Hell Bound (Seventh Level Book 2)

by Charity Parkerson

  At some point, Cole had fallen asleep in Mark’s lap and he stared down at the child lost in his own thoughts. “Your son is lucky to have you,” he said quietly, taking her by surprise. “Not every child gets a parent who loves them and keeps them safe.”

  *

  Even as Wade’s feet carried him from the room, he knew he wouldn’t make it far. The sound of Morgan’s heartache coming through the door made it impossible for him to move any farther away than the other side. Of all the times he’d made her cry, he’d never heard her sound as broken as she did right then. It was no wonder she hated him. With the door separating them, he could allow himself to fall apart. He couldn’t let her see him at his weakest point. Pressing his forehead against the cool wood, he listened to every one of her tears fall. They were his punishment. There had been a moment when he’d wanted to call Kathy a liar, but he knew it was true. Cole was his son. It had been his eyes and smile looking at him from a child’s face. He couldn’t deny him even if he wanted to. Morgan had his child. The tie binding them together was more than he expected, but he’d not wanted this. He’d never, ever wanted this. Someone raised by monsters should never attempt to raise a child of their own. Black memories threatened to crush his skull and he fought against them. Instead, he called a picture of Cole’s face to mind. He could never hurt him. He wasn’t his father.

  “You’re going to be so much more fun than I first suspected.”

  At the words, Wade spun to find a blonde woman wearing a nurse’s uniform standing behind him. There was no way it was standard issue. It looked more like something someone would wear to a Halloween party. The white shirt stretched tight across half-concealed breasts and the matching skirt ended right below the globes of her ass. When he didn’t say a word, her bright red lips stretched into a sinister smile.

  “I knew I was looking especially delicious today, but I never expected to leave you speechless. How…satisfying.”

  Wade shook his head in disbelief over her outrageousness. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

  Her smile never faltered. “Just like a man. A girl gives you the entire world and then you pretend not to know her when it comes time to pay.”

  Of all the nights to run into a crazy chick, Wade did not have the patience for it tonight. However, something about her nagged at the back of his mind until the memory of a Nashville motel flooded his brain. His brows drew together in a frown.

  “I see it’s all coming back to you now.” Her eyes slid down his body, stopping at his crotch, before moving back to his face. She licked her lips leaving him cold.

  “It’s a long way from Nashville to Dallas,” he said in hopes of pointing out her crazy. She reached for him but he sidestepped her hands. “Oh no. There will be none of that.” He wished now he had more security with him.

  She released a mock sigh. “Faithful men are so boring, but you need to remember we have a deal. You got your fame and soon you’ll need to pay up.”

  “Is that Wade Collins?”

  The sound of his name caused him to turn and he groaned when he spotted the group of teenagers headed in his direction. The fact he’d been spotted in Parkland Memorial Hospital would be all over social media sites in less than five minutes. Pasting a fake smile on his face, he accepted the sharpie that appeared in front of him and signed various slips of paper before posing for pictures. Cell phone cameras were the bane of his existence. Thankfully, in the flurry of introductions the fake nurse quietly disappeared. She was a problem he would need to deal with right away. He couldn’t risk anything happening to his son.

  Chapter Four

  Luckily, the hospital only kept Morgan overnight for observation. Mark stayed by her side the entire time while somehow managing to secure Cole’s car seat and handling every aspect of her son’s care. When he drove straight to her house without directions, she didn’t bother asking how he knew where she lived. In less than twenty-four hours’ time she’d come to accept he was the most capable person she’d ever met. She understood why Wade had hired him. As her house came into view, Mark was the first to notice the newer model Bentley sitting out front. He groaned as if he knew exactly to whom it belonged.

  Her suspicions were confirmed when he called out to the man sitting on her front steps as he opened her door. “Mr. Washington, you’re out and about early this morning.” The man stood, tucking his striped tie inside the jacket of his steel gray business suit as he moved in her direction. Morgan had a fleeting thought he looked like a shark. His silver hair, black eyes, and expensive attire all seemed almost too slick. Money practically dripped from his pores.

  “Mr. Collins is one of my biggest clients. When he tells me to be waiting when Ms. Bradley arrives home, then that’s what I do. Hello Ms. Bradley,” he added, switching his briefcase to his left hand in order to shake hers. “I’m James Washington, Wade’s attorney. May I join you inside so we can go over a few things?”

  Her mind screamed for her to tell him no, and her knees wanted to give out, but somehow she managed to avoid both things. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Washington.” Her voice held steady surprising even her. Glancing in Mark’s direction for support, he gave her a short nod and helped Cole from his car seat. Switching her attention back to the lawyer, she continued. “Obviously, I’m just getting back home and I have a thousand things to do, but I don’t see why not.”

  He smiled in such a way that seemed to be meant to comfort, but instead it left her cold. She was out of her league. Even if she could afford a lawyer of her own, which she couldn’t, she could never afford someone like the one standing in front of her.

  In a numb haze, she headed for the door and both men fell into step behind her. At the top step of her front porch, Mark rushed ahead of her with Cole in his arms and dug through her purse in search of her keys. Morgan chuckled at the sight. Pressing her lips together, she tried to stifle the sound. She knew it was the nervous flutter in her stomach causing her to find the situation funny, but the sight of the large security guard digging through her purse while holding a squirming two-year old was too much.

  “I hope you make a huge salary,” she said, never meaning anything more in her life. A dimple appeared in the corner of his mouth. Pulling her keys out, the small smile turned triumphant. “I do,” he agreed. “But that’s beside the point. My grandmomma would take a switch to me if she thought I’d left a lady to fend for herself.”

  “Ark,” Cole called drawing Mark’s attention his way. As her son babbled away to his new friend ‘Ark’ about all his awesome toys, Morgan unlocked the door and Mark listened intently as if it was the most fascinating story ever told.

  With everyone inside, Mark allowed Cole to show him everything in the living room. Morgan settled onto the couch, using the cushions to support her arm while Mr. Washington chose the most uncomfortable seat in the living room. She spent a moment debating whether or not she should offer him something to drink and then another wondering if she had anything to drink in her house. In the end, the knowledge he was there to destroy her life settled the matter. He could wither away in thirst.

  “I’d like to start by saying, I advised Mr. Collins to have a DNA test before making any decisions, but he declined my council on the matter.” Mark snorted at the lawyer’s statement while Morgan suppressed the urge to punch the man in his throat. It didn’t matter that he was protecting his client. She was protecting her son. Mr. Washington eyed Mark with dislike as he continued. “Mr. Collins has a habit of ignoring better judgment. Seeing as how he is convinced Cole is indeed his son and there is nothing I can do to change his mind, I’ve been ordered to draw up papers ensuring Cole’s financial security. As I explained to Wade, that is not the sort of thing I make happen in a matter of hours, but I have started working on it. In the meantime, I have a check here, which should tide you over until the paperwork is complete.”

  Popping open his briefcase, Mr. Washington pulled out a slip of paper and set it on the coffee table between them. Even without leanin
g forward, Morgan could see the zeros at the end and her head swam over the amount. “I don’t want it,” she said without hesitation.

  The lawyer’s eyebrows rose, and he made a show of studying her living room. She knew what he was seeing. Her house was tiny, at best. Her dark-blue couch and rose-colored chair had been purchased second hand. There was barely enough room to walk around the scratched up table without bumping into anything, but it was clean, and it was hers. She’d worked jobs she hated and terrible hours for everything she possessed. It didn’t matter what he thought of it. She wouldn’t be embarrassed for doing her best.

  “Did you lose your keys?” she asked before he could comment on her furnishings and piss her off even more. Without waiting for him to answer, she added, “Because you’re looking around the room as if you’ve misplaced something and since I’ve said I don’t want the money, I assume you’re keys must be missing. Being as how you’re still here and all.”

  “Morgan, I—”

  “Ms. Bradley,” she cut him off in order to remind him.

  A small smile touched his lips and she got the impression she’d somehow earned his respect with the reprimand. “Ms. Bradley,” he said, his tone softening. “I can’t force you to take the money, but I am going to leave the check here. Give it a few days and think things over. You’re not taking a handout or signing away any rights. You’re simply accepting financial support from the father of your child.” He stood to leave without giving her a chance to argue. “Mr. Ledoux. It’s been a pleasure, as always,” he added with a nod in Mark’s direction. Mark’s eyes twinkled as if he found the man’s words humorous. “I’m sure,” he answered dryly.

  Morgan waited until she heard the car door slam and pull away before she spoke. “Mark, I really hate to drag you into the middle of things.”

  “Nu-uh,” he said immediately. “I’m not taking that check back with me.” Her heart fell at his answer. She really didn’t want the check in her house a second longer than it needed to be.

  “Then take me to Wade so I can return it.”

  Mark held his arms out and Cole wasted no time climbing into them. “Looks like we’re headed to see some fireworks, buddy,” he said sounding sarcastic as he headed back for the door.

  * * * * *

  When Mark pulled into the parking lot of Champ’s, Morgan all but groaned. “I thought this place closed down last year.”

  Mark glanced over at her. “Wade bought it and is in the process of remodeling. It’s going to be a great starting place for local artists by the time he is finished.”

  “He bought a club,” she repeated, unable to believe her ears. Mark shrugged. “I guess it’s sort of a retirement project for him. You know, so he can keep doing what he loves but on a smaller scale.”

  “Wade retired?” she asked in amazement. Without waiting for an answer, she added, “I can’t believe he would give it all up. He finally had everything he’d ever dreamed of having.”

  “No. He didn’t,” Mark said shaking his head. “He had everything except for what he wanted.” Glancing over his shoulder, he changed topics as if he’d not dropped a bomb on her. “Cole’s asleep. If you’d like, I can sit out here with him while you talk to Wade.”

  “That might be best,” she confessed. “That way there won’t be any ‘you have a baby in a bar’ comments.”

  Mark released a low chuckle. “There shouldn’t be too many people around, but if you go through that door,” he said, pointing out a single door on the side of the building. “Then you should be able to avoid most of the construction going on.”

  With a nod and a cleansing breath for courage, she grabbed the door handle, but Mark reached out, stopping her. “I’m probably going to regret this, and I know you’re angry, but the man inside the building right there, loves you. Maybe he made bad choices, but maybe you did too when you chose not to tell him about Cole.”

  Oddly enough, coming from anyone else the words might have upset her, but she knew Mark’s heart was in the right place and he wasn’t wrong. After seeing Wade’s face in the hospital, a part of her recognized she should have said something. Instead of admitting to such a thing, she chose a different confession. “I’m not angry. It’s not money I want from Wade.” Before he could comment on her admission, she stepped from the car and followed his directions into the club.

  With the exception of a few workmen, the building was empty. It didn’t matter. Even if the place had been full of people, Morgan would have seen Wade first. As soon as her eyes adjusted to the low lighting, they landed on him. He was in what she’d always thought of as his work-mode, and she stole a guilty moment of watching him unobserved. Straddling a bar stool at a high-top table, he scribbled something inside a notebook. A white Stetson hat sat at his elbow and earbuds ran to a nearby IPod explaining why he’d not heard her arrival.

  From her vantage point, she could see his lips silently moving. Her guess, he was writing a new song. Dropping her gaze to the floor, she absorbed everything from his booted feet and wrangler jeans, all the way to his tight t-shirt. When she made it back to his face, she realized he was watching her. After the way she’d ogled his body like a lovesick teenager, she expected a knowing smile, but his hot look caused the breath to catch in her throat. This was their club. Of all the places in the world to do this, she hated it had to be here the most. It left a taint on something beautiful. On rubber legs, she closed the distance between them, suddenly conscious of every out of place hair on her head.

  Pulling out his earbuds, he continued watching her without saying a word. Only his eyes gave any hint of emotion as she dropped the check on the table and backed away. “I can’t take your money. I never wanted it. There’s no need for you to buy me off. I accepted things as they are a long time ago.” In a flash of movement, Morgan found her back pressed against the edge of the table and Wade hovering over her. “Damn you, Morgan,” he growled, boxing her in with his arms. “Damn you for not believing in me enough to tell me about Cole.”

  He was too close. She’d never been able to think clearly with Wade invading her space. Avoiding his stare, she concentrated on his mouth, but that turned out to be a mistake, as well. She blamed her sudden inability to breathe on the strong pain medicine she’d been prescribed. The memory of his taste filled her mouth, and she licked her lips in response. “Please?” she begged, and even she didn’t know what she asked for. She’d not meant to say it, but too many emotions flooded through her at once until she was unsure of whether she begged for him to move away or to love her. Touching her chin, he tilted her head back until she had no other choice but to meet his eyes. Everything inside her rebelled against the emotions swimming in his gaze.

  His thumb brushed her bottom lip and her heart beat faster. If anyone had told her love could survive years of separation without as much as dulling an ounce, she would have scoffed at the idea. However, the way she felt about Wade defied all logic. He lowered his mouth to hers and she was too tired to fight it. When his lips brushed hers, a crushing weight landed on her chest. It was cruel that life continued throwing him into her path. As his tongue touched hers, something warm slid down her face. It wasn’t until Wade pulled away and swiped his thumb across her cheek she realized she was crying.

  “You’re tearing my heart out, Morgan. Please don’t cry.”

  “You always destroy me.” At her words, he buried his face in her hair and pressed his lips to her neck. Against her skin, he begged, “Just one more time. Please? Give me one last chance to prove I can be different.”

  Stepping out his hold, she placed some distance between them by walking toward the door. “I have to go rescue Mark. Cole can wear someone out quickly.” She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. If she saw an ounce of pain in him then she would cave. She almost made it to the door before he spoke. “I’ll be there tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that until you finally figure out I’m not going away.”

  Shoring up her courage, Morgan pasted a fake smile
on her face and turned to look at him. He was surprisingly composed. “It’s not as if I could stop you,” she said attempting nonchalance. Wade held her gaze steadily and for the first time in years, she didn’t feel as if she only held a tiny slice of him. “I love you, so you’re right. You can’t stop me.”

  * * * * *

  Mark left Morgan with his cell phone number in case she needed anything else before he headed home. The drive gave him time to gather his thoughts. He’d not slept well in a long time and the few hours he’d managed to snag in the uncomfortable chair next to Morgan’s hospital bed had not done his fucked up back a bit of good. However, meeting Morgan shed new light on his purpose. It amazed him how similar she was to the Trace sisters. All three women had been cast into a heartless world and left to find their way alone, and each one a part of a bigger plan they couldn’t see. Morgan possessed one thing the Trace sisters had not. She had a reason to live. It made sense Pamela would see Wade as the weaker link, but that was before he’d found his purpose. Now, Mark didn’t think Pamela would find him easy prey.

  Mark’s life had changed dramatically when he’d met Anne, and he’d been shown a slice of the afterlife. Things weren’t quite as cut and dry as people would like to think. All the jokes people crack about what they would trade for their souls—yeah—that shit really happened. There were demons everywhere, living right under people’s noses and biding their time. All it took was one moment of weakness and the price of eternity.