Chayton's Tempest

by Aliyah Burke

teammates watching him and he was aware of Scott talking to

  Tempest again, but he had to clear this up with Talli before he

  could do anything else. “Listen to me and listen well. When we

  had sex, we used a condom, despite your attempts to get me

  not to. And, I never came inside you. I didn’t find release that

  night until I jacked off in the shower, so there is no way any of

  my sperm made it into your body.” His voice was low growl.

  “Stop this damn charade and stay out of my life. Go home and

  tell our parents this new ploy didn’t work either.”

  Her eyes grew wide, but he didn’t care. “I’m not

  kidding, Talli. Don’t fuck with me about this. I’m not in the

  mood to play these games.”

  “What the hell does that bitch have over you? Why do

  you want her?” Talli’s face scrunched up with hate and anger.

  “She’s never going to forgive you for leaving her all those years

  ago. Never!” she spit at him, her spittle landing on his cheek.

  “Your father wants us married and we will be, even if I have to

  ruin your career to do so.”

  A low, menacing chuckle left him. “Well, well, well. I see

  your true colors have finally surfaced. You are threatening my

  career and you think I’m going to marry you to keep you from

  doing that?” He wiped her spit off with a napkin.

  “Don’t push me, James,” she warned. “I will be your

  wife.”

  “Not so long as there is breath in my body. But you go

  ahead and do your worst. I can’t wait to see what the paternity

  test says, and then I’ll sue you for slander and ruining my

  career.” Maverick swallowed and flicked a hand, indicating the

  men at the table. “It will be our word against yours.”

  “You would rather have a ni…black woman than me in

  your life? Out of nothing more than guilt for how you treated

  her? I’ll get her to stay away from you.”

  His eyes hardened. “I think you should leave, Talli,

  before I forget you are a woman. Don’t threaten her or my son,

  or I will send you to see Wankantanka before your time.”

  Talli gasped. “You bastard! You’ll pay for that. If I don’t

  get you, James,” her eyes narrowed into tiny slits, “no one

  does.” She grabbed the remainder of her drink and tossed it

  into his face, then stomped out.

  Maverick reached for a napkin and as he dried his face,

  he looked at each of his teammates who watched him solemnly.

  He had no idea who snorted laughter first; but soon, everyone

  was laughing his ass off at him. It didn’t take long for him to

  start in as well; but even as he did his, mind worked on ways to

  protect Tempest and his son from Talli and her viciousness.

  Tempest tried to ignore the pain that filled her heart. She

  should have known better than to believe he wouldn’t be with

  anyone else. But why? Why do that to her?

  “I don’t know how much shinier that bar will get,” a

  deep masculine southern voice said.

  Jerking her head up, Tempest saw bedroom-blue eyes

  looking back at her. Scott. “Right,” she muttered. Gesturing to

  his near-empty glass she queried, “Need a refill?”

  “Please,” he answered. As he pulled out his wallet and

  opened it a picture fell out onto the bar, sliding to land before

  Tempest.

  “Your family?” she asked as she picked it up.

  The love she saw in the photo almost brought tears to

  her eyes. Scott stood beside a beautiful black woman who had a

  stunning smile. Each of them were holding a child, he had a

  boy and she was holding a younger girl. Both children were

  beautifully complexioned and the boy had his mom’s eyes

  while the girl had the same blue her daddy did.

  “Yes. They are my pride and joy.” His voice echoed that

  statement. “My wife, Lex and our children, Brodie and

  Dyandra.”

  “You have a beautiful family,” she said, handing back

  the photo.

  “Thank you.” Scott placed the picture back in his wallet

  and handed her some money. “Your son is very handsome. I

  see a lot of his father in him.”

  Brown eyes slashed back to clash with his blue ones.

  “And how well do you know his father?”

  “I trust him with my life,” Scott answered without a

  second’s hesitation. “Your son has that same look on his face

  that screams of steadfast loyalty no matter what.”

  “I see.”

  “You don’t see his father in him?” Scott asked.

  The thought of lying to the man sitting before her

  crossed her mind; but for some reason, Tempest heard herself

  agree. “I do. I see a lot of his father in him.” And it scares the hell

  out of me.

  “It’ll all work out,” Scott said.

  “What are you talking about?” Tempest questioned the

  handsome blond.

  A shout further down the bar grabbed her attention; and

  as she moved to take care of him, Scott followed her with his

  eyes as he drank more of his drink.

  Against her better judgment, Tempest found herself

  glancing back down the bar at the man who had faith in

  Maverick. James Chayton Lonetree. Whatever he went by, it

  didn’t matter, for there was one thing that didn’t change and

  that was who he was to her. The father of her child.

  Scott watched her unerringly with his piercing eyes. Not

  a man I want on my bad side, even if he is using crutches. She

  shivered slightly as she imagined the damage he or his friends

  could dole out should a situation call for it.

  Tempest smiled at her son as she passed him and found

  herself standing before Scott again. His eyes remained locked

  with hers and Tempest noticed a flicker cross his face. She

  doubted she would have even registered it if one eye hadn’t

  twitched. Without a word, she grabbed a glass, filled it with ice

  and poured a drink in it.

  “Drink this.”

  “I’m fine,” he said.

  “It’s ginger ale. You look nauseous.” She pushed the

  glass to him. “Drink.” His hand shook slightly as he reached

  for it.

  Tempest made eye contact with Mili, who was at the bar

  getting more drinks. “Mili,” she said.

  The woman met her gaze with one eyebrow raised.

  “Yeah, Boss?”

  “Watch the bar for a few. I have to discuss something

  with this man.” She gestured to Scott.

  “Okay,” Mili said without hesitation.

  Tempest took Scott’s glass. “If you will just follow me,

  we can continue this discussion in my office.”

  Scott slid off his stool and used his crutches to follow

  her. As soon as Tempest closed the door behind her, she

  commanded, “Lay on the couch until it passes.”

  Scott sat on the cocoa sofa and leaned back, closing his

  eyes. “Thank you.”

  Setting the drink down on the end table within his reach,

  she asked, “Can I get one of your friends for you?”

  “Tyson.” Scott opened his eyes. “Please.”

  Tempest reached out and touched his shoulder. “
Be

  right back.” She dimmed the lights on her way out.

  Striding across her business toward the table with the

  extremely handsome men, Tempest sent Mili a look saying she

  wasn’t finished yet. Her eyes landed on the rugged face of

  Maverick. His eyes were focused totally on her, his predatory

  gaze scorching.

  Damn you, James!

  She felt all of their eyes on her as she reached the table.

  After a mental shake, she glanced at Tyson. “I need a word,

  please. If you would come with me.” Tyson rose immediately.

  “Thank you,” Tempest said before nodding to the others who

  watched avidly.

  She knocked softly then opened her office door. “I’ll

  leave you both alone.” She made room for Tyson to get into her

  office and shut the door on them.

  As she made her way across the room, Maverick got up

  from his chair and moved toward her. Swallowing, she

  changed course at the last minute. The words she’d overheard

  had been so difficult to hear. I don’t want to hear excuses from

  him.

  Unfortunately, the man she was trying to avoid realized

  her motive and readjusted. His callused fingers grabbed her

  wrist, not hard, but enough to halt her. Her body reacted

  violently—a good or bad violent she wasn’t sure. The only

  thing she was sure of was the surge of lust that shot through

  her.

  “Let go of me!” she hissed.

  Maverick tightened his hold. “Hear me out, Tempest.”

  “No! You listen to me. You need to leave me alone. I like

  my life and I was happy before you came back into it.” She

  tried to pull away but he narrowed his eyes and held tighter.

  “Look, James…Maverick…whatever you want to be

  called. I don’t want to do this anymore. No more of your damn

  drama. I don’t want any more calls from your mother. I don’t

  want the drama. I can’t take it!” Her chest heaved.

  “What the fuck are you talking about? My mother?” His

  tone dropped below freezing.

  “The late-night calls she graced me with, telling me how

  happy you were that Talli was carrying your baby!” Her

  shoulders rose and fell. “She even called me Sarah Whitehall.”

  Tempest shuddered. “Apparently when dealing with you, I’m

  required to take trips down memory lane.” She glared up at

  him. “And I’m tired of taking those. I’m thirty-five and I feel

  over sixty. Please,” her voice filled with exhaustion, “just go

  away.”

  Strength and a surprise jerk allowed her to escape his

  touch. The second she was alone, Tempest sat down behind the

  stairs, the light casting her in shadow, and cried.

  _

  Maverick seethed. He wanted to hurt his parents and

  Talli for what they were trying to do. His fists clenched as he

  ground his back teeth in frustration.

  How the hell is this going to work when it seems the whole

  world is against us?

  The loud noise around him penetrated the haze that had

  settled around him. Maverick glanced back at the table where

  his friends were. He managed a grin; they were having a

  wonderful time.

  Ambling his way back toward them, he retook his seat.

  Hondo met his gaze. “How you doing?”

  Maverick shrugged. “Apparently, my mother called her

  and told her to stay away from me and that Talli was pregnant

  with my baby and how happy I am about it.”

  “Damn,” Hondo muttered. “That’s harsh.” The others

  echoed the sentiment resoundingly.

  In silence, Maverick drummed his fingers on the scarred

  yet smooth tabletop. Whipping out his phone, he placed a call.

  No one at the table said a word as he made another

  immediately after.

  Closing his phone with a snap, Maverick looked around

  the table and said, “I’ll be back in two days, three tops.” He

  smiled grimly and headed to the bar.

  Maverick spoke loud enough to be heard over the orders

  and music. “Dakota.”

  His son looked at him dispassionately. “What?”

  “Tell your mom I’ll be back in about three days. I’m

  going to straighten all this out.” He swallowed as Dakota

  positioned himself directly across from him.

  “That woman…is it true?”

  Maverick wanted to cry. His son was giving him a

  chance to explain. “If she is, it isn’t mine.” He searched a

  younger version of himself for acceptance.

  One short nod. “Okay.” Dakota tossed the rag on his

  shoulder, an action so mimicking his mother. “Do what you

  have to; I’ll tell her.”

  “Thank you. Thank you for trusting me.” Maverick

  headed for the door, sending his teammates a two fingered

  salute as he passed them.

  _

  Maverick climbed into the Chrysler 300 at the airport

  and proceeded to head for his hometown. He’d already

  acknowledged he was emotionally exhausted; and since he’d

  yet to confront his parents and Talli, that didn’t bode well for

  the rest of the trip. Hell, he wasn’t even sure if Talli would be

  back in South Dakota yet. I don’t know, but I’m not putting

  anything past her.

  As he drove through the small town, people stared at his

  vehicle. He was glad for the tinted windows hiding his

  identity. He didn’t wish his parents to get a heads-up he was

  back home. Maverick pulled into the driveway and parked the

  car. Taking a moment, he searched for strength to deal with

  this without losing control. Without.

  Inside his body, he was beyond furious at the extent his

  parents were willing to go to keep some control over his life.

  He was going to give them a chance to tell their side, but there

  was no way in hell he would believe their lies.

  Climbing out, he walked to the house, went up the steps,

  and knocked on the front door. The door opened a short

  moment later and brought Maverick face to face with Dawn

  Lonetree.

  “James,” she said with a smile. “It’s wonderful to see

  you.” She hugged him and he returned the embrace, albeit

  stiffly.

  “Aho, Ina.” He followed her into the house. “Where’s

  Ate?”

  “He should be home anytime. Is that your new car? Did

  you get rid of your bike?” His mother stared at him with

  guileless eyes.

  “No, that’s a rental. I still have my bike.” Maverick

  looked around his parents’ home. It seemed a total contrast to

  Tempest’s house.

  Tempest. He wanted to go back to her. Hold her and

  never let her go.

  She sent him a soft smile. “Are you home for a while

  now?”

  His mother. She was a doppelganger, for all her ability

  to turn from loving mother to screaming harpy in a matter of

  seconds. He loved her; but at that moment, he didn’t like her or

  his father at all.

  “Just here to get some information. I have to be back to

  work.”

  “Information?” She sat down. “About what?”

  Maverick
opened his mouth to say something when the

  door behind him swung wide to admit his father into the

  house. The two men met gazes but remained silent. While his

  father crossed the room to say hello to his mother, Maverick

  watched him. His father was getting older and there seemed to

  be a darkness surrounding him that Maverick didn’t recall

  from before. It was like his face had a permanent scowl upon it;

  and while his father had been a serious man, he hadn’t been

  like that.

  “Aho, Ate,” Maverick said after his parents reunion

  ended.

  “James. Good to see you.” His father stuck out his hand.

  Maverick shook the offered hand and wondered how he

  was going to do this without losing his temper.

  What excuse can they actually give that would appease me?

  Nothing. So why am I trying to be nice about this?

  “I need to know something from the two of you,”

  Maverick began. “I want you to think very carefully about the

  answer you give me.” He waited until his father sat down as

  well before continuing.

  “I want to know what it is you have against me being

  with Tempest. Why did you call her and fill her head with lies?

  Why would you try to keep me from my son and why would

  you tell Talli to find me and tell me I was the father of her

  child? I’m in no way the father of her child and we will be

  doing a paternity test on that.”

  His parents blanched.

  “I want to know!” Maverick thundered. “The two of you

  have been messing in my life and I want to know what your

  reasons were for. Tell me!”

  “Don’t yell at us,” Rodney Lonetree ordered.

  “To hell with you and your demands, Ate. This is my

  time. You two are un-fucking-believable! What reason do you

  hate her so?”

  His parents watched him carefully and Maverick knew

  his plan of keeping his cool had vanished like meat on a bone

  given to a pack of dogs.

  Robert stood and faced him. “How do you know that

  Talli isn’t carrying your baby? You did sleep with her.”

  Rolling his shoulders, Maverick ran his tongue over his

  teeth. “You’re absolutely right. I did sleep with her; but one, I

  wore a condom and two, and I never ejaculated in her. She

  didn’t do it for me. So whoever knocked her up, I know it

  wasn’t me.” He watched his father’s face fill with panic. “Good

  thing we’ll be taking a paternity test, then, so we can discover

  who the real father is.”