by Blue Saffire
Chapter 13
Don’t do it!
Havana
Five Months later…
I wipe the sweat from my face with a towel as I watch Dallas. His mind has been somewhere else, even as he’s become more focused on training. He’s getting better, a lot better.
I smile as I think of how far he’s come in the last six months. Augustine would’ve seen a lot of promise in him. Dallas has potential in my world. I think he could be as good as me if he wanted to get serious about this.
He turns to reach for his water bottle and the tat on his back draws my attention. It’s a single feather that looks as if it’s falling down his back. It’s the only tat he has but it’s so detailed and realistic.
“What made you get that feather?” I let my curiosity bubble up from my lips.
He turns to me, then looks over his shoulder. When his eyes turn back to me I can see him debating on whether or not he plans to answer. He moves towards me, hovering over me when he stops.
“I once knew an angel. When she left, I swear she left a feather behind,” he murmurs, reaching up to place a piece of hair behind my ear.
I go to ask more, but the sound of my cell draws my attention. I rush to pick up the line. Aisha and the lawyer are the only ones that have the number.
I’m hoping that Aisha has found something useful to help me understand what’s going on back home. Seeing her number on the screen I become hopeful. However, when I pick up that all changes.
“Hello,” I say into the phone.
“I need your help,” she rushes through the line.
“What is it?”
“I…I’ve been staying at Rich’s place. He went out with Will and Tristan last night. He never came home. I thought it was him coming into the apartment, but it wasn’t.
“When I realized someone broke in it was too late to hide. I grabbed my purse and ran. They chased after me, but I think I’ve lost them for now.
“I’m scared, Havana. I don’t know who to trust outside of you and Rich. What do I do now?” her voice trembles with her last words.
I try to think quickly. This isn’t good. Aisha is the last person that needs to be in a position like this. I’m not there to cover the damage that could result.
I shudder.
Not knowing who to trust limits our options. I close my eyes, but against my better judgement I make a decision. It’s for the best, at least I believe it is.
“Go to Feldman and Steins in the city. Tell them Anita Steel sent you. I’ll have instructions waiting there. Watch your back. Make sure you’re not followed,” I say quickly.
“Okay, I will. Thank you,” she says softly.
“Tell me you’re not about to do what I think you are,” Dallas grunts when I hang up.
“She needs my help,” I reply while texting the lawyer instructions.
“Havana,” he snaps getting my attention. He never calls me by that name. “This is insane. No one knows how to find you. We’re safe here. You’re safe here. Why bring her here? You can send here somewhere else.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” I say.
“What I understand is that my wife and my baby need to be safe at all times,” he says firmly.
“I’ll be fine and so will the baby,” I wave him off.
“Don’t you do that shit to me,” he points a finger at me. “You used to do that to everyone around you. Wave them off, telling them what to do. Talking to people like you run shit and they have to do what you say. I’m your husband not your employee. I’m telling you this is not a good idea.”
“You’re my fake husband,” I seethe. “Aisha is my family. I’m going to make sure she’s safe with me. She’s not like the rest of us. This type of shit triggers her differently. I need to help her.”
The moment the words fall from my mouth I regret them. I see the hurt that fills his face. In the last three months it’s been us. We were so excited when we realized I was pregnant. Everything has been falling into place.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I try.
He lifts his hands and backs away. His eyes harden and his jaw ticks. I feel like shit.
“Do whatever you want. I’m just the hire cock after all. What do I know?”
My shoulders sag as he turns to disappear. I want to follow after him, but I need to finish covering Aisha’s ass. My chest pings and my eyes sting. Dallas will never know how much more he’s become to me.
Dallas
It’s been hours and I’m still stewing from her words. Finding out we’re having a kid had me thinking of Anita as my family. That baby will have everything I never had. I wanted that to include a father that loves him or her.
How silly of me. My days are numbered. Anita made that very clear.
“Dallas,” her sweet voice calls, cutting me through and through.
I don’t turn. I continue to look out over the ocean view. If I look at her, I’ll only be reminded how perfect she is and why I don’t deserve her.
“Dallas, please,” she pleads.
“What?” I huff like an asshole.
“I’m sorry about what I said. You have to understand—”
“I understand perfectly, sweetheart. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about me. You do what you need to do,” I cut her off.
“Don’t do that. Don’t shut me out,” she says softly.
“I never let you in,” I reply, getting up to walk away.
“Asshole,” she hisses after me.
“Always. Never said I was anything more,” I toss over my shoulder.
Chapter 14
Guests
Havana
I’ve been in a foul mood for three days. I haven’t said a word to Dallas. We’ve been pretending that the other doesn’t exist. I know he’s still pissed, but I’m just as pissed at him.
I’ve been feeling a little nauseous this morning, which isn’t helping my agitation. Aisha should be arriving sometime today. I’ve tried to focus on that. Once she’s here and safe I think I’ll be able to relax.
Hearing a car outside, I get up from my desk in the study. I doubt Dallas will bother to show his face since he doesn’t even want her here. I blow out a breath and shuffle my way towards the front door.
When I open it my mouth falls open. Tears sting my eyes as I look at Aisha’s guilty face. The sting of betrayal cuts deep. Dallas had been right.
I back away from the door, my hands going to my rounded belly. All eyes follow the movement. A wide range of stunned and angry looks appear.
As I retreat, they all step over the threshold. I feel so stupid. This is what Augustine warned me about. I’m always so trusting. This has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. I got emotional and let my feelings make a decision for me.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Tristan grinds out first.
“You let that dirty piece of shit get you pregnant?” Will snarls.
“My wife and my baby are none of your fucking business,” Dallas’s voice booms.
I turn to look up at the top of the stairs where Dallas stands overlooking the scene before him. His guns drawn and pointed at my brothers and Aisha. His glare is hard and I can see he’s ready and willing to pull the triggers.
“We’re not here to harm her,” Aisha says softly. “We came to help.”
“You lied to me,” I accuse.
“No, I didn’t. Rich called me when I was on the way to the airport. Let us explain,” she pleads.
“Don’t you move,” Dallas warns.
My eyes land on Will moving for his gun. I clench my fists at my t-shirt. I don’t know what’s going on, but I’m starting to get pissed.
“Baby, come here for me,” Dallas says.
I turn slightly to see he’s made his way halfway down the stairs his guns still aimed at our new guests. I back away from everyone, making my way to Dallas. He quickly places his body in front of mine.
“She’s our sister. We’re not here to hurt her or the baby,�
�� Sebastian says.
“We’re here to protect her,” Rich adds.
“From who?” I snap.
“Joey, Tanner, and Clifton,” Theo replies. “We found them at your place that night. Joey claimed you called them. When you took off we knew something wasn’t right.”
“Why were y’all there in the first place?” Dallas snarls.
“Fuck you. We don’t have to answer to you,” Will bites out taking a step towards Dallas.
Dallas cocks the gun in his right hand. “I don’t think you want to do that,” he warns.
“Stop it. Both of you,” I chide stepping around Dallas.
His arm goes around my waist, tugging me into his body. I don’t have time to relish his warmth as much as I want to. I miss being in his arms, but I need to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
“We’d been drinking and talking. We could see you were stressed out. We were tired of waiting,” Theo says.
“We needed to get to you before you did something stupid,” Will says glaring at Dallas.
“You weren’t the only one to get a message from Dad. We think the only ones that didn’t were those three and Aisha,” Tristan says.
“Dad never trusted the three of them and well, we’re still trying to figure out the deal with not sending one to Aisha,” Rich continues.
“Aisha can’t lie,” I blurt out.
All my brothers look at each other and burst out laughing. Aisha starts to pout. I’ve only spoken the truth. It’s how our father would think.
“Damn, I never thought of that. It makes sense,” Rich chuckles.
“You, shut up,” Aisha fusses at him.
Rich holds his hands up in surrender as he continues to laugh. Things are starting to fall into place and make more sense. I fume as I think of the three that we all considered family.
“We’re still trying to figure out what those three are up to. I don’t understand why they broke into Rich’s place,” Tristan says.
“Are you sure you weren’t followed here?” Dallas asks.
“Who is this guy? Why’d it have to be him?” Will asks while glaring at Dallas.
“He’s my husband. Get used to it. I don’t have to explain more than that,” I huff.
“Well, I think you do,” Tristan says. “We found some old files of Augustine’s. They have this guy’s name in them.”
“What?” Dallas and I say in unison.
“He had a birth certificate, social, and school records. All dating back to before he found Havana,” Rich says.
My mind reels with this new revelation. What would Augustine be doing with all of that. My mind twists itself in a knot trying to figure it out.
“What I want to know is, why were you the only one without a time stamp entering the house that day?” Dallas snarls pointing at Will.
“What?” Will says in confusion. “The gates were wide open when we arrived.”
“That’s not what he means,” I say. “I’ll explain it all. Maybe you guys can help me make some sense of things.”
“Look, it’s been a long trip. Can he put those guns down so we can get something to eat,” my youngest brother Sebastian groans.
“Shut up, Bastian,” I giggle. “Dallas, you can put the guns down.”
Dallas
I’m still not sold on trusting these people. Anita and the baby are my priority. I’ll blow a hole through the rest of these fuckers if I even smell them cooking something I’m not eating.
Just like the steaks on that grill. I’m not able to sit back here in the yard and break bread with those assholes. I’m still not over being tased and punched in the face.
“You care about her,” Aisha says as she walks up to my side.
“We were friends a long time ago,” I reply.
“And they say I don’t know how to lie,” she snorts.
“You’re in love with her. It’s okay, I won’t say anything. I think you two make a cute couple. She’s very protective of you and you’re the same way with her,” she says.
I grunt noncommittally. I’m not in the mood to share my feelings. Especially with someone I don’t know.
“Don’t mind Will. He has a thing for Havana. She just never saw it. She’s like that you know? She totally misses cues when a guy is into her.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” I grumble.
“You do that. I’d hate to see her miss out on someone loving her.”
I turn to look at Aisha, but she’s already walking away from me. I frown wondering if it’s that obvious to everyone but Havana. It still feels strange to call her that. They all do and she asked me to do the same while they’re here.
“I don’t know you, but I don’t have a reason not to like you,” a deeper voice pulls my attention.
I turn to find the youngest brother, Sebastian. He looks just barely an adult. I can see in his eyes when he looks at Havana how much he admires her. It’s truly like she’s his big sister.
“Then, I’d hang around a bit. I’m sure to give you a reason,” I mutter.
“You’re funny,” he chuckles. “I’m going to be an uncle. It seems weird. You know? With what we do and all. I never thought any of us would have families and all that someday. Heck, Havana cusses like a sailor. I don’t know if I can see her as a mom.”
“She’ll be perfect. She has a gift for loving people. She makes things brighter for everyone in her world,” I reply.
“Shit, you are in love with her,” he says, his mouth hanging agape as he stares wide eyed back at me.
“You have a good night,” I mumble, turning to head back into the house.
Chapter 15
Talk to Me
Havana
I noticed the moment when Dallas left the little barbeque my brothers and Aisha started up. I could see the tension in his body as he walked away. He never returned. My heart ached to go after him.
I’ve been thinking ever since. Never once have I truly questioned Dallas. If I can trust anyone, I know I can trust him. He was ready to protect me with his own life.
Any one of my brothers could have taken his life earlier and Dallas wouldn’t have seen it coming. That didn’t stop him from throwing himself in front of me and our baby. He did it without hesitation.
Normally this type of thing goes over my head. You know, me and guys, they’re just not on my list of priorities. I miss it when one has feelings for me. Yet, in this instance I’m not stupid, I’m also not the only one in this relationship that allowed their feelings to become real.
I didn’t follow the rules. I let my guard down and allowed him in. I blame it on being stuck here with him every waking moment over the past six months. Then there are my hormones that haven’t helped things. I’ve been letting all types of emotions run wild.
I’m in love with Dallas. I don’t quite know when it happened, but it has. As many times as I tried to talk myself out of it, I’ve fallen right off the cliff and I’ve done so happily.
From the way he looks at me, I know he’s fallen as well. It’s one of the reasons I’m so sorry for the words I hurled at him. He was right. I did put us all in danger.
If my brothers were out to harm me they could have succeeded because I put my guard down. I’ve become too comfortable here and I need to fix that, but first I need to fix this gap and the silence between the two of us.
I stand in the threshold of our bedroom watching him as he sits against the headboard with his arms behind his head. That scowl doesn’t belong on his handsome face. The light casting in through the window highlights his strong features.
He’s my own personal dark brooding angel. He’s the true good one in the relationship. His foul mouth is his greatest sin. I’ve done way more things to be judged for. Yet, Dallas has lived a life of ridicule and self-loathing.
Why try to ruin such beauty? I’ve asked myself that question repeatedly. To taint such perfection is plain sinister.
His neglectful mom and hateful dad did a number on him. If only I
could wash that all away as easily as I had the dirt and filth from that first day. I would give anything to give him a fresh start.
There’s no hope for me and my crew. We were bad eggs from the beginning. I enjoy what I do. I don’t remember a time before the joy of disposing of bad people.
Sometimes, I wonder if my parents were bad people. Had they been mean to me, causing me to be this person? I don’t think I’ll ever have the answers to those questions. I can only move forward from this point and the people in this room.
I move over to his side, kicking off my sandals before I climb on the bed to straddle his lap. His hands fall to my belly on instinct. He still won’t turn his head to face me.
I reach to run my fingers through his hair, loving the feel of the silky strands as they sift through my fingers. Again, I note how gorgeous a man he is. Perfect in ways he doesn’t even know about.
“Six hundred and twenty-one,” I whisper.
He finally turns to me with knitted brows. I take a deep breath to still my nerves. It’s time I make him understand.
“That’s the number of kills I’ve made. I’ve been busy. I never take a hit that doesn’t feel right. Augustine taught me to always follow my gut.
“I didn’t do that when I brought Aisha here. You were right. I should have listened to you. That mistake could’ve gotten me killed. I’m not used to being told what to do.
“Augustine trusted me. I’ve called the shots and taken care of things for as long as I can remember. I’ve never had a partner. I’m sorry for what I said,” I pause when he turns away from me again.
His jaw works as he absentmindedly rubs my stomach. I can feel the baby shifting at the same time. This is a big dose of reality. I love this man and I’m having his child.
“I hurt the ones I love,” I murmur, grabbing his attention once again.