by Unknown
“I’ll whip you into shape, but not so you lose your character. I don’t want a wimp for a husband. But a strong, determined man to take charge when needed but that also listens. And I promise I’ll be the same type of wife for you.”
Zach picked up the lotion bottle and squirted a generous amount into the palm of his hands. He propped her leg on his knee and began massaging the lotion into her skin. Carla closed her eyes as the muscles in her leg responded to his tender kneading. “That feels good.”
“Well, let me make the rest of you feel better. After your massage, get dressed and I’ll take my baby’s momma to breakfast.”
Carla’s eyebrow quickly rose.
He sucked his teeth and asked. “Too much?”
She winced. “Yeah, way too much.”
“It sounded stupid coming from my mouth. After breakfast, we have to stop at a jewelry store and pick out the perfect engagement ring to fit your perfect finger.”
She leaned forward feeling the tension easing from the muscles of her shoulders as he massaged her. With every passing day, she grew more attached to Zach, and she worried that it wasn’t the same for him until now. He really had to want to marry her because he wasn’t the type of man to manipulate to do anything. “Zach, I don’t need anything fancy. A flashy ring will not make me love you any more than I ready do.”
He nodded. “Nope it doesn’t, but it has to show people you’re my woman and with me forever.”
The warmth in his crystal blue gaze made Carla’s heart thumped. There was something about hearing Zach refer to her as his woman that made it impossible to feel anything but giddy.
“There should be something men have to wear to say the same.”
“You can trust me, Carla. My old life is behind me. Oh, I have something for you.” He lifted her from his lap standing her on her feet. He handed her a small black case.
“What is it?” she asked opening the case.
“It’s a taser gun and pepper spray; I’ll give you a lesson on how to use the taser when we get back from the mall.”
Carla removed the pink square taser and pepper spray that looked a regular tube of lipstick from the box. “Is this necessary?”
“Yes. Until your cousins surface, you have to be on alert. When I’m not around, and you get approached by anyone that makes you feel uncomfortable, use them. The taser is not the same as a police-issued stun gun but will stun a perpetrator. Use that in conjunction with the pepper spray and you’ll have enough time to get away.”
“Fine, I’ll carry them if it makes you feel better.”
Zach kept his promise and treated her to a hearty breakfast, and they strolled through Great Northern Mall perusing the jewelry stores looking for the perfect engagement ring.
Standing over the display case eyeing the dazzling diamonds, Carla couldn’t decide which shape she liked the most. Each ring carried its own personality; the square, pear, princess, round where traditional while there were other cuts that were equally beautiful.
“See anything you like?” Zach asked rubbing a hand across her back as he stood over her shoulder.
“That one is calling my name,” she answered pointing to a traditional round stone.
Zach motioned to the jeweler behind the counter. “The lady wishes to see that one.”
The jeweler handed the ring to Zack and Carla’s pupils expanded as he slipped the ring on her finger. Her heart sped up not believing this was real and knowing not enough time had elapsed for her to think this through. Marriage was a big step and not to be taken lightly.
Admiring the ring on her finger, her negative thoughts vanished. “I love it, Zach; it’s perfect.”
He kissed her hand. “Just like you. Do you want to try on any others before you make a final decision about this one?”
Carla shook her head. “No, this is the one, and it fits; I won’t have to wait to get it back.”
Zach took his wallet from his pocket and removed a credit card handing it to the jeweler. “I’ll take this one for my fiancée.”
The jeweler hesitated taking the credit card and said, “Sir, that ring is a 2-carat Beverly Diamond with side diamonds. The engagement ring alone is $7,000 if you want the matching wedding band the total cost for her set will be $10,000. I’d be happy to show you rings as nice as these but cheaper.”
“Oh heck no,” Carla said taking off the ring.
Zach reached for her hand stopping her from removing the ring. She saw his face darken and knew the jeweler was in for a tongue lashing. He frowned and leaned over the counter. “You don’t think I can afford to buy the ring she wants?”
“No sir, I was only suggesting…”
“Why would you suggest anything if I told you this is the ring I want? If she was white would you be suggesting I look at other rings or ring up my purchase and kiss my ass for getting you a fat commission?”
“Zach, don’t do this, please?” Carla pleaded.
“I’m just asking him a question, Carla,” Zach responded in a harsh tone.
“Sir, I didn’t mean to offend you and if I did, I apologize and will discount your purchase.”
“Excuse me!”
Carla tugged on his arm. “Zach, calm down! Sir, you have to excuse my boyfriend, his temper is short. You have to understand he’s been shot, stabbed, probably suffers from PTSD. He can’t seem to power down even while on vacation. He doesn’t mean to intimidate you.”
The frail older man’s body tensed. “I understand I made an assumption that was very wrong of me. I manage this store, and I would like to offer you 25% off. Would that help?”
Zach reached for his credit card. “25% off won’t do jack to make up for your insult, but 50% might allow my pride to complete the transaction.”
The jeweler agreed with a nod. “I’ll be happy to do half off the engagement ring. I’ll be right back with your card.”
Carla narrowed her brow shaking her head at Zach. “Shame on you for taking advantage of him.”
“ME! You have him believing I’m a madman ready to snap at any minute.”
The jeweler returned to the counter and handed Zach his credit card. “Here is your card and if you would sign the receipt, you’re all set.”
Zach took the card sliding it back in his wallet. “Thanks.” He threaded his fingers through Carla’s bringing it up to kiss the stone of the ring. “Are you happy?”
A smile broke across her face. “Way past that, baby. I can’t wait to call my mom and Paula. We have a lot of planning to do. What about your family? Zach, I haven’t met any of your family. What if they don’t like me? What if they disapprove of us getting married?”
“Carla, I won’t need their approval. The shock that I’m getting married will kill ‘em.”
chapter twenty four
Carla’s sweet, clean smell drifted up to Zach as she slept on his lap. Their long day at the mall tired her out, and once they got home, she ate a snack and conked out as they watched television.
Her bathrobe hung slightly open giving him a view of the curves of her breasts. He stroked a curl at the end of her hair rather than thinking of all the things he fantasized about doing to her. Whatever she was dreaming had her smiling in her sleep and the dimple in her cheek appeared. He had to stop himself from bending down to kiss it. Her scent and heat and even the light sound of her breathing made him realize what he’d been missing. From now on every night he fell asleep, she would be next to him.
Carla turned over and he moved his hand to her belly. He kneaded the silk robe lightly. A chill shook him to the core. She was carrying his child, a tiny human that would depend on him for the first eighteen years of life. After that he’d be expected to be a shoulder to cry on, a coach and to listen to problems and provide answers. How could he provide those things when he never got them from his father?
When he was home, he was too tired to intervene with his kids. His mother provided the tender loving care he and Patty required. Patrick Murphy only had a use for
his kids when needed. He would parade them at police functions or when invited to a colleague's party. Other than that, he stayed locked in the den, pretending to study for tests to further his career to keep his mother off his back.
Carla’s eyes opened slowly. “How long have I been asleep?”
“About an hour or so. Carla, we need to talk.”
She sat up and cuddled next to him. “What’s wrong? I know I went in hard on the wedding plans, but I swear, I will cut it down to a simple ceremony with not a lot of fluff.”
“No, baby, not about that. Look, Carla, I never talk about my family and its time you know why.”
“Okay,” she said turning off the television.
“Baby, my old man wasn’t much of a father figure. He provided a roof and food for us but not much else emotionally. My mother was the caregiver and passed out hugs and kisses for booboos.”
Carla flipped her hand. “It was the same for Paula and me. My father left my mom when I was six. I hated commuting between houses. His new wife couldn’t stand us and made sure to keep us separated from my step brother and sister. She treated us like we had a plague.”
“Okay, so how do I avoid falling into the same category as them, Carla?”
“What? You aren’t your father, Zach. You want to be a part of the baby’s life and make us a family.”
“How do I know that’s what I want not just taking care of my responsibilities? I’ve never been in love or cared about anything. I’m a total loner that has never shared anything with anyone.”
“You’re sharing with me now. Zach, we aren’t perfect, but we were both raised by strong women and learned from them. We’ll be great parents and have a happy marriage.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I know it’s what I want but can I stay on top of everything, Carla. Do I tackle this like I do my job or wing it?”
She got off the sofa tying her robe tighter. “My dad devastated my mom when he walked out on her. She never looked at another man the same again because of the distrust she developed for them. Years have passed and now she’s in a wheelchair living with my sister instead of enjoying her life.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Now you do. So maybe we should postpone the wedding until you’re sure this is what you want to do. Going in with doubt is a sure sign we’ll end up in divorce court. My plan is to do this marriage thing once and only once.
“Carla, I don’t want to postpone the wedding. It’s not you I’m doubting, but me and the way I have conditioned myself not to give a damn about shit.”
“Doesn’t change that you have doubt, Zach,” she said turning to walk away from him.
“Where are you going? We’re having a discussion,” he said sitting forward on the sofa.
“I have a client tonight. Mrs. Neelson requires my help getting ready for bed. Her daughter gets off work until midnight.”
“Okay, I’ll drop you off and pick you up.”
“No, Zach, I’ll drive myself. Why don’t you call Rodney and discuss your cold feet with him? I’m sure he’ll be able to give you the answers I can’t give you.”
“Why are we arguing, Carla? I’m opening up and discussing my fears with you, and you’re using them against me.”
“You’re looking for a way out, Zach and I’m giving it to you. I knew it was too good to be true anyhow.”
She started to cry, and he dropped his head. Why was she giving in so easily? “Carla, do you have the same fears but are afraid to bring them up to me? Well, do you?”
She wrapped her arms around her body. “I have twice the fears, Zach. I have an overbearing sister that will point out every mistake I’ll make raising my baby, and I’m sure I will make a lot of them. And she already has bets we’ll fail because we’re an interracial couple. Oh, I forgot to add the main reason that got us together in the first place… the damn Russian mafia is still after me.”
Zach got up from the sofa and took her in his arms. “Shhh, don’t cry. We’ll work it out and put the doubt and doubters in their place.”
“You’ve met Paula once. Wait until she and mom are here and constantly in your face. They’re coming to Cleveland to help me plan the wedding.”
“Damn, I didn’t know Paula didn’t approve of me because I’m white. How does your mom feel about me?”
“They are surprised I crossed the line. Paula married a successful doctor who is black. She suspected I would marry a black athlete or man in the same field as me, not a stiff FBI agent with the appearance of a white supremacist.”
Zach felt hurt. He thought her family approved. Apparently, their congratulations were false when she told them the news. “Wow, that kinda hurt, Carla.”
“Seriously, they’ll love you once they get to know you and get around your quiet demeanor. They’re cautious of you now because they feel Greg manipulated me.”
He snapped his finger. “I have a crazy idea.”
Carla sucked her teeth and tapped a foot. “What?”
The ringing of his cell phone interrupted him. “Hold that pose for a minute,” he said answering the phone. “Lowes, to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?”
“What the hell is going on with you, Murphy? Have you resigned and not told me?”
“I’m on a vacation you ordered I take, and have a week left. Are you so busy these days that you forgot about that?”
“Oh, I thought that was up. Anyhow, I need you in Milwaukee for a missing person’s case. You’ll meet up with Shell, and I’ll give you details then.”
Zach walked to the kitchen for privacy. Lowes phone call out of the blue was a reminder to start tracking his moves. “So, Rodney is back in the field?”
“For this case he is. This kid has been missing for twenty-four hours, and the parents are frantic. Get on a plane tonight, Murphy.”
“This is shit, Lowes. That is not our specialty.”
“These are personal friends of mine; I’m doing it as a favor.”
“You’re an SAC and know agents in the missing persons division that can assist you. You’re better off using one of them.”
“You’ll do as I say and not give me any flap about it. I already overlooked one defied order. Do another one and you’re out of the FBI. Is that what you’re aiming for?”
Zach frowned and lowered his voice controlling his anger. “You don’t have the power to get rid of me. But, I am returning to Virginia to talk with the Section Chief.”
“About what?”
He heard the quiver in Lowes' voice. “I have a couple of things to discuss with him that do and don’t concern you.”
“Don’t force my hand, Murphy. If you have a problem with me, discuss it with me. I’m not sure how we got on opposite sides of the fence, but I’m sure we can repair this without the Section Chief getting involved.”
“Is that so, Lowes? Where were you when Shell and I were under attack? We called numerous times for backup, and you sent none until after ATF’s manpower showed to handle the situation. See, I have a lot to talk to the Section Chief about, including a transfer from your division. I can’t work with incompetent people.”
“You’ll regret the day you crossed me, Murphy.”
He chuckled. “It seems you’re already regretting the day you crossed me. I’ll see you in Virginia in few days,” he said hanging up the phone.
“Zach, what’s wrong?”
“The damn job,” he answered running a hand through his hair.
“Don’t tell me, you got an assignment and have to leave.”
He nodded. “Yeah, babe, I have to return to Virginia. You can come with me.”
“Honey, I can’t up and leave, I have responsibilities here. You go ahead and if you’re assigned a job in Virginia, I will come and stay with you the weekend.”
“I don’t want to leave you, Carla. I’m not sure if you are completely safe.”
“Don’t jeopardize your job, Zach; we have a baby on the way. We’ll incur expenses beyond our
belief and you just dropped a good sum of money on my engagement ring.”
“Baby, I have money saved plus I have an apartment in Virginia I hardly use. It’s not decorated nicely like yours but feel free to redecorate since it will be your home too.”
Carla reached up and cupped his face. “Until that happens, let me pull together loose ends here. The separation might do us some good, Zach. We’ll both be busy working and not arguing with each other about dumb stuff.”
He kissed her wrist. “I won’t be able to do my job efficiently if I’m worrying about you.”
“You better concentrate or else.” She pulled him playfully close to her. “Zach, you’re my hero, my life will never be the same if I lose you.”
Zach hugged her tight but not too tight. “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon, baby. I’m just starting to enjoy this new life with you.”
Outside and out of view of others, he kept the binoculars focused on the sixth-floor apartment. The shadows walking back and forth in front of the balcony doors made him angry that the woman still had Murphy lingering around her. He had to get the prick away from her.
He’d already scoped the place out while they were out, so he knew security had been heightened in her place; it was impenetrable. Murphy and his fucking mastermind. The guy thinks he’s so damn smart because he’s FBI. Well, he’s not smart enough to outsmart me. Because if I can’t get inside to Carla, I’ll just make Carla come to me. Playtime is over and the real party is about to begin. And it’s going to be a hotbed of fun he thought lowering the high-powered binoculars.
chapter twenty five
One Week Later
The smoke was billowing, choking her and Mrs. Neelson. She could hear Mrs. Neelson struggling to breathe as she fought through the thick smoke to get them out of the burning two-story house. Supporting the bedridden woman by dragging her deadweight on her back, the flames were close as she reached the front door. With the fire raging, Carla knew not to touch the doorknob with her hand and used the end of her smock to twist the doorknob open.
