Hitched: Spinoff from the Dark Romance Thriller Series: Edge and Whisper Are Getting Married

by Emma James

  The following day, close to lunchtime, Gamer, Rowdy, Finn, and Silver had come knocking.

  I was sitting on the couch with my mother pretending to read up on childbirth while she pretended to read a novel. I was grieving and my mother was just being close to me for support while we waited to be contacted by somebody from “The Family.”

  I read somewhere—whether it is true or not—that people react in different ways to the death of a loved one: you can completely lose it and break down, or your mind slides into survival mode after the initial shock. You appear rational as your brain tries to process it all. I knew I had slipped into survival mode.

  I feel myself slipping, falling down the rabbit hole, back in time to when I heard the rapid thumping on my mother’s front door.

  ***

  Mom and I both look up at the sound of the fast, persistent knocking. She drops her book face down on the floor and rushes to the door when she hears Gamer shouting to let them in.

  “What’s up, guys? Is everything all right?” I hear my mother enquire.

  “Hey, Miss Templeton, we just gotta talk urgently with Flora, sorry to barge on in, but it is super important,” I hear Finn say.

  “You boys, okay? Is there anything I can do?” Mom’s trying to get a read off their behavior.

  “Nah, Miss Templeton, this concerns Flora, and we just gotta talk with her,” Gamer repeats with a little more urgency to his words.

  The boys burst through the door, their feet thudding my way with Mom hot on their heels.

  I watch as the boys pour through, filling the cozy den while I sit mute. I’ve had more time to process, and I’m a little angry at all the secrecy. I feel like I’ve let Toran down by not identifying him as the father of our unborn child. I want answers, and I’m not feeling very chatty.

  The boys don’t notice my annoyance from their rapid-fire greetings and concerns for me and the baby’s health before spreading out around the den.

  I’m just sitting watching them all. They don’t seem concerned I don’t reply to the dialogue they direct at me. They all look like they have graver things on their minds.

  I slide the bookmark into my book and close it without taking my eyes off them.

  Something isn’t right. My easygoing boys appear nervous and agitated.

  “Boys, is everything okay? I know it’s been a tough thirty-six hours”—Mom is looking from them to me and back to where they are all spread around the room—”can I get you all a cold drink and something to eat?”

  “Yes, please,” they all say in unison.

  “I’ll go fix you all some sandwiches. I’ll give you some time alone with Flora. You boys look like you need to get some stuff off your chests.” She’s cottoned onto their awkward behavior.

  “That would be great, Miss Templeton, thank you.” Finn looks ready to usher her out the room if she doesn’t get moving.

  The second my mom clears out, Rowdy and Gamer peer through the den curtains while Silver and Finn bounce back and forth on their feet as though they are getting ready for a fight.

  “Guys? I wave my hands to get all eyes on me. “Is there something you should be telling me right now?” They’ve got me spooked a little.

  Rowdy and Gamer leave their post at the window and sit either side of me on the couch while Silver and Finn take up their vacated positions at the window.

  “You’re about to get a visitor from Toran’s family,” Gamer tells me while rubbing the back of his neck. Gone is the easygoing guy with the gaming T-shirts; in his place is a grown-up.

  Rowdy takes my hands in his. “Sweetheart, I’ve only got about a minute to let you know, Toran may not have been honest about telling his parents the full story about you, as we have only just discovered. He may have left off some important information like how far along in your pregnancy you are with his child.” My mouth pops open in surprise. “We’ve all got your back, and we are here to help mediate with the family for you. They are shocked to learn you are pregnant. Please, do as they say, and then they will leave you and your mother alone. There’s a good reason Toran kept you from them. He did it for your sake, to save you from ever having to have a face-to-face connection with any of his family. They aren’t like you and your mother. They have power and money and live a different life to you both.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” I’m confused and worried.

  “They’re here,” Silver announces before muttering something under his breath as he heads for the front door while Rowdy and Gamer quickly stand and face the direction he went—silently waiting. I’ve only ever witnessed them relaxed and carefree, and now they all look ready to go to battle for me.

  “I’ll keep Miss Templeton busy for as long as I can,” Finn blurts out, disappearing to find my mother.

  Aannd, that’s when I decide to buckle up for whatever bad weather Silver is letting into my home by putting on my game face. I refuse to be intimidated. I will be brave for Toran and trust there is a good reason he wasn’t completely honest about me. I can fall apart once these invaders have left. If his family is going to shut me out, the least I can do is put on a good show for my best friend.

  I wriggle my way to the edge of the sofa and catch Rowdy looking down at me. “Welp, if you boys look like you’re about to go into battle for me, then I’m not sitting down looking vulnerable when whoever has got you all standing at attention walks through that door. So grab hold and help me up,” I order, holding both hands up for Rowdy and Gamer to haul me to my feet. I get a glimpse of the surfie boy I thought I knew when Rowdy’s eyes twinkle with what looks like respect, and Gamer gives me a wink and an “atta girl” before they both return to their bookend positions.

  I hear car doors slamming, and the two boys step in to close ranks around me. They do make me feel protected, even if at the same time, I am questioning who they need to be now because they aren’t the same laid-back boys I’ve known. They look and dress the same, but for some reason, I now believe that was all a façade.

  There’s a brisk knock at the door, and then I can just make out some murmuring. Silver is speaking quietly to whoever he is about to let into my mother’s home. The murmuring gets louder, more urgent, and then it gets smothered by the front door shutting.

  Gamer and Rowdy look at each other and roll their eyes. They don’t seem worried about who is going to eventually walk into my den, which puts me a little more at ease.

  “There’s going to be a lot of bells and whistles for you, Flora, because that is how Toran’s family plays it, so just know you are safe at all times and let them play it out in front of you,” Gamer murmurs beside me.

  “Okay,” I nervously croak out. “Here goes nothing, boys,” I whisper as I tamp down any fears I feel creeping up my spine with a bit of humor as I wait for what feels like forever.

  A muscular, handsome, raven-haired man in his mid-thirties enters my mother’s den. He’s dressed in black designer jeans, a dark business shirt, and a black leather jacket. He’s flanked by two men-in-black types, complete with dark sunglasses with Silver following on behind them.

  I feel Gamer slide his arm protectively around my lower back, drawing me close to his side.

  I’m standing stiff as a board full of nerves, cupping my protruding rounded belly.

  Gamer gives my hip a squeeze, letting me know he’s got me covered. The boy, who always had a certain geeky appeal to him, has turned into a man.

  The admittedly, intimidating visitor stands before me looking me up and down slowly, taking me in.

  I realize I’m so not dressed for this impromptu meet-and-greet. I’ve got on pink pajama pants with unicorns spewed up all over them and a soft, white baby doll top which accommodates the swell of my tight baby belly, but doesn’t cover my swell completely. My blonde hair is in a high ponytail, and I must look all of fourteen-years-old—until I catch this man’s eyes landing on my ridiculously-sized boobs that look like watermelons as they compete with the size of my belly.

 
He cocks two impossibly black, feathered eyebrows up at me in surprise. Yep, I bet anything he wasn’t expecting me to be so pregnant.

  Rowdy looks like he’s made himself spokesperson as he walks up to shake the man’s hand. “Aron. Good to see—”

  He’s cut off midway with a piercing glare from a set of eyes that appear to have gone as dark as the man in black’s sunglasses.

  Rowdy’s hand drops away when his manners are carelessly tossed back at him.

  Now the visitor’s eyes are back on me, and they are anything but sympathetic.

  “Sir—”

  “Silence, Silver!” the man grinds out in a growly voice. “Why were we not properly informed about this little gold-digging bitch? You were all supposed to keep us up-to-date with any news you think we should know about while you were down here playing about for the past few years. You clearly have not done that!” His voice is like slate, sharp and commanding, while I stand here scrambling to find my voice.

  My mother, bless her, hurries into the den with Finn trailing behind. “Excuse me. I’m Flora’s mother (always polite to a fault even under these conditions). I understand you are grieving, but that is my daughter you are talking about. She is no more a bitch than you are!”

  “Ooh, shit—” Gamer murmurs under his breath.

  “—Christ, this is not happening,” Rowdy says at the same time.

  I keep an eye in my peripheral vision on the two men in black who I now have upgraded to hired thugs. My gut is telling me they had weapons concealed inside their suit jackets as they take a step toward my mother.

  Silver tries to smooth it over. “Aron—”

  “Silence! I meant exactly what I said.”

  “Hold up there big guys, Flora’s mom doesn’t know who she is dealing with, so let’s just all take a deep calming breath and feel a little Zen in the room and dial it down a notch,” Rowdy speaks up, palms held out in a calming gesture toward Aron’s minions.

  Finn swings an arm around my mother’s waist and gently restrains her, whispering something in her ear, which has her stopping in her tracks and then following his cue of walking backward away from the men-in-black.

  My eyes meet Finn’s, and he gives me a thumbs-up signal, which is kinda odd, but I have no time to think about it as they disappear back out of the den.

  This Aron guy points to my belly. “I understand... that Toran’s spawn is in there. How do I even know this is Toran’s child? Do you sleep around a lot, little girl?”

  He sooo did not just insinuate I was a whore. If I had a hairy back, I am sure the hairs would be standing on end.

  I slip out of Gamer’s hold and take a few steps toward Aron, not caring there are two bodyguards who from the looks of them could swat me like a fly as they fold their arms across their ample chests and aim their sunglasses at me as if to try and intimidate me.

  The one thing a pregnant female has in droves is mood swings, and right now, I was distracted from my grief and moving into pissed-off-pregnant-girl. I’d lost my best friend, and all Aron wants to do is walk into my home and insult me without even introducing himself or knowing me. I don’t have a clue what he is talking about with me being a gold-digger.

  It feels like it is all a show for me. Scare tactics. Whoever this man is to Toran’s family, surely he wouldn’t hurt a pregnant girl.

  I went with that theory, no matter how stupid it probably is, and use my grief I am holding onto as a weapon to give me the strength to do what I never thought I could and decide to show this man what I am made of.

  “Aron, with all respect, not that you deserve any with the way you have insulted me, but would you be so kind as to call off your dogs and get them to sit outside? I promise you will be safe from harm in my presence. I’m not hiding any weapons on my pregnant self.” I catch his eyes gliding down to my watermelons, and an eyebrow rises over his left eye. This guy isn’t as scary as he’s playing. “I am not a bitch and will never be a bitch. If I could talk to you for a few minutes, I will try to clear up any preconceived ideas you have of me.” I clasp my hands over the top of my belly in the hope of keeping them from shaking while my heart pulses loudly between my ears.

  Aron stares unblinking, taking his time before making his decision.

  “Everybody, please leave us, and that means you too, Mrs. Templeton. I know you are around the corner with Finn. If your daughter is brave enough to talk to me the way she is, she can deal with me as requested—alone.” So the guy has done his homework and knows my surname.

  Mom appears from around the corner. “I’m not prepared to leave you alone with this man,” she says, stubbornly holding her ground. Mom’s always been my champion.

  “I’ll be fine, Mom. Aron, who so rudely has not introduced himself, will be a perfect gentleman.” Look who’s bluffing their way through. “The boys will stay with you and keep you safe from the henchmen. We won’t be long,” I reassure her. “You can feed them those sandwiches you were making while we talk.”

  “Come on, Miss Templeton, Aron will look after your daughter,” Finn emphasizes the correct title, which has Aron raising that left eyebrow again.

  My mother holds her ground until Finn whispers in her ear again, and then she nods as if in acceptance and allows him to guide her back into the kitchen.

  “That means you two as well,” Aron says, pointing at Gamer and Rowdy, who are still standing guard by my side. “You have my word; this girl will be completely safe with me.” The way he says that makes me believe he is accustomed to getting his own way, and he wouldn’t bat an eyelid at violence, which should have me waddling for the hills.

  I didn’t realize until now that Toran was quite possibly keeping me hidden to save me from contact with a very dangerous family, although I believe this man to keep his word while we talk.

  Gamer and Rowdy give me one last chance to override Aron’s request for them to leave me by myself. “I’ll be fine, guys. I’m sure you will be hovering close by.” Gamer gives me an awkward side-hug, and then they both leave.

  Toran’s sudden death and all the emotions associated with losing the father of my unborn child and best friend are starting to bubble back to the surface. I’d cried a lake of tears since learning my best friend was dead; now it was time to get some answers.

  Now I am alone with a strange man my bravado starts to slip, and I’m unsure of what is coming next.

  I feel a little unsteady on my feet and take the few steps back toward the couch, hoping to sit before I collapse and show this man just how fragile I’m feeling, which would totally ruin my bluff.

  Aron at least has the decency to notice I am wobbly on my feet and swoops into place a hand on my back gently while cupping my elbow to help me down without uttering a word.

  I suddenly feel very weary and not as mouthy as I did a minute ago. I want this man and his thugs out of my mother’s house as soon as possible.

  Aron sits down beside me, and before he can open his mouth and spew any more rubbish at me, I decide to take the reins. “Firstly, I would like you to pass onto Toran’s parents how deeply sorry I am for their loss.” My voice breaks on the last word. I refuse to crumble in front of this man. I steady myself by taking in a deep breath and exhaling slowly before continuing. “I may have only known Toran for a couple of years, but he was my best friend. He never told me a single thing about his family and nor did the boys. They were and still are loyal to the core to Toran and his family. You have no right coming in here and calling me names. That’s just plain rude and not called for. You walk in here with two thugs like you need protection from me and my mother. The same woman who is in there right now feeding your thugs and Toran’s friends—my friends with her food.” Aron looks a little uncomfortable and stares straight ahead as he listens to me.

  “You are obviously not Toran’s father, and he told me he was an only child, which means you are the hired help. My mother has been a single parent for my entire life, and she has looked after me without any assistance fro
m any man. I will not be asking for anything financial from Toran’s family, so that thought you can put to bed. My mother and I will give this child everything he or she needs, and this will be the last you will have to see us. We don’t even know the boys’ surnames or where they are from, so I cannot track anybody down, even if I wanted. You can leave right now without even opening your mouth anymore. Just walk right out the front door and don’t come back, because I already have the impression that Toran’s parents sent you here today to tell me they don’t want to ever to see my face. Am I right, Aron?”

  Aron has the good grace to look uncomfortable. He faces me, looking me in the eyes with those dark pools. “Firstly, I would like to apologize for coming into your home and being aggressive toward you. How far along are you?”

  “Thirty-three weeks.” Yup, Toran sure didn’t get to the punch-line with his parents the night before he passed away.

  “Fuck!” Aron swears quietly. “And you never pressured Toran to tell his parents about you and the baby?”

  “No. We loved each other as friends, but we weren’t in love with each other. I had no hold over him, nor would I ever be that type of person.” I’m not sure if I should add that he was gay, so I keep that to myself. “As I said, I was raised by a single parent; I am prepared to take this all on myself, I wasn’t going to chain Toran to me, it was his free will to accept responsibility... until...” He died. “Meeting Toran’s parents obviously isn’t ever going to be the happily-ever-after relationship I naively hoped it would be for them to know their grandchild and quite frankly that is going to be their great loss.”

  “No, it isn’t. All I am going to tell you is you are better off not knowing Toran’s parents. After today, you will not see me again once I walk out your door.” So far, I am okay with everything he is telling me until he gets to the next thing on his checklist. “The autopsy has already been performed, and Toran died from a structural abnormality of his heart which led to fatal cardiac arrhythmia, which in layman’s terms means he had an undiagnosed heart disease which eventually shut down his heart.” He waits for me to process what he’s told me.