An Act of Courage (Acts of Honor Series Book 4)

by K. C. Lynn

  The sting sends me over the edge too, fire spreading through my veins as my cock explodes. I’ve made myself come countless times but never experienced a pleasure like this. And I’m not even inside of her yet.

  I drop down on top of her, breathing into her neck as her arms hug me close. Once we catch out breaths, I lift my face and take her lips in a possessive kiss, making sure she knows she’s mine forever. Because there’s no way in hell I’m ever letting her go.

  CHAPTER 12

  Christopher

  I’m about to spend another hour in the fucking twilight zone. Rather than feel sorry for myself, I pull it together and do what I promised Faith. I’ll find out where these kids’ strengths lie and hopefully have something to work with. Though, I’m feeling less convinced of that as I watch Arnie with his finger shoved up his nose again.

  “For today’s class, we are going to find out what part in this performance will suit you best,” I begin, staring down at each one of them as they sit on the carpet.

  They all peer up at me with the same uncertainty I feel.

  “Whether it will be the drums, guitar, or even singing.”

  “I’ll be singing,” Latisha informs me with her usual sassiness.

  I cock a brow. “Is that so?”

  “Yep.”

  “How about you start us off then? Come on up here and show us what you got.”

  She accepts the challenge eagerly, coming to stand next to me where I sit perched on the wooden stool. I had asked Faith to get one for me so I wouldn’t have to sit in munchkin land again.

  “What do you want me to sing, Mr. Grouch?”

  “Whatever you want, Diva,” I toss back.

  A smile breaks out across her young face. “Diva, I like it,” she says with a nod.

  I bet she does. I’ve never met a kid sassier than her. I feel sorry for the poor bastard who ends up marrying her. He’s going to have his hands full.

  “Brace yourself. I’m about to school you on some Motown.”

  I grunt. No one schools me on shit, especially when it comes to music. But I keep that to myself and gesture for her to start. “Ready when you are.”

  She stands up straighter and punches herself in the chest, clearing her throat. She starts off by clapping her small hands together, creating a beat. Her body follows the rhythm, and I must admit the girl has some moves.

  Eventually, she belts out the lyrics to Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” Her voice isn’t as strong as her confidence but she definitely has potential.

  A couple of the other girls start to clap along, encouraging her further.

  She sings a good portion of the song then dies off when she finds herself out of breath.

  The class breaks out in applause as she bows.

  “Not bad, kid,” I tell her, nodding the compliment.

  She turns to me, popping a hip. “Not bad?”

  “Yeah. Not bad. You have a good voice but there is always room for improvement. Isn’t that why you’re here in the first place?”

  She shrugs. “I guess.”

  “Come stand over here.” I point to my left and wait until she follows the order before returning my attention to the rest of the class. “Arnie, why don’t you come up and give it try.”

  Thankfully, his finger is no longer shoved up his nose. He rolls to his knees, struggling to stand. I refrain from wincing at his hideous attire. His parents need a fucking wake-up call when it comes to dressing their child. I am no fashion expert but even I know better.

  “What should I sing?” he asks, shifting on his feet.

  “Whatever you want. What do you listen to?”

  He shrugs. “My mom likes country.”

  “Why don’t you pick one of her favorites?”

  He thinks about it long and hard before a smile cracks his lips. “All right, I got it.”

  I nod for him to start but the song he begins singing has my muscles seizing. “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy.”

  Shit.

  If the song choice isn’t bad enough, his voice is even worse.

  Quickly, I clap a hand over his mouth, silencing him before he can spit out the rest of the lyrics.

  Laughter fills the room from the other kids.

  “All right, Arnie. Why don’t you come stand over here,” I say, lining him up on the other side of me, opposite of Latisha. “We’re going to find you an instrument to play.” My attention moves to Rafe next, his head cast down, as usual. “Rafe.”

  His shoulders stiffen as I call on him, his timid eyes lifting to mine.

  “Did you give any thought to what we talked about the other day?” I ask.

  He shakes his head, his gaze dropping to his lap again.

  “Come over here.” Pushing to my feet, I walk over and take a seat at the drums.

  He stands hesitantly, dread prominent in his every step. I hate putting him on the spot like this but I need to find a way to communicate with him, otherwise it’s going to be a long couple of months.

  I make room for him to stand between my legs. Once I pass him the sticks, I curl my hands around his trembling fists.

  “Don’t be nervous, kid. This is going to be fun.” My assurance is quiet so the rest of the class doesn’t hear me. “There’s a lot of perks when it comes to playing the drums,” I say, addressing everyone else. “You get to be really loud, hit things, and not get in trouble for it.”

  They all snicker.

  “There’s not a lot of thinking required like other instruments. When it comes to the guitar and piano you have to use your mind, focus on the notes. But when you drum, you only have to feel. That doesn’t make it any less important though. The drummer provides the foundation for the other musicians to follow, he or she is the anchor of the band.”

  With my hands wrapped around Rafe’s, I start a slow tempo. He remains stiff but once he relaxes, I’m able to hit harder and faster. My foot finds the pedal, adding more bass to the beat.

  The other kids move closer to us, their smiles bright and eyes lit with fascination.

  Rafe and I rock out for a solid minute to AC/DC’s “You Shook Me All Night Long.” By the time we finish, I peek over his shoulder and find the biggest smile on his face.

  “Fun, isn’t it?”

  He nods.

  “Can I have a turn?” Trinny asks.

  “Sure.”

  Rafe steps out of the way for her. Instead of her taking his position between my legs, she hops up on my lap, her scrawny ass wiggling on me until she’s comfortable.

  I tense at the unexpected move.

  She looks up at me with an eager smile, oblivious to my discomfort.

  Clearing my throat, I pass her the sticks and scoot us a little closer. Then I lead into another beat, but this time I don’t bother starting off slow. It’s a quick tempo, Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” One of Faith’s favorites.

  Trinny bounces on my knee while my foot pumps the pedal, her small body flailing around. The sound of her laughter echoes above the bass, mixing in with the beat.

  It turns into a ride that everyone wants to have a turn on. One by one, I lift each child on my knee, even Arnie, which is a bit of a struggle, my leg tiring faster than with the others. I also make sure to grip his wrists and not his hands. The thought of getting boogers on me is not very appealing. But the kid has a blast like the rest of them.

  While the class dances around, my attention focuses on Rafe, where he stands off to the side, his smile wide and eyes riveted to my every move.

  It’s now I realize that maybe these next few months won’t be so bad after all. Maybe, by the grace of God, I will be able to pull this off.

  Once the hour is over, I’m careful to make sure everyone leaves with their parents. Rafe is the last one again but this time he waits inside the class with me.

  I sit on the edge of one of the small tables across from him, crossing my arms over my chest. “So what did you think of the drums?”

  “I like them,
” he mumbles the answer, avoiding eye contact.

  “Me, too. I like them because they’re loud. Sometimes that’s what I need.”

  His sad eyes lift to mine. “Are they your favorite to play?”

  “I don’t really have a favorite. I like anything to do with music.”

  “Me, too,” he confesses quietly.

  “What do you like listening to?”

  He shrugs. “Pretty much anything but especially rock. Queen was my dad’s favorite.”

  I’m shocked by the tidbit he shares with me. “Do you have an iPod, Rafe?” I ask, staring down at the top of his brown head.

  “No. I asked for one for Christmas but Santa didn’t bring it for me. And my mom can’t afford one since my dad…” He trails off, that slump in his shoulders more prominent.

  Standing, I dig into my pocket, pulling out my iPod and headphones I carry with me everywhere. “Here,” I say, handing it to him.

  His eyes widen, mouth parting in shock as he takes it from me.

  “You can keep it,” I tell him. “There’s lots of rock on there among other stuff.”

  Hopefully nothing too inappropriate, I think to myself. I probably should have checked that first.

  He continues to gape up at me, his words lost, but there’s no denying the pain reflecting back at me.

  Kneeling down, I bring myself eye level. “When things get to be too much. When it hurts in here,” I say, tapping his small chest. “Put these in your ears and turn it up as loud as you can stand it. It will make everything a little better.”

  His bottom lip quivers, tears forming in his eyes. Before I can anticipate his reaction, he launches himself at me, hugging my neck. “You get it,” he chokes out. “No one ever gets it.”

  I wrap my arms around his trembling back. “Yeah, kid. I definitely get it.”

  Not only do I understand because of everything I’ve gone through the last several months, but I also remember the loss I felt when I thought my mom left Ruthie and me. That feeling only intensified when I found out years later she actually died at the hands of my father.

  Ruthie doesn’t remember her, but I do. It’s a loss that will stay with me forever.

  A noise at the door breaks us apart. Turning back, I see it’s his mom, looking a little shell-shocked to see her son hugging me. “Sorry I’m late again.”

  Rafe runs over to her, flashing the iPod. “Mom, look what Christopher let me have.”

  “To borrow?”

  “No, to keep,” he says.

  Her surprised eyes meet mine. “No. We couldn’t possibly…”

  “It’s fine. I can get myself another one.”

  “At least let me give you some money for it,” she offers, but we both know she doesn’t have it.

  I shake my head. “I probably have another one kicking around at home anyway.”

  “Please let me keep it, Mom,” Rafe pleads.

  Her shoulders relax on a sigh. “All right.” She looks up at me with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

  “No problem. I’ll see you guys next week.”

  “Bye, Christopher.” Rafe waves at me before following his mom out the door. The smile he leaves with is worth the small sacrifice I just made.

  As I finish straightening up, Katy comes running back into the classroom with her friend Madison.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Christopher?”

  I try not to wince at the formality of the name and look up at her, wondering what they’re still doing here. “Yeah?”

  “Are you married?”

  I pause, a scowl forming on my face. “No.”

  “Do you have a girlfriend?”

  Confusion renders me speechless before I finally manage to speak. “No. Why?”

  “No reason. Thank you.” She and Madison run out of the room, giggling. “Come on, lets go tell my mom,” I hear her voice carry down the hall.

  I grunt. All those questions I was peppered with by her mother makes sense now.

  I switch off the light and stop by Faith’s violin class on my way out. When she spots me through the crack of the door, she excuses herself and joins me out in the hall.

  “Hey. How was class today?”

  “Better.”

  A knowing smile lights up her face. “I know. I peeked in earlier and saw you guys playing the drums.”

  Figures she would spy right at that moment.

  “Listen. I need to ask you something. Has Rafe’s mother paid for the class yet?”

  She frowns, the question catching her off guard. “Not all of it. She chose to do monthly payments. Why?”

  “Give her back anything she has already paid. I’ll take care of it.”

  She arches a brow, her head tilting inquisitively.

  “They don’t have much money right now. So I’ll take care of it,” I elaborate.

  Her eyes soften, another smile lighting up her face. “You are one of the kindest people I know, Christopher Walker, and I am proud to call you family.” She lifts to her toes, pressing her usual kiss on my cheek. “Are you headed home now?”

  “I’m going to hit the gym first, then I’ll be there.”

  “Tell my husband I love him.”

  I grunt. “How about I tell him you said hi. You can tell him that yourself when you see him.”

  A giggle escapes her. “Fair enough. See you later?”

  “Yeah. See ya.”

  Once she disappears back into her classroom, I push out the front doors and climb into my truck.

  On my way to the gym, my thoughts stray to Alissa and my encounter with her the other day. I’ve been wondering how it went with her mother about going to school here instead of Baltimore.

  Alissa has never had a problem standing her ground, but I know what a pushy bitch her mother can be. She’s good at laying guilt trips, especially on her daughter.

  When I left the bakery, I questioned Mia relentlessly about her. Alissa helped Faith out at church whenever she was in town so my sister has seen her more over the years than I have. I didn’t get much out of her though. Especially on the boyfriend front. Which I was stupid enough to ask about.

  If Alissa did have one, she didn’t bring him home. It should make me feel better but it doesn’t because it’s been five years. There’s no way she hasn’t dated. But the thought of her with anyone else makes me violent, and I have no one to blame but myself.

  I’ve been no saint, but I also haven’t given anyone else more than an hour of my time. There’s been no dates, no conversation, no holding…nothing. No one will ever compare to Alissa. Which means I’ll be miserable for the rest of my life.

  It’s exactly what you deserve.

  The demon surfaces quickly with the reminder; it threatens to pull me into the hell I’ve been caged in for months. My muscles coil tight with the need to unleash on a heavy bag. I keep hold of it as I pull up and park at the gym.

  I climb out as Cade exits the building, heading for his truck. He stops at his door when he sees me approach.

  “Hey,” he greets me, a note of surprise in his voice. Probably because it’s been a while since I’ve been here.

  “Hey. Where are you going?”

  “To pick your sister up from her new friend’s house.”

  I assume he’s talking about the friend she met the other day. The one she got into a fight for when she stepped in to help him after he was being bullied by a group of guys. Jasper, I think his name is.

  “Mia?” I ask.

  “With Annabelle.”

  I nod.

  A moment of silence settles between us until he breaks it.

  “How are things?” His tone is easy but the real underlying question is there.

  “Fine.”

  “Faith’s worried about you,” he says, relaxing against the side of his truck.

  “When is she not worried?”

  He smirks. “True.”

  Thankfully, he lets the subject rest. It’s an agreement we made. He wouldn’t pry as long as I come t
o him if I need help. Little does he know I’m beyond help. No one can change what’s been done.

  “Have you given any more thought about my offer?” he asks, talking about me coming to work at the gym.

  It’s an offer I appreciate but it’s not what I want to do for the rest of my life. I really don’t know what the hell I want. Some days, I struggle just to open my eyes and get out of bed. But I do know I don’t want to rely on him and his business. I need to find my own thing.

  Before I’m able to give him a half-assed answer, the sound of a horn blares in the distance, it’s repetitiveness drawing our attention.

  Screams pierce the air as both Cade and I twist around to see a black Jeep with its top off, speeding through the street faster than it should be. The driver lays on the horn for people to move out of the way.

  “What the hell?” Cade mumbles.

  The vehicle makes no move to slow down as it approaches a red light.

  I take a few steps forward to get a better look, my heart stopping when I realize it’s Alissa. Her expression is panicked as she screams for people to get out of the way and blows through the intersection.

  Oncoming vehicles slam on their brakes, just missing the tail end of the Jeep.

  Cade and I move at the same time. My feet pound the pavement as I run to the passenger side while Cade jumps into the driver’s seat. He peels out of the parking lot, weaving in and out of the stopped traffic to catch up to her.

  I roll down my window when the Jeep comes into view. The second he’s able to, he swerves into the other lane, pulling up next to her. She has no idea of our presence, her cellphone pressed to her ear.

  “Alissa!” I call out.

  Her head snaps over to me, fear dominating her expression as tears roll down her cheeks. “I can’t stop!” she cries, dropping her phone in her lap. “I have no brakes. I can’t even slow down.”

  Dread sinks into my stomach, my heart twisting at the terror in her eyes.

  “What do I do?” she asks on a sob.

  Before I can answer, Cade slams on the brakes, throwing my body forward as he pulls back in behind her to avoid oncoming traffic.

  “Shit!” The curse flees from him as we approach another red light.

  “We need to get her on the interstate, now!” I tell him.