Then, Stone cleared his throat.
“While I’m not the biggest fan of this plan, the priority is making sure Ella feels safe,” Stone said.
“Of course,” I said.
“So, in an effort to get her more protection, you’re moving in, Texas,” he said.
I paused. “What?”
“You’re moving in with Ella and Keva until we can get a decent restraining order in place.”
My eyes darted over to Ella. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I won’t feel safe otherwise. And I’m not all that proficient with a gun, though I’ve got one.”
“You’ve got a gun in this house?”
“It’s secured and away from Keva, but yes. I do,” she said.
My eyes flickered back to Stone and I saw him gritting his teeth together.
“You sure you’re okay with this?” I asked.
“Whatever keeps Ella and my niece safe is fine with me,” he said.
But I saw the warning look in his eyes. The look of, “If you touch her, you die.” I also knew that living with Ella would propose even greater obstacles. Larger obstacles we’d have to overcome.
Like not jumping one another’s bones every free second of the fucking day.
“Then, I’ll start moving my stuff in tomorrow,” I said.
“Tonight,” Stone said.
“What?”
“You and I are moving your shit in tonight. At least enough for you to feel okay staying here with them tonight,” he said.
“And I’ll set up the guest bedroom for you to sleep in,” Ella said.
The guest bedroom. In Ella’s house. After everything that had transpired between us within these walls.
Fucking grand.
“Sounds good to me,” I said.
“Then, let’s get to moving your shit. I don’t have all night,” Stone said.
Thirteen
Ella
I sighed as I stood at the stove, scrambling up almost a dozen eggs. I had no idea how much Texas ate in the mornings, but I was pretty sure it was a lot. The bacon sat on top of some paper towels on a plate, and the steaming pancakes were on the table already. I reached over and turned on the pot of coffee, percolating it strong.
None of us had gotten to sleep last night until almost three in the morning.
I sighed when my phone rang out. I didn’t feel like picking it up, but I knew who it was. Since Texas was moving in and staying here, my brother had taken over the responsibility of tailing Jett.
Which meant he was calling with his two-hour update.
“Morning, Stone,” I said, yawning.
“Hey there, sis. How ya feelin’?” he asked.
“Exhausted.”
“I can only imagine. How’s Keva?”
“Still asleep, if you can believe it,” I said.
“I can. She woke up at one in the morning and was adamant on staying up until we were finished.”
“That’s what happens when you drop a box on your toe and scream out into a dark house.”
“That box was heavy as fuck.”
I giggled softly. “You know Texas cooks. You know he’s gonna have his own pots and pans he works with.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.”
“You really don’t like this, do you?” I asked.
“Forgive me if the last guy I passed you onto in this crew beat you to a bloodied pulp.”
“Fucking hell, Stone. Really? You couldn’t have phrased that a better way?”
“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ella.”
I sighed as I pulled the finished eggs from the stove.
“So, what’s this update you’ve got for me?” I asked.
“Well, I’ve been tailing Jett ever since I left your place last night,” he said.
“I know. I woke up to several voice messages.”
“So far, he’s acting normal. He’s at work right now, but I’m planning on keeping an eye on him throughout the day.”
“Well, how about we make a rule that you call me if you think something’s going wrong,” I said.
“What? You don’t like talking to your big brother?” he asked.
“I love you, but no.”
The two of us laughed as I set the table for breakfast.
“You sound like you’re feeling better,” he said.
“Having Texas around last night made me feel a little better about things,” I said.
“He keeping his hands to himself?”
Unfortunately.
“Yes, Stone. Texas is keeping his hands to himself,” I said mockingly.
“Good. Because if he doesn’t, I’ll—”
“Focus on killing one man at a time, yeah?” I asked.
He snickered. “You know me too well. But there is another reason why I called.”
“Oh?”
“Yep. I’m sending over a different lawyer to help you file another request for a restraining order. I know all of our previous attempts have failed, but now that there are witnesses and video evidence of him confronting you at the grocery store—”
“We might stand a chance at getting one. Especially since my manager had to step in on my behalf.”
“Exactly. It’s worth a shot, and don’t worry about the bill. The guy owes me a favor anyway,” he said.
“I don’t even wanna know,” I murmured.
“No, you really don’t.”
“Do you know what time he’s supposed to show up?”
“He’s got one to three blocked off for you.”
“Two entire hours?” I asked.
“Well, that’s just what he’s got blocked off. He might not show up until one thirty. Or even two. But whenever he shows up, you’ve got him until three.”
“Gotcha. I’ll make sure I’m around,” I sighed.
“I didn’t like the tone of that statement,” he said.
“Sorry, Dad,” I said jokingly.
“You need a lawyer, Ella.”
“Look, Stone. I’m not saying it won’t work. I’m just saying that it might be a little pointless. I mean the cops have never helped me before. We’re pretty sure Jett padded the judge’s pockets during the custody hearing. They’ve never once cared about me or Keva. So why would they now?”
“I’m hoping that with a different lawyer involved, it’ll help our case.”
“I don't know. I’ll give it a try, but I’m not so sure it’ll work,” I said.
“Look, Jett’s not going to ever hurt you again. I’ll make sure of that. And in the meantime, it isn’t gonna hurt to try and saddle him with some shit that keeps him away from you and my niece. The second we stop fighting, he’s won. Got it?”
“Got it,” I said.
“Good. So, you working today?” he asked.
“Nope. I called in sick, so I’ve got today and tomorrow off.”
“That’s good. What about Keva?” he asked.
“She’ll be home with me and Texas. I know she’s safe at Joanne’s, but I just kind of want her around right now. You know, so my eyes are actually on her.”
“I don’t blame you. Want me to stop by later?”
“You mean after you’re done tailing Jett?”
“I mean the man’s gotta sleep sometime,” he said.
“I think we’ll be fine. Plus, having two territorial men in the same small house is a bit much,” I said.
“You aren’t Texas’ territory,” he glowered.
“It was a joke, Stone. Lighten up, would you?”
“Oh, I gotta go. Jett’s leaving his workplace for his car. Call you in—”
“Call me whenever something pertinent happens. I don’t give a damn what that man eats for lunch,” I said.
“Duly noted,” he said.
I hung up the phone and tossed it back onto the counter. The coffee was finally done brewing, and I pulled two mugs from the cabinet. I pulled out the cream and the sugar, then started making myself the best cup of coffee I knew I’d ever taste. Especially wi
th how tired I was.
And when I turned around with it in my hands, I saw Texas standing in the doorway.
“Morning,” I said softly.
“I agree with the restraining order,” he murmured.
I rolled my eyes as he meandered into the kitchen and made himself a cup of coffee.
“How much did you hear?” I asked.
“Enough,” he grunted.
“You know as good as I do that even if we do get something like that, it won’t stop a man like Jett.”
“Which is why I’ve moved in.”
“So, you’re telling me you’re going to live here forever?”
“Or until Jett’s behind bars. One of the two,” he said.
Texas leaned against the kitchen counter beside me, his body heat reaching out for mine. I leaned my head against his chiseled arm, feeling his muscles flex to better accommodate me. I sighed heavily as my eyes fell closed, and I sought comfort in his presence.
“It’s gonna be okay, Ella. I’ll make sure of it,” Texas said.
“I don’t know. I don’t know if anything will ever be okay again,” I said.
“Mommy! Mommy! Doll time! Please?”
Keva came rushing down the hallway, completely ignoring the fact that breakfast was ready.
“Don’t you want to eat first?” I asked.
“My dolls wanna play,” Keva said.
“Yeah, Mom. The dolls already had breakfast,” Texas said.
I pushed off his arm and looked up at him, watching as a grin crossed his face. He chugged back the rest of his coffee while Keva bounced around the kitchen, chanting about how it was time for her dolls to go to school and learn things.
“It sounds like it’s school time, too,” Texas said.
“Come play with me!” Keva exclaimed.
I watched her tugging on Texas’ hand and I tried stepping in.
“Sweetheart, why don’t you go—”
“What subject are we learning about today?” he asked.
My eyes whipped up to look at him as I shook my head.
“You don’t have to do that,” I whispered.
“Come on, Tex! We gotta learn about butterflies,” Keva said.
“Sorry, Momma. It’s butterfly day. Gotta go!” Texas said playfully.
As breakfast sat on the table getting colder by the second, I looked on at Texas and Keva. She had dragged every single one of her dolls and stuffed animals out into the living room and set them up all around. My couch was filled with them. My chairs. The corners. Even the middle of the floor! My daughter had two dolls hanging on for dear life on the television and one of her massive Valentine’s Day teddy bears was hanging off Texas’ back.
And I watched as the two of them interacted.
“Today, class, we’re gonna learn about butterflies,” she said.
“And where do they come from?” Texas asked.
“Everyone knows butterflies come from acorns, silly,” she said.
“Oh, oh. Right,” he said.
He looked over at me and winked as I giggled from beyond my mug of coffee.
“All right, class! I’m gonna draw a ‘pitcher,’ and I want help naming all the body parts of the butterfly,” she said.
“Where’s its butt?” Texas asked.
Well, not really Texas. He had put the massive bear in front of him and was speaking for the bear.
“Mr. Bear! No unkind words in class,” my daughter said.
“You said body parts!” Mr. Bear exclaimed in Texas’ voice.
“Detention! All of you!” my daughter cried out.
She fell apart in laughter and Texas chuckled. He tossed the massive bear at her and Keva shrieked with joy, then Texas crawled at her on all fours. The two of them wrestled on the floor, knocking over the dolls and stuffed animals wherever they went.
Watching them made my heart ache.
He was so good with her. Tossing her around, but always making sure she had a soft landing. Making her smile and giggle and working with her on the few words she was still slurring and getting wrong. While Jett got frustrated with her that she couldn't talk right, Texas showed Keva what his tongue did whenever he talked. He helped her with her soft G’s, showing her how to curl her tongue back and push air from the back of her throat.
I found myself wishing I’d met him long before I ever met Jett.
I sighed as I sipped my coffee. The two of them began coloring a butterfly, and Texas ended up labeling the “butt” of the insect. I laughed along with them as Keva went wild with the colors on the wings, and I envisioned such a different life for myself. Things would have taken a much better turn had I focused my eyes on anything other than Jett at the time. There Texas had been, right by my brother’s side, and I’d never given him a second look.
Texas would have made a fantastic father.
“Too bad you screwed up your life before he came around,” I murmured.
“What was that?” Texas asked.
“Nothing. Just thinking out loud,” I said.
“Wanna come play, Mommy?” Keva asked.
I paused. “You know what? I think I do.”
Might as well enjoy it while I can.
Fourteen
Texas
I stared off at the wall, remembering the talk Stone had with me a few days ago. I remembered back to the night I had moved in. The night when I’d found all that shit in Jett’s storage locker. I drew in a deep breath as my mind pulled me back. Took me back to that first load Stone and I hauled over to the Ella’s house that night.
I replayed the conversation over in my head every time I felt myself growing too close to Keva and her mother.
“You know the rules with all this, right?” Stone asked.
I heaved a box I hadn’t unpacked yet into my arms.
“Yes, I know the damn rules. No touching Ella,” I grunted.
“And no playing house. They aren’t your family to play house with,” he said.
“Stone, I fucking got it. Okay? Quit repeating yourself.”
“For some reason, I feel like I need to with you.”
I paused and watched him load a box onto his shoulder. Then, the two of us stood there. Staring at one another. I didn’t know how he knew, but he knew. I wasn’t sure how much he knew, but I was almost certain Stone understood there was something going on between Ella and myself.
“I see the way you look at her. I saw the way she looked back at you whenever her and I were talking in the fucking kitchen,” Stone said.
“You’re out of your mind,” I said.
“Don’t you dare lie to me. We’ve been friends for fucking years. This isn’t all business anymore, is it?”
“Was it ever? I mean come on, Stone. This is Ella we’re talking about. She’s just as much a part of this crew as—”
“Stop twisting words. Stop being Jett,” he glowered.
In that moment, I wanted to slug him across the fucking face. How dare that asshole compare me to that abusive, murderous fuck.
“You’ve crossed a line with my sister you’ll never come back from. I don’t know what all’s happened between you two, but you better hope for your sake it’s just some stolen fucking glances,” Stone said.
“Then why the hell am I moving into her place if you're so damn paranoid we’re screwing around?” I asked.
“Have you touched my sister?”
“You first,” I growled.
Stone’s nostrils flared. “That’s the least of our worries right now. My gut’s telling me exactly what you thought back there. That Jett’s out to really do some damage to my damn sister. So, here’s how this is gonna go. You’ll move in. You’ll watch over them. But if you so much as lay a finger on my sister and I found out about it? You’re done. You're out of the crew, for starters. And you better make damn sure you know how to cover your tracks. Because I’ll come for you, too.”
“What the hell is it with you? You know me better than this. Even if I was fucking around wi
th—”
Stone gnashed his teeth at me. “I’ll deal with you later, you backstabbing son of a bitch. Right now? Our focus is my family’s safety. And it damn well better be your focus, too.”
I hadn’t spoken with Stone since. Not a text. Not a phone call. Nothing. He’d come by once to see Keva and Ella, and not once had he looked my way. He was feeding updates through Ella, which pissed me the hell off. She had enough on her shoulders. The last thing she needed was her brother pestering her multiple times throughout the day because of some bullshit man she was trying to get away from.
I didn’t like leaving things like this with my best friend. But I also wasn’t a fan of the tactics he was using so he didn’t have to speak with me.
They were the moves of a coward, if anyone wanted my opinion on it.
“I said the ‘mashic’ word, Tex.”
Keva’s voice pulled me from my trance and I looked down at her.
“What was that?” I asked.
“I said it. So now you gotta put it on,” she said.
I picked up the crown she laid into my hand and inched it onto my head. I pressed it down, feeling the plastic combs rake against my scalp. Keva smiled brightly, with her massive green eyes just like her mother’s sparkling with delight. Every time that kid smiled, I couldn't help but smile back. Keva had roped me into playing tea party with her and her stuffed animals. And I told her if she wanted me to put on a crown, she had to say the magic word.
Please.
“You look pretty,” Keva said, giggling.
“Why, thank you,” I said as I fluttered my eyelashes.
Keva fell apart in a fit of giggles before she reached for her wand.
“Ready to start?” she asked.
“More than ready. Will there be food here, too?” I asked.
“Well, if you’d wait for me to wave my wand, you’d see.”
“Oh, oh, oh. Sorry for interrupting.”
“You should be,” she murmured.
I balked at her sassiness as I tried to hold back my laughter.
“One, two, ‘free!’”
Keva waved her wand around in the air before she reached behind her. She tried distracting me with the wand long enough to pull out what was sitting behind her on the floor. She fumbled with a package of Oreos and a small bottle of apple juice, both of which she sat in the middle of the circle.
Texas: The Lost Boys MC #1 Page 9