She threw her arms around them again and kissed them on their cheeks. No matter what she needed, those two men stood by her side and supported her.
"Now let's plan on how you're telling Darren," Ryan said conspired.
***
Darren
Sounds of soft music echoed throughout the living room, hall, and dining room. Lights dimmed, candlelight flickered in the dining room, and the smell of something oven baked hit Darren when he stepped into the house. He grinned. What was his Courtney up to?
He went to the kitchen to find his wife bent over, pulling dessert of the oven.
"Sweetheart," Darren said.
She squeaked in surprise, jumped, and dropped a pan of warm brownies all over the kitchen floor. Dessert splattered in flaky clumps all over hard wood cabinets and stainless steel.
He chuckled.
She whipped around, shooting daggers his direction. "Don't you ever scare the shit out of me like that again, Darren Murphy. My health can't take it."
"I'm sorry," he said regretfully. He stepped up to her in a panic. "I didn't think you wouldn't hear me."
She sighed. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Being frightened won't mess with my health."
He growled. How dare she use her health against him. "No you shouldn't. You have no idea what it was like for me, thinking I was going to lose my wife, seeing you in the hospital in terrible condition."
"Sorry," she said meekly.
"Forgiven." He took a step closer to her. "Let me help you clean this."
They crouched down on their hands and knees picking up warm pieces of brownie. Courtney had her hands on a large chunk and without warning, shoved it into his face.
"What the—" He sat back shocked.
She collapsed onto the floor, laughing hysterically at what must have been a surprised look his face.
"Priceless," she said breathless.
A smirk twitched at Darren's sexy mouth. A chocolate glob dropped to the floor. Courtney's hysteria stopped, recognizing the look in her husband’s eyes. She flipped onto her stomach and tried to scramble to her feet, but Darren grabbed her around the waist and shoved a hand filled with brownie into her face. He laughed like a villain in an old black and white movie. Courtney squealed, grabbed more of the destroyed dessert, reached behind her, and shoved it into his hair. Darren growled, picked up the largest portion of the brownie and smashed it all over Courtney's face, hair, neck, arms, and chest. She desperately tried to break free of his hold but laughed too hard she could hardly breathe. Darren laughed, his grip firm on his wife to prevent an escape. He leaned down and licked a piece of brownie off her cheek.
"Mmmm," he purred. "Tastes better off you."
She leaned her head back against his chest, winded. He suckled another chuck off her exposed collarbone.
"I love you," he said.
She looked up at him through her long lashes. "I love you…Daddy."
His response got stuck in his throat. His mouth popped open. "What?" he whispered.
"I'm pregnant," she answered.
He closed his eyes, absorbing the news. When he opened them, they blazed with a mixture of lust, love, and devotion.
"Courtney," he breathed in reverence.
"I'll do everything in my power to make sure we have this baby," she promised.
He took her mouth hard, devouring his wife. He needed to be inside her body, show her she was loved. Desperately loved. Darren stood and held out his hand.
"Let's shower," he commanded.
Those gorgeous blue eyes sparkled up at him. He pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her soundly, caressing her brownie stained features.
"My girl," he whispered.
"Always."
Sunday dinner at Darren's parents' home was a celebratory occasion. His mother was on cloud nine that her son and his wife were once again pregnant. Derrick had held her right hand throughout dinner. She had assured her brother-in-law she would watch her health this time around.
"Good, because if I have to step in Courtney, I will," Derrick warned.
Unable to help herself, she smiled. She relished in their protective nature. Ever since Derrick’s profession of love for her, Courtney couldn't help but to be more grateful for his presence in her life. He loved her unconditionally.
***
Over the next few months, Darren and Derrick spent a great deal of time trying to get Agent Marshall out of their lives. Their job was difficult with the agent well protected by the government. With all the resources Darren and Derrick had access to, they couldn't seem to find out where Mr. Marshall hid. They had found out he was not living at the house Courtney had sold him. Apparently never did. They continued to come up empty, as if he disappeared into thin air.
Early on a Tuesday morning, Darren had to leave the house by eight. Sean and Ryan were taking Courtney to her five-month pregnancy checkup. They were to arrive in ten minutes. Darren was forced to take Jack and Carl with him to a lucrative “meeting.” He was far from pleased about leaving Courtney but had no choice. Business called.
Courtney
In the kitchen cleaning up the lovely mess her husband left after cooking breakfast, the ring of the front doorbell interrupted Courtney. Abandoning her task, she went to the door and swung it open, smiling from ear to ear. That smile vanished.
John Marshall.
Not quite quick enough, she went to slam the door shut but he pushed back and forced his way into her home. She turned to run towards the back porch to escape but was caught from behind. The sound of the door slamming behind her echoed off the walls.
"Hello, Courtney. I see you have been busy," John growled into her ear with a firm grip. He splayed an uninvited hand over her now growing belly.
"Let go of me," Courtney ground out, struggling to free herself.
Surprisingly he let go. "I just want to talk."
"No. Now get the hell out of here. You're not welcome in my home," she screamed.
He looked her up and down and zeroed in on her baby bump. "Pregnant again," he sneered. "Congratulations."
She refused to respond.
"Why, Courtney? Why? What is about him that you love? His money? His power?" he asked through clenched teeth.
"How dare you," she spat.
"Do you know who he is Courtney? Do you know he's a killer? Do you know he'll kill anyone who crosses him, including me? Hell, including you. He's been searching for me to have me murdered as payback for what happened. Are you okay with that?" His voice grew louder and he took a step towards her. She retreated a step. "Do you know he's the mob boss in the Northeast? Do you know where he gets his money? Drugs, gambling, laundering, weapons, whatever and wherever he can get it."
"Enough," she screamed, starting to lose her grip.
How dare the man show up, force his way into her home, and start spewing things about her husband. If Courtney wanted to know, she would've asked Darren. She wouldn't allow a jealous man to ruin her life.
"Jealous?" she said snidely.
"Yes! Yes, I am. I want you. I want to be the one that gives you that baby. I want to be the one to take care of you, to fall asleep in your bed nightly, to hold you and love you. I deserve it, not him." John angrily pointed as if Darren was in the room with them.
"Well, that will never happen!"
"Never say never, Courtney." He shrugged.
"What the hell does that mean?" she snapped. Was he threatening her husband? The man had undeniably lost his mind. Why the hell was he focused on her?
"Exactly what I said. I can get you free of him, Courtney. I can make sure that you're never found and you can live a happy, normal life. You can testify against him, and he'll be put away for decades. You'll be safe. I'll make sure of it," John desperately pleaded.
"You fucking asshole." She lost it.
She rushed John, throwing out a punch that landed squarely on the nose. He stumbled back but she kept after him. Relentlessly she continued to punch, slap, kick as
she screamed, "Get out of my house!"
The front door flew open and Sean and Ryan burst into the house. Ryan pulled Courtney off John. Sean shoved the man out the door, but not before landing a solid, stunning punch across the jaw. John literally saw stars and a flash of white light.
"You ever come around her again and I'll make sure you end up leaving in a body bag," Sean growled, pegging him.
Rubbing his jaw that would positively turn black and blue and swollen within twenty minutes, he snickered. "SEALs, always going for the kill first."
"Don't you ever forget it, asshat." Sean slammed the door shut then turned back to Courtney, who sobbed into Ryan's chest. "Let's get her to the hospital to calm her down."
***
Sean
Jittery, pacing the ER's waiting area, Sean and Ryan had no news on their cousin. They'd managed to get themselves kicked out of her observation room because of their lack of control barking out orders. They had only contributed by irritating the situation.
"I'll kill him myself if something happens to this baby," Ryan growled, circling the chairs for the tenth time.
"I'll certainly help," Sean murmured.
The automatic doors opened, and Darren and Derrick rushed in.
"How is she? Where is she?" Darren went right for the desk, where a young female clerk had been eyeing Sean and Ryan for the past half an hour. "My wife, Courtney Murphy."
"They'll be with you in a moment, sir," the young girl said kindly.
"I need to be in there with her now," Darren snapped.
Derrick stepped up behind his brother, placed a hand on his shoulder, and led him away from the woman. "Don't get yourself thrown out of the hospital."
Darren turned to Sean and Ryan. "What happened?"
All Darren knew was what he had been told over the phone by Sean. They were taking Courtney to the hospital because she had been worked up and they couldn't calm her down.
Sean and Ryan explained what they found when they went to pick up their cousin.
"What?" Darren said horrified.
"We couldn't get her to calm down. She kept sobbing and saying she didn't want to know, she didn't want to know," Sean said. "We have no idea what she was talking about."
Darren and Derrick looked at each other warily.
"Sean and Ryan?" a young doctor interrupted.
All four men wheeled around.
"Bill," Sean greeted him. He motioned to Darren. "Courtney's husband, Darren Murphy."
"How's my wife?" Darren asked, stepping in front of Sean and Ryan.
"She's calmed down. She was quite insistent on avoiding medication, therefore we brought in a therapist to teach her breathing exercises to help relax," the doctor explained.
"And the baby?" Derrick interrupted.
"The baby is fine. We've been monitoring Mrs. Murphy and the baby and all looks good. We'll keep her for a few more hours but I see no reason to admit her overnight. Her blood pressure is fine and the baby is in no stress," the doctor answered.
"Can I see her?" Darren asked.
"Of course, but one person at a time in the room. I don't want her overwhelmed right now," the doctor said firmly, looking pointedly at Sean and Ryan.
Darren
Darren followed the doctor. His girl lit up brightly when he stepped through the curtain.
"Darren," she breathed.
He rushed to her side, took her left hand into his and kissed the ostentatious wedding rings that donned her finger, and kissed her.
"Sweetheart," Darren said, brushing her hair off her beautiful face.
"I'm sorry..."
"It's all right. I don't want you to worry. I'll take care of everything, baby. You never have to worry about that man again. I'll make sure you're never alone to be cornered, even for a few minutes. I promise," he vowed. "This was my fault."
***
"Have you found out anything?" Darren snapped at Derrick, Jack, and Carl. They stood in the kitchen, going over business. It had been a week since John had accosted his wife in his home. He'd been scratching at the walls to have the man's head on a platter served up to him as a trophy.
"Nothing," Derrick answered.
Carl shook his head.
"What the fuck, Derrick?" Darren demanded. "How could the man disappear then appear out of nowhere? We know people everywhere. Are they keeping him hidden?"
"No," Jack said. "I found out he was fired after Courtney's arrest incident. The case they had potentially made against you was ruined by his unauthorized decision to confront her. They decided to stop the investigation at this time. Essentially they have nothing. Their work was destroyed by Mr. Marshall’s need to try and get to Courtney."
"Who did you find this out from?" Derrick asked intrigued.
"Judge Waters. Had drinks with him last night," Jack answered nonchalantly.
"Ah." Derrick understood. Judge Waters was a known drunk. Alcohol in his system routinely loosened his tight lips.
"If it's the last thing I do I will find that motherfucker," Darren growled.
"Darren," Derrick warned.
"Don't, Derrick. If she was your wife you would hunt him down and do far worse than I want to do. I just want to kill him, you...you'll keep him for weeks to torture the hell out of him," he snapped. He slammed down his coffee cup and stalked out of the kitchen to find his wife.
***
Courtney
Standing in the nursery, Courtney looked over the items she had from the first pregnancy. She wanted to start over. New pregnancy, new nursery. As she pondered how to bring the topic up to Darren, she heard the front door open and his strong voice echoed up the stairs, along with a couple of his men. It would only be a manner of minutes before he found her.
Thirty seconds later. "Hey, baby, what are you doing?"
Without turning to face him, she "I want a new nursery."
She felt his presence step up behind her, his body heat surrounded and embraced her. His strong arms wrapped around her swollen belly and he leaned his chin on the top of her head. "I think we can do that."
"We can donate these to a women's shelter." She waved to the expensive furnishings.
"I think that would be perfect. I'll have the guys take the items tomorrow. You decide on a shelter, call and see about arrangements."
"Okay." She turned in his arms, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him firmly. "I love you, Darren. You make me happy."
"I love you too, baby. You have no idea what you've brought into my life. I feel whole because of you. I thank God everyday for bringing you to me," he said.
Tears filled her eyes. "That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me."
"It's true," he said. He ran a gentle hand over her pregnant belly. "With this baby, you've given me my own family. I couldn't ask for anything more."
PART TWO
Chapter 17
Darren
Escorting Courtney from the swank baby furniture store in the city, Darren found himself amused over her excitement. His wife was unable to contain herself while they shopped for the nursery. Their baby would be surrounded by the finest furnishings available.
They headed towards their SUV when Courtney became distracted by a diamond necklace in the jewelry store window next to the baby shop. She drooled over the fine piece of craftsmanship. Darren chuckled and made a mental note for Christmas. While his wife panted over the necklace, Darren placed the bags of baby items into the backseat. He watched his wife unknowingly run a gentle hand over her six-month pregnant belly. Lost in her own thoughts.
"Come, honey. You can drool over it online," Darren called out to her.
She chuckled, turned towards him, and gave him a heartbreakingly wide smile. She shrugged. "Can't help it."
He laughed, shaking his head. "I love you."
"I love you." She beamed.
He opened the driver's side door, slid in the seat, and hit the unlock button to open Court's door. He stuck the keys into the ignition while
he watched her pass in front of the car parked in front of theirs. He turned the key to start the engine but it hitched.
Odd.
He turned the key again...
*******
Courtney
How did she end up on the ground?
Lying there, fire crackled around her. Broken glass and debris was scattered around her. She became aware of muffled screams. She felt something wet running down her forehead. Confused, she reached down and grabbed her stomach, taking stock in herself.
What the...
She looked up. Horror raced through her veins. Their SUV burned, engulfed in flames, charred, with every window blow out. Heat radiated off the inferno. The light silver color of the vehicle now blackened.
"DARREN!" she screamed. She scrambled unsteadily to her feet and tried to rush towards the car.
"DARREN!" she screamed and cried. Oh, god. No! This couldn't be happening!
"DARREN!" she cried again, trying to fight off the heat of the flames. She had to get to Darren.
She was snagged from behind.
"You can't," a man yelled at her.
Courtney tried to fight them, screaming incoherently, "My husband!"
She was dragged away from the car kicking and screaming her husband's name, "DARREN!"
Tears poured from her eyes. Her husband was in that car. Please, please, please let him have gotten out.
"Did he get out?" Courtney yelled.
One of three men whipped off his white tee shirt and held it to her forehead. "You're bleeding."
She pushed his hand away. "My husband."
"The firemen and ambulance are on the way," another man said.
"Darren!" Courtney screamed again, but with less umph behind it. Deep down she knew. Her husband remained in their SUV. If he wasn't, he would be by her side taking care of her, consoling her and making sure she was all right. That their baby was all right. Her chest clenched and tightened. Her body spasmed and her stomach cramped in response.
The Boss's Love Page 18