Wife To Love

by MK Moore

  “Please, Robby. You cannot tell anyone I know who did this.” I beg, because I know what will happen if we talk. I don’t know why I told him, but I couldn’t lie to him. He is a man I know nothing about, but who makes me feel things thought I wouldn’t. I am old enough to have experienced something before, but I never have. If it had been anything like when he was holding my hand, I would have noticed.

  “I won’t Salenah. But, I will protect you.” Damn. I don’t even know this man and he is making statements like that. This is what love at first sight feels like.

  “How?” I begin to hope he has a plan to save me, because I suddenly need it.

  “I haven’t worked out the particulars, but you should know that I will.”

  The sexy timber of his voice makes me excited. He is extremely handsome, I think to myself as I take him in and let out a small sigh at his swoon-worthiness. He saved me and that will always be hot.

  “You have already saved me once, Robby. Which I appreciate, but I do not expect you to bail me out indefinitely.” My chest already hurts at the thought of him leaving and never looking back. His handsome face is going to haunt me forever.

  “Sorry, my Italian princess. I am here to stay. You are my wife after all.” He says coming closer to me. Thank God, I think. What is wrong with me? His wife? Suddenly, I don’t want to be anything but his. Just like that, the world shifts and all I can see is him. I can see the house, the kids, being a soccer man, the whole nine yards. It is a beautiful sight.

  “I am not your wife.” I say sadly, though I don’t want too.

  “Not yet. Give me a day.” He leans down, and our lips connect. It is a soft kiss, but I grab his shirt collar and pull him closer to make it deeper. He is not having any of that and when we pull apart, he places a gentle kiss on the tip of my nose.

  “I should know more about my husband. Tell me about you.” I say, trying to calm down. My pulse is racing, and my face is flushed.

  “I am a doctor and I was a captain in the army. I was just medically discharged.” He says nonchalantly.

  “What happened?” I asked. I am suddenly worried he was shot or something equally as horrifying.

  “A patient, just waking up from anesthesia, somehow got a hold of a scalpel and stabbed me. The nerve damage in my arm was irreparable.

  “Wow, that had to be do hard. You are a doctor? What are you thirty?” I question.

  “I was a surgeon, but that is impossible now, and I am twenty-five.” He says matter of fact.

  “Ah, continue.” I don’t see how it is possible, but in the interest of moving along I hold my questions.

  “I see you are confused by the timeline. First, I graduated early. Very early. Joined the Army at eighteen and did two tours. Since I can no longer do my specialty they offered me a choice. I missed my family so now I am going to open a private practice in my hometown of Santa Rosa, California.”

  “I am from Petaluma.” One town apart, in the same county? What are the odds? That makes all the drama seem worth it. Like I am not alone in the world. He is going to be my little piece of home, no matter what.

  “That is amazing. It really is a small world.” He says, with a grin.

  “And getting smaller.” I say with a smile. “Shit.” I wince and lightly rub my fingertips over the clear bandage on my face.

  “What’s wrong?” His voice is full of concern.

  “I think smiling is out for a while. That fucking hurt.”

  “Do you want to tell me what is going on? I will help you any way I can.” He says.

  “I am not sure if I should. It is complicated and messy. Your life could be in danger.” I say as I wring my hands in my lap. This shit is bananas, but it could only happen to me. My wry thoughts cause me to try to smile, but fuck that it hurts too much.

  “My life has been in danger for years now. Even a man like me faced bullets on the daily. Tell me.” It makes me sad because there could have been thousands of instances where our lives wouldn’t have crossed paths. I will probably regret telling him my saga, but I feel safe with him. Which is not something I am used to.

  “Short version of the story is my father is the captain of the Rossi Crime family. He recently pissed off the family when he did not force me to marry, Angelo.”

  I notice his hands clenching at his sides. He doesn’t look thrilled with this news. Who could be? I hate and somehow also love that he is getting so worked up over the drama in my life.

  “What the fuck? Did Rossi honestly think it would happen?”

  “He thinks his word is law.” I reply, shrugging. “My father is an adulterating asshole, but he would never make me do something I didn’t want. He thinks I am clueless about a sister I have, who lives in LA or the fact he has been sleeping with an ex-stripper for twenty years. But I know.”

  “You’ve met your sister?” He asks.

  “Of course not. That isn’t done.” I reply.

  “Oh. That must be something. Do you think Rossi will do the same thing to your sister?”

  “I do now.” I say. I may not know her, but I love her and hope she can protect herself.

  “What is her name?”

  “Natalia D’Agostino.” I reply.

  In seconds he has his phone out and putting on speaker.

  “Robby, man. What can I help you with?” Says the man who answers after one ring.

  “Hey Ryan. Long time no see. Let’s pretend this conversation never happened.” Robby says.

  “Done. Go.”

  “Have you heard any chatter on a hit for Natalia D’Agostino?”

  “As a matter of fact, I have. Man, this is perfect timing. I am at her place now. Tell me why you are calling?” He questions.

  I gasp when I hear this. How close am I to losing my sister? The sister I have longed to meet for years. My heart is beating so fast. I haven’t even met her. How can she be this close to losing her life?

  “Her sister was just attacked in Berlin. I saved her. But man, Angelo Rossi is behind this. My wife will not take kindly to you killing her sister. Can you bring her to my house in Santa Rosa? We are leaving here tomorrow. You should come on Friday.”

  “Done. Angelo Rossi? I don’t mess with him. He must have gotten someone else to pay me. The contract is null and void. When did you get married?” He asks as a side question.

  “Tomorrow.” With that he ends the call.

  I sit there for a minute without saying anything. Is he being real when he says tomorrow? I would gladly be a wife to him. Not sure where that came from, but it doesn’t matter because this is crazy. Deep down, I could love this man forever. Then, as I reach for him to try and pull him to me, he backs away slowly. I lick my lips and watch his eyes roam over my cheek.

  “I am going to get you a ticket home.” He says turning away and stepping into the hall.

  “Ok.” I say softly. I don’t need him to see me cry. Again.

  Surely the cut doesn’t bother him. He’s a doctor for fucks sake. Maybe I am not pretty, thin, or simply not enough in general. I could have sworn he wanted me earlier. The kiss was beyond amazing. I guess he was being nice and a decent human being by helping me. When we get back to the States, I’ll take Natalia and we’ll hide. I have never needed a man before now and I will get along just fine as hot tears splash down my face unchecked.

  If that is true, why do I feel like my chest has been ripped open and laid bare?

  Chapter Four

  Robby

  What the fuck is wrong with me? I handled that badly because now she thinks I don’t want her. That isn’t true though, I want, fuck that, I need her more than my next breath. I don’t want to hurt her in anyway, but with the adrenaline, anger, and general out of control I am experiencing. There is no way I will take the chance hurting her. I step out into the hallway and not going further than her door.

  Pulling up the airline on my phone and calling them to get her a first-class ticket and upgrade mine. Then call my stepfather.

  �
�Hey Son. How’s Germany?” My stepdad, Mitch, asks.

  “Not great, Mitch. I need your help because I have stepped in something I won’t be getting out of.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I will explain in person, but I need you and mom to get my house ready for me.”

  “You know she has already stocked the fridge, what else do you need?”

  “That’s it. I will be leaving tomorrow, and I am bringing a woman home with me.”

  “Really?” The shock is evident in his voice. I have never been with a woman and everyone knows that. Things were awkward for me as a teen and I was much younger than the girls in my classes. After school, I have spent the rest of time surrounded by wounded soldiers. There hasn’t been time and this girl is going to change all of that.

  “Really. Give me a couple of days and I’ll bring her around.

  “Ok, Son. Some things have changed around here. You are in for a surprise.”

  “What? Derek finally stopped pining for Brooke and got a girl too?”

  “Something like that.” He replies cryptically.

  “Interesting. I love you guys and will see you soon.”

  “We love you too.”

  Hanging up, I go back into the room and she is sobbing. I rush towards her, knowing this is my fault. I hate that I caused any kind of pain. My gut is twisting and my breathing changes.

  “What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” She doesn’t say anything for a few minutes and I rub her back, while she continues to sob into my chest.

  “It is a lot to take in. My face is going to be ruined forever.” She cries.

  “That is not true. You are so fucking beautiful. A scar isn’t going to change that.” I reply.

  “It is. You flinched away from me when I tried to kiss you again. I mean I get it but…” She trails off. The sad, and dejected look on her face is killing me.

  “But what?” I ask as I pull her away from my chest.

  “I’m connected to you. It’s like I am supposed to be here, and you were supposed to catch me in that alley. That’s crazy, right? You don’t know anything about me and I know very little about you.”

  “You don’t need to know everything to know when something is right.”

  She pauses and bursts out laughing. I don’t know how to take that.

  “What the hell does that mean?” She questions.

  “I don’t know how to say it. It’s not like I am any good at this.” I apologize.

  “Good at what?”

  “Talking to women.”

  “I doubt that. Have you seen yourself?” She asks, while arching an eyebrow.

  I laugh. “I don’t think looks matter as much as you think it does.” I say, running my hand through my stubble.

  “It does not hurt.” She says.

  She sits in silence for a few beats, while looking at her hands folded in her lap. I raise her face up by the chin, where I can look into her beautiful copper colored eyes.

  “By the way, I know exactly what you are feeling. I know you are in pain, so when I claim you, and I will claim you, you will feel it. Be patient, beautiful. You will be mine soon enough.”

  “Yeah? You sure you can handle all of this?” She says, wiggling in the bed.

  “Yeah.” I say as I lean down and kiss her pouting lips. “Do not pout, baby.” I want to give her everything, even if I am new at this, I vow to get it done.

  “I won’t.” She says, smiling.

  ◆◆◆

  Four hours later at nine in the morning she is released from the hospital. We head to her hotel room, where they give her an extra key. When we get inside the room, it is a mess.

  “No cops, Robby.” She says clutching my arm.

  “I know. What is missing?”

  “Nothing. All of my cash is here, and my driver’s license is here too.”

  “He was probably looking for your passport, so you couldn’t leave the country.”

  “Well fuck. What am I going to do Robby?”

  “Marry me. I know the chaplain at the base and my time in the Army is over officially until I report to the base in California. I can protect you with my name.”

  All I can think about is having her tied to me and round with my child. But one thing at a time.

  “This is crazy and as far as proposals go, I am not impressed.” She gives me a sly smile, her eyes dancing with what I’d assume is excitement when she continues, “but, I will marry you right now.” Her eyes are brimming with tears, but I cannot bring myself to ask why. I use my thumb and wipe away the single, perfect tear that trails down her unmarred cheek.

  “I am sorry, Salenah. Unfortunately, I don’t have a ring to give you right now, but I can get one at the exchange on the base.”

  “I am messing with you Robby. I know this isn’t about love and a ring won’t be necessary. You are a good guy. Thank you for doing this for me.” She says and smiles tightly. I refuse to believe that she isn't mine.

  Love. Huh, it must be what I am feeling. Surely not though. How can you love someone after a mere twelve hours in their presence and even less talking to them? I am going to keep that to myself, because I don’t want to scare her away.

  I help her gather her clothes and pack them in her one and only piece of luggage. Picking it up, I carry her suitcase and she takes her purse. I grab her hand and we head out to catch a taxi to the airport.

  Our first flight is from Berlin to Ramstein. The first thing I do is meet with Victor. He is the Army Chaplain I know and is stationed here. It doesn’t take him long to agree to marry us in thirty minutes. I leave her to do some shopping before the wedding, while I do some of my own. She told me she didn’t need a ring. Fuck that. I want to make sure everyone knows she belongs to me. The ring I pick out is a simple square cut diamond solitaire to use for the engagement ring and I chose it in gold, because the necklace she has on is gold. In addition, I find simple gold bands for the both of us and take a guess on her ring size. She has small hands.

  Less than an hour later, she is mine and fuck if I’ll ever let her go.

  Chapter Five

  Salenah

  I cannot believe I agreed to marry a man I don’t know much about, but really want to. His proposal was awful and more of a statement than a question, but I will not say I hate with the results. He is being the good man that he is, but fuck if I don’t want him.

  Mrs. Robert Isaac Spencer. Damn. That has a nice ring to it. Speaking of ring, the wedding set he bought is perfect. It is exactly what I would have chosen had we done it together. It was a surprise and surprising is he is wearing a ring too. The men in my life do not typically advertise their married and in the custom, they don’t advertise their mistresses and girlfriends. One man and one woman is not something I am used to, but I know it is all I will accept from my forever husband. I must remind myself every few minutes it isn’t real, and he doesn’t love me. He will let me go as soon as it is safe.

  Robby looks very handsome in his dress blues. I bought the cutest blue sundress and tan ballet flats to blend with his uniform. As we got on base, I saw several people in their dress blues and I think that it would be striking to match. God, what the fuck is wrong with me. I must remember this is not real.

  As we are walking away, he suddenly pulls me back to his chest and pulls out his cell phone, “smile.” I do as far as my injury will allow and he snaps a picture of us. Our first picture cannot really capture the happiness I am feeling right now and that makes me a little sad.

  Our kiss we share after the ceremony has left me wanting more, but he is right. The little bit of touch on my face from the kiss hurt like a motherfucker. My body is ready for the action it is starting to anticipate from this man.

  Now that I have left the hospital, I refuse to take the pain meds. I am taking the antibiotics because I don’t know where the knife has been. Robby had them give me a tetanus shot too, since I think the last one I had was the summer before seventh grade. It was when I fell through a ru
sty fence and cut the fuck out of my legs. I needed stitches then too. The scars on my legs will go nicely with the doozy on my face.

  In the last twelve hours I have learned something about this man, my husband. He has the power to break me and fuck if that doesn’t scare me. He is a huge nerd. A lover of Star Trek, while I am firmly in the Star Wars fandom. He likes the Big Bang Theory and I like the Kardashians. But none of it really matters. He is handsome, caring, and for now all mine.

  The flight from Ramstein to London is not a commercial one and that was interesting. The cargo plane was so loud we could barely talk, but he traced circles over the back of my hand as he held it. His light touch sent signals to every part of my body.

  When I’m near him all I want is things I have never had before. I want his hands on my body and to be his wife in all ways. I want him to love me, like I already do love him. It’s chemical and does not feel like White Knight Syndrome. It must be real. I don’t think I could handle anything less. He has been steadily holding my hand and keeping me close. It’s not like I want to be anywhere else.

  At Heathrow Airport we check in. Robby then leads us to the first-class lounge. I cannot help wondering if we would ever have met at home, under normal circumstances. Everything in me screams “YES!” I think we would have found each other no matter what.

  My nerves are starting to get to me. I want nothing more than to stay in a hotel room with my husband and let him do all the things I have been fantasizing about, since I woke up in the hospital.

  “I would kill for a coffee.” I say out of nowhere and standing up. I hate that our hands come apart, but luckily my favorite coffee has a little stand in this lounge.