by Garcia, Amy
A ghost of a smile tips the corners of my lips up in thanks and appreciation of his love. “You’ve been looking for him? Please, Evan just leave it; he’s not worth your time or money, and he’s dangerous.”
“Yes, I am looking for him. I have had a team scouring the earth ever since the day you laid in my arms in Aunt Sophia’s bed in Italy and told me your horror story. As for not being worth my time or money, I would spend every last dime and search until the end of time to find him and end him slowly, painfully.”
“Oh…” My one-word answer says it all. It says holy fuck that guy better watch his back, it says I’m so glad I am and will never be on Evan Lawson’s bad side, it says he better is a master at staying hidden or else.
“Anyway, do you? Have anyone other than that maggot that would have a reason to threaten you?”
“No, of course not, no one,” I reply quickly.
“All right then, it must be me then.”
“What makes you so sure it’s not the mafia?”
“That is what I need to talk to you about. When I had my emergency surgery in Italy everyone was aware of my health issues. Dr. Carmichael was offered an obscene amount of money to snuff me out during surgery by another family leader.” I straighten up and tug my feet from his hands to sit cross-legged and alert.
“He what? But he…”
“He took it.”
“Ok now I’m super confused, why are you sitting here talking to me if he was paid to kill you?” My fucking heart is beating so loud I’m surprised he hasn’t stopped the conversation, I pull up my knees and wrap my arms around them causing my hair to fall forward hiding my neck and hopefully keeping my racing pulse a secret. He pulls one knee up and turns to face me straight on.
“Nice try, I will finish anyway though so you can stop hiding your neck from me like I am a vampire.” I roll my eyes.
“Go on then, I’m confused.”
“Well, Dr. Carmichael is a very smart man and he saw an opportunity to make a lot of money and escape the clutches of the mafia at the same time. He made a deal with Saint and Isaac to secretly keep me alive in exchange for his escape from the country and a safe place to spend the rest of his life. The ‘Ndrangheta and Camorra groups think I died at his hands. Dr. Carmichael has been unwillingly tangled up with many mob families during the course of his career and he wanted to be done with it.”
“He faked your death?!”
“Yes.”
“And they believed it?”
“Yes, he was very convincing, he provided a similar body and dental proof, they believe I’m gone.” Another body? Oh God. I don’t even want to know where they got that.
“How are you going to run Dominus? How are we ever going to be in public again? We can’t hide forever!”
“All right here is the part that may upset you a little.” This is the part that might upset me?!! Are you fucking kidding me?! That train left the station a long time ago! He continues calmly while a storm rages in my mind.
“You know I am a twin and that Gabriella is my sister…”
“Yea duh.”
“The birth record shows that we were triplets, not just twins.” I shake my head in disbelieve scrunching up my face trying to process this new information. Triplets? What the hell? I go to say something, but the words don’t come out and he holds up his hand to stop me anyway.
“Two boys and a girl, there is, however, no death certificate for my brother who died during childbirth, my parents always told people they gave him up for adoption because she couldn’t raise three children. While he was gone so much of the time. So you see, essentially I have died and left my fortune to my twin brother. No one knew of my relationship with you; we arrived in Italy secretly because, well because you were not exactly a willing travel companion. So it has been made to seem that I stepped in inheriting a fortune bringing my lovely lucky wife with me.”
I am speechless, as in mind-numbingly unable to form words or sentences for communication. Closing my eyes I try to make sense of it all, I’ve got a million puzzle pieces of the same color and they all look the same, impossible to figure out. Yes, he was right to keep this one from me, I can’t believe I’m admitting that and I will never say it aloud but this is stress inducing, mind blowing, life altering information not meant for the faint of heart. He’s quiet, allowing this to all sink in, triplets, Evan is thought to be dead, Dr. Carmichael is with us forever, and I’m married to…who? I align my thoughts enough to ask one question
“What’s your name?” Strong, comforting arms reach for me, and my limp shocked body is pulled easily into his warm lap, whoever he is now.
“I am and will always be Evan to you, baby, as far as anyone in my past knows though I am Nathaniel, Evan’s identical twin brother.”
“Nate? That’s your middle name…”
“Yes, we thought it would be easier to use something familiar.”
“Won’t they be suspicious?”
“No, probably not, siblings often share the same middle name or take their father's last name as their first. I will just say I go by my middle name, which is Nathaniel, the same as my dead brother’s.”
“Can that happen? I mean two babies be identical and another just a twin, or triplet shit this is confusing!”
“Yes, my brother and I were identical and Gabriella was a spare.” He laughs softly at his little joke.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Why would I? I was never supposed to be able to have children and neither were you. It didn’t occur to me to tell you about my brother.” Ok, so that makes sense I guess, I’m going to need some time to absorb all of this.
“Nothing has changed, baby, I am still me, you are still you, it is just the people from my past who think differently, and they don’t matter.”
“Maybe so but who’s sending you death threats on an iPad then?” His face falls, and he relaxes into the couch.
“I don’t know, baby, but I am going to find out.”
I need to see Cecelia, I don’t care if she’s accepting visitors or not; I’m going. Mr. Saint has taken the iPad to start an investigation. Evan is worried about me leaving the house and wouldn’t be letting me go anywhere if I didn’t have an appointment with the perinatologist already scheduled for today. We’re all ready to leave when he receives a phone call from Gabby when he disconnects the call I swear his usually bronze skin has a green hue.
“Evan, what is it?” He’s staring straight ahead in thought, I don’t think he’s heard me and I’m about to say something when he responds.
“They are sending messages to Gabriella too.”
“What? Who? What kind of message?” He has me sitting in a chair I’ve never seen before in the foyer, still not allowing me to walk per doctor's orders while he puts his coat on.
“She received a text message with a song title.” Oh God this isn’t happening, my efforts to move this particular problem to a lower rank on my list of shitty things going on right now has failed miserably ‘crazy person out to get us’ zooms back to the number one slot.
“What song?” I ask quietly echoing through the painfully quiet space.
“I have never heard it before.”
“What song, Evan?” I repeat
“She said it was called ‘Kill Everybody’ the lyrics are as simple as the title.” I’ve never heard it before either but the message is clear, and now more of us are being included in this threat.
“Could they trace where the text came from?”
“No, it was a burner, untraceable.”
“Shit.”
“I am going to call the doctor and cancel your appointment for today; I’ll pay him whatever he wants to come to the house instead.” I can understand his reluctance to be out in public but the need to see Cecelia is just too overwhelming.
“Evan, I am going to see Cecelia today with or without you, do whatever you want with the appointment.”
“I’m not living my life in fear, Evan; I’ve done that, nothing good comes from it, I need to get out of this house I’m going to see Cecelia.” He crosses his arms over his chest and sighs.
“No one but you ever dares to question my decisions, why do you do that? I am trying to protect you, keep you and our children safe, why do you insist on crossing me?”
“I disagree with you, Evan, because I think for myself. I know why you do what you do, and I feel we are all safe as long as we are with you, I’m not trying to be difficult but I need to see her.”
He drops his head back to stare at the ceiling for a moment and then righting himself he closes the gap between us to gather me up and carry me out to the car. “Pregnancy is making you irrational, lady.” I tighten my arm around his neck and kiss the scruff on his cheek. The Escalade is waiting in the circle, and Mr. Saint is behind the wheel.
“I thought you liked driving,” I comment.
“I like focusing my attention on you more.” He reaches across the space that divides us to take my hand lifting it to his warm lips he kisses my knuckles and I can’t help think he is worth every bit of worry and strife that I’ve had to endure since he sucked me into the storm of his life, his all-encompassing love is so addictive I would follow him over a cliff if he were leading me. The drive is quiet, both of us are caught up in thoughts of who could be targeting the family as we work our way through the streets of Seattle.
Before I know it, we are pulling under a canopy in the front of a low building attached to trinity hospital. Mr. Saint jumps out and disappears inside returning with a wheelchair, ugh I hate being treated like glass but I understand why it’s necessary. I allow Evan to help me into it while wrapping my arms around my body, the cold air of the day cuts straight through me and the wind whips my hair around my face. It was warmer at home, or maybe it was Evan’s heat that made it seem so when he carried me to the car there. Inside, I check the time on my phone and see we have about five minutes until my appointment.
“Did you get ahold of her? Does she know we are coming?”
“Yes and yes,” he answers.
“How did she sound?”
“Weak and tired.” My heart falls as visions of a tired, sick Cecelia fill my mind.
“What stage is it?” I’ve been avoiding this question I’m not even sure I want to know, it has to be bad for her to delay treatment until coming home.
“Three.” Three…well, that’s bad but at least still treatable.
“What’s the plan for her care?”
“They have done a hysterectomy and are waiting to start radiation and chemotherapy until she’s a little stronger.” I nod and suddenly wish we could skip my appointment and go straight to see her.
“We are not skipping your appointment.” Ugh, I must be totally transparent today! I huff and slouch down into my wheelchair. I’ve got to get off of bedrest so I can walk on my own two feet to see her anyway. It doesn’t take long to visit with Dr. Sands and have an ultrasound after which I’m given the green light to get out of bed and no more being carried around like a child, thank God! When we exit into the hall I can almost feel Evan itching to pick me up, and I feel sort of sorry for him, it was his way of showing how much he cares.
“You can still carry me once in a while at home if you want.” I tease
“Oh I plan on it, I’m carrying you straight to our bed the second we hit the door at home.”
“Oh yeah, you thinking I need a nap or something?”
“Not exactly.” His eyes travel down my body as we stand alone in the elevator he drags them back to my face after thoroughly mind fucking me. Focusing on my lips he pushes my coat aside and snakes his hand under my sweater and down the front of my leggings until his fingers glide over my overly sensitive center. My heart pounds when my back is pressed against the wall, and I grip the rail that is thankfully there for support. I need all the support I can get when Evan unexpectedly decides to cast a spell on me in public. I feel his warm breath on my mouth before he covers it with his, effectively muffling a moan.
The car slows and I know the doors will open to allow new passengers to enter, but I’m under his spell and helpless. When I hear the warning ding, I tense but he simply ends the kiss while continuing to slide his long middle finger over the pulsing ball of nerves between my legs. When the door opens, he casually moves my body in front of him, my back to his front never breaking contact with my core while a woman and two doctors enter the car.
“Good afternoon,” he says nodding to the group, they return his greeting as if nothing out of the ordinary were happening. To them it looks like he has his arms wrapped around my waist affectionately, my coat hides his roaming hand. I bite my lip hard trying to stifle the little sounds that threaten to escape as he continues his exquisite torture, teasing and stroking his fingers in a figure eight. The doctors chat and the woman as always does a double take of my husband.
The soft elevator music plays a strangely appropriate musical arrangement of ‘Slave to Love’ while my body hums in his arms, oblivious to our three new companions. The car continues to descend as my desire rises, his solid length presses against my ass and I’m nearing the end of my tolerance, things are about to get really embarrassing really fast if he doesn’t stop.
“Shush.” He whispers in my ear
“I…I…” His free hand rises to cover my mouth. “You will come quietly, baby.” And I do just that. My eyes squeeze tightly shut, neon sparks exploding behind my lids as I bite down hard on his hand the rusty taste of blood at the exact moment the elevator dings and the doors slide open. His hand slides up to my belly, and he guides me out on unsteady legs with my heart flying and my core pulsing with the unexpected orgasm.
“What are you trying to do to me?” I hiss when we are clear of all other people. His hand is on the small of my back as we walk down a corridor that connects the clinic to the hospital.
“Being bitten by my wife apparently,” he says holding up his hand to show me a crescent shaped bloody bite mark on his finger. I stop suddenly grabbing his hand.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know I…” He smiles wickedly, and my sympathy dissipates immediately.
“You’re so bad.”
“You know it, baby.” I, huff, drop his hand, spin away on my heel and flip my hair into his face while he chuckles at me. How can he be so intensely sexy in one minute and so infuriating in the next?
“Don’t be angry, baby.” He strolls behind me as I stomp two steps in front of him.
“Just take me to her,” I demand
“I’m trying to, but you aren’t letting me lead.” Agh! I slow my stride, I could ask at the information desk, but he knows exactly where she is, and I’d rather not waste time. When he catches up, we fall into step with each other, and he laces his fingers with mine.
“I love you.” I roll my eyes and accept his version of an apology.
“I can’t stay mad at you, it’s not fair.”
“Why ever would you be upset with me, did I not just blow your mind in that elevator?” I can’t argue with that, but he could have waited until we got home!
“There were people in there! They could have heard!”
“So?”
“So? That’s embarrassing!”
“I would never have allowed that, I let you bite me didn’t I?”
“Well, yes.”
“All right then, subject closed.” When we arrive outside the door to her room, and he stops and turns me to face him with his hands on my shoulders.
“Cecelia hates weakness; she is very proud; that is why she didn’t want to see anyone. I convinced her to let you come, but just barely.”
“Well I’m not going to say anything to upset her, I’m a nurse remember? I know what to expect.”
“I know, but you love her, it’s different.” He’s right, a
s always. Tears well up in my eyes and threaten to fall. His hands move from my shoulders to cradle my face and he catches them with his thumbs when I blink wiping them away swiftly.
“Thanks.”
“No, problem.” He crouches so that he is eye level with me and mouths I love you before turning me toward the door and swatting my ass lightly.
“Now go and make her smile” I blink back any remaining moisture from my eyes and plaster a big smile on my face before pushing my way into her room. It’s dark, and it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to being in the bright lights of the hallway.
A frail Cecelia lies in the middle of her bed sleeping. I turn and place my finger to my lips to warn Evan not to wake her, but his eyebrow is cocked in a knowing way when I look back she’s peeking out of one eye.
“Faker!” I laugh when she smiles opening both of her eyes.
“I heard you two whispering outside my door; I raised this boy you know; I have the hearing of an owl.”
“Owls have good hearing? I thought bats had the best hearing?”
“Well bats then, I hear everything.”
“Everything?” I ask thinking of all the loud sex we have had under the same roof as this woman. A coy smile lifts one corner of her mouth, and I blush.
“Everything, Hija.”
“Oh brother, how about we change the subject? How do you feel? When was your surgery? Why didn’t you tell me? How come you wouldn’t see me?” Oh my God I’ve become my mother. Thankfully, my obnoxious behavior has caused her to smile though. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right, I’m doing fine, I had surgery the first day we were home. I didn’t tell you because you had a lot on your mind, and I don’t like people seeing me in my pajamas, there I think I covered everything, didn’t I?”
“That you did, Cecelia,” Evan says sidling up behind me to slide his arms around my waist and pat my tummy.
“Oh, I hear you have exciting news!” she exclaims.
