by Autumn Sand
My parents never cease to amaze me. I expected them to throw me out of their house, never wanting to see me again. Instead they are understanding. The weight of carrying this with me has lifted and I feel that same closeness I felt when I used to live here.
My mother whispers something to my father and he turns, leaving the two of us alone. For a second, panic is about to take over me, but then my mother smiles.
“As for Cyma. Give her time.”
“Time?”
“Yes, time. You, of all people, should know that. Time heals all, Dante. The two of you love and need each other. You will eventually find each other again.”
“Mom, you know how I am.”
“I know. But time is what she needs, and that is what you will give her.”
She gives me a kiss on the cheek before leaving. I try to let her words sink into my thick head. Time is a hard thing to give when you are an impatient man. But I eventually decide to give it to her as I spend some much-needed time with my family. I spend a week with them before I head back to the city, which has become a very lonely place without Cyma.
Chapter 22
I’m Losing You ~ The Temptations
Cyma
“Is Wheeler alive?” and with Tick’s answer that Wheeler went into hiding, I knew I didn’t have a choice but to leave him for the sake of my daughter. Never in my life had I ever prayed for someone’s death, until a few weeks ago when I prayed for Wheeler’s. With him dead, he wouldn’t be able to get to Dante by threatening my daughter’s safety. It was the only thing I could think of to protect them both. It killed me to leave him the way I did. He has called me every day, several times a day, but I’ve sent all his calls to voicemail. Lelia is upset that he hasn’t come around, but I made up a lie and told her that he went away on a long trip. She wasn’t happy about it, but at least it was able to quiet her down a bit.
Life without him hurts. I’ve cried every single night and wake up in the morning just to cry all over again. I no longer work at the club, so it has freed up some of my nights and I have more time to mope. Between trying to hold it together in front of my daughter, trying to find another job to make up for the missing paycheck at the club, and crying every day because I miss Dante, I’m pretty pathetic.
After seeing me sulking around one time too many, Brenda decided I needed a night out. So here we are, sitting belly up at the bar, having yet another cocktail and some girl talk. I told her everything that happened with Dante, including that last night. She understands my reasons for leaving, but also feels that I should’ve explained things to him. In the back of my mind, I wonder if she’s right. But I just don’t see how it could’ve ended any other way. I try to pretend that I don’t miss Dante, or at least pretend that I don’t miss him as much as I really do, by playing with my drink stirrer.
“I still think you should call Dante.” Brenda places her hand over mine to stop me from knotting the stirrer over and over again.
The sound of his name makes my heart jump and my eyes moisten. “No. It’s for the best. Wheeler threatened Lelia. The best thing is for me to stay away from him.”
Raising an eyebrow, she shakes her head at me and signals the bartender for another drink. “And what makes you think Wheeler won’t come to you again to make you do him that favor?”
“He was following me before. That’s how he knew Dante and I were together. If he’s still following me, then he knows I haven’t seen Dante in weeks.”
She eats the olives from her martini as the bartender brings her a fresh drink. “I just don’t know. I really do feel that you still need his help, or at least his protection.”
I barely hear her words as the movement of someone sitting in a corner booth distracts me momentarily. I’ve seen this man before, at least I think I have. “Bren.” She looks up at me, and I discreetly point my finger in the direction of the booth. “Do you see that man at that booth?”
She glances at him and then turns back to me with a huge smile on her face. “Oh, God, yes. He’s gorgeous! I especially love those tats and piercings.”
I lower my voice to a whisper. “I think I’ve seen him before.”
She gazes at him again and shrugs. “Well, I haven’t seen him before. Trust me, I would remember him.” A wide smile appears on her face.
I ignore her comment because panic is starting to set in. Is this one of Wheeler’s men? I’m almost positive I’ve seen him a couple of times. Funny how I never thought about it or put it together until now. I’ve been in such a daze the past few weeks, but now I’m most definitely paying attention. Standing quickly, I grab my coat and bag. “We have to get out of here.”
“Huh? Why?” She pouts at me but throws some cash on the counter and gathers her coat and purse as well.
Once outside, I’m almost running with Brenda right behind me. She catches up to me and tugs on my arm. “What’s going on?”
I peer over her shoulder to make sure we aren’t being followed. “I think he might be one of Wheeler’s men.”
She spins around, facing the direction of the bar as her eyes dart around to see if we’re being followed also. Turning back to face me again, she asks, “You think so? But why?”
“Listen, I don’t know. I could just be paranoid, but I’m not willing to take the chance. Besides, it’s getting late anyway.”
“Stay at my place then.” She holds my arm gently.
Patting her hand, I smile to reassure her. “No. I’m probably just overreacting.”
She stares at me for a few more moments before nodding. “Okay then. Let’s go. I’ll get us a cab.” Stepping out in the street, she hails us a cab quickly. As we drive past the bar, I see the stranger standing outside watching us. I turn around in the backseat to see if he’s following us, but he has disappeared from my view. I slide back into my seat and exhale, closing my eyes and resting my head on the seat. Please let me just have an overactive imagination.
The cab pulls up in front of my building to drop us off. Brenda lives a little further up but insisted she stay the night at my place. Instantly, I see something is wrong. Brenda pays the fare and we get out of the cab to find my daughter’s things—her bedroom set, her toys, everything that I own—is on the street. I run inside my building and try to use my key to my apartment, but it doesn’t work. With tears streaming down my cheeks, I pound on my apartment door until I feel Brenda’s hands on my shoulder. Turning around, I collapse in her arms and cry.
“Shh, honey, it’ll be okay. You’ll stay with me.” She strokes my hair just the way my mother used to when I was a little girl. I know it’s meant to comfort me, but it only makes me cry harder.
“Sorry, Ms. Sawyer, but the locks have been changed. You left me no other choice but to evict you for non-payment of rent. The marshals came by earlier today.”
Releasing Brenda, I step around her to face off with my now-former landlord. “I was able to pay most of the back rent. I was giving you the rest next week as agreed.” My heart pounds in my chest as adrenaline flows through my body. I want to punch his fat, beady face!
He shifts uncomfortably on his feet and refuses to look at me. “I’ve given you enough time. Your lease was up last year. I have every right to evict you. You weren’t even paying fair market value for this apartment.”
Something in me snaps and I charge him, only to be stopped by the stranger with the tattoos and piercings. Brenda runs over to help me, but the stranger speaks quickly. “Listen, I’m not here to hurt you. But Cyma, I can’t allow you to hit your landlord. Afraid Tick won’t be okay with me allowing his woman to fight. If you want, I’ll kick his ass for you instead, but you’ll have to calm down first.”
We all freeze at his words. Brenda mouths, “Okay?” I nod to her and she relaxes. My ex-landlord tries to slink away, but Mr. Tattoo steps in front of him. “Where do you think you’re going? The party isn’t over yet.”
My ex-landlord backs up against the wall, trembling like a leaf. “Listen, I don’t want n
o trouble. He threatened my family if I didn’t put her out.”
An angry snarl escapes Mr. Tattoo’s mouth. “He? Who the fuck is ‘he’?”
My ex-landlord shakes some more and glances at me, as if he wants my help. Yeah right. I turn my head away. “A man with some of his goons came earlier today. He threatened my family if I didn’t cooperate.”
Mr. Tattoo pulls out his cell phone and begins dialing. He sizes up my ex-landlord, with the phone to his ear. “Name!” His voice echoes throughout the hall, and at least one of my nosy neighbors opens the door slightly to see what’s going on, but closes it quickly. I think I heard them put their chain lock on.
“I-I think he said his name was Wheels or Willie…. I can’t remember.”
“Tick. Yeah, I’m with your woman. Wheeler seems to have paid her landlord a visit. You need to get here ASAP.” He hangs up and glares at my ex-landlord some more. “Anything else?”
“Wh-what?”
“I’m speaking clear English. Did. He. Say. Anything. Else?” His jaw clenches as he pronounces each word.
The landlord places his hand on his chin and closes his eyes briefly before answering. “No. That was all, I believe.”
Mr. Tattoo stares at him for a few more moments before pointing his head to the side, indicating it’s time for my ex-landlord to disappear. He breathes a sigh of relief and scurries off. Mr. Tattoo’s eyes go from me and Brenda, his stare lingering on Brenda for a moment too long before he refocuses on me. “I’m Magnum. Tick asked me to tail you for a few weeks. Seems like it’s a good thing I did.”
I close my eyes as relief settles over me. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. You’re Tick’s woman, so you’re part of the family. We always protect our own.” His eyes go from me to Brenda and back again.
“Cyma, you can stay with me—”
“The hell she is.” Dante’s voice booms through the hall as he marches toward me in long strides. My pulse quickens at the sight of him. God, I’ve missed him. He gives Magnum a pound and stands in front of me. With my heart thundering in my chest, his eyes search my own. I nod to him and a slow smile spreads across his face as he picks me up in his arms and kisses me. Butterflies flutter through my stomach. I’ve missed his touch, his smell, and… just everything. Between kisses, he murmurs, “You’re staying with me. No arguing.” He places me back on my feet, but I’m so dizzy from his kiss, I hold onto his arm.
“Wheeler threatened the landlord’s family if he didn’t evict your woman,” Magnum says as he leans against a wall with one hand in his pocket and one leg crossed over the other.
“Son of a fucking bitch!” Dante growls and the sound vibrates through his body and the hall.
“Yeah, I know. He’s a slippery fucker. Never thought he would’ve done this type of shit.” Magnum tilts his head in the direction of where all my items have been thrown.
Dante’s nostrils flare and his fist clench. I don’t think he realizes that I’m still holding on to his arm as he turns in the direction of my ex-landlord’s apartment. I try to stop him, but he isn’t listening.
Magnum blocks Dante’s path. “Tick, man, pull it together. Don’t lose your shit in front of your lady.” He glances at me and back to Dante, who stiffens at Magnum’s words but eventually relaxes and turns to me, his face softening.
“I’m sorry. You don’t need to see me fly off the handle.”
“It’s okay.” I stand on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
“Now what?” Brenda asks from behind, startling us all. We turn around to face her. “What happens now, I mean.”
Taking in a deep inhale and releasing it, Dante looks at Magnum, who says, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of your woman’s things. Have it put in storage or something. I’ll even drive her friend home.”
I watch Brenda to see if she’s okay with the change of plans. She quickly nods. I continue staring at her to double-check, but she gives me a smile.
“Ready to go home?” Dante asks.
Home… Dante’s home is my home? I’m too exhausted to worry about it now. My legs feel like Jell-O and I lean on him for support. Wrapping his arm around me, he pulls me tighter into his chest. “Yes, Dante. Let’s go home.”
A small smile spreads across his face as he lifts me into his arms and carries me to his car.
He drives us through the streets of Manhattan like a man on a mission. God, I never thought I could ever say I miss his crazy driving. Leaving his engine still running in front of his building, he signals the doorman to park his car for him while he tends to me.
Once we are inside his loft, I’m hit with all the emotions from the last time I was here, when I broke things off with him and shattered my heart, and I begin to shiver. He starts toward me, but pauses as he sees me trembling.
“Cyma, talk to me. What do you need? I don’t want to mess things up again.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he waits for me to answer.
“You,” I whisper.
His eyes widen at my admission. “Cyma, you always had me, even when you thought you left.” Sweeping me off my feet, he carries me to his bed and lays me down gently before climbing in behind me, holding me to his chest. I can finally breathe again now that I’m in the comfort of his arms. If I close my eyes, I can pretend again, just as I did once before with him. I can pretend everything is great in my life. Turning into his chest, eventually I drift off to sleep while listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
****
The smell of bacon, eggs, and freshly brewed coffee awakens me. I blink rapidly, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings, but then the night’s events come crashing down around me and I feel sick. Not that I-want-to-pray-to-the-porcelain-god sick, but with worry about my future, Lelia’s future. Getting out of bed, I head to the kitchen area and watch Dante’s muscular back as he moves around the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He’s wearing only pajama bottoms, which hang in that just-so-perfect way on his hips. Pulling out a coffee mug from the cupboard, he places it on the counter.
“Assume you want coffee. Sleep okay?” He can always tell whenever I’m near, and it warms my heart.
“Yes, I slept well. Thank you for taking care of me last night.”
He stops what he’s doing and sets the spatula down, turning to face me. “Gonna always take care of you, even when you don’t want me to.” His stare is so intense I feel it in my core.
“Sometimes I feel that you’ve done too much for me, for Lelia.” My voice drifts when I say my daughter’s name.
“And I told you that I was always going to be there for you and Lelia. I never go back on my word. Not thinking of becoming a liar now.”
“You had Magnum follow me all this time?”
Without pausing, he stares deep into my eyes and says, “Yes. Sometimes Manny. They’re my most trusted men. I wouldn’t trust your life with just anybody. Had to make sure you were safe. Wheeler is still out there.”
Even though I pushed him away, he still did this. My heart breaks again for the two of us. He’s such a good man, who entered into the craziness of my life without hesitation. But where does that leave us now? Wheeler is still out there. He may make good on his threat, and that is a risk I’m not willing to take. “I guess I should get going. Gotta figure out my living arrangements.”
“Already figured out. You’re staying here.”
“But I c—”
“No buts. You’ll stay here. I know this isn’t the ideal place to raise a little girl. Been thinking about moving anyway. You find something suitable, big back yard, pool, whatever you want. I’ll buy it. If you don’t want me staying with you and Lelia at first, I get that. I can do the romance thing. You know that better than anyone else. I’ll go at your pace. But you need to get this through your head now that you’re mine and will always be mine. You need a minute to think about that, no problem. Know this, you’ll do it here. I can stay at a hotel; it doesn’t matter. As long as you understand that we are going to work through thi
s together.”
My heart melts at his words. “But—”
“I’m not a thug.” I cringe at his words as I’m reminded of that night together when I called him and his friends thugs. “Neither are Tony or my boys. Yeah, we may do bad shit, but it’s only when we feel our family is threatened. You were threatened—fuck, you were more than threatened; you were hurt. So that meant me stepping in to handle shit. Got a temper. But you already know that. You also know I would die for you and that little girl of yours. So no more running away. Not unless you are running to me and not from me.”
Tears begin to fall down my cheeks as relief settles around me. I don’t deserve this man. I love him so much. I never knew I could love another man after what happened with my ex-husband. “I love you,” I whisper the words.
His long legs take quick strides over to me, and he lifts me in his arms. “I love you too.” And then he kisses me. This is a kiss of promises of the future, a kiss of love, a kiss of days of laughter, tears, and joy, but most importantly, it’s a kiss of forever.
The smoke detector goes off as the bacon and eggs begin to burn. “Fuck! Forgot to turn off the stove.”
“Hey, I got it. Go sit down. I’ll clean up and make some more.”
“Bossing me around already, woman?” He smiles and taps me on the ass.
“Yes. I’ll cook, and then we’ll talk about the future.”
“A future together, just the three of us.”
“Yes, the three of us.” I smile up at him before sealing the deal with a kiss.
Chapter 23
Ain’t Nobody Like You ~ Miki Howard
Tick
Sitting down to eat breakfast with the woman who stole my heart two months ago and making plans for our future together as a family is humbling. Our relationship has withstood some hard times. I’m sure there are more tests to come our way, but we’re finally on the same page that whatever happens, we will do it together.
“There is something that I have to tell you—the reason why I broke things off with you a few weeks ago.”
