Tethered Trust: Book 2 (Limits of Love Series 3)

by Jade Royal

  I looked up at the clock to see that it was past my bedtime. I had been driving down memory lane a bit too long. I put away the leftover food and put my barely touched plate in the refrigerator. I loaded the dishwasher and made my rounds to make sure that everything was locked down tight. Angelica was fast asleep and tucked into bed. I undressed and put on my pj’s before heading to bed.

  Once there, I couldn’t help but recall the conversation that I’d had with the detective on that first night that I’d gone looking for Mistress X. I had a burner phone that I used to communicate with Detective Brown, who was back in California, about Danielle’s case. He was the only person that knew the vicinity where we were hiding out. He’d given me an alias six years ago, and with the money that I’d taken from my dad’s estate, I’d purchased three more identities that he knew nothing about. We’d taken on my grandmother’s maiden name, changing Angelica’s first name, using my middle name as my first, and Mama had taken papa’s mother’s name, Catalina.

  Det. Brown called to tell me that Alphonso, Danielle’s killer, tried to escape from the institution that he was in. That little bit of information had driven me crazy. I understood that he had not managed to escape, but the possibility of us being on the run yet again made me angry. He needed to leave us alone and to move on with his life. He’d taken too damn much from me, and I was tired of it. We’d come to Ohio all the way from California, and still he wouldn’t let things go.

  Lying in my bed, I grew tired, but I was afraid to sleep. Danielle’s case was heavy on my mind, and I knew what that meant. I fought sleep for as long as I could, and when I faded into dreams, a nightmare welcomed me.

  “WE’LL MEET AT THE LIBRARY,” Danielle promised me as we spoke over the phone.

  “Are you sure? The bakery is around the corner from your house. I could just go there and then come to you.”

  “No, I want to talk to Melvin about what’s been going on. I don’t want you there when he starts to lecture me.”

  “Melvin is your big brother. He won’t lecture you; he’ll protect you.”

  “That’s what I’m most afraid of.” Danielle sniffed.

  “What’d Alphonso say this time to scare you into finally getting help?” This situation with his crazy butt had lasted way too long. I tried to get her to get help a long time ago, especially after he started to show up wherever we would go hangout. He had a tracker on the phone that he made her carry. She left the phone at home one day, and he went ballistic.

  “He’s nuts. He wants to be one big happy family. I don’t think that Alphonso understands that he’s really crazy and that I’m not interested in him.”

  “You let him think that it was okay to stalk you because you felt sorry for him. I think that maybe he took it that you shared the same feelings that he apparently has. He needs to be locked away.”

  “Or something,” Danielle agreed. She sounded weary, and I didn’t like it.

  “I’m going to wait at the bakery, and if you don’t show by eight o’clock, I’m coming to your apartment. That should give you plenty of time to talk to Melvin.” I was hoping that after she talked to Melvin, we could go to the police.

  “Ok, fine. I’ll see you at eight.”

  I waited that day until 8:05, giving her a bit of extra time to talk to her brother. When she didn’t show, I grabbed our breakfast and headed to her home. When I got outside her building, people were screaming; a bunch of people were surrounding something on the ground. I walked over and pushed through to see Melvin bleeding out from gunshot wounds. The only one I could remember was the one directly in the center of his chest. I started shaking and looking around for Danielle. When I didn’t see her, I ran upstairs to her apartment to see the door open. I swallowed hard, hoping that my bravery wouldn’t get me in the same predicament as Melvin. I knew the police were on the way because I’d heard the sirens approaching.

  “VANESSA!”

  “Nooo!” I pleaded. “Melvin, nooooooo!”

  Mama shook me until I was conscious. She wasn’t there at the shooting. What was going on? “Mamá, you need to leave before he comes back.”

  “He can’t hurt me, mi hija. You’ll protect me just like you always do. Wake up, baby. He can’t hurt us anymore. We’re safe.”

  “Nessa G.” I heard Angelica’s voice and turned toward the hallway where she stood in the doorway.

  Mama whispered to me. “You’re scaring her, baby. I need you to focus. We’re safe.” Mama turned toward Angelica. “She’s just having a bad dream. Go get Nana a cold wash cloth.”

  Angelica disappeared. I looked at Mama, and sobs that I’d held back came rushing forward as I laid my head on her shoulder. Mama put the cold cloth on my neck carefully.

  I’d give anything to just be able to talk to her again. Because of some maniac, she was gone, and her daughter had no idea that she existed. I feared the day when I’d have to explain to her that I’m not her mother. I could only hope that she wouldn’t reject me. It’s the biggest reason why I insisted that she called me Nessa G. I am not her mother, and I never will be.

  I swore I felt my heart freeze, which made sense, because the day that Angelica finds out that I’m not her real mother, I know she’ll hate me. The fact that she could have any ill feelings towards me made me nauseous, not to mention telling her the truth. One day, when this mess was over with Alphonso, I’d like to live a normal life. A life that includes a husband and more children. I want Angelica to be their big sister in every sense of the word because I love her like she is my own, no matter how things played out to make it possible. I loved my princess, and keeping her safe was important, even if I had to hide the truth of the situation from her until she could understand.

  “You’re sweating like crazy. It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.”

  “Are you okay?” I looked over at Angelica who was on the side of the bed.

  I pulled her onto the bed and I held her tightly. “I love you so much, princess.”

  “I know. I love you, too.” Angelica cried in my arms, and I rocked her as I cried silently. Mama kissed my head and held the two of us, comforting me.

  When I awoke the next morning, it was early. The sun hadn’t risen, and my head throbbed. Mama, Angelica, and I were all cuddled in my bed together. Despite my headache, it was the best place in the world to be. Just like Mama said, we were safe. I closed my eyes and let sleep take me again.

  Chapter 16: Vanessa

  Before last night, I’d made a date with Angelica that we were both really excited about. We were going to go to the movies, lunch, and then to play mini golf. Despite how last night turned out, I was determined to make this happen. It would be good for the both of us to strengthen our bond, especially after the fight we had. We got up early enough that I could get both of us ready, including a breakfast intake, and to give us time to spend with Mama before our departure. Mama was spending the day out at a bingo convention that included extreme gamers. I helped to pack her a lunch while we talked in the kitchen. Angelica was watching cartoons in the living room.

  “Are you going to tell me about this friend that you spent the night with the other day?” Mama asked. She smiled coyly. Had I been that obvious?

  “Well, he’s a part of the group that I’ve been meeting with on Thursdays. We’ve been talking a bit here and there to try to get to know each other a bit. He’s very determined.” I knew I was blushing, but I couldn’t help it. Lately, thinking about him kept me smiling.

  Mama laughed. “His determination paid off, no?”

  I blushed harder thinking about the way we spent our time together on Thursday and early Friday. “I would say so. I didn’t expect anything to happen, Mama. It just did. I fell asleep after our get together, which was at his house. He didn’t bother me until you called to make sure that I was OK. Then...” Was I really having this conversation with my mother?

  “Then...?” Mama was smiling from ear to ear about my naughtiness.

  “Mamá, you know the
rest!” I exclaimed. I couldn’t bring myself to finish.

  “Did you have sex with him, mi hija?” Mama tried to keep a straight face, but I could see the laughter in her eyes. She pursed her lips, but they turned into a knowing smile.

  I groaned and covered my face with hands. I peeked through my fingers and Mama was stifling a laugh. I nodded quickly, and Mama’s laugh burst free.

  “Mamá!” I pouted.

  “It’s okay. It’s just that you’re so shy about it. Will I get to meet this mystery man?” She nudged my shoulder with hers, making me laugh in turn.

  “I don’t think that we’re there yet.” More like I wasn’t there yet. I wanted to trust him more before I brought him around my family. They were all that I had, and I didn’t take that lightly.

  “If he’s friendly enough to take your innocence he should be prepared to meet your mother.” Mama put her hand on her hips for emphasis.

  Her point was valid, seeing how long I’d waited to experience sex. I would think about it, but for now I didn’t like it. Surprisingly, it wasn’t because of the fact that my life was crazy. Mostly, it was because I only wanted to introduce my mother to one man, and that would be the man that I wanted to marry. I was old fashioned in that way. I wanted my parents to give permission before I was proposed to. They needed to be just as blown away as I was. My dad wasn’t here to grant permission, so the whole idea seemed ridiculous, but it is who I am.

  “I will think about it. Are you excited about your trip today?”

  “Yes! The girls and I have put our lucky dabbers in special bags that we made to make sure that we win big.” Mama danced excitedly, and I laughed. This was how I loved to see her.

  “I hope that you have fun! I really do.”

  “You too. I’m glad that you’re taking her out today. She seems down about last night and since you had your bad dream.”

  I frowned. Last night had been extremely tough. I hated those nightmares. The effects of them lasted for days and those dreadful feelings were hard to shake. “We’re going to have a good day and try not to think about last night.”

  “Have you thought any more about our conversation?”

  “I have but I haven’t concluded anything yet.” I really was at war with this. It seemed unfair to Angelica, but like betrayal to Danielle.

  “You can’t leave this the way it is.”

  “I know, Mother.” I was growing frustrated but didn’t want to take this out on her.

  Mama chuckled. “You still call me ‘mother’ when you’re not happy with me.”

  I kissed her cheek. “I’m always happy with you.” I winked and handed her the lunch bag. “I love you.”

  Mama hugged me tight. “I love you.”

  As she walked out of the kitchen, my cell phone beeped. I walked over and grabbed it off the table.

  Master J: Good morning, sweet Nessa.

  Me: ☺ Good morning, Sir.

  Master J: Plans for today?

  Me: Yes. I’m taking the princess to have a girls’ day.

  Master J: What have you got planned?

  Me: Movies, lunch, and mini golf

  Master J: Fun times. I miss u.

  I blushed and waited a bit to let it settle in. My entire body warmed, making me giddy with excitement. What I wouldn’t do for one of his kisses this morning. Yes, I missed him, too. It was an unfamiliar feeling to miss someone that wasn’t family. It felt good, though.

  Me: I miss you. Are you busy today?

  Master J: I’ve got to work on this piece today to get it finished for a client. She wants to view it soon.

  Me: Photos?

  Master J: It’s more of a huge collage. Poses shot of her daughter.

  Me: That seems cool. I’m glad you were thinking of me

  Master J: Why? Were you going through withdrawals?

  Me: Definitely. I could use a kiss. And my body...

  I didn’t know how to let him know that I’d wanted to stay with him yesterday for more of what we’d been doing. Though I was sore, my body held this hum of sexual energy that I needed to exert. That constant dull ache that throbbed all over. He was becoming addictive, and I knew it wasn’t good for me.

  Master J: What about it?

  I thought better than to be too forward with some of my wanton thoughts. I wouldn’t want him to know everything that I’d thought about in the past twenty-four hours.

  Me: My body misses you.

  Master J: Don’t you mean ‘my’ body misses me? Sweet, sweet girl. I don’t think you know how damn good you taste. I could feast off your body forever.

  Me: Forever is a long time

  Master J: I’m dedicated to the cause

  Me: What cause is that?

  Master J: Making you cum more times than you can count

  Oh... My... God! I walked into my bedroom and sat on the bed, stumped. The simmer that danced below the surface became an all-out flame. He didn’t bite his tongue, did he?

  Master J: I still have these naughty thoughts about your lips, too.