TOTAL ECLIPSE: The Evolution (Sin City Heat Series Book 7)

by S. K. Hardy

  “Roni?”

  CHAPTER 51

  Surprise and shock pierced every bone in Darrell’s body. For a moment, he stood rooted to the spot, but recovered with admirable speed. After hugging Sylvia, he stepped aside for her to come in, followed by Roni as well as a tall, younger man who was with them. Darrell absently noted that he was the same guy he’d seen on television who had escorted Roni through the airport.

  Returning his attention to her, he hesitated for the briefest of moments before leaning down and giving Roni a hug. It couldn’t have lasted more than a couple of seconds, but to say the gesture was awkward was the understatement of the year. Especially knowing Jerra was standing only a few feet away.

  Clearing his throat, Darrell straightened to his full height, then turned and pulled Jerra beside him. “Roni, I’d like you to meet my wife, Jerra. Jerra, this is Roni…Veronica Winston.”

  Time stood still for a moment as the two women stared at each other. Darrell swallowed hard, his senses strung tight and to the breaking point. It was absolutely surreal to have Roni standing there in his home and introducing her to his wife. He studied Jerra’s face closely and saw wariness along with curiosity. He silently willed her to look up at him and let him know that she was okay. When she didn’t, Darrell’s lips tightened. He knew she felt his intense gaze, but refused to glance his way.

  Although it seemed like an eternity, it couldn’t have been more than a few seconds before they extended their hands for a handshake. “Hello, Roni,” Jerra said. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Roni placed her other hand on top of Jerra’s as she stared directly at her and said softly, “Likewise, Jerra. I’m extremely pleased to meet you.”

  Roni smiled at her before turning to introduce the good-looking man standing beside her. “I’d like to introduce my fiancé, Zayden Reynolds. Zayden, this is Darrell and Jerra Monroe.”

  Darrell’s brow lifted in surprise as he shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Zayden. And congratulations.”

  “Thank you, Darrell. I’ve heard a lot about both of you.”

  Darrell glanced at Roni when Zayden turned to greet Jerra, but he refrained from addressing the other man’s statement.

  “Thank you for allowing me to come and pay my respects, Darrell,” Roni said graciously. “When I spoke with Jerra this morning–”

  Darrell scowled, cutting her off mid-sentence. “Wait. When you what?”

  Even after all the years that had passed, Roni could still read Darrell’s moods and knew something was off. She frowned and slowly repeated herself. “I…spoke with Jerra this morning when she called for Bryan. She invited me to attend.” Her eyes darted from Darrell to Jerra, her confusion evident. “Should I not have come? I just assumed it was okay with you. If it’s not, I can–”

  “No, it’s…fine. No problem,” Darrell said. Slipping his arm around Jerra’s waist, his fingers imprinted themselves into her side, but he kept his facial features expressionless.

  Casually glancing back, he and Marcus made eye contact. Without missing a beat, Marcus smoothly stepped forward to greet everybody. He gave Roni a big hug and told her how good it was to see her before introducing Aleesha, then Dom and Keisha.

  “Marcus, do me a favor and take everybody to the living room, make sure they get something to eat,” Darrell said. Addressing no one in particular, he added, “I need to speak to Jerra for a moment, then we’ll be right there.”

  Still looking unsure, Roni followed Marcus and the others out of the room. Bryan hung back, his eyes closely studying both Darrell and Jerra. “Are you sure everything’s okay? I mean, I never would have–”

  “No, honestly, it’s fine, Bryan” Jerra said.

  “She’s right, buddy, it’s cool,” Darrell added.

  Bryan’s face cleared up as he nodded and shrugged. “Okay. Well, we’ll see you shortly.”

  After he left, Darrell didn’t say a word. He just took Jerra’s hand and led her to a small sitting room down the hall. Closing the door behind him, he dragged his hand over his mouth. Throwing a few side-glances in Jerra’s direction he paced back and forth, his expression closed, giving her no clue of what he was about to say.

  When he finally did speak, his voice was quiet and controlled. “You wanna tell me what’s goin’ on, Jerra?”

  Jerra blinked in surprise, stunned at the calmness in his voice. She’d been prepared to let him rant until he ran out of steam, so his cool, seemingly undisturbed attitude threw her off.

  “You’re not…mad?”

  Darrell snorted and cut a sharp glare her way. “Let’s just say I’m reservin’ the right to go back to that emotion after I hear an explanation. For now, I’m givin’ you the benefit of the doubt. I think we’ve earned that with each other.”

  Jerra exhaled the breath she’d been holding and relaxed somewhat. “Thank you. I want you to know I didn’t plan this. I know what it looks like, but it’s not some twisted plot I intentionally put together behind your back or anything. I’ve been trying to pull you to the side to tell you all day, but–”

  Darrell couldn’t stop the impatient sigh that slipped past his lips. He shook his head and held a hand up to halt the lengthy story he saw coming. “Stop right there. We don’t have time for all of that. Let’s try this again, but this time give me the abbreviated version, Counselor.”

  Jerra laced her fingers together in front of her, squeezing them tight until they were numb. “O-okay. Remember the missed calls from Bryan this morning?”

  Darrell frowned and nodded. He’d seen the missed calls on the way to the cemetery. His phone had been on silent. Apparently Bryan had called during the time his father, uncle, and cousins had shown up.

  Jerra continued. “He must have called me right after he tried to call you. When I saw the missed call from his cell phone, I stepped away for a moment while you were talking to your father and called him back but didn’t get an answer. So, I called his house. Roni answered.”

  “Okay,” Darrell said slowly. “And then…”

  “I knew it was her. I remembered her voice from when I’d called her after I found her number on the phone bill.”

  Darrell’s jaw jumped, but he let her finish.

  “She knew who I was too, but neither of us acknowledged it right away. When I asked to speak to Bryan, she told me he wasn’t home yet. His plane had been delayed, so he was calling to let us know he wouldn’t make the funeral service, but he’d be back in time for the repass.”

  “So, what, you just decided to invite her to come too?” Darrell was still trying to figure out how that all came about. And why.

  “Not…exactly. Well, I did, but–”

  “Jerra.” Darrell said her name in way that told her he was fast losing patience.

  “I was getting ready to hang up and she asked how you and Gabby were holding up, and to please give you both her condolences.” Jerra shrugged helplessly, a little bewildered herself at what she said to Roni next. “I don’t know why, but I asked her if she’d like to come with Bryan to the repass. The words left my mouth before I knew I was going to say them.”

  Jerra remembered the silence that settled heavily over the phone after that. She wasn’t sure who had been more stunned, Roni or her, but once she’d issued the invitation, she couldn’t very well take it back. When Roni had asked her if she was sure it would be okay, Jerra had seen no other choice but to tell her it was fine.

  Darrell lifted his head and stared up at the ceiling before bringing his eyes back to her. “I’m tryin’ to understand this, Jerra. I really, really am.”

  Jerra swallowed hard. She didn’t like the edge that had slowly crept into his voice. It usually meant he was moments away from exploding. “Darrell–”

  “No, wait. Like I said, I’m tryin’ to understand, but…” Darrell’s gaze grew intent as he observed her closely. “Why would you invite a woman you hate into your home?”

  “I don’t hate her, Darrell. I just–”

 
“You know what I mean,” Darrell snapped back and came closer. “Let’s not play word games here. After kicking me out of the house, and damn near threatening to divorce me over a couple of phone calls to Roni that lasted maybe a total of four minutes, you invite her over? Why would you do that?” His eyes narrowed as his look intensified and the volume of his tone increased. “Let me tell you what I’m startin’ to think. I think you’re testin’ me. Am I right?”

  “No, Darrell–”

  “I think you are. I think you invited her over so that you could observe my reaction firsthand when I saw her. So tell me, did I pass?”

  “Stop it!” Jerra could be in a courtroom cool as ice and never let the pressure of a case take her out of her zone, but Darrell made her lose control easier than anything or anyone else in the world. “That’s not what it was about!”

  “Then what?” Darrell shouted. “What the hell aren’t you telling me, because I know there’s something else.”

  “I wanted you to see that I trusted you, okay!” Jerra screamed back, her breasts heaving from agitation. “Once and for all, I wanted to prove that she wasn’t an issue between us.”

  That wasn’t what Darrell had been expecting. “What?”

  Jerra’s fists had been balled up at her side, but she deliberately unclenched them and took several breaths to try and calm down. Now, of course, her reason suddenly seemed silly, idiotic, and juvenile. With absolute clarity, she realized how it all looked to him and why he would think those things.

  “Remember that night we came home from the police station? When we were sitting in the truck talking, you said you trusted me more than anyone in the world, and…I didn’t say it back. You didn’t comment on my lack of response, but I know it hurt you,” she added softly.

  Darrell’s lashes swept down in order to hide his thoughts. Yes, it had cut deep to know that she still didn’t trust him, but he also knew trust had to be earned. He’d broken hers, so he’d have to be patient because it was something neither of them gave lightly.

  Jerra hesitated then placed her hands on his chest. Peering up at him, her voice softened. “I do trust you, Darrell. And, well, let’s just say maybe I understand things a little bit more after seeing the footage that news show ran when Roni came back into town. It’s something we never talked about. I didn’t realize it was so…gruesome. It’s amazing she even survived.”

  Jerra shuddered as the graphic pictures played out again in her mind. She wouldn’t wish that on her worst enemy. Darrell hadn’t told her much, but Jerra knew Roni still had a bullet lodged in her head. The doctors had felt the risk of brain damage, or even death, was too great to try and remove it.

  “So this isn’t a trap?” Darrell asked, still skeptical. “Because Jerra, if it is, I–”

  “You said you trust me. Do you?”

  “Of course I do, but–”

  “Then that’s it. No buts. I didn’t purposely go behind your back, and it’s not a trap. You asked me why I invited her. I was honest and told you. You either believe and trust what I’m saying or you don’t.” Jerra ran her hands up his chest and clasped them behind his neck. “Just like I either believe and trust you when you say you love me and only me…or I don’t.”

  Darrell searched her eyes. “And do you believe me?”

  “Yes.” Jerra said without hesitation. “I do.”

  Darrell released a low breath of air. “I want you to know somethin’, baby. I readily admit I’m a flawed man, a work in progress, but I’m committed to you one hundred and fifty percent. I don’t ever want you to doubt that again.”

  Jerra pulled his head down until his lips met hers. After a few moments, Darrell’s body relaxed. He deepened the kiss, moving his mouth over hers, pulling her tightly against him until they had full body contact. When they finally broke apart, they stared at each other in silence. Each felt the connection they had, felt the bond tighten between them that much more.

  Jerra lifted herself up on her tiptoes, gave him one more quick kiss, and stared at him sweetly without speaking.

  Darrell’s chest expanded with emotion at the soft look of love and devotion he saw in her eyes. He didn’t know how she did it, but Jerra had a way of always making him feel like the mu’fuckin’ man, and it touched him in a place deep down inside that no one had ever been able to reach but her.

  “So…we’re okay?” she asked him.

  Darrell had to clear his throat before answering. “We a’ight.”

  Jerra saw the teasing gleam in his bright grey eyes and smiled. “Just ‘a’ight’?”

  “Yeah. We good,” he shrugged, watching the smile that tugged at her sexy mouth.

  “Well, since it seems like ‘we a’ight’ and ‘we good’ means everything is okay between us, we should go back out and attend to our guests.”

  They exchanged identical smiles, like two kids enjoying a secret that only they were privy to. Darrell took Jerra’s hand in his, bringing it up to his lips and kissing the back of it, before they left the room.

  CHAPTER 52

  When Darrell and Jerra walked back into the living room, their inner circle studied them closely, relieved to see that a potentially explosive crisis had been averted and all was well. Darrell kissed the back of Jerra’s hand again before releasing it and going over to join Bryan, Angel, and Roni’s fiancé.

  Looking around, Jerra spotted Renzo speaking to Justin. Whatever the conversation was about appeared to be pretty intense. Shifting her attention to Hawk, a half-smile tilted the corner of Jerra’s mouth. He was across the room with a serious looking Nikki, who was no doubt grilling him about his intentions towards her sister. Nikki still hadn’t forgotten the scene she’d walked up on at her house. Raven still denied that anything was going on, but Nikki knew better.

  Hawk listened attentively, but he appeared amused at Nikki’s obvious disapproval more than anything else. At that exact moment, he looked up and found Jerra staring at them. He grinned and sent her a quick wink before returning his attention back to Nikki.

  Jerra shook her head. Hawk Pattel was trouble with a capital ‘T’. Raven should run, and run quickly without looking back. However, as soon as that thought materialized in Jerra’s head, she glanced at her husband. If she had followed that same advice she would have missed out on the best thing that ever happened to her. Maybe the idea of Hawk and Raven being together wasn’t too crazy after all.

  “Jerra?”

  Hearing someone softly calling her name, Jerra blinked and turned to respond with a polite smile, but when she saw it was Roni, it froze in place before slipping a bit.

  “Hi. Um, is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine, thank you.” Roni paused then said, “I just wanted to express my appreciation to you again for inviting me to come to your home to pay my respects. I, of course, never knew Darrell’s mother, but I’m glad to see that he was able to forge a relationship before it was too late.”

  “So am I.”

  Roni’s eyes dropped to Jerra’s stomach and her voice softened. “And congratulations on your pregnancy. You and Darrell must both be ecstatic.”

  “We are. Thank you.” An awkward silence fell between them as Jerra searched her mind for something to say. “It seems congratulations are in order for you as well. Zayden seems like a very nice man.”

  Roni glanced over at her fiancé and smiled. “He is. He’s sweet. And very patient. Or he is at least most of the time,” Roni smiled.

  “Have you set a date yet?”

  Roni laughed quietly. “No, not yet. That’s the part he’s impatient with me about. Although we’ve known each other for several years, we’ve only been engaged for a couple of months. It took him a while to hammer away at my defenses, and now that he has…” Roni paused and looked embarrassed. “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to ramble.”

  “You’re not rambling. You’re a woman in love,” Jerra smiled. “I know what that feels like.”

  Roni tilted her head to the side as she studied
Jerra. “Yes. You do, don’t you? It’s obvious how very in love you and Darrell are with each other.” Hesitating, Roni’s next words were tentative, as if she were choosing them carefully. “Jerra, there’s something I’ve wanted you to know for a long time. Can I be frank?”

  Although she’d felt herself relaxing a little, Jerra’s muscles tensed up again at Roni’s question. “Of course.”

  “I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to tell you, but since the opportunity is here, I’d just like to let you know that I’m happy you and Darrell found each. I worried about him for a long time. When Bryan told me that he’d gotten married, I was…relieved.”

  Jerra studied her closely. “Were you?”

  “Yes. I can see why you’d be skeptical of that. But when you care about a person, you want them to be happy. After I started to recover from the shooting, I could have asked Angel or Bryan to contact Darrell, but…” Roni’s shoulders lifted in a delicate shrug. She gave Jerra a tense smile that was no more than a tightening of her lips. “As my deceased husband used to say, people are brought together for a reason, and everything has its season. Ours had passed. We both needed to heal in different ways, and we couldn’t do that together. He was able to with you. I’ll always be grateful for that.”

  A wave of understanding passed between the two women. “What about you? Have you managed to heal?”

  “I have. I used to suffer from debilitating migraines, but over the years, they’ve diminished, become less painful.”

  “Good.” This time it was Jerra’s turn to hesitate. “Since we’re getting everything out on the table here, do you mind if I ask you a question now?”