The Freedom Search: Kai & Gloria's Story (Search Series Book 4)

by Kay, Amanda

“My God, Doll,” he panted.

  They both lost it together, as they came down from the high he gently laid on top of her keeping them connected. “I love you,” she whispered, rubbing her hands on his back.

  “Love you, too,” he said back softly.

  Kai

  He was pacing. The sun was setting the wedding would be beginning soon. “What are you worried about, Lukas?” she asked stopping his movement.

  “You,” he replied firmly.

  “Me?” she questioned.

  “Telling Raiden that Roy was playing both sides was a risk. A risk to you,” he stated firmly, walking out onto the porch. He didn’t mean to snap at her, but he didn’t want her getting hurt either.

  He didn’t know how long he was out there before his phone began ringing. “So Lukas, where are we at?” Was he fucking kidding? He was at Raiden’s wedding calling about this.

  “I told him. I told Raiden.”

  “What do you mean you told him? Damn it, Kai. I could’ve saved you. I only asked one thing of you.” Really, only one thing? Well shit, that was a lie. He had asked plenty of Kai over the years. “And you told him what I did and what I wanted to do.” Well actually he only told Raiden he was playing both sides and about the abortion. “Fuck you! Kai Lukas, you are doomed.” Roy continued yelling. Kai wasn’t feeling doomed, he was happier than he had ever been. He turned around and found her staring at him unsure of her next move.

  He waved her outside with him and she joined him. “I finally understand, Roy,” he spoke.

  “What do you mean you understand?” Roy questioned.

  Kai heard Raiden’s muffled voice and Roy was gone. Kai couldn’t help but laugh as he ended the call. “What’s funny?”

  “Roy was just busted by Raiden, talking to me.” She nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

  “I see,” she sighed.

  “I’m sorry, doll, about earlier. I just want you safe and I’m afraid any hope of that is gone.” He kissed the top of her head and hoped she would accept.

  “I know.” She took his hand in hers drawing his attention.

  “I haven’t bought you a ring yet,” he whispered.

  “It’s okay.” He shook his head kissing her hand.

  “No it’s not. I’ll fix that soon.” He kissed her hand again and they sat in the moonlight together enjoying what little peace surrounded their lives here in her apartment privately.

  Five Months Later

  Gloria

  Grace had arrived with their groceries and her check-up. “Thank you, Grace,” she smiled.

  “You’re welcome. How’s the baby boy doing?” Gloria rubbed her round belly and smiled.

  “He’s great, moving more.” Grace nodded.

  “How are you?” Gloria sighed. Kai had basically kept them locked inside. She wasn’t complaining most days because the privacy often led to some intense moments. She wanted to walk around though. She wanted the world to see them together.

  “I’m good. How’s Kai?” She shrugged and her mind drifted to where he was. He had gone to his father’s home to get more of his things. Last month his father kicked him out and told him not to come back. Kai assured her that he would be okay, but she worried.

  “He went to get some things,” she answered.

  “He can’t keep this up. He needs help he has to tell Raiden.” Gloria nodded because she knew that. She had been begging him to involve Raiden, but he flat out refused.

  “I wish he would,” she replied sighing at the fact that he was being stubborn.

  Grace sighed this time. Gloria knew she wanted Kai back in their lives. All of their lives. Lee was gone, it was time this shit ended. Kai was just afraid it made her more vulnerable to Roy and whatever it was he had planned.

  Kai

  He had to be quick. He had been kicked out last month and told never to come back or it would be his life. He didn’t think his father would actually kill him, but he didn’t want to take the chance either. He had already packed a bag and was in his father’s office searching for ‘it’.

  “Where is the ring?” he asked himself as he frantically searched. He was always told he could have his mother’s ring. He had forgotten about it, but when he remembered he knew that was the ring he wanted Gloria to have.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” He looked up and hated what he was seeing. His father glaring at him like he was nothing. Like he was a traitor.

  “Where’s mom’s ring?” Kai asked standing up to return his father’s stare.

  “You aren’t having mom’s ring,” he hissed.

  “It’s mine, you promised me!” Kai yelled.

  “No way in hell you are giving mom’s ring to a fucking human you knocked up!”

  “You fucking listen here!” Kai roared. “Roy is a selfish prick who prayed on your vulnerable state after he knocked up a human and wanted to hide it!” His father’s eyes widened.

  “Gloria is Roy’s daughter, dad.” Kai said calming himself. “Please, dad, he’s playing us both.” His father didn’t speak instead he walked over to the desk and unlocked a drawer tossing Kai a velvet box. He didn’t have to say anything. His look said it all. Kai grabbed the remainder of his stuff and bolted home to his girl.

  Gloria

  “I missed the check-up, didn’t I?” he asked as he walked through the door.

  “Yeah, Lukas, you did.” He sighed.

  “Sorry, I got tied up with this...” He smiled and pulled the ring box from his pocket. “It was my mother’s and now it’s yours.” She felt the tears hit her cheeks as he walked towards her pulling the ring from the box.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered as he slid it on her finger.

  “Gloria...” he began.

  “I know, Lukas. You’ve reached out to Tom, but it’s time.” He ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. She watched him, carefully gauging his mood.

  “My father caught me looking for the ring.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke. “He was talking shit. I couldn’t take it. I told him about Roy and you.” He paused again. “That was when he gave me the ring. You’re right, it’s time.” She smiled at the victory. Maybe after he told Raiden everything, things could have a more normal feel.

  Kai

  Raiden was due at the apartment within the hour. He had texted him and Raiden said he was anxious to meet. Tom and Devon both wanted to know the details about Roy so they could take him down. But there was a process to it all and that process required Kai.

  “Wyrick,” Kai addressed him coolly, stepping aside to allow him to enter the apartment.

  “Lukas,” Raiden returned.

  “Look, let’s cut the bullshit. I have a lot to say, but I got to make sure people I love are protected.” Raiden laughed.

  “Demanding, as always.” At least they didn’t take that from you. Kai flipped Raiden the bird and they both started laughing.

  “Look, I think my father is coming back around. I need to know he won’t be punished for Roy’s brainwashing.” Raiden nodded. “Gloria isn’t human.” Kai spit out first.

  Raiden’s eye widened and he even braced himself against the wall. “Ummm....keep talking, Lukas.” Raiden ordered.

  “She’s a half-breed, Grace discovered it.”

  “I see, and do you know who the vampire is?” Raiden asked, but Kai suspected he already knew the answer.

  “Roy.” Kai sighed.

  “Fuck, man!” Raiden roared.

  “Look, we didn’t know. Grace kept it to herself till I came to her the day you hit me.” Raiden smiled a little.

  “You deserved that.” He chuckled.

  “Sure did.” Kai agreed. “I have a problem...” Kai began but stopped when he felt her enter the room. He turned his gaze to her and Raiden’s gaze followed.

  Gloria

  She heard some laughter coming from the living room. That was good, right? She wanted to make sure things were okay with them so she walked out of the bedroom into the living roo
m. When she entered the room she heard Kai start, “I have a problem...” He paused though, and turned his eyes to hers. Raiden’s eyes followed.

  “Oh, damn!” Raiden swallowed.

  “Wyrick, she’s my world I have to protect her,” Kai pleaded.

  “This was why you came to me before the wedding?” Raiden processed.

  “Yes,” Kai answered.

  Kai waved her over to him so she went. He pulled her to his side and kissed her cheek. “Hi, doll,” he said gently.

  “Oh boy, are you whipped.” Raiden laughed.

  “Fuck off, man, like you aren’t?” Kai threw back at him. Raiden put his hands up in surrender.

  “Guilty, man.” Raiden laughed again for a second before becoming serious again, “Pack some bags.” Gloria looked at Raiden and back to Kai.

  “Excuse me?” she said.

  “Raiden doesn’t trust Roy any more than I do.” She focused solely on Kai.

  “And...?” she pressed.

  “You’re staying with Tai and me,” Raiden answered plainly.

  She wanted to protest but Kai silenced her with a quick hard kiss. “I love you. Let me protect you.” He was really asking, but she thought it was best not to argue. This was what she had wanted, someone to take care of her and Kai Lukas was doing just that.

  Two dark souls...

  Lost without escape...

  No freedom to be found...

  Except maybe with each other.

  -Gloria-

  The End

  Next in the Series

  A child changes one’s views.

  I only have one regret in my life…

  My mother.

  ~Tai~

  Melanie Lee is due any day. As Tai feels Melanie roll around inside of her she only has one regret.

  Her mother.

  She hasn’t spoken to her since the wedding. Since she voiced an objection to her and Raiden getting married. She left without saying goodbye and Tai washed her hands. However, as Melanie’s due date approaches, she can’t help but wonder…

  Can they fix the broken? Does Tai really want to? Will her mother ever except Raiden and their relationship? Tai isn’t sure, but she has to try. More than anything Tai knows her mother will always be a part of her.

  Tai’s Wedding Day

  Meredith

  Her baby girl was getting married today. Her only child. She hated it, she hated him. Because of Raiden Wyrick, Jordan Chase was out of her life and not looking back. She couldn’t let him get away. She loved him. Of course, just being with him wouldn’t work. She wanted Tai happy, she wanted Tai to have a family. She wanted grandchildren. No, Jordan and Tai needed to be together then things could go back to the way they were for the six months after Jordan proposed.

  She was outside of the room where Dale, Jordan, and Raiden were getting ready for the wedding. “Shit, man, if you don’t stop pacing I’m going to strap you to something.” Jordan’s voice boomed. Meredith smiled, he lit her world up, but he didn’t know how much; mostly because she was forcing Tai on him. There were reasons for that, one’s she would never be able to completely explain.

  “Shut up, fucker.” That would be her future son-in-law, the vampire prince. He ruined everything. Tai was lost in a fairy tale and Meredith couldn’t talk her out of this.

  She listened a bit longer hoping to hear Jordan’s voice again before making her presence known. “Raiden, what are you worried about?” There he was, her love. She was married to Dale, Tai’s father for twenty-five years but in the few months before she started the affair with Jordan she felt something missing. They weren’t the same.

  “Nothing.” She heard Raiden sigh. “Just nervous, is my dad in his seat?” The truth was, from all she saw, Raiden was a good guy, but she wouldn’t accept him as Tai’s choice, she couldn’t.

  “Yes dude, stand still, relax.” She peeked into the room through the small crack in the door as Jordan grabbed Raiden’s shoulders. “Tai loves you. She’s walking down the aisle in about twenty minutes. Bethany just texted me and she said she’s ecstatic.” Oh yes Bethany, Raiden’s long-time friend, Tai’s maid of honor and the reason Jordan was having none of Meredith anymore.

  She couldn’t listen anymore. She needed them to know she wouldn’t sit idly by and watch them pretend like they were best friends. Jordan was Tai’s ex, she didn’t really believe Raiden liked him hanging around.

  “If it isn’t my future son-in-law, the blood sucker.” She hissed with the same detest she felt.

  It wasn’t Raiden or even Dale who snapped at her though. To her surprise, it was Jordan’s voice that echoed through the room. “Meredith, knock it off. Tai’s a vampire, too.” She gasped in surprise at Jordan’s words. No, that couldn’t be. Raiden promised Tai wouldn’t have to change to be with him.

  Raiden slapped his hand on his forehead. “Fuck, man! A little warning about who was privy to that information.” Jordan seethed at Raiden. Meredith couldn’t be near either of them.

  She stormed out of the room to get to Tai. She had some explaining to do. As she walked away, she heard Jordan and Raiden discussing the fact that she now knew the truth. “Well Jordan, since she hates everything about me, I thought it would be obvious. Tai and I didn’t tell her,” Raiden snapped.

  She paused in the hall before she was too far away to hear Jordan’s reply but Dale interjected instead. “Boys!” Dale hollered. “Quit it, so Meredith knows now. It changes nothing, she’s stuck in her viewpoints. Tai being a vampire or human doesn’t matter, she thinks Tai and Jordan belong together. Forget her. Focus on why you’re standing here, Raiden.” She huffed at Dale’s words. Seriously? He was really okay with this? She just didn’t get it.

  Tai

  Tai was been talking with Bethany about the texts she was sharing with Jordan. “Why is he nervous?” Bethany laughed but Tai felt her own nerves start to takeover.

  “Calm down, Tai. Of course he would be nervous, he’s marrying his soul-mate today,” Bethany replied. Tai liked that answer and nodded.

  She was excited and nervous in a good way, no, a great way. The feeling crumbled though when her mother rushed through the door. “You’re a vampire now?” Her voice boomed through the house.

  “Yes and....?” Tai threw back. This wasn’t something Tai focused on. When the decision came up it was an easy choice for her. Raiden took some convincing, but to Tai it was always a sacrifice she was willing to make. She would do it all over again if she had to.

  “He told me the first time we all talked that nothing for you would change,” her mother hissed at her. ‘Yeah and things change.’ Tai thought, she wanted to roll her eyes at her mother but didn’t, instead she opted to patiently explain what happened.

  “Mom, it wasn’t his fault there was a law, so to speak, that he was unaware of.” She didn’t reply instead she just stormed off.

  Tai wondered how she found out, but didn’t have to voice the question before she had the answer. “Jordan let it slip. He was trying to protect Raiden from some dumb comment.” Now that voice she loved, her daddy.

  It didn’t matter who told her. Hell, if Kai Lukas had called her mother and told her she was now a vampire Tai wouldn’t have given a damn.

  Meredith

  She watched from a corner as Tai walked down the aisle. She was still processing the news that her daughter was a vampire when the minster spoke. “Who gives this woman to this man?”

  Dale answered, “I do. I do,” he stressed. Meredith cringed. Dale just gave their daughter away to a vampire. She was a vampire. Dale was living with them. He wasn’t bothered by any of this.

  “Very good. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Tai Coretti and Raiden Wyrick in holy matrimony. If there is anyone present who objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.” When he said the words Meredith couldn’t help her next move.

  “I object!” she said coming up the aisle and out of the corner.

  “Mother!” Tai snapped.r />
  “Meredith!” both her dad and Jordan snapped. Raiden said nothing, but she could tell he wanted to. She didn’t mind the scolding from Dale, but from Jordan, she couldn’t take that. No one was on her side she turned and left. She couldn’t watch this.

  Now that the wedding had ended, she was watching again, but she was watching Jordan, not Tai. He looked happy and therefore she despised Bethany Donald. What the hell was it with these vampires that made them so damn hard to turn away from?

  He kissed her lips, “Be right back.” He walked into the house and she knew this was her chance. She followed him inside.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t fight.” She hissed at him from behind.

  He sighed and spoke without facing her. “I am fighting.” No he wasn’t. He wasn’t fighting for them. She knew they had something special. He just had to remember.

  “No, you aren’t!” She yelled that was when he looked at her. Oh how she missed those eyes.

  “Meredith, I don’t love Tai. I. Love. Bethany.” As he stressed the syllables, she crumbled. How did he not get it? How did he not understand how she felt?

  “Jordan, you can’t be serious,” she replied to him. Hurt, confused, and just plain dumbfounded.

  “I am. I told you before, Meredith. Tai and I were over. Tai and I should’ve been over long before we were. Why can’t you accept that?” He still thought this was about Tai and him. When they last talked she had explained what they could have. Jordan hung up on her. Was he disgusted with her too?

  “Jordan,” she whispered. “I love you and we can only be together if you’re with Tai.” His eyes widened at her words and he looked passed her. She didn’t have to turn around to know Bethany had also heard her confession. She didn’t care, she had to get through to him.

  “I’m sorry, Meredith.” Was all he said before he left. He was chasing after her. Meredith couldn’t watch. She couldn’t watch the man she loved chase some other woman.