by S. N. Garza
He had parked in front of her door thankfully. He honked the horn and waited. When she didn’t come out, Danny growled behind his throat and grabbed his phone.
He waited until she picked up and said, “We’re outside waiting. Where are you? No, I’m not coming inside. Get out here or we’re leaving.”
Danny’s was becoming red with anger and I kept my head straight. I didn’t want him to be angry. I looked back at Reighlyn to see her wilting like a rose.
I was ready to climb back there and huddle with her when Danny growled, “You’re such a fucking disappointment.”
Whoa. He rarely cursed in front of Reighlyn, if ever. That had been one of the many qualities I loved about him. He was a total gentleman in public and towards his daughter. He was to me, unless we were in private and doing our sex-thing, then he became a sexy, dirty-talking caveman. Which I loved even more.
He hung up the phone and tossed it on the dashboard. I looked back to him and he shook his head, laid his hand on the seat rest and put the truck in reverse. I turned towards the front to see a brown haired woman step out the door in front of us.
“Danny?”
I pointed toward her and he turned and muttered fuck under his breath.
“You want me to sit in back with Reighlyn, Daniel?”
He looked back at Reighlyn, let out a sigh and then to me, “Not really, but I can deal with her. I don’t want her messing with Reighlyn. I thought this would be good for them. Such an idiot.”
I laid my hand on his arm, squeezed and said, “It’s never a mistake to want to make things right for them. But you can only try so much until it breaks you. Or her. I’ll sit with her.”
I went to open the truck door when his arm clasped my bicep. He hauled me over and kissed me with relief and passion.
“Thanks, babe.”
I smiled and stepped out of the truck, Magen approached the vehicle, looked at me and snickered.
“Oh, my God! How old are you? Twelve? He’s actually taken with a girl like you?” the door was shut so I know Danny didn’t hear what she said or he might really blow up.
And I didn’t say anything either. The less contact I had with her, the better. There was only so much I could take.
I got in the back seat and I felt Danny’s stare burning into me. I glanced at him and just before she opened the door he said, “What did she say to you?”
I shook my head and looked away. I heard rather than saw his hands twisting tightly on the wheel as Magen hopped into the passenger side.
“Hey, Daniel. Like my outfit?”
Oh, yeah. Did I mention she was also wearing a disguise? A ‘vampire’ costume that fit her body—her skinny as a rail body, blech—like a second skin, was painted on. She was going trick or treating, not to some adult party to get trashed. The skirt was short enough that if she probably sat, her crotch would be playing pee-a-boo with the world. I looked over to him, saw that he looked over her and snorted.
“Who are you trying to impress, Magen?”
“No one. Just thought I’d look grown up. And what’s that shit on your face?”
“Don’t speak like that in front of my daughter.”
“Our daughter.”
“Ha. Uh, no. you haven’t even said hello to her.”
He backed the truck out of the drive and the whole way to his mother’s neighborhood, the air was thick and the tension permeated the air all around us like a thick fog.
When we finally parked in the neighborhood parking lot where a lot of other parents parked, got out, our satchel’s ready to load with candy. I carried a sack just in case Reighlyn’s candy bowl filled up. Reighlyn stayed by my side.
Didn’t stop Magen from moving me out of the way so she could look and inspect her daughter.
“You look so sweet, Reighlyn. Growing up so fast. You really do take after your father. Except the eyes. You have my beautiful blue eyes.”
Reighlyn didn’t say anything and that evidently made Magen mad. Danny was locking up and didn’t hear the exchange between mother and daughter. But I did, and I was this close to violence. This. Close.
“Nothing to say, Reighlyn? You better say thank you, you little brat.”
Reighlyn still didn’t say anything but walked around her and took my hand, walking past her, this blank hard stare in her pretty blue eyes.
Oh, crap. That didn’t bode well for us. I turned to see Magen’s face red with anger and her eyes became small slits where hatred practically bled from her eyes. I just turned and continued walking.
“Wait up girls!” Danny said and I looked back at him, but Reighlyn yanked me forward.
“What the hell did you say to her, Magen?”
“To who? Reighlyn? Or your hot little piece of ass?”
I turned around after that, ignoring them both and walked Reighlyn up to the first house. We stayed that way for an hour into the walk, and between Reighlyn and myself, the tension wasn’t as heavy. I did my best to make the rest of the evening more fun for her. Every house we went to loved our costumes. Even though they thought I was her older sister, it was fun. Reighlyn became relaxed and as we turned the corner I turned and walked backwards.
“So, you got a lot of candy.”
“So did you! Most of them think you’re my older sister. How weird?”
I laughed and looked up to see Danny, tense and ready to throttle the woman at his side. I really wanted to go to him and I even stopped, feeling bad for him, but he raised his fisted hand up just a smidge, letting me know he was okay. He didn’t want to spoil this for Reigh. He could deal with her by himself. Thing was, I didn’t want him to have to.
I turned and walked at Reighlyn’s side.
“I think it’s time we rescue your dad. He’s looking like he’s ready to commit murder, honey.”
She looked back and quickly turned her head back forward.
“What’s wrong, Reigh?”
“He doesn’t want our help. Just look. He’s kissing her.”
What?
I stopped and turned around. But I knew Danny wasn’t kissing her, she was plastered on him, trying to maul him and he was trying to push her away.
“Honey, he’s not kissing her. She’s trying and he’s denying. Let’s go save him.”
With a swift nod, we both walked over to them.
“Excuse me?”
Magen bounded back from Daniel’s body and looked at me with a slick, snaky smile.
“Do you kiss him like that? Do you even know what he does for a living? Do you know he fucks them for money?”
“Magen!” I rushed to cover Reighlyn’s ears but she pushed away.
And standing strong and firm she said, “No, he kisses her like she’s his everything. And she is. We both are. You’ll never have my daddy, you washed-up druggie. You don’t want me anymore now than you did back then, so why are you even here? Trying to make Riri jealous? ‘Cause she’s not. Who would be jealous of you? Ha. You’re pathetic. You’ll never be loved by anyone. I want Moriah to be my mom. She’s the best thing that’s ever come into our life, and we don’t need the likes of you to dirty up what we have. I hate you. You’re not my mother.”
Reighlyn turned and ran towards the truck…oh thank God we were close. She waited by the back door. Her candy clutched in her arms. I turned back to see Daniel holding it in.
“She is so ungrateful. You raised such a little brat, Daniel. Spoiled. And Riri, is it? What the fuck do you do? You barely look eighteen. Daniel, fucking a little teenager. She wants you to be her mother? Ha. What a joke. He’ll never be anything more than a male stripper and fucking escort. He’s worthless and useless. He wasn’t even good in bed with that little dick.”
That did it. I saw Daniel about to say something when I cut him off.
“Listen here, you stupid bitch. That girl, your own flesh and blood? All she ever wanted was to be loved. You’re her mother and you can’t even give her that. You dumped her on his door step and he did what he had to do to ma
ke sure she never wanted for anything.”
“Moriah.”
“Shut up, Daniel.” His eyes widened but I wasn’t paying attention anymore. This woman was done hurting this family. My family. “You don’t deserve to be a part of their lives. Reighlyn was, is, and never will be a spoiled brat. She earns her keep and is a smart, beautiful, talented little girl. I am of age, trust me. I don’t know my future. But if I was Reighlyn’s mother I’d smother her with so much love she wouldn’t be able to live a day without her knowing she was loved. That’s how Daniel loves her. It would be an honor to be that little girl’s mother and you just shit on it like she’s not anything to you. You carried her! You gave birth to her. Don’t worry about Daniel. He knows where he’s been and knows where he’s going. And it doesn’t concern you one little bit. I don’t care what he does as long as he’s happy. I can live with that. And since I’ve came into his life the only girl he fucks is me. He worth more than a billion of you. And believe me, I go to sleep fucked and fucked so good that I don’t know where he begins and I end. Oh, by the way, you’ve only had him once. I’ve had him plenty and he’s mine. Ever think and try to put your lips on my man again and trust me, old dog, I’ll put your ass to the ground. That’s a fucking promise you can take to the bank.” I grabbed Daniel’s arm and pulled him along with me. We were only a few steps when I turned around and said, “Find your own way home too, you fucking dirty skank.”
Then I hauled him towards his truck and thankfully he went along with me.
I heard a scream and before I knew it, I had been tackled, Danny coming down with me, breaking my fall.
“BITCH!” Magen yelled and I saw her fist was about to connect with my face when a leg kicked out and stopped her.
Both Danny and I turned to see Reighlyn’s leg swing back and then kick up again.
“Don’t you touch my daddy and Moriah!” then she landed a few blows to Magen stomach with her hands until she fell to the ground.
“Stay away from us. You don’t belong with us. You never wanted to be my momma and that’s fine. Just leave us alone.”
“How could you treat your own mother this way?”
“You’re not my mother. You never were. Please, just leave us alone. He’ll never love you.”
Magen’s eyes became blue pools of tears as she looked at me and Daniel.
“All I ever wanted—
“Save it, Magen. Don’t bother us or I will have a court order for you to stay away from us.” He helped me up, dusted off the gravel and had laid a hand on Reighlyn’s shoulder. “Come on girls, let go home.”
Diana was still up when we came back to the apartment. It was just a little after nine. We all were tired and exhausted and Reighlyn kept quiet the whole way home. We all did. I didn’t know what to say. I knew what I said to Magen was probably inappropriate. I mean, what right did I have? But I just couldn’t take it anymore. She was such a dreadful woman. She didn’t even love Reighlyn. All she wanted was Daniel. And well, he was mine dammit. I wasn’t ever going to give him up.
Oh, hell. I really do love him. I really, really loved him. We got inside and by the looks of us, Diana had taken Reighlyn and nodded to us letting us know that she’d take care of Reighlyn and get the story out of her.
Daniel put his hands on my shoulders and walked me into his bedroom, slamming the door shut, making me flinch. Oh, crap he was mad. I understood it, but I just couldn’t in good conscience let that raggedy bitch talk shit about Daniel. Hell, no.
“We need to talk, Moriah.”
Yup. He was mad. Or upset. Definitely upset. I’m going with that.
She loved me. Damn silly woman. When she told me to shut up, my dick sparked to life as her mama-bear attitude came out. I knew she loved Reighlyn and wanted nothing more than to protect her. That’s why I didn’t mind when they took off. Reighlyn didn’t even want to be around Magen. I didn’t blame her. She didn’t even greet her own daughter. Didn’t try and give her a hug or anything. I don’t know what she said to Moriah before she got in, since Moriah shut the door with a look of agitation and irritation written all over her beautiful face I looked at Magen face to see a dirty, evil look in it and the whole time we were driving to mom’s neighborhood, yes, I could have parked at mom’s but I wasn’t about to leave Magen at my mother’s just in case she tried getting in the house. God knows what she would try to do. Or steal.
But on the short drive to the neighborhood parking lot, Magen was trying to show me her crotch that seemed to be underwear-less. Disgusting. She had no respect for herself. I had more respect for her nine years ago when I slept with her. It might have been once or twice, but she still thought she was hot? I don’t like to bad mouth women but she looked washed-up. Old. Like she’s been put through the ringer and then some.
The whole time walking around the neighborhood she was talking about her problems and I knew the only reason she wanted to come was to get money from me. Sick. Then she plastered herself to me, her ashtray mouth pressed against mine. I was ready to gag. I hate people who smoke.
When Moriah went off on her, it was like seeing her for the first time. She stood up for herself, but I hadn’t thought she’d put herself in front of me like that. It was both humbling and made me annoyed all at once. I didn’t need defending from Magen. I didn’t want to put them together but I had genuinely thought Magen wanted to see Reighlyn. She had begged and pleaded to let her make up for not being there for lately. (Or ever, but whatever.) Sometimes people deserve a second chance. And I’ve given her plenty of those but I thought maybe this time, she had sounded sincere. Boy was I wrong.
Reighlyn was the best part of this night. I’m glad she wasn’t afraid of Magen and at least stood up for herself. Defending Moriah like that made me so damn proud of her. Reighlyn loved Moriah so much. I knew how bad she wanted Moriah to be a permanent fixture in our lives and to be her mother. And while Moriah didn’t state that she wanted to take that position, her actions and words tonight said so much. She wouldn’t mind it. Eventually.
I was proud of Moriah, too.
“Danny?”
I made sure the bedroom door was locked up tight when I faced her. She looked ill at ease and I knew she thought I was mad. She couldn’t be any more wrong.
“Moriah.” She braced herself, ready for my ire. “Are you okay, baby?”
That stunned her. I didn’t want to talk about Magen. I didn’t want her to be in this bedroom with us. Contaminating any part of our relationship.
“Yes. A little bit of gravel scraped my skin, but it’s nothing a little antibiotic cream and Band-Aids won’t fix and heal.”
I nodded and walked over to her. The pink paint had worn off but the blue heart around one eye was still brilliant enough that it made her blue eyes darker. The blonde, pink and purple of her hair was still in a pretty up do. A little slanted but she never looked better. The pale pink dress with blue hearts embroidered on it was feminine, sexy and innocent. Her light blue Converse shoes on her little feet made her the complete package. How’d I get so fucking lucky?
She had no idea how much she affected me. So glad to call her mine. Now it was time to show her.
“Take the dress off, Moriah.”
Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. She really thought I was going to argue about her standing up for me? Well I wasn’t. I’m pretty sure she needed that. To be able to stand up for someone. Prove that she could protect me as I protected her. This, of course, was my right to protect her now and for the rest of our lives.
No, I wasn’t going to say anything now. That might freak her out too much. She was still a fight or flight girl. I was going to show her just how much she was wanted and needed. And loved. Because there was no denying it. I loved her. She was my world.
I was desperate to hear those three words, but knowing that she did was good enough. We had such an explosive chemistry. No one knows me like she does. I’ve never been so loose tongued in my entire life and with her, it seemed like I wanted to ta
lk about any and every thing. I wanted to please her need to learn and know about me. Through all this, she hadn’t lost focus on her own dreams. That was the main thing. I didn’t want to suffocate her and make her think I wanted to be her main focus. I wanted to be her world, but without surrounding her too much. Not that she let me, but I knew I needed to give her time. She was getting her life together. I was just glad to be a part of it.
She knew what she was getting by staying with Reighlyn and me. My mother who loves Moriah like she was family already. That really made me happy. I didn’t want my choice in the woman I loved to be someone my mother wouldn’t like. When dad died, she was the only one I had and we were close. I wanted to keep all the women in my life happy.
I got snagged in Moriah’s web and hell if I didn’t throw myself in it to be caught in the first place. She spun me around and around until all I wanted to be was the best man that she deserved.
“Wait a second. You’re not upset I told you to shut up? You’re not mad that I rescued you?”
“Moriah, I didn’t need rescuing from that woman. I was okay. I was diffusing the situation.”
“Not fast enough, Daniel.” There was a bit of a growl in her voice and it only made my heart pump faster in anticipation and my dick throb with need.
“And no, I’m not mad. You telling me to shut up made my dick hard. I love that take charge attitude of yours. It’s a slow progressing thing, isn’t it?”
The blush that crept up her neck and onto her cheeks was absolutely endearing.
“I couldn’t let her say those things about you, Danny. One. They were untrue. You’re a great dad and a wonderful man. It doesn’t matter what you do. You know exactly what you’re doing with your life and I know your end goal. I’m happy. Two. The whole bad in bed part...well, I couldn’t not say anything. The woman had no idea what she was talking about and I wanted to brag…just a bit.”
“Yeah you said a lot of fucks in that little speech. Is that what we do? Just fuck?”
She laughed awkwardly and looked everywhere except in my eyes. “Sometimes.”