by Leigh Lennon
29
Liz
Running from him is the one thing I promised I wouldn’t do, but I can’t—not right now. I will—I promise myself that I’ll share everything with him. For now, it’s one a.m. and I plan to get my ass to the hospital and sit, holding my daughter’s hand until she opens those pretty blue eyes of hers. Until then, she’s my only focus. My daughter—I have said those two words more in the last couple of hours than I have in her entire life, and it rolls off of my tongue so easily.
The water coats my body with the sensation of a new day. Thank fuck, since yesterday’s ranked in the worst rotten eggs of days I’ve ever had. The shower door opens, startling me as large hands wrap around my waist from behind.
“You don’t think for one fucking second I’m letting you go to the hospital by yourself in the middle of the night in L.A., do you?”
His protective tone excites me, not sexually. Okay, that would be a big fat lie if I said it didn’t make me a little wet. Iz and his dominance has always been sexy as fuck but it’s more. I’ve not had someone worry about or dote on me since we said our goodbyes the first time, and the security in his tone has nothing to do with control but safety.
No, Iz isn’t out to control me. I know the difference. My life has been ruled by egotistical maniacs for so long and though Iz has his own little ego, this is different. His dominance spurs from his love for me and not his need to manage me.
He twists me around so fast the room spins, yet he’s here to catch me when I stumble. “Whoa, girl, I didn’t mean to get you dizzy.”
I allow him to hold me. I never thought I’d get back here and now here I am. Staring up at him, I begin, “Iz, I will tell you. It’s just…”
“Buttercup, I'm not pressuring you.” Pausing, he tips my chin back. “This between us, Liz, it’s real and right.” His uneasiness coats the words he’s spoken.
Ah, my big guy is a little insecure and who could blame him really? Stifling a laugh, I take the palm of my hands, cupping his cheeks when I make him stare directly at me. “It’s as real as the hard-on you seem to be sporting between us.”
The elevator doors barely open when my feet reach the tile of the hallway that leads to Candace. Iz is on my tail and suddenly grabs my hand as his long strides catch up to me. “We’ve not heard from Lang, Buttercup, so I’m sure she’s still asleep.”
“I don’t care.”
“I get that, I do. You’ve got to allow me to do this with you, Liz.” Unlacing my hands from his, his large solid muscles wrap me into his body as we make our way to the room. Opening the door from the hallway, we see a precious sight. Candace is still sleeping but Lang has his two large hands wrapped around her tiny ones while his head is laid next to her arm. It’s not comfortable at all and watching him makes my own neck hurt, but it’s sweet still the same.
Seeing my daughter at peace, I now can turn to the man beside me. Stepping on my tippy toes, I whisper, “Iz, I’ll let you do this with me, I promise. Sometimes I may need reminding but you and me—this is what I want.”
Placing a kiss on my nose, he replies, “I can do that, Buttercup. Now, how about we take the next shift and we’ll send Lang next door to the private room where there’s a bed so he can get some shut eye.”
“Okay, babe. I’ll take up camp on this side of the bed for now. Come join me once you get Lang settled.”
Of course, Lang wakes up and fights Iz, but in the end my man wins and I'm left alone with my daughter for now.
I stand over her body, watching her with all the tubes protruding from her. Long and lean is the best way to describe my Candace. The second they placed her in my arms, I knew the beauty staring back at me would own my world, and she has. The unconditional love in which I gave up whatever was needed to keep this angel safe was never truly a sacrifice. It’s part of being a mom, even if I never had the title.
Taking the same hand Lang had just had wrapped in his own hands, I kiss it. It’s the only arm free of IVs and the rest of the tubes and machines she needs for now. “Candace, baby girl, you gave me a scare today. I’m not sure how to breathe without you in my life so please do me a favor and never scare me again.”
The truth is the guilt that sways inside of me, exposing her to the likes of Neal, again. It was always a source of contention in our marriage, though our arrangement was never truly a marriage. It was another way to take control of me, this time with Neal having the power. It’s why he came and saw me yesterday. Though I’m no longer a partner in Daddy’s law firm, I still own ten-percent interest, part of my inheritance I’m just finding out about. I don’t want it but at the same time, I don’t want him to have it either. He knows how to hurt me; blackmailing me for that stake in the company. But worse, it was his hatred for Candace that put her in this bed. And once again, I haven’t been able to protect her.
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry. If I would have just given Neal that stake when he asked for it, he never would have done this to you.”
I startle with Iz’s hand touching my shoulder when his whisper tickles my ear. “Never. Ever. Will. This. Be. Your. Fault.”
“But…” I begin as I turn.
The timbre of his whisper softens when his fingers wipe the water works I don’t even realize are now falling from my eyes. “No, honey. You’ll never be responsible for this and if you think I’m allowing you to accept it was your fault, I would not be doing my job as your boyfriend.”
My heart rate increases at this title; my boyfriend. How one little silly name could cause so much flitter inside of me, but it’s not stupid. It’s right—so very right. I only nod and turn back, holding Candace’s hand with Iz by my side until my eyelids become too heavy and sleep claims me.
9 years ago
Watching my poor Carolina Panthers getting their asses served up by the Forty-Niners isn’t what I want to be doing on a Sunday afternoon. This revelation comes after it’s announced Israel Laita’s beautiful model wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl two days earlier. My nerves, which are already a bit frazzled, are set off at the intrusion to my privacy as the doorbell interrupts my pity party.
The anxiety only skyrockets when I see my father standing at the entrance of the new little condo I bought for myself in Mount Pleasant. He’d been a selfish bastard, keeping Candace from me since I moved thirty minutes from him. He’d demanded I live in an apartment he’d secured for me minutes from the house. Now with him on my doorstep, I’m surprised to see him.
“Daddy,” I say as I gulp down the wine in a rather large glass, “what the hell are you doing here? Unless you brought Candace with you, just leave.” Searching past his large build to his car, I see it’s empty and I attempt to slam the door in his face. It’s bad enough I see him at the office daily. Taking a job at his law firm had been the last thing I wanted to do, but then he’d probably ship Candace off to Timbuktu just to spite me. Placing his foot in the door, he makes his way in. I don’t talk to Daddy unless it’s warranted and this must be, in his own selfish and sadistic mind.
See, the agreement about me moving back to Charleston was that Candace could live with me, but buying a condo on my own took control from him and that’s one thing he doesn’t like.
“Liz, there’s something I need from you.” No hi, how you doing, sorry I killed your baby six years ago. Nothing—just straight to the business at hand.
“Sorry, Daddy. Let me think about this for a second. The last time I did something for you, like take that fucking job, you’ve given me all the shit to do. On top of that, all the other new hires somehow get the good cases. Plus, worst of all, you have kept Candace from me.” I don’t tell him I need something for myself, it wouldn’t matter.
“You can see Candace, after you do this.” Walking in, making himself at home as he pours himself some of my merlot, he turns to the football game and catches Iz just in time when he takes his helmet from his head. “Heard he had a baby. His wife, she’s certainly beautiful. Looks a little like you. I guess he fo
und your replacement.”
When I grab the remote control and click the television off, I stare and only one question comes to my mind. “How did Mama ever love you? She was so good and pure. And you’re nothing but evil.”
He laughs at me and at the memory of his wife. If Mama was still alive and saw Daddy right now, she’d die instantly of a broken heart. “I’m not evil, Elizabeth.” If I hate the step-witch calling me Elizabeth, I doubly hate the sound of those syllables forming on his mouth with my God given name. “It’s that you’ve become quite the disappointment and honestly, a liability. That’s why I’m here.” He takes a sip of his wine, and a satisfied smile forms at the corners of his mouth. “Remember Dr. Alcott?”
My cheeks instantly burn at those words. I want to curl into a ball and retreat into myself at the name of the man who was just as pleased with the miscarriage my dad caused. The thickness in my throat makes me mute.
“Okay then, by your reaction, I’d say that’s a yes.” He takes another sip. “Anyway, you know his son, Neal.” With hitching breaths and a trembling chin, my inability to meet his eyes doesn’t mean I won’t take the empty bottle of merlot and crack it over his head.
“Okay, so I know the answer to that question, too. Yes, you know Neal, of course. Anyway, he’s back from Yale. I’ve offered him a job.”
My eyes are wet and I drop my chin to my chest. “How can you do this to me, Daddy? Haven’t you punished me enough?”
Again, with a small chuckle, he says, “This isn’t what I’m doing. I’m protecting you.”
“No!” I scream and like a rabid dog, I can sense I’m about to foam at the mouth and may attack him. “You’re protecting your name.”
He nods his head in agreement. “Well, technically, but it’s all connected you know. Anyhow, that’s not the nitty-gritty of this little situation. You see, Dr. Alcott has always wanted in with the old money of Charleston and I’m a means to that connection.”
My heart is heavy—too heavy. I clutch my chest as though it may burst or plain stop working any second. He can’t be suggesting what I think.
“Neal is from good stock. With his father being a doctor, he may not be old Charlestonian money but hell, he will be good for you. See, he has used your little mistake with that foolish football boy you brought home, who got you knocked up. It was different when I took Candace because I can pass her off as my own, but a black baby would never be believable as mine. Alcott wants Neal taken care of. Or he’ll rat us out.”
I step back, not sure if I’m understanding my father. “No, I won’t do it. You can’t make me.”
Taking the very last sip of his wine, he smiles at me. “Oh, but you will or I’ll be forced to protect Candace from you. I’ll have her moved somewhere and you won’t ever see her again.”
He places his glass on my kitchen counter then turns to me. “The wedding is set for two weeks from today. Nothing fancy, especially with the time frame, but your stepmother will work out all the arrangements. Just think, everything will be paid for. You’ll move in with Neal in the house that I bought for you right off the Battery. You’ll have access to Candace anytime you like; at his discretion, of course, and you’ll be cared for.”
He walks away from me but I run after him to stop this. “Daddy, please don’t do this to me,” I plead, I yell, I beg.
“No, dear, it’s not me doing this to you. This is all you. These are the events that you placed in motion when you brought that man home.” He points to the television screen where he’d seen Iz but with his lips turned up in a happy grin, he treats my impending wedding as the pleasant event I know it’ll never be. “So, if you want to find someone to blame, look in a mirror.” I follow him outside, pleading with him. He leaves me in my driveway and I can’t move to make it back to the house, and that’s when I find myself falling to the cement.
30
Israel
Watching Liz as she wills Candy to wake from her coma is excruciating. It’s been twenty-four hours and she’s barely left her side. Trying to care for both Liz and Lang while they stubbornly brush off my concerns is fucking exhausting. After I get Doc Jock to basically kick Lang out of the hospital to go home, shower, and change, I now have my work cut out for me trying to get Liz to nap in the adjoining room.
“C’mon, Buttercup. Let me take care of you. I’ll sit with Candy while you nap. If she so much as flutters her eyes, I’ll come get you. I promise.” She’s not sold but I have something else up my sleeve. “Listen, if you get sick, they won’t let you sit with Candy.”
Cocking one eyebrow up higher than the other, she smirks when she concedes. “You really are a bastard, aren’t you?” Her tone is playful and I’m happy to see a little of my old Liz return.
Sitting next to Candy, it’s now that I can start to decompress with the information overload that has been dropped in my lap in the past two days. I see it now, maybe it’s because I know, but it’s been hidden under my fucking nose how much this little girl was never Liz’s little sister, but her daughter.
Vibrations come from somewhere near me and at first I startle, thinking it’s one of the many machines that’s monitoring Candy. But the more I look around, it’s coming from Liz’s purse. It’s her phone. She’s barely been on it today, if at all. Lang had his secretary contact all of her clients and I’m not sure who’s blowing up her cell.
Reaching in her purse, I find the phone right away and she’s not had it long enough to input a passcode. Looking at her voice mails and text messages, my heart slows as I mutter motherfucker.
Neal: Where the fuck are you, Elizabeth? If you don’t want Candy to know the truth, you’ll call me back and bring me those signed documents giving me ten percent control in your dad’s law firm. Don’t fuck with me, Elizabeth.
Typing back as if I’m Liz, I reply: Meet me at 1155 South Grand Avenue. Ask for Jeffery. I’ll be waiting for you. Give me two hours.
Neal: If you’re messing with me, I’ll tell your dear daughter everything.
Pulling out my own phone from my pocket, I call Jeffery and the head of my security team, EZ, explaining the plan and once we’re all on board, I’m about to call Lang when he walks in the room. Though I wanted him to rest, he’s here and that’s what I need to give Neal what’s really coming to him.
“Good, you’re here. I’ve gotta run out for a little bit. If Candy as much as flutters her eyes, get Liz.” He doesn’t question me; he just takes his girl’s hand, resuming the same position I’m positive he’ll stay in until her pretty eyes open.
I peek in on Liz before I leave. “I’m goin’ to make this right for you, Buttercup,” I promise.
I’d put some precautions into place. Once the fucker that put his hands on Liz and Candy left, I’d reached out and cashed in as many favors as I could.
Neal being a lawyer, I let him go at the time, but my concern was getting to Liz as she cowered in the corner of her apartment. I’d wanted to ask her if his hands ever assaulted her, but then again, I wasn’t sure I could be responsible for my own actions if the answer was yes.
Arriving to my building, through the employee access to avoid the fucker I’m going to heap holy hell on, Jeffery meets me when I enter the lobby. “Sir.” I cringe at such formality. “He’s here and so are the others.”
Ah, this plan will cripple him more than my fists. Taking away his livelihood. It doesn’t fully satisfy me because he deserves a special place in hell along with Liz’s father.
Ezra Tackleson is a huge and scary motherfucker. As most things in my life, Lang has hooked me up with the supreme in security and EZ fills that box and then some. Once a college player himself, then one of L.A.’s finest in blue, he now strictly works security for me. When someone has the ability to make me feel small, I know Ezra is a big motherfucker.
“Iz.” His voice mimics his scary persona. “I have someone posted at the hospital just in case.”
“Good—you’ve seen me with Liz Parker. Keep an eye on her.” I don’t
need him to answer this question. You know your security is top notch when you’re not aware they’re even around.
His stone-cold look turns to a frown when he begins, “Who the fuck do you think you’re dealing with? This ain’t my first rodeo. Plus, I have a man working with Kendra’s detail. She’s pissed as hell but I told her I don’t fucking care.”
Letting out a huge breath, I’d not even given thought to Kendra and Nev. If anyone ever wants to hit me below the waist, it certainly would be through them. “Thanks, bro, I know you got this covered.”
His eyes divert to the entrance of my building with a large smile covering his face, which is odd with EZ. He waves someone our way. “Gus,” he calls when Detective Gus Stavorskey heads toward us. Now that I have Liz to care for, I’m going to find a way to get Gus to come work for me, too. Though I respect a man who stays with the shitty pay a cop makes, for principle. Now, I know with Gus on the case and the LAPD, the motherfucker thinking Liz is meeting him for a payout will get his.
Shaking my hand, I don’t have to get Gus up to speed. “Iz, I reviewed the security cameras from Ms. Parker’s office space. We have him dead to rights. Now, let’s go get the sick fuck who thinks it’s okay to hurt young women.”
With a deep, gratifying sigh, the three of us, at around seven hundred pounds of pure muscle, enter the room and I hope the man pisses himself in fear. No such luck; however, with his inability to speak and uncontrollable trembling, I know this sick piece of shit’s scared out of his mind. When he begins to speak, Gus simply extends his hand. “Now this is how it’s going to go down.” He pulls out his tablet and opens the footage that has him dead to rights shoving Candy against the filing cabinet. It’s the first time I see this. When I’m witness to the pure force in which Candy hits the steel, I erase the space between us, but EZ’s too quick—getting between us.