by E. L. Todd
I grabbed her elbow and led her away from the scene.
“He’s never going to stop,” she said with a sigh.
“He will,” I said. “Give it time.”
“I’m not optimistic.”
“He’ll eventually realize all his efforts are futile since I’m always around,” I said. “And when he does, we’ll file for divorce and get custody of Lizzie. We need to wait until he’s more cooperative. Right now, he’ll fight you tooth and nail.”
She nodded. “You’re right.”
“Wait until he gives up. Then it won’t be such an uphill battle.”
“Okay.”
I put my arm around her and walked with her up the sidewalk. “But I liked watching you unleash that fury on him.”
“I’ve been keeping that inside for years,” she said. “If only I had a bat.”
I smirked then pulled her closer to me. I kissed her hairline. “I’ll get you one.”
***
After dinner, there was a knock on the door.
Rome immediately turned her head and fear came into her eyes.
I had the same thought. “Help Lizzie organize her toys in her room.”
Rome knew what I really meant. “Come on, baby.” She picked Lizzie up and carried her into her room. Then she shut the door and locked it.
I went to the safe in my closet and pulled out the loaded pistol. Then I returned to the front door. When I looked through the peephole, I sighed in relief. It was Theo.
I opened the door. “What do you want?”
“Um, hi?” he said sarcastically. “Would it kill you just to be a little nice to me?”
“Yes. What do you want?”
“To talk,” he said. “About what happened a few weeks ago.” He eyed the apartment behind me and saw a few of Lizzie’s things scattered around. Then he looked down at my hand. His eyes widened when he saw the gun. “Okay…we seriously need to talk.”
“Come in.” I stepped aside and allowed him to enter. Then I locked the door.
Theo stayed clear of me, his eyes on the gun.
“I’ll be right back.” I returned the gun to the safe then locked it. When I returned without the weapon, Theo relaxed.
“You really think I’d shoot you?” I asked incredulously.
“You never know…”
I knocked on Lizzie’s door. “It’s just Theo.”
“Okay,” Rome said with a voice full of relief.
I came back to Theo. “What’s up?”
“Well, the studio is doing well. Lots of customers are coming in. We got a good clientele.”
I couldn’t care less about the studio. “That’s nice.”
He eyed the hallway then looked at me. He lowered his voice to a whisper “What the hell is going on, Thomas?”
“None of your business,” I shot back.
“You’re my brother,” he snapped. “It is my business. What trouble are you in?”
“None.”
“Don’t lie to me,” he whispered. “Maybe I can help.”
“We’re good. But thanks.”
“If you answer the door with a gun, you aren’t good,” he argued.
I sighed, knowing Theo wouldn’t let this go.
The door opened and Rome and Lizzie came out. Lizzie looked just as happy as before, obviously having no idea that there was any hint of danger.
I glanced at them then turned back to Theo. “Not now.”
“Then when?” he demanded. “You’re always with them.”
“Keep your voice down,” I whispered.
Rome came to my side and looked at Theo. “It’s nice to see you again.” She hugged him.
Theo flinched then returned the embrace. “You too…”
Then Rome turned to me. “Go get a beer with your brother.”
“No, I’m good,” I blurted.
“Go.” She commanded me with just a look.
“I think it’s best if we stay here,” I said.
“We’ll be fine,” Rome said. “Now go.”
I swallowed my annoyance. “Call me if you need anything.”
“I know.” She rubbed my back. “Now go relax.”
“I won’t be gone long,” I said.
“Take your time.” She gave me a gentle nudge out the door. Then she gave me a smile as she shut the door in my face and locked it.
Theo turned his gaze on me. “Shall we?”
***
“So, what’s going on?” Theo asked as he faced me across the table. His beer was untouched.
“Rome is married.” That was a good place to start.
He stared at me blankly as realization came into his eyes. “What?”
“She’s married but her husband is abusive. He beats her—brutally.”
“Shit.” He rubbed his chin.
“When she told me, I took her and her daughter away. Now they live with me while we figure out what to do.”
“Has he caused any trouble?”
“He’s chased her down a few times. I broke his nose and a few ribs.”
“Shit.” His fingers moved through his hair, messing it up. “I don’t even know what to say…”
“It’s a lot to handle.”
“When you had her move in, I didn’t know what to think. It was so odd of you to rush a relationship like that.”
“Like you would know,” I said bitterly.
He sighed in irritation. “I’ve been busting my ass to have a relationship with you. You can keep making jabs and attempt to make me feel like shit, but that’s not going to change anything. I suggest you just make an effort.”
I drank my beer and avoided his look.
An awkward silence ensued.
Theo spoke up again. “What’s your plan?”
“I don’t have one,” I said honestly. “I’m waiting for the situation to die down then we’ll process divorce papers. Then we’ll try to get Lizzie.”
“I have absolutely no knowledge about this sort of thing,” he said sadly. “I wish I did.”
“It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.”
“Do you need help with dealing with him?” Theo asked. “I’ll scare the shit out of him if you want.”
“No, I can handle him. He’s a weak pussy. He can beat up Rome but he can’t match me.”
“How’s she handling all of this?” he asked.
“She’s happy,” I said. “When she ran into him, she laid into him. It was nice to see her not be scared.”
“I bet. What about the little girl?”
“Her name is Lizzie,” I said. “And she’s a ball of sunshine.”
“I thought you hated kids?” he asked with a laugh.
“Again, you don’t know me at all.”
“Shut up, Thomas. I know you better than you think.”
I didn’t want the argument to escalate so I didn’t say anything.
“I’m here if you need help. If you need a break to go out with the guys or something I can stay with Rome and Lizzie.”
The offer surprised me. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Being surrounding by girls constantly will wear you out…”
I smiled. “I like it, actually. I like being home with them. It’s nice.”
He watched me with serious eyes but didn’t say anything.
“How’s Alex?”
“Really happy,” he said. “She loves working again. She was getting restless staying home all day.”
“I can understand that.”
“Is Rome going to continue to work with you?”
“As far as I know,” I said. “But she’s always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. I hope when this is settled, she goes back to school and makes it happen.”
“Teaching is a good gig,” he said. “Summers off and a pension.”
“Yeah, but I think she just likes kids.”
“Maybe it will work out.”
“We’ll see,” I said vaguely.
“You know, I never thought of you
as the family man type.”
I liked being home with Rome and Lizzie every night. My life used to be filled with different beautiful women and luxurious vacations. I spent my nights out with my boys and meeting a gorgeous woman in a tight dress. But I didn’t miss that. I liked having dinner with them every night, and watching TV afterwards. I liked making love to Rome every night. I never got tired of her. “I didn’t either.”
Chapter Five
Clementine
When I woke up the next morning, Ward was gone. I knew he had to work so I wasn’t surprised by his absence. I tossed and turned and tried to fall back asleep because I had nothing to do until he came home. But when my eyes wouldn’t stay closed, I sighed and sat up.
On the nightstand was a note—and a candy bar.
Darling,
You can eat this in bed—because you’re mine.
Ward
I chuckled then grabbed the candy bar. But I didn’t eat it in his bed. Last time I got crumbs everywhere and I was a little embarrassed. I stood and changed into the black lingerie that I brought. After I brushed my teeth and got ready, I took a selfie of me eating the chocolate bar. Then I sent it to Ward.
He texted back almost immediately. I’m about to call in sick.
I sent him another one.
I’d give anything to be that candy bar right now.
Then come home.
I wish I could. But you’re mine when I walk through the door.
I’ll be waiting…
I changed and put on one of his t-shirts and sweatpants, which smelled like him even though they were clean, and then I sat on the couch and watched TV. His pants were ten sizes too big and I had to roll them a million times in order to make them fit.
A knock on the door made me flinch. Who was it? Was it a solicitor? Should I answer it? I walked to the door then looked through the peephole.
It was Willow.
Should I answer it?
“It’s me,” she said. “Open up.”
She knew I was home. Perhaps Ward told her? “Uh…give me a second.”
“I don’t care if you’re wearing my brother’s clothes—if that’s what you’re worried about.”
She hit the nail right on the head.
I opened the door. “Uh, hi.”
“Hey.” She walked in uninvited. “What are you doing?”
“Sitting on the couch eating a candy bar.”
She nodded. “That’s what I was doing about an hour ago. Anyway, you want to go shopping and get some lunch?”
“Me?” I blurted.
“Yeah, why not?” She was extremely thin but held herself like a gladiator. She had spunk and sass, just like I did. I wasn’t sure if we would mix well together. “I have nothing to do while I wait for the kids to get out of school, and you have nothing to do until Ward gets home.”
“Uh, okay. Just let me change.”
“Okay.” She sat on the couch and watched TV.
After I was dressed, we walked down the sidewalk and reached downtown London. There were tons of shops and stores. We went in and out of each one of them. Willow bought a new scarf and immediately put it on once she was out of the store. I found a jacket I loved so I bought it without thinking twice about it.
When we had a few bags in our hands, we headed to a café and sat outside.
“I need a coffee break,” she said. “I’ve got to pick up the kiddos soon and I need my energy.”
I chuckled. “They’re energetic.”
“They even wear down Ward when he babysits.”
The idea of Ward babysitting made me smile.
Willow caught the look. “You love my brother.”
She blurted things out left and right. And she had a serious look on her face like she didn’t feel awkward saying something so personal. “Uh…”
“You don’t need to admit it or deny it. I can tell.” She sipped her coffee then took a bite out of pastry like this conversation was normal.
“Why do you think that?”
“I can just tell,” she said. “I see the way you look at him. You’re with him all the time.”
“What makes you think I’m with him all the time?” I asked.
“Ward made it sound like you stay with him the entire time he’s in the States.”
He talks about me? To his sister? I knew they were close but I didn’t know they were that close. “Well, we like to spend time together.”
“He’s never brought a girl from America even though he’s been working there for years, and this is the second time you’ve been here. So, it doesn’t seem casual. And I’ve never met one of his bimbos, so you aren’t a bimbo to him.”
I felt warm and special.
“So, I’d like us to get along. Ward really cares about you and I want you to feel welcome in our family.”
“Well, that’s very nice of you.”
She shrugged. “I don’t have a lot of girlfriends. I’m always looking for someone to spend time with.”
“Oh, well I can be your friend.”
“That’s what I was hoping for.” She took another bite of her pastry.
I didn’t know a lot about Ward’s personal life because I never asked. I could get unbiased dirt from her but I didn’t feel ethical doing that. But I wanted to know more about him. “Ward is great with your kids.”
“He is,” she said. “He’s always been good with children. I know he’ll be a great father someday. I’d always hoped we have children at the same time so they would be close in age but Ward never settled down.”
I nodded but didn’t say anything. “He must have had too many choices to choose from…”
“Ward has always been more sensitive than the average guy,” she said. “I’m not sure where he gets it from. But after Patricia was born, I could tell he really wanted a family of his own. He’s been looking for Mrs. Right ever since.”
I felt the cup in my hand then took a sip of my coffee, feeling tense.
“Don’t play my brother.” She shot me a no-bullshit look.
Her brashness explained why she didn’t have many girlfriends. “I’m not.”
“Because he’s really happy with you. I want you to feel comfortable with us and know that we care about you. But if you cross my brother or hurt him, you’ll have hell to pay for. My brother is very forgiving but I’m not.” She threatened me silently.
“I understand why you don’t have many girlfriends…”
She had a stern look on her face then it broke out into a grin. “I’m rough around the edges.”
“You’re sharp as a dagger, actually.”
She laughed. “I come off a little mean sometimes. But its just loyalty, not war.”
“You fooled me.”
She chuckled. “I like you, Clementine. Just don’t hurt my brother. That’s all I ask.”
“I won’t.” And I meant it.
We arrived at the house just as Ward did.
“Baby, I’m home,” he called.
I sighed, wishing he wouldn’t do that every time he came home. My cheeks reddened.
Willow smirked. “Okay, Ricky Ricardo.”
Ward came around the corner, looking like dessert in his suit. “Hey, Will.” He looked around. “Where are the kids?”
“They both have music lessons today.”
“I see…” He eyed us together. “And why are you here?”
“Clementine and I went shopping.” She held up her shopping bags. “I thought I should entertain the girl since you keep her locked up here like a hamster.”
“I always leave her food and water,” Ward teased.
“What about her hamster wheel?” Willow asked. “I don’t see that anywhere.”
“She gets plenty of exercise.” He gave me a knowing look.
I couldn’t hold his gaze so I looked away.
“Well, I should get going,” Willow said. “I’ll see you guys later.”
Ward walked her to the door. “Thanks for spending time with Clemen
tine.”
“I figured I should get to know the girl.” She gave him a significant look then walked out.
He shut the door then came back to me. “Had a good time?”
“Yeah. But your sister is a little scary sometimes.”
He chuckled like he knew exactly what I meant. “She’s not exactly a people person. She’s brutally honest and doesn’t understand social cues and body language. My friend married her solely for her looks—at least I assume.”
“I’d put my money on it.”
He chuckled. “Did she give you a hard time?”
“No…not really.”
“Then what did she do?” His hands moved around my waist.
“Told me not to play you.”
He rolled his eyes but grinned at the same time. “She’s a little protective of me. Ignore her.”
“It didn’t bother me. I thought it was sweet.”
“I’m glad you didn’t take offense.”
“Is there any reason why she’s protective of you…?” Was there another girl in his life he almost married? Had he been hurt before?
“No. She’s just crazy.”
I chuckled. “Well, if she’s crazy there’s a good chance you’re crazy.”
He shrugged. “Guilty.” His eyes changed and smoldered. “So…finished that candy bar?”
“Most of it.” I gave him a flirty look.
“Damn lucky piece of cocoa.” He looked down at my clothes. “Where’s the black number you were wearing earlier?”
“In your room,” I said with attitude. “You think I wore it while out with your sister?”
“That would have been interesting…”
“I’m sure she would have loved me then.”
“I don’t care if she doesn’t love you because I—” He cleared his throat. “The only opinion that matters is mine.” He scooped me into his arms and headed for the stairs. “I know you like chocolate but how do you feel about whipped cream?”
“I’d eat that.”
“How would you feel if I ate it off of you?” he asked.
“Why don’t we find out?”
***
When we returned to New York, Ward and I were inseparable. He didn’t mention telling my family about our relationship, and I was glad he let it go. I tried not to bring up the strip joint as much as possible but my boss was angry I was calling in sick so often. As a result, I had to work a few nights in a row. I tried to tell Ward I had plans or I wasn’t feeling well but he didn’t buy it.