyes. It was with great effort that she kept her emotions in check.
Secrets. They weighed heavily on her soul.
“Don’t tell me you’re crying?” Cairo admonished playfully. “I’ve just been granted permission to have my wicked way with you and you respond with tears? This won’t do! To insure such a disgraceful show of emotion never happens again, I’m whisking the both of you away from here. How does a weekend in Panama sound?”
Dried tears and big smiles were his answers.
Storm threw everything she had in a suitcase. She was unconcerned about order; haste was what she wanted. Once she made the decision to go away there was nothing stopping her. The chance to go away with Cairo, the chance to repeat their delicious lovemaking had Storm in an excited frenzy. Together, she, Cairo and Shane would be a family. Storm wanted this trip; she wanted it so much that it frightened her. The next available flight to Panama left in four hours. If they hurried, they just might make it. So it was with haste that Storm retrieved her travel documents from the safe and dumped them absently into her purse. The passports and travelers checks mingled with lipstick, money and credit cards. Ready with not a moment to spare, Storm hurried from the room and down to the hotel foyer where her men would be waiting.
She took the steps three at a time. Her suitcase was hardly an encumbrance, and she barely felt the bag slung over her shoulder. She was so light-hearted that she ran down the corridor at full speed. The impact of her body colliding with a hotel bellboy was the only thing that stopped her. The bellboy, Storm, the purse and baggage went flying in all directions. Storm watched helplessly as the contents of her bag scattered across the hotel floor.
Cairo came upon the scene laughing.
“You’re a real threat, lady.” He said smiling broadly. “It seems wherever you go men fall at your feet.”
Laughing jovially, his dark eyes twinkling, he helped her to her feet and then bent to retrieve the contents of her purse. His hand closed over her passport. He flicked the book open and laughed softly at the less than flattering picture. Negligently, he opened Shane’s passport his eyes roaming over his full name and his date of birth. What he saw drained the blood from his face and robbed his eyes of their brilliance.
Just recovering from her fall, Storm gained her wits too slowly to divert the tragedy. By the time she understood what was happening, it was too late.
“Here, Cairo.” Shane said handing him a tube of lipstick. It was the child’s voice that drew his gaze from the document in front of him to Storm.
Storm knew the exact moment Cairo’s heart shifted away from her. She saw his heartbreak in the way he let the book fall from his hands. She saw it in the way he held Shane and gripped his shoulders as if for dear life. She saw it in the way he searched her son’s face for telltale signs. The search would be futile. The details of his features were illusive. He was her son in every way. Yet that did not alter a thing. Shane Cairo Kane born January 23, 2007.
Cairo was his father.
Her world crumbled in a matter of seconds, Storm watched it happen but was helpless to stop it. Observing Cairo warily, she expected him to be furious but the gaze he turned on her was not enraged, but full of grief. Her heart broke as she witnessed his agony. She would have done anything to spare him the pain of discovery. It was too late now. Her six-year old secret was out.
“Why?” The question came out as if it was torn from his heart.
Storm cringed at the words. It was not Cairo’s voice but the voice of a stranger. The hotel and the people around her faded as Storm struggled to form the words that would ease the pain. There weren’t any. There was only the truth and that hurt most of all.
Storm shifted on her feet searching for the right words as Cairo watched her dispassionately, as if he had never seen her before. Even when she sent a confused Shane to Tyrone at the desk, he didn’t respond. It was as if a strange paralysis held his body in place.
Storm touched him in commiseration and felt that touch reverberate through his body. He didn’t move, didn’t respond, he simply looked at her coldly. If he had slapped her, Cairo’s aloofness could not have hurt her more. Her bright eyes darkened and clouded over as she pulled her hand away to place them behind her back. Storm tried her best to mentally prepare herself for the interrogation that would come. She was smart enough to know that all he would demand from her now were answers. She would give him the truth, as she knew it. She was not guilty of hiding her son from his father. Yet watching a muscle pulse in Cairo’s jaw and watching his eyes narrow on her, Storm knew that he wouldn’t believe a thing she said. Right or wrong, Cairo had to blame someone for his ignorance, for the loss of six years with his son, for her deception. Trotting after him as he roughly pulled her into the private enclave in the hotel lobby, Storm knew that in Cairo’s eyes she was guilty. At the very least, he would find a way to punish her for what he would consider the worst crime of all: lying by omission.
“Why!” He demanded in a dull aching tenor. “Tell me, did you hate me that much? Was hiding my son from me a way of getting revenge?”
Storm took a deep calming breath before answering. She measured her words carefully so that they would not be misconstrued.
“No Cairo, I wanted to tell you. I would have told you if time and distance had not kept us apart. I know I should’ve told you as soon as I saw you again, but I was afraid of your reaction. I want you to know that I didn’t intend to keep Shane a secret forever.”
Cairo walked slowly over to her. The hand he placed on her cheek was gentle. Unable to help herself, Storm closed her eyes and leaned into his touch.
“Your beauty still astounds me.” He said his gaze roaming over her features. “I look at you and wonder how such a lovely face can be so deceptive. Your beauty is all surface. It hides a black and unconscionable soul. Tell me,” Cairo said softly tilting her chin until her green eyes met his. “How much satisfaction did it give you to know that you hid my son from me? What kind of monster deliberately separates a child from his father?”
Storm jerked away from his touch and felt furious emotion flood through her. Anger made it necessary for her to try and escape the situation and the man that had just dredged up long forgotten pain. She stumbled down the hallway and chose a door at random. Opening her eyes, she saw that she had found her way into the game room that was thankfully empty. Leaning against the door, grateful that Cairo had not followed; Storm closed her eyes and tried to compose herself. He felt like a victim? Her mouth twisted bitterly, if he only knew who the true victim really was. He didn’t know what hell she had to live through to survive without him.
The memory of the night Cairo abandoned her, fuelled her temper. Storm impatiently swept away the hair that fell across her eyes before angrily turning to glare murderously at the door. Hands on hips, she stood glaring at it for half a second before it burst open. Cairo strode into the room and slammed the door behind him.
Storm watched him. If it was a fight he wanted, she was ready to give him one. If she had been feeling the slightest bit guilty for her silence, she had gotten over it. She looked up at Cairo with all the pent up pain and passion she had harbored for six years. When Cairo was one step away from her, she closed the gap, her eyes bright with anger.
“How dare you!” She yelled. “How dare you call me a monster?” His dark eyes widened and then narrowed on her as she boldly poked a finger in the middle of his chest. “Let me tell you something, mister. I’ve loved my son with the passion of two parents. I’ve taken care of him these past six years and in that time he has never wanted for anything.”
“Except a father!” Cairo yelled back.
“No, he has never wanted for a father either, Cairo.” Storm said bitterly. “I have been both mother and father to him from the moment he was born. I’ve had to be. Who are you to criticize
me? Shane is my son, not yours. I’ve taken care of him all these years. Where were you during my pregnancy, when I was so sick I felt like I was dying? Where were you when I spent twelve long hours giving birth to him? You, sir, were nowhere to be found. You’re asking me why I kept Shane a secret? I didn’t. I was barely out of diapers myself when my husband tore up our marriage certificate, walked away and never looked back. You left us, Cairo. We didn’t leave you. You relinquished all rights to him when you left me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Jessica.” Cairo said softly. But she wasn’t wrong and they both knew it. He’d left her before finding out if their one night as man and wife had any repercussions. He should have stayed at least that long. He’d left and his haste had robbed him of his son. Leaving her confused and alone, Cairo didn’t even look at her as he left the room.
Cairo had no anger left in him. Alone on the beach everything was peaceful. The waves washed up on the shore wetting his shoes and socks; he didn’t notice. The sea didn’t comfort him. There were no answers written on the waves. He couldn’t find peace. For once, Jamaica and its beauty were not able to soothe him. He was a father of a beautiful little boy and Cairo couldn’t resign himself to the notion. He wanted to hate Storm for what she’d done but he couldn’t. The mistake was his.
His thoughts were so consuming that it was a long time before he felt the small hand on his back. After long moments, his gaze finally focused on Shane’s small figure. Cairo looked into the child’s eyes and looked away. He couldn’t look at him; it hurt too much.
“Shane, why don’t you go back to the hotel and I’ll come and talk to you later.” Cairo suggested softly. The last thing he wanted was to have his son see the pain in his eyes.
Just like his mother, Shane refused to obey orders. Sitting down and crossing his legs, Shane made himself comfortable before turning to his father.
“You don’t have to pretend, Cairo. I know that you’re sad and I know why. Mommy told you, didn’t she?”
Cairo didn’t answer, couldn’t answer. The lump in his throat made it impossible. Undeterred, Shane shifted his position until he was directly in Cairo’s line of vision.
“I always knew who you were, you know.” He said his face serious. “My mommy told me when your birthday was, when you met, what your favorite sports are and what you like to eat. She also told me why you couldn’t be with us. My grandparents told a lot of lies that kept you two apart.”
Tears that Cairo couldn’t contain formed in eyes. Shane saw his weakness and offered a small hand of comfort. It was all Cairo could do not to break down. He had missed six years of his son’s life; six years that he could never get back. What made it worse was that he couldn’t blame Storm. What she had said was true. He had abandoned them and not the other way around. Yet despite this fact, he could not excuse her. She should have told him sooner. Now it felt like it was too late. Looking at Shane he felt that he’d already missed too much.
“Cairo, don’t be sad okay.” Shane begged him. “Mommy said that when we found you, we would be a family. Now that she has found you, we can start over. I love you, Cairo. I want you to be my daddy. Do you want to be?” He asked, doubt creeping into his voice for the first time.
Moved into action by the child’s insecurity, Cairo took Shane into his arms and looked deeply into his eyes. The words came out slowly.
“Shane, I’m very happy that you’re my son. I’ve missed a lot of your life but I promise I won’t miss anymore. I’ll be your daddy from this day on. Alright, son?”
Shane’s smile was a mile wide. “Alright, daddy.”
Cairo ruffled his hair. “I promise you, we’ll never be apart again.”
It was a promise he planned to honor with his life.
Chapter Seven
“Get up, we’re getting married.”
Tear swollen eyes peered at Cairo from under a tangle of sheets. Despite the lateness of the hour, he stood at the edge of her bed fully clothed. He looked haggard like he had survived hell and lived to tell about it. He looked like how she felt.
Struggling up from the bed, Storm clenched a pillow to her chest, conscious of the fact that the white cotton nightgown she wore made her appear more childlike than sensual. Cairo peered at her grimly. “We’re getting married.” He repeated.
Storm blinked convinced that she was either still asleep or had heard wrong. When Cairo had stormed off the day before, love and marriage had been the last things on his mind. Rubbing her hands over her face, she struggled to wake up. She peered at the clock and blinked. It read three-thirty a.m. She blinked again, but the time remained the same.
Storm shook her head to clear it of cobwebs. “Forgive me, Cairo. I don’t understand; it’s very early in the morning.”
He made no reply. His face looked like it was chiseled from stone. The passionate lover from the summit had been replaced by a man she no longer recognized.
“Listen carefully.” He instructed as if speaking to a child. “I’ve arranged for a preacher to marry us at five-thirty. Get up and get dressed, the service will be a short one.”
A burst of happiness engulfed Storm for five seconds before reality hit. Cairo didn’t love her; he would only marry her now for one reason: Shane.
“Cairo, you don’t have to do this.” Storm said half rising from the bed. “You can see Shane anytime you want. You don’t have to marry a woman you despise in order to see your son.” She waited for him to contradict her.
He didn’t.
Instead he said. “You misunderstood me. I’m not trying to procure visitation rights. I’ve missed six years of my son’s life. I plan to make up the time. He said he wants a family and that is what I will give him. Now get up and get ready.”
Having said his piece, Cairo turned to leave. His retreat startled Storm into action. Jumping from the bed, she positioned herself between him and the door.
“I won’t marry you like this, Cairo. Not even for Shane. I’m sorry.” She said regretfully.
“I’m sorry too, Jessica.” He said coldly. “Because this is not a request, it’s an order. I’m not asking you to marry me. You will marry me.” He commanded.
Storm shook her head. She didn’t like taking orders.
“I love Shane with all my heart,” she said attempting to reason with Cairo. “But I will not sacrifice my happiness for his. An arrangement can be made regarding him that will suit us both.”
Watching Cairo intently, Storm saw when it happened. The change was nothing conspicuous, just a subtle hardening of his features and an almost imperceptible change in his body language. In that moment, Storm was fully aware of what a dangerous enemy Cairo could be. To get where he was today, he had to learn to take what he wanted, and he wanted her son.
“Jessica,” Despite his feelings he said her name gently. “I’m sorry it has to come to this.” He said his voice husky with regret. “As of today, Shane is now a permanent resident of this island. He will grow up here with me. If you fight me on this, I’ll file for custody. As rich as your parents are, they will not be able to fight me. I will make your life a living hell until I get full custody of my son.”
Storm paled at his words, she felt like the room was spinning.
“I’m asking you to marry me out of courtesy. It’s what Shane wants and I’ll do anything to please him. But understand this, Jessica. If you leave Jamaica, it will be without Shane. He’s staying here.”
Looking up at Cairo, Storm saw that bitterness had robbed his features of all their beauty. Yet she loved him still and would have married him a thousand times over if he had only said that he loved her. Storm looked up at Cairo desperate with hope. The face that stared back at her was completely without sympathy or compassion.
He’d made his decision. She’d made hers. She was sorry about what she was going to do, but she loved Cairo too muc
h to marry him without love. She would have his love or nothing at all.
She turned her back to him so he would not see the pain in her eyes.
“I won’t marry you, Cairo.” She looked back at him from over her shoulder.
His expression didn’t change. “Is that your final answer?
She took a deep breath. “I’m afraid it is the only answer I can give you.” She said her mind working furiously. “You see, I can’t marry you; I . . . I . . . I’m still married.” She stuttered. “I haven’t filed for divorce.”
Behind her Cairo inhaled sharply, surprise finally giving expression to his face; surprise was the first expression, rage was the second. With a swift movement, he grabbed her by the arm until she turned and her eyes met his.
“How dare you stand in front of me and lie! You told me that your marriage to James was as good as over. I took that to mean that you were divorced, or at the very least, separated.” His voice rose to a shout.
“I’m not lying, you just misunderstood!” Storm yelled back, trying to pull her arm free. “I’m still very much married. There was never any real necessity to end the marriage before now.” Storm said flippantly trying to be convincing.
“Tell me Jessica, wasn’t it just yesterday that you were naked in my arms? Wasn’t it just yesterday that you pledged to love me forever? How much of all of that was a lie!” His eyes glittered dangerously.
Storm instinctively shrank away from his anger, terrified but undeterred. She was fighting for her son now. Despite Cairo’s pain, she would do what she had to do to keep Shane; he was all she had. Her determination lent strength to her voice.
“I swear, Cairo, I never meant to tell you like this.” She said. “I wanted to wait for the right time, but the right time never came. I’ve been married for six years. My marriage isn’t a real one, but I’m married just the same.”
Cairo looked like someone had just slapped him—hard. He battled to regain his composure.
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