Levi watches us take flight, a grim look on his face.
It’s the same look that was on Noah’s face as we passed by his office.
39
Leigha
February 18, 2019
We fly to the island off the coast of Ireland, where Noah has Athena, Ava, Corban, the twins, Vic, Ethan and Elizabeth in safekeeping.
As we prepare to land, I can see several armed men watching us approach. One of them appears to have some manner of rocket launcher!
Evan contacts them on the radio, and they stand down, as we settle in for the touchdown.
Evan expertly guides the helicopter to a perfect landing.
The second we touch down I bolt from the helicopter and into the house, barely managing to find the washroom before morning sickness takes hold of me.
There are several minutes of wondering what precisely I’m in for with this pregnancy before I sense someone at the door.
I turn my head to see Athena, watching me closely, the washroom door closed behind her.
“You’re pregnant,” she states.
I nod before more bile comes up, there’s nothing left in my stomach! Why am I still throwing up!
“How far along?”
“Six weeks, two days,” I reply instantly.
Athena hands me a tissue after she helps me up, and I wipe my mouth and toss it in the toilet before I gargle with some mouthwash.
Athena envelops me in a warm hug, and as always, I am happy for her presence.
She’s been Evan’s rock, and one of the women I’ve always known I can turn to in times of need.
“Does this mean you’re marrying my nephew, again?” Athena teases me.
“We’re still married,” I say, and then I explain the whole debacle.
“Oh Leigha,” Athena says as she holds me tightly, “I’m so happy for you both, for you both to get everything you’ve wanted.”
“I’m so afraid,” I admit to her.
“Everything happens for a reason, Leigha. You’ll see that in time,” Athena says confidently.
Surely, she is right.
* * *
Ethan gurgles at Evan, and my heartstrings tug as I see them together. I put a hand on my belly, absent-mindedly, and Vic gives me a strange look.
Vic sidles up to me, and I feel slightly uneasy as we aren’t really on solid ground.
“Are you pregnant?” She whispers.
I only nod before I burst into tears, to everyone’s surprise. Evan tries to hold me, but in front of Vic, I suddenly feel heart-wrenching guilt and excuse myself to one of the bedrooms.
Vic follows me.
* * *
“Leigha, I know this might not be the time or place, but I need to clear the air. Evan was never really mine,” she confides.
She looks wistful.
“What do you mean?” I ask, suddenly wary.
“Oh, it’s just that, when he looks at you, I see what might have been. He looks or looked, at me, but it was with raw lust. Sure, he loved me, in a way, I suppose. But you can tell by how he looks at you that you were meant for each other. I’m happy to have Ethan. And I am a bit jealous of you. It’s not that I want Evan, it’s that I want what you both have, together,” she explains carefully.
“This makes us family, you know, now that I’m carrying Ethan’s half-sister or brother,” I tell her in earnest.
Though from Elena’s words, I’m almost sure that it’s a boy.
I feel it in my gut.
Vic giggles slightly.
“I guess if we’ve slept with the same man…” she says with a wink.
The seriousness of the conversation quickly subsides into laughter.
This is hardly the time or the place, but I feel as though we’re becoming friends.
I never liked Victoire for what happened with her and Evan, even before Evan became mine, but this new Vic? She’s another person entirely.
One that I’d love to have in my life.
“Who knows, there’s always Levi,” I joke.
Vic blushes, and I know instantly that she’s developed a little crush on him, but who wouldn’t?
Levi is a gorgeous younger version of The Noah Stone.
“He’s got his pick of women, you know,” Vic reminds me.
“Well, I don’t think that’s Levi’s style, to be quite honest,” I say.
Then, because I see a slight panic on Victoire’s face, I add, “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
* * *
Evan and the guards discuss a few things about security at the safehouse, while Vic and I chat and bake and drink coffee.
“Is it safe, do you think?” I ask her, worried about my baby.
“Oh, for sure! I was drinking like a fish with Ethan!” she jokes.
Elizabeth comes in from another room.
“It’s true!” she laughs.
I roll my eyes.
“Who’s drinking like a fish?” Elizabeth asks.
Vic and I exchange knowing glances and burst into laughter again.
She is just like the sister I never had.
“What’s going on?” Elizabeth asks sternly.
“I’m pregnant,” I sigh.
Evan and I had resolved not to tell anyone because it’s still so early, but I can’t keep this to myself.
I imagine Evan has already told his father and asked Noah to keep it mum.
“That boy, children with different women, just like his father,” Elizabeth laughs.
“At least he married one, congratulations,” her voice is stiff.
“Thank you,” I respond with a smile.
“I should go and check on little Ethan, don’t you think, Vic? He may need a changing, and I know it’s soon time for his lunch!” she says. Elizabeth seems a bit nervous. That is so unlike her that it gives me pause.
“Of course, thank you Elizabeth, you’re wonderful to help me,” Vic replies.
Elizabeth nods and gives Vic a quick hug before going to Ethan’s room. She peers in, from what I can see, and then walks inside.
I watch as Vic expertly removes one of the cakes from a springform pan, slicing it in half before she begins to ice the cake with a spatula. The frosting is thick and fluffy, a creamy chocolate color.
If I weren’t suffering from morning sickness, I’d be tempted to lick the whole bowl clean.
Vic manages to finish two cakes and start a third before Ava and the twins, Landon and Greyson, round the corner into the kitchen. They’re a little over a year old and getting into everything.
“Shit, nothing here is baby-proofed,” Ava swears.
“Shit!” Greyson screams at the top of his lungs.
“Shit! Shit! Shit!” Landon repeats.
The twins continue to scream a chorus of the word ‘shit’ as Ava struggles to calm them down.
I grab two spoons with a little bit of frosting and hand them to the boys, distracting them with sugar.
“That’s probably only going to make it worse in the long run,” Ava sighs happily.
“They’re going to be trouble,” I tell her.
“You’re telling me! I’m still trying to figure out how we’re going to eventually explain that their Uncle Sebastian is a few months younger than them,” Ava giggles.
“I’m pregnant,” the words burst from my mouth before I can stop them.
“Ohmygod!” Ava screams.
She’s falling all over me within seconds.
“Really! You’re having a baby! Oh my god, Evan a dad!” Ava laughs.
“Now he’s going to have two of them!” she exclaims.
“I can’t believe it either, to be honest, it’s still early though, I’m only six weeks,” I admit.
Ava knows the story, she knows about Evan, and our past, and she nods, suddenly solemn, but then she bursts into a broad smile, and I see Evan in her.
“Everything is going to be just fine, I know it,” Ava concludes.
How is everyone so sure about this
but me?
“Just wait until you feel the baby kick Leigha, you’re going to adore this baby so much, and when you hold him or her in your arms…” Ava trails off, her eyes dreamy.
She looks down at the twins who have made a mess of themselves with the chocolate icing. They look as though they might start screaming the word ‘shit’ again, so Ava gives them more icing.
Landon, or maybe Greyson, throws it right in Ava’s face, giggling.
“They change everything,” Ava says with a smile.
She wipes the icing off her face with one finger and licks it.
“Vic, you’ve outdone yourself this time,” Ava tells her.
“Oh, I know,” Vic smirks.
“Just wait until you taste my cherry pie!” Vic adds with a wink.
Ava, Vic and I cackle with delight.
40
Evan
February 18, 2019
The guards inform me that Levi has been in contact with Grace, and she and Isaac are planning on coming to the island tomorrow. My mother passes me as I walk into the kitchen to find my lovely wife and ex laughing their fool heads off over some private matter.
“What’s so funny?” I ask.
Leigha laughs and says something nonsensical, and then calls me ‘cunning’ at which point both women lose it.
I leave them to their madness.
Women. Strange creatures at times.
Still, I am inwardly pleased that Leigha and Vic are finally getting along.
It’s a big step.
* * *
“Interpol has apprehended Michael Bishop and Lauren Darlington,” Isaac tells me when he arrives via helicopter with Grace. He’s looking much better. Grace is still close by his side, helping him walk with a cane.
Vic and Leigha come out to greet them, and Leigha is carrying Ethan. She’s a natural, and Ethan crowds his face into her bosom, happily pressing against her.
“Isaac says Bishop and Lauren are in Interpol custody!” I inform them.
I see the security guards helping the pilot secure the chopper for the evening, and then they retire to the barracks for dinner. Vic has sent over some of the cakes she and Leigha were baking earlier, and the men send thank you notes to the women.
It’s a delicious cake, although it has a bit too much icing for my palate.
I watch my mother sip her coffee. She hasn’t seemed her usual self, ever since she found out Leigha is pregnant. I need to get her aside to speak with her about it, but we’ve had little time due to all the excitement.
* * *
Merc video calls me the next morning with a routine report. As we review it, Levi comes online. He appears worried, which is rare.
“Olivia has disappeared, but I am hearing from my contacts in the Ventretti organization that The Flame is still acting on the contract,” he says.
I look at Merc, who is frowning.
“What was her last location, Levi?” he asks, gravely. I can tell he’s troubled by the revelation that his long-time partner was a double agent. I wonder if he ever slept with her. Knowing Merc, it wouldn’t surprise me at all.
My mother enters the room, carrying a tea set.
“Would you like some tea, Evan?” she asks.
I nod, and mouth ‘Thank you,’ as she sets it down.
She pours me a cup of Earl Grey, and she has an English Breakfast for herself.
There are some biscuits.
I munch on one, as we listen to Merc and Levi.
“Merc, we’ve got six agencies looking. No one knows where she is. Best guess? Monaco,” Levi states flatly.
Merc grunts.
“I concur. Did you tell the others?” he asks.
“No. I felt that this is something that you’d wish to clear up, personally,” Levi replies.
Merc nods.
“Thank you, Levi. For everything,” he says.
I don’t like the finality of it.
Merc rings off, and he and I go back to discussing Olivia.
“Maybe she’s in Monaco as well?” I offer.
Merc’s video is motionless.
“Maybe. But I don’t think so, do you?”
Suddenly, Elizabeth perks up.
She looks directly at me, then turns to Merc.
“No, Evan. But I know where she is,” Elizabeth says cryptically.
“Where?” I ask.
“She’s probably within a kilometer of Tinsley,” she replies.
“I’m going to Monaco. The Casino. I’ll contact you when I’ve completed my assignment,” Merc says.
Then, the screen goes black.
I regard my mother, who is primly drinking her tea.
“Is something bothering you, Mother?” I ask.
She sets the cup down.
“I feel awful, Evan. Knowing all the evil that I’ve done,” she sighs.
“You had a brain tumor, Mother. That must be some part of it,” I remind her.
She comes over and hugs me. I am suddenly five again, with my bruised leg, and she’s telling me it will be all right.
“Vic and Leigha were talking the other day, and I overheard Vic telling Leigha about Michael Bishop. I was part of that world for a long time. I was the one who put Ava in that horrible business!” she says, and I can see she’s weeping.
I hug and comfort her. There’s nothing I can say about this. It’s all true.
“Noah and Ava forgave you, Mother,” I try.
She looks up, and I can see her age, in her eyes and face. She’s still a striking woman. I can see why my father loved her.
Noah Stone, I think to myself. What a piece of work!
“You don’t have to carry this burden on your own, Mother,” I say, suddenly.
She looks in my eyes, trying to find redemption.
“You’re with us now. The rest is in the past. You can’t change it. Don’t deny it, but now you have a new life — a better one. Helping me, and Vic, and Ethan! And, I know I don’t say it enough, but I love you and appreciate you. I know Leigha and Vic do as well,” I tell her.
She cries softly for a while, and I hug her.
After a while, she stops.
“I think Ethan is awake, Evan,” she sniffs.
She gets up to take care of my son.
I watch as she walks into the house and looks into the cloudless sky.
* * *
We all spend an idyllic week relaxing from all the stress. The weather is excellent, and we go walking around the grounds of the safehouse. There are sheep and chickens to entertain Ethan and to provide fresh eggs. The security team personnel rotate their shifts, and we are well-protected.
One morning, Merc shows up, with Lucius and Levi tagging along.
He’s looking haggard, and Levi takes me aside.
“Merc found Sophie Leslie in Monaco,” he tells me.
“Did he kill her?” I ask.
Levi nods gravely.
“I wouldn’t bring it up for a while. He’s distraught, Evan. He needs you as a friend, now,” Levi says.
I watch as Merc walks over to Leigha, and asks her a question. They walk away from my view. Levi sees my concern.
“Don’t. It’s something that Merc needs to say to her, Evan. Don’t worry about it,” he says.
“Let’s let Lucius fill you in on Olivia’s whereabouts, okay?” he asks.
I am not all that keen on Leigha off by herself with Merc, but I push it down and follow Levi.
* * *
Lucius is drinking coffee and eating a pastry. Grace, Vic, and Isaac are chatting easily when Levi and I enter the kitchen. Levi pauses, speaking to the guard, who then leaves.
Elizabeth is bouncing Ethan on her knee and kissing his cheek. Ethan is giggling and trying to grab her nose. It’s a little slice of heaven – the perfect life.
“May I have some coffee, please,” Levi booms. He looks abashed for a moment.
“Wow. The acoustics in this place are very impressive!” he says, astonished.
Eve
ryone laughs, and Vic gets him a cup. She lingers over its preparation.
“Black, right? Like your women?” she teases.
Levi smiles, and I can see him thinking about things. Good for them!
“I’ll take some cream and two sugars, please,” he replies. He sits next to Lucius, who is cramming another pastry into his mouth.
Vic sits next to Levi and takes her sweet time making his beverage. All the while, he is watching, and she smiles, and flips her long blond hair, and twinkles her smile at him. The big dummy is enraptured. Ensnared! I want to yell out, “It’s a trap!” but Levi is gone. It’s too late. The trap is sprung, and he’s caught in it.
I can tell because when Vic hands him his coffee, their fingers brush against each other.
You could see the sparks from the Moon.
* * *
A security team member rushes into the kitchen and goes to Isaac.
“Sir, unidentified helicopters are approaching the island!” he says.
“Prepare to repel all boarders!” Isaac commands.
Levi puts down his coffee, interrupting his chat with Vic.
“Get the women into the panic room, Evan! Lucius, you go with Isaac to the command center and let Noah know that we’re under attack!” he orders.
Elizabeth, Vic, Ethan, and Grace follow me to a closed door. I enter a code into the keypad, and the door opens, revealing an elevator.
“This goes down two floors. There’s another elevator there. Take it to the panic room!” I say to them.
“Evan! Where are you going?” Vic asks.
“To find Leigha and Merc!” I shout as the door closes.
41
Leigha
February 18, 2019
Merc is brooding, sitting on a rock on the edge of the cliff. The precipice drops three hundred feet down in a sheer fall. I am a bit worried about him, but then remind myself that he’s Merc. He does this as easily as most men brush their teeth.
FRACTURE: Hearts of Stone Book Six Page 23