Defiance of the Heart (Book 2)

by Monica James

  “Thank you for calling me, Dee,” Mr. Arrington says, while both London and I give ourselves whiplash when we look at my mom.

  “Of course. It’s our children.”

  “Yes, they are.” When Mr. Arrington looks at me and smiles, I suddenly wish I was in something other than a hospital gown because I don’t want to remember this moment with me being braless and looking like the bride of Frankenstein.

  But I’ll take what I can get because that smile on London’s face makes my world complete.

  “I was so worried about you. About you both. You looked really beautiful, Holland, on your wedding day. I was so proud of you, son.”

  “You were there?” When London gasps, I remember the stranger I saw, standing off in the distance. I recognized him because it was London’s dad.

  “Yes, I didn’t know if I was welcome, but I had to see my only son marry the love of his life. Congratulations.”

  This is the most I have ever heard Ralphie Arrington speak. The room is silent as we all stare, stunned.

  I suppose the reason for that has just walked through the door.

  “Ralphie, have you gone mad?” hisses Kayla Sinclair as her heels stab their way into my room. When she sees it’s one big happy family reunion, she stops, pursing her lips. “Clearly, you have. Come on, let’s go. We can come back when they’ve taken out the trash.”

  Concussed or not, I’m going to jump from this bed and kick her ass.

  But it appears there is no need. “Kayla, go to hell.”

  We all blink once, mouths agape, but whether we’re on the verge of gasping or laughing, I’m not too sure.

  Kayla jolts back, her perfect mask slipping as I believe this may be the first time her husband has told her to fuck off. “Wh-what is the matter with you?”

  “I’m sick of your shit,” Ralphie says, standing in front of her proudly. “My son almost died. So did his wife. It puts things into perspective, don’t you think?”

  She clearly doesn’t agree as she turns her nose in the air, arms folded.

  “I used to love the person you were. You were vibrant and fun. You were the most beautiful girl to me. And so was Dee. You remember her, your once best friend? Well, she was my friend too.”

  My mom chews her bottom lip.

  “But this vendetta, you have to let it go. It almost killed our kids. They don’t deserve to be punished for the mistakes we made.”

  Kayla pulls back her shoulders. I can see where London gets his stubbornness from. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”

  I’ll give it to her, she’s a tough nut to crack, but Ralphie is right, embracing death puts things into perspective. But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there just isn’t changing some people. And it appears Ralphie has reached this conclusion also.

  “Don’t bother. Dee, Bobby, would you like to grab a coffee? I think we have about twenty-eight years’ worth of stories to catch up on.” It seems Kayla’s confession about the night we were conceived has somehow bonded my parents and Ralphie. Who knew?

  London slumps down onto the bed next to me, dumbfounded.

  My parents look at one another, then look at me. “Go, no more talk of sad things.” I shoo them out, unable to hide my smile. London, on the other hand, looks like he’s slipped into shock. I nudge him in the ribs to make sure he’s still breathing.

  “We would love to,” my mother says. “Kayla, we would love for you to come too.” My mom is extending the olive branch, and we all hold our breaths, awaiting her response.

  “I’d rather not. Ralphie, don’t bother coming home if you insist on defying me on this.”

  “I want a divorce, so I guess it’s you who won’t be coming home.” Ralphie is the brains, money, and clearly the heart of that place, and he’s finally taking back what’s his.

  Kayla quivers in rage, or maybe it’s sadness. I give up. But more importantly, I’m done caring. “You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” she snaps.

  London decides now is a good time to contribute. “I know the number of a good one.”

  Now is not the time to laugh, but forty-eight hours ago, I didn’t think I’d be laughing again. So, I give in as a snort-giggle escapes me. London bites his lip, attempting to contain his chuckles as his mother storms from the room.

  “Don’t worry, London. She’ll come around.”

  London nods, and it seems as though he’s only just seeing his dad for the first time. “Thank you.” His gratitude could relate to so many different things, but sometimes, it’s best not to overthink and just accept it for what it is.

  My parents and Ralphie bid us farewell, and both London and I lean forward, watching them laughing with their heads together as they walk down the hallway. Today is truly a strange day.

  We both take a moment because who knew dying could bring feuding families together. Well, three out of four isn’t too bad.

  London’s body cocoons mine as he shuffles in behind me. I lean back, sighing when I melt into his arms. “I can’t believe I almost lost you,” he whispers, pressing his lips against my hair. “I was so scared.”

  “Me too,” I confess, shaking the image from my mind.

  “Remember that day on the bleachers?”

  I chuckle, recalling the day well. “How can I forget? It’s the day I got my first black eye,” I quip, while London groans as he too recalls the reason—it was in the shape of a football he threw.

  “We were so young and dumb.”

  “Speak for yourself,” I tease, giggling when he squeezes me gently.

  “We’ve been through so much. Our story is quite exceptional.”

  And he’s right, it is.

  It’s going to take a lot more than a vial of poison to get rid of me. And it appears a gunshot to London’s chest can’t keep a good man down. We’ve got this Romeo and Juliet thing under control, even if the roles were reversed and we didn’t succumb to the stars…but this is our story, our chain of events, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

  “What happens now?”

  London breathes into my hair, thinking. “Well, do you know anyone who wants to a buy a bar for cheap?” I’m glad he doesn’t want to keep it. After everything that happened, I couldn’t stomach going back.

  A thought hits me, and I can’t believe it took me this long to figure it out. “Let’s go home.”

  “Home?” He has every right to be confused because once upon a time, New York was my home. But like a snail, which seems fitting seeing as that’s how long it’s taken for me to finally come to this conclusion, I’ve outgrown my shell. It’s time to find a new home, or rather, go back to the one that’s always been big enough for two.

  “Yes, I want to go back to LA. I’m done running. I’m done with the excitement. I want boring. Give me boring,” I all but plead.

  London laughs, gently turning me as he tries not to disturb the wires attached to me, so I’m straddling his lap. Even though I’m wrapped in bandages and probably look like a bird has nested in my hair, he still makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world.

  “You could never be boring, Princess. So we’re doing this?”

  I nod happily, unbelieving I’m excited to go back to a place I was once so desperate to leave. But truth be told, I was running away from me.

  “I still want to open another bar, if you do?”

  “Well, technically, I will be unemployed, so I’d be happy to call you boss.”

  Those stormy eyes lure me in with promise, and I melt into a gooey mess. “What shall we call it? Absinthe of the Heart is what started it, so we need a name to finish it.”

  We’re both silent, pondering on what the perfect name can be.

  When his tattoo of the word defy comes into view, I smile as does he. “Defiance of the Heart?” he suggests, and I couldn’t have said it better myself. “Being without you is defying my heart…”

  “As does mine,” I whisper, wrapping my arms around his nape. “Then it’s settled. Here’s to never bei
ng defiant again.”

  His husky laugh provokes extremely inappropriate thoughts while I’m naked and straddling his lap. “Can I get that in writing?”

  No, but he can get something else. “Sometimes”—I lower my lips a hairsbreadth away from his— “it’s okay to be a little defiant.”

  “Oh, Princess, tell me more.” He gently weaves his hand under my gown, coming to stop at my side, over my tattoo.

  “First things first…” He waits with breathless anticipation as I gently slip my hands under his shirt, not wanting to hurt him. His flesh is warm and sweet, and it’s all mine. “Put that ring back on my finger.”

  He opens his mouth, closing it with a smirk. He complies and slips them on. I feel whole once more. “Now, where were we?”

  “Right about here…”

  “Daddy!”

  London chuckles against my neck, and I smile, quickly untangling myself from his lap. Emily comes bouncing into the room, none the wiser to our defiance. “Holland, you’re awake! I was so worried. Here.” She passes me a pink giftbag before hugging London tightly. “This is for you. Mommy helped me pick it out.”

  I’m so happy she doesn’t look too affected by what she saw.

  Belle trails in behind Emily, appearing sheepish, but there is no need to be. “I’ll be outside. I just wanted to make sure Emily got in okay.” She hooks her thumb toward the waiting room, but I jolt up.

  We’re not going to be BFFs, but I can offer her friendship, which is a start. “No, Belle, don’t. Stay.”

  Her gentle eyes widen. “It’s okay?”

  After what she did, of course it is. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where we’d all be right now. She has made amends. It’s time to move on. “Yes. Come sit with me, like old times.”

  She enters the room, wiping away her tears, while Emily stares at us. “How do you know my mommy?”

  I curse my sentimental thoughts, but Belle instantly puts my mind at ease. “Holland and I were friends.”

  “You were?” Emily gasps.

  “Yes, best of friends,” she adds, and I smile because we once were.

  Emily seems to ponder on what Belle said, then she jumps onto the bed, far more interested in another topic. “Open your present.”

  Her honesty is exactly what we need, and I do as she says. The big white box has me cocking a brow. London shrugs because he has no idea what it is. When I open the lid, Emily giggles. “It’s a nutcracker! Mine is broken thanks to Daddy being so clumsy, so this is my present to you, which you can give back to me now.”

  “What?” I ask, laughing. “Did you just buy your own present?”

  “Ah-ha.”

  Belle shakes her head, hands raised in denial. “This is all her.” Emily snuggles into my side, stroking the nutcracker’s face.

  I can only hope with age, she won’t remember all the horrible things she saw. I’m glad her ears and eyes were covered for the most part. But she is London and Belle’s daughter—she is a fighter.

  We talk for hours, and it isn’t forced. Belle only leaves after the tenth not so subtle reminder from the nurse that visiting hours ended two hours ago. She leaves with the promise to see us tomorrow.

  I am beat, but the thought of London leaving has me fighting to stay awake. When the nurse returns, I’m surprised to see her with a pillow and blanket in hand. When she notices my confusion, she laughs. “Your husband is a hard man to say no to.”

  “Don’t I know it,” I reply, looking at him as he shrugs innocently.

  He tosses the blanket and pillow onto the chair and is about to get comfy when I sit up and demand, “What are you doing?”

  He looks at me and then the chair. “Sleeping?” He phrases it as a question, unsure if he’s said the right thing.

  “Have you been sleeping there for the past two days?”

  “Maybe,” he counters. My heart swells.

  Shuffling over, I pat the small space beside me. I don’t have to ask him twice. He climbs into the bed, and we turn so we’re face to face. I settle into the pillow, looking at him closely. We’ve come so far and beaten the odds.

  Love does triumph all. The man beside me proves it.

  “Good night, London.”

  “Good night, Princess,” he sleepily says, his eyes slipping shut. He looks at peace finally because it’s our turn…it’s our turn to live.

  Placing my hand on his chest, where my name sits over his beating heart, I smile. Sometimes, fairy tales really do come true because this princess just got her happily ever after.

  Read other books by Monica James

  My wonderful husband, Daniel. I love you. Thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

  My ever-supporting parents. You guys are the best. I am who I am because of you. I love you.

  My agent, Kimberly Brower from Brower Literary & Management. Thank you for your patience and thank you for being an amazing human being.

  My publicist—Nina Bocci. Thank you for organizing my life. Your support means the world to me. Thank you for always being there.

  My editor, Jenny Sims. What can I say other than I LOVE YOU! Thank you for everything.

  My proof-readers—Rosa Sharon from iScream Proofreading Services and Lisa Edward. You guys are the best!

  Sommer Stein, you NAILED this cover! Thank you for being so patient and making the process so fun.

  Christina and Lauren, Tina Gephart, Elle Kennedy, Lisa Edward, SC Stephens, Vi Keeland, Anna Todd, R.K. Lilley, Colleen Hoover, Sylvain Reynard, Kylie Scott, Mia Sheridan, Lexi Ryan, Helena Hunting, Tijan, Rachel Van Dyken, Geneva Lee, Penelope Ward, Cheri—Kindle Crack Book Reviews, Mary Matta, Jennifer Spinninger, Lauren Rosa—CherryRed’s Reads, Kimberly Whalen, Gemma, Louise, Heyne, Random House, Kinneret Zmora, Hugo & Cie, Planeta, Art Eternal, Carbaccio, Fischer, Harper Brazil, Bookouture, Egmont Bulgaria, Brilliance Audio, Hope Editions, USA TODAY/ Happy Ever After, Buzzfeed, Aestas Book Blog, Talkbooks, Natasha is a Book Junkie, The RockStars Of Romance, Hugues De Saint Vincent, Nikki McCombe, Romance Writers of Australia, Paris, New York—Thanks for the support and laughs.

  To the endless blogs that have supported me since day one—You guys rock my world. A special shout-out to: Donna Cooksley Sanderson, Ria Alexander, Anne Christine, Melissa Teo, Nadine Colling, Amy Jennings, Mindy Guerreiros, Gel Ytayz, Melissa Gill.

  My reader group; My Sinners—sending you all a big kiss.

  My beautiful family—Mum, Papa, my sister—Fran, Matt, Samantha, Amelia, Gayle, Peter, Luke, Leah, Jimmy, Jack, Shirley, Michael, Rob, Elisa, Evan, Alex, Francesca, and my aunties, uncles, and cousins—I am the luckiest person alive to know each and every one of you. You brighten up my world in ways I honestly cannot express.

  Samantha and Amelia— I love you both so very much.

  To my family in Holland and Italy, and abroad. Sending you guys much love and kisses.

  Zia Rosetta and Zia Giuseppina—you are in our hearts. Always.

  My fur babies— mamma loves you so much! Buckwheat, you are my best buddy. Dacca, I will always protect you from the big bad Bellie. Mitch, refer to Dacca’s comment. Jag, you’re a wombat in disguise. Bellie, you’re a devil in disguise. And Ninja, thanks for watching over me.

  To anyone I have missed, I’m sorry! It wasn’t intentional!

  Last but certainly not least, I want to thank YOU! Thank you for welcoming me into your hearts and homes. My readers are the BEST readers in this entire universe! Love you all!

  Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

  When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

  She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and The U.K.

  Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia,
with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

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