Rust

by J. M. Walker

  “I saw you yesterday, silly,” I said, tickling her belly.

  She giggled. “Well, it feels like years and years. You should just live with us.”

  I rolled my eyes, looking pointedly at my sister, Aria.

  She shrugged, her lips pulling up into a grin. “She came up with that all on her own.”

  “Right,” I said slowly, shaking my head. “What have you been telling them?” I teased, kissing my younger sister on the cheek.

  “It wasn’t me.” She grabbed her son’s hand, pulling him into the house. “I would never tell them anything of the sort.”

  “Right.” I placed Gianna on the ground and leaned down to greet Luca. “What’s going on, buddy?”

  My nephew shrugged, his dark chocolate eyes looking everywhere but at me.

  “Is he okay?” I asked Aria.

  “Yeah.” She sighed. “His dad and I got in a fight this morning.”

  A tremor rippled down my spine. “What do I need to do?”

  Aria patted my chest. “Nothing, big brother. I got this. I’m half-Italian too, remember? I share that same temper you have.”

  “I don’t like him,” I told her. “I’ve never liked him.”

  “Yes, you’ve made that abundantly clear, Vincent, but let’s try and keep that information a little quieter,” she scolded, pointing at her children.

  They both stared up at me with wide eyes.

  “Sorry, guys. Your daddy is a meany head.”

  “Vince,” Aria cried. “Seriously.”

  I shrugged. “What?”

  She huffed, gently pushing another little girl towards me.

  I picked her up and walked out to the kitchen. Dark brown eyes mirroring my own stared back at me.

  Creena was standing by the counter with a cup of coffee in her hands. Her eyes burned into the side of my head but I couldn’t meet her gaze. I wasn’t sure how this would go over. Creena was a nurse. I knew she liked people and babies but I wasn’t sure how she would deal with the fact that I had a daughter.

  And never told her.

  I WATCHED THE man I was sleeping with hold a little girl in his arms. She was probably no more than two years old. Her skin was lighter than his, her dark hair pulled up into pig tails. She leaned her head against his chest, holding a small teddy bear in her tiny hands.

  My eyes moved back and forth between them until recognition dawned on me.

  Holy. Shit.

  “Creena ...” He tentatively took a step toward me. “I’d like you to meet my daughter. Luna.”

  My heart jumped, hammering against my ribs. Daughter. Stone had a daughter. I knew it was possible. It wasn’t like we were talking about our families over a cup of tea. But a daughter?

  “Creena,” he said gently.

  Luna stared back at me, her chocolate brown eyes looking right into my soul. A small smile splayed on her beautiful chubby face. It was like she knew I had feelings for her father.

  I swallowed hard, forcing those thoughts to the back of my mind. No words left me as I reached a hand up and took her small fingers between mine.

  The little girl’s smile grew.

  “Hi, Luna. I’m Creena, your daddy’s friend.”

  Stone placed a hand at the small of my back and kissed the spot beneath my ear. “I’m more than just your friend, baby girl.” He gave my ass a pinch.

  I jumped, glaring at him.

  “Remember that the next time I’m coming inside you,” he whispered against the shell of my ear.

  I sighed, focusing back on his daughter. “Your daddy drives me nuts.”

  Luna snuggled against her father.

  Stone wrapped his hand around her small back, his gaze burning a hole into the side of my head.

  Everything inside me heated.

  Watching him with his rough exterior and tattoos, holding something small and fragile, forced new feelings to burst inside of me. I realized then it turned me on. Oh, dear God.

  “We’ll talk later,” Stone said, turning away from me just as a woman came around the corner.

  “Vincent.” She stopped suddenly when she saw me standing beside him. “Hi.” She smiled. “I’m Aria. Stone’s younger sister. I’m the hot one in the family.”

  Stone grunted, rolling his eyes.

  “Hi.” I laughed. I went to shake her hand when she slapped it away.

  “I’m Italian. We hug.” She reiterated that statement by pulling me into her arms. “He likes you,” she whispered in my ear.

  My stomach flipped. “How do you know that?”

  “Because I’ve never met anyone he’s slept with before.”

  I returned the hug but quickly pulled away. “Well ...”

  “Hmm ...” She frowned, placing her hands on her hips. “You like him too.”

  “So, I’m just going to go finish those dishes.” I walked back into the kitchen.

  Stone had a daughter. A beautiful baby girl. He wanted to know if I had an ex he needed to worry about but now I was wondering if he had one that I had to be cautious over.

  Was she crazy? Would she make my life a living hell? I wasn’t bothered he had a daughter. Although a part of me was jealous that someone got to him first. Holy shit. I shook my head, ridding myself of that thought. No. I couldn’t think that way.

  “Hey” —Stone placed his hands on my shoulders and kissed the side of my neck— “talk to me.”

  “I’m fine.” I shrugged. “I am.”

  “Creena.” He spun me around. “It’s just you and I. Aria and the kids are in the backyard. I freaked you out, didn’t I?”

  “Okay.” I inhaled a sharp breath. “I’ll admit the daughter thing did come as a surprise but I’m not upset you never told me or anything. It’s not like we talked about our personal lives much.”

  He pinched my chin, a frown settling deep between his brows. “I should have told you. I’m sorry I didn’t.”

  “Don’t.” I patted him gently on the chest. “I promise I’m not upset. But I need to know if there is a crazy ex I should worry about.”

  Something hidden behind his eyes flowed to the forefront of his gaze. It was so quick I had no idea what I saw.

  “You have nothing to worry about,” he ground out, stepping away from me. “My sister won’t stay long. She never does.”

  “Can I ask you a question?” I followed behind him.

  “What?” He stopped at the patio doors, his back rigged and stiff.

  “How old is Luna?” I asked, starting light with the questions burning through my mind.

  “She’s just over two.” Stone paused, glancing out at his family playing in the backyard. “I only have my sister, her kids, and Luna. That’s it. Or it was. Until I was taken in by Vice-One.” He looked down at me. “And you.”

  I smiled, wrapping my fingers around his thick forearm. “You guys make it difficult to stay away. You’re damn determined.”

  He pulled from my grasp, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “I like you, Creena, but I don’t want to talk about my past. Not right now.”

  A breath of relief left me on a whoosh. “I’m glad, actually. I don’t want to talk about mine, either.”

  “Good.” He slid his hand down my arm before linking our fingers. “So, we’re just friends who fuck?”

  “Yup.” I nodded. “That’s exactly what we’re doing.” But who the hell was I kidding? This man was someone who could break my heart. It had never happened before, but there was a first time for everything.

  ***

  (Stone)

  Creena took to meeting my daughter much better than I thought she would. I knew she had been bothered by it. Hell, I would have felt the same way. Our connection hit hard and fast. These feelings I had for her grew every time I was around her. It bordered on toxic, knowing I would do just about anything to get back inside her tight heat.

  The fact she tread lightly around the subject of Luna made my feelings for her grow even stronger. She respected that I didn’t want to talk about
it.

  But I knew if it was her who had a kid, it would piss me the fuck off that another man got to her first.

  Watching her play with my niece and nephew made me happier than I cared to admit. I shouldn’t have these feelings for her. I didn’t deserve them. I didn’t deserve her but, God help me, I was addicted.

  “Creena, do you have any kids?” Aria asked, pulling Gianna onto her lap.

  Creena snorted. “God no.” She shook her head, a flush of pink hitting her cheeks. “Not that there’s anything wrong with having them. I just mean, I don’t have any. I was careful. Oh, God.” She smacked her forehead. “That’s not what I meant.”

  Aria laughed.

  A slow grin pulled at my lips. Seeing Creena get all flustered and embarrassed was hot as fuck.

  “I’m such an idiot sometimes.” Creena shook her head. “I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t offend you. You’re a wonderful mother. I just don’t want any. Not right now, at least. Life’s a little too ...” Her eyes flicked to mine before looking back at Aria. “... crazy.”

  “I get it.” Aria smiled. “I’m sure my brother isn’t ready to have any more anyway.”

  I coughed. “I’m staying out of this.”

  Creena’s cheeks reddened even more.

  The idea of fucking a baby into her made my dick swell. Not the right time, Stone. Not the right time at fucking all.

  “Anyway ...” Aria giggled, shaking her head. “How come I’m only just meeting you now?”

  “Yeah, Stone, how come?” Creena asked, giving me the side eye.

  “Luna, don’t you dare grow up to become as crazy as these women.” I kissed my daughter’s forehead. “Okay?”

  Luna handed me her teddy bear.

  “It’s settled.” I looked between my sister and Creena. “Luna will be the normal one.”

  Creena laughed, throwing a stuffed toy at my head.

  “Careful,” I warned, catching it midair.

  She blew me a kiss before crawling over to where I was sitting just a couple feet away. She sat beside me, brushing a finger down Luna’s cheek. “She’s absolutely beautiful, Stone.”

  “Thank you.” My heart swelled. “It still amazes me that I had a hand in creating something this perfect.”

  “She is perfect.” Creena’s smile grew. “Can I hold her?”

  I nodded.

  She took Luna from my arms and held her in her lap.

  I didn’t say anything as I watched the woman I was sleeping with hold my daughter. I never thought I would see this day come. I had kept Luna to myself since she was born. Only my family knew about her, and now, so did Creena.

  “Why are you staring at me?” Creena asked, her voice low enough for only me to hear.

  “You look beautiful holding her,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

  She smiled. It was so bright, it reached her eyes and gave me hope that maybe something could come out of this. Something needed. Something damn powerful. Because I knew when all was said and done, I didn’t want this to end.

  “So, Creena,” Aria said, interrupting our little moment, “tell me how you met my big brother.”

  “We met through friends and ...” She shrugged. “Yeah.”

  It was fucking adorable the way she would shy away over talking about me with my sister but when we were alone she never had any issues saying what was on her mind.

  “My husband and I met through friends too. Although we’ve had our problems, our kids are our life.” She glanced my way. “Luna too.”

  My heart warmed. “She better be. She did come from my awesomeness.”

  “She’s not all you, ass.” Aria shook her head, amusement hitting her dark eyes. “Remember who the other half of her—”

  I shook my head, shutting her up. Creena didn’t know that part of me. I had to tell her. I knew that. But it would be on my own time.

  “Anyway.” Aria rolled her eyes and changed the subject. They started talking about shopping and girly shit that was a foreign language to me.

  But what I noticed most was Creena glancing my way every now and again. She nodded and smiled where needed. She answered any questions directed at her and if they got too personal, she would politely change the subject. Words just flowed off her tongue. It made me wonder if she had done this before.

  “Well, big brother.” Aria rose from the blanket spread out on the grass, picking up her sleeping daughter. “We should head out.”

  My stomach twisted. This was the part I hated most.

  “Creena, can you give us a few?” I asked, not wanting her to see the vulnerable side of me whenever my daughter left.

  She nodded, placing Luna back in my arms and rose to her feet. “It was wonderful to meet you. All of you.”

  “Yes, I agree.” Aria gave her a one-armed hug. “We’ll have to get coffee sometime. You can tell me all the dirty deets on my brother.”

  Creena laughed and headed back into the house but not before giving my shoulder a light squeeze.

  “I like her,” Aria said once we were alone.

  “You liked Sienna,” I reminded her. “But yeah, I like Creena too.”

  “Sienna was different.” Aria placed Gianna on the blanket and knelt in front of me. “I was friends with her since we were kids. She had a hard life, Stone. Got caught up with the wrong people. Desperate times and shit. You know that.”

  I looked down at my daughter. Her thumb was in her mouth, her dark chocolate eyes wide and bright. She may have looked like me but she had her mother’s eyes. I missed Sienna but not in the way one would think. I missed her for Luna. My daughter would grow up without a mother all because she made mistakes. Mistakes I could never help her through.

  “Creena is good for you,” Aria added, brushing her hand over Luna’s head. “But you need to stop blaming yourself for things that happened in the past.”

  “It’s my fault Luna is without a mother.” I swallowed hard, the tightness in my chest threatening to strangle me.

  “No, it’s not, but I know you won’t listen to me.” Aria sighed. “Maybe you’ll listen to Creena. I meant what I said. She is good for you, Vince.”

  “She’s a distraction,” I muttered.

  “Come on. Even you don’t believe that.”

  No, I didn’t. I held Luna tighter against me, kissing her softly, wishing with everything in me that I could have her stay with me.

  “You know she can stay with you, right?” Aria said, taking the thought right out of my head.

  “I can’t.” I kissed Luna’s head of dark hair. “Not yet. You know it’s not safe.”

  “It’s only getting worse for you.” Aria’s voice cracked. “Every time I leave, I feel like I’m stealing your child from you.”

  “You know that’s not the case.” I would never be able to repay my sister for all the help she’s been in Luna’s life.

  “I know, Vincent. God, I know. But Luna needs you. She needs her father.”

  “I can’t be the father she needs me to be right now.” My chest tightened. “Not yet.” The shit with the Organization needed to be sorted first. I couldn’t be distracted and take care of my daughter, knowing those bastards were still out there.

  “You can’t catch all of the bad guys, big brother.” She clapped a hand on my shoulder. “Did you want me to stay longer tomorrow?”

  “No.” I shook my head, swallowing past the dry lump in my throat. “Same time. Same amount.”

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  Before I could protest, she pulled Luna from my arms.

  Luna reached for me, tears welling in her beautiful eyes. She squirmed, a cry leaving her mouth.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, piccola.” I kissed her forehead. “I promise.”

  “Dada,” she cried, grabbing ahold of my shirt.

  My throat burned.

  Fuck.

  I OPENED THE patio door as Aria approached.

  “Thank you,” she said, her shoulders slumped. She paused insi
de the doorway, looking out at her brother. “He’s going to need you right now.”

  “Okay ...” My heart jumped. “Everything all right?”

  “No.” She placed a gentle hand on my arm. “He’s going to try and push you away and fall within himself. It’s what he does. But he is a good guy, Creena. I know you see that in him. He likes you. He likes you a lot. He’s different with you.”

  “How so?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

  “He’s himself.” She gave me a sad smile. “So please, just be patient.” She gave my hand a gentle squeeze and ushered the kids out the front door.

  I frowned, glancing back and forth between Stone still sitting outside and his sister leaving the house. Why the hell didn’t Luna live with him?

  Taking a breath, I opened the door and slowly made my way outside.

  Stone sat on the blanket with his head in his hands.

  I wasn’t sure what the hell just happened but I knew he needed something. Anything. He needed to get out of his head. I knew his daughter leaving couldn’t be sitting well with him.

  “Stone?” I asked, kneeling on the blanket beside him.

  “Every time she leaves, it kills me more and more.” He gripped his hair, digging his fingers in his head. “Fuck.”

  “Hey.” I grabbed his hands and moved in front of him. “Don’t hurt yourself. If you need to hurt anyone, hurt me.”

  His head snapped up. “What the fuck?”

  “That’s not ... Oh, God.” My cheeks heated. “That’s not what I meant. I mean, we can train together. If you need to hit something or work it out, we can do it together. Whatever you prefer.”

  His eyes searched my face. “You’re not going to ask why Luna doesn’t live with me?”

  “I won’t ask unless you want me to, Stone. But I also don’t want you to hurt yourself,” I repeated slowly. “If you need to take out your pain on anyone, take it out on me. I’m a big girl. I’ve fought and trained with the best.”

  “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  “I am.” I sat cross-legged in front of him, keeping his hands in mine. “Brogan and Coby train together. Why can’t we?”

  “She’s also a tough little thing that can bring the biggest man to his knees.”