The Cowboy's City Girl - An Enemies To Lovers Romance

by Emerson Rose

  Marcus

  My fucking head hurts, again. It’s different this time. It’s not the familiar sharp axe cutting my brain in half. This is more of a constant ache. And I’m thirsty as hell.

  I drank too much, way too much. That fucking doctor had me on edge and the alcohol helped dull my anxiety.

  The dim light in the room hurts my eyes when I open them. I thank God for that. Every time I open them I pray that I’ll still be able to see. I love looking at my gorgeous brave queen.

  I reach out and find her half of the bed empty and undisturbed but when I sit up, I see her shoes tossed haphazardly on the floor. It’s so easy to put shoes in their place in the closet, why doesn’t she do that?

  No matter; she can destroy the room if she likes, as long as she doesn’t leave me again. I can’t live through that, I won’t.

  So, we have shoes, but no beautiful woman. I reach into the bedside table for my phone and speed dial Elijah. He is on watch tonight and I need to know where my Imani has gone.

  “Elijah, where is Imani?” I get straight to the point as always. I don’t fuck around with manners or protocol, just give me what I want. That’s how I like things to be.

  Something’s wrong. Elijah is breathing fast, running I think, when he answers, “In the kitchen, with Brian. I thought everything was OK until she started signaling me. I think she’s going to pass out.”

  Fucking hell, I go to sleep for a few minutes and that woman has gotten herself into trouble already!

  I throw the phone across the room with monumental force and watch it explode into a million pieces before I’m up and running.

  One single solitary image in my malformed, tangled-up brain flickers on repeat: Imani and Brian, in the kitchen, alone, and she is panicking. Fucker. I knew something was wrong the second I met him. He’s shady. I could see the lust in his eyes for my Imani, MY Imani!

  I take the steps three at a time but lightly hold onto the banister. No peripheral vision is hampering my ability to get to her quickly. I barrel through the house like a bull in a china shop. Why is the goddamn kitchen so far from our bedroom? And, for fuck’s sake, why is she wandering around alone?

  The kitchen is straight ahead. I see the tail end of Elijah as he turns the corner beating me by mere feet and I was twice as far away. I round the corner and the little bit of vision I have left goes red.

  Imani is fainting and that bastard Brian has his hands all over her, easing her to the ground, touching her face, smoothing her hair away from her eyes.

  I am no longer in control of myself. I’m not the man Imani loves or the one she fears. An animal with no conscience has replaced both sides of me. I am a fireball of pure rage. The need to dominate and destroy anyone who comes between Imani and me is overwhelming.

  I’m going to kill that little fucker. I don’t care if he’s the only dumb ass on earth willing to perform my surgery. I wasn’t going to let him touch me anyway, not after I saw the way he looked at her.

  He is under her spell; the way I am but the difference is I benefit from her witchcraft and he does not, he will not.

  Sixty-Eight

  I’m really tired of hospitals, all of them. Working in them, being in them, visiting them. At least this one is modern compared to the one Marcus took me to for my neck injury.

  This is the hospital where Dr. Carlson was supposed to remove Marcus’s tumor. It’s where we were supposed to be set free from the terror of separation, where our forever was supposed to begin.

  Instead, I’m being discharged from the ER after fainting again. The paramedics brought me along because of the chaos that was going on around me when the ambulances arrived at the house.

  When I woke up, I found myself propped against Elijah watching paramedics swarm the kitchen tending to a moaning, bloody Brain. Marcus was unconscious and being lifted onto a stretcher and the scene unfolded in slow motion around me.

  I try to get up but my legs won’t do what I tell them to.

  “Hey there, take it easy now. He’s going to be alright, they had to sedate him to keep him from killing your doctor friend.” I relax against him for a moment and regroup.

  “Is Brian OK?”

  “I don’t know,” he says with a long exhalation. He sounds defeated and tired.

  “Elijah, what did he do?” He stands and helps me up silently. It feels like he’s stalling.

  “Elijah, tell me, what did he do?” I turn and face my only friend here in Italy. The only person who understands how it feels to be a part of Marcus’s world and the complications of being in it.

  “Imani, he was deranged, absolutely detached from reality, homicidal. He would have killed him if I hadn’t pulled him off of that poor man. Mr. Black called the ambulance as soon as he knew Marcus was on the move. His temper is, well, it’s nothing to tamper with.”

  The information Brian gave me suddenly returns to the forefront of my mind.

  “Elijah, is Marcus part of the Italian Mob?” I whisper reaching out to hold onto his arm for support. Tears spring to my eyes as I look to him for emotional support as well.

  His silence is my answer but denial is a strong force and one I’m willing to keep holding on to until I’m absolutely sure. He pulls me into a tight embrace and I know.

  A shockwave of disbelief travels through me and finds its home in my heart.

  This is a defining moment.

  I have to make a decision. Stay and be strong and support the man I love despite who he used to be and who everyone still thinks he is. Or, let him go and attempt to start over.

  I don’t even realize I’m sobbing until a paramedic touches my shoulder and asks me if I’m OK. I want to scream at him that no, I’m not fucking OK. My life is a horrible mess and I’m trying to make an impossible decision.

  Elijah scoops me into his strong arms and I bury my face in his chest.

  “She fainted. I think she’ll be alright but can you please look her over?”

  He takes me outside into the cool air to one of the many ambulances in the driveway and crouches next to me at eye level to be sure his words will be heard.

  “Imani, you need to think about this. I know you love him. I wanted to tell you what you were getting into that first day I met you in the hospital.”

  “Then why didn’t you?”

  “I saw how he was with you, how different he had become and I love him, too. I wanted him to be happy. I’ve never seen him so content and, to be honest, I was afraid if I told you and he found out… well, you saw what happened here tonight. He will destroy anything that threatens his relationship with you.”

  I was going to be angry with Elijah for not telling me but who the hell could blame him for wanting to stay alive? How did I get involved in this mayhem? I can’t think straight. I can’t think at all. I stare at Elijah’s beautiful face and wait for him to tell me what to do. I need someone to take control and guide me in the right direction.

  “Go to the hospital and let them look you over. I’ll ride with Marcus and check on you when we get there, alright? Will you be OK alone for a little bit?”

  ‘Will you be OK alone?’

  His words bounce around in my shocked mind.

  ‘Will you be OK alone?’ The simple answer to that is no, I will not. My neurotransmitters choose this exact moment to go into hyper overdrive, flooding me with the chemicals needed for hope and determination.

  The decision has been made. Was there really any decision to make? I will not be OK without him. I’m staying and I am going to fight for Marcus. Whatever it takes, I’m in it for the long haul.

  I’m sure I’ll be tested and filled with stories and information I don’t want to hear but none of it can matter. I can’t even think of a life without him.

  I can’t move forward knowing that he still exists on the same planet without me; it’s not possible. So, he’s a Mob leader, and a murderer, and he has lethal enemies who want to see him dead.

  That’s not the man I know, and that’s al
l that matters. We will rise above this and make a new life together, face the demons head on. ‘Think positive, Imani,’ I tell myself.

  Your life depends on it.

  I look up and down the long bright hallway outside the emergency room and wonder where they’ve taken Marcus. And where is Elijah? He said he would be here. I can’t even ask anyone because I don’t speak a lick of Italian.

  I approach the nurse’s station and the plump receptionist speaks to me in Italian.

  “I don’t speak Italian. I’m looking for Marcus Castillo,” I say. Unpleasant recognition clouds her face.

  She pulls her round body from the chair and for a second I worry that it’s stuck to her behind but she makes it out, barely. She points down the hall and starts to walk away. I follow her waddling figure as she ushers me to the trauma area of the ER.

  Elijah is sitting outside a glass room with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. I thank the woman and rush to his side.

  “Elijah, how is he? Is he awake yet?” When he lifts his face to mine, I gasp. His eyes are red rimmed and he’s visibly shaken. I take steps backward and thrust out my hands to prevent him from telling me what I think has happened.

  “No, no, no, please, Elijah.” He jumps up from his seat.

  “Oh, Imani, no, he’s still here, he’s not…” Relief smacks me so hard it nearly knocks me over.

  “God, Elijah, you made my heart stop!” He folds me into a hug again for a short moment and then holds me at arm’s length.

  “I’m sorry. But I do have to tell you something.” I brace myself for whatever he’s about to say but, as long as he’s alive, I can deal with it.

  “He’s in a coma again. They reversed the sedative but he didn’t wake up. The way the doctor talked it sounded like they aren’t sure if he ever will.”

  I don’t even allow myself to react this time. I make my way to the glass door and slide it open. Marcus is lying in yet another hospital bed attached to a ventilator that is softly pumping his lungs full of air. I listen to the familiar click the ventilator makes with each breath it provides him.

  I thought there were no more tears left to shed but the sight of him broken and helpless proves me wrong. Tears stream down my cheeks for a few minutes while I take in the scene. I let them come for a moment before fiercely scrubbing them away and straightening my spine.

  I have to be strong enough for both of us now. This is one time he can’t tell me to let him do the worrying. This is all on me.

  I step to his side and Elijah stands on the threshold of the room hesitant to interrupt but I motion him to come in.

  “Sit.” I say, and Elijah pulls up two chairs next to the bed. I don’t sit, not yet. There will be plenty of time for that I’m afraid.

  I take his hand in both of mine and lean over and speak directly into his ear.

  “Marcus, it’s me, Imani. I’m here. It’s time to start fighting. I’m not leaving you. I know who you were. I know about your past but it doesn’t matter to me. You and I are in this together, forever, remember?”

  I bring his hand to my chest and press it against my heart.

  “I’m not doing this alone, so get yourself back here to me. Do you understand? And, by the way, that’s not a request it’s an order. I’ll sit in this damn chair next to your bed forever if I have to. I know you can do it, I’ve seen it before. I love you, Marcus Dante Castillo. You go, I go. It’s all up to you; keep me breathing, keep me existing. Bring your stubborn, bossy, insane loving ass back to me.”

  I glance back at Elijah and he scoots the chair closer so I can continue to hold Marcus’s hand and sit.

  “I’m serious, Elijah. I’m not leaving his side until he wakes up. I’ll need someone to bring me some clothes and Yes and No need watching. I also need his laptop and his calendar.”

  I’ve gone into a no-nonsense business mode. Things need to be done and he’s left me responsible. Less than twenty-four hours ago, I reluctantly accepted half of everything this powerful man possesses.

  I didn’t want any of it but I’m in charge and I don’t want to let him down. When he wakes up, his world will be just as it is today, maybe even a little better.

  “Imani?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What’s yes and no?”

  The corner of my mouth lifts in a tiny half smile.

  “My kittens. Marcus gave me two kittens today. One is black and the other is white. I named them Yes and No.”

  “Ah, okay, thank God. I was worried for a second there.”

  “No need to worry, I got this. He’s going to wake up soon. I know he's listening, and he’s too stubborn to let me boss him around.” Elijah’s eyes tell me otherwise, but I put on a brave front and I ignore it. He may have given up hope but I haven’t. He’ll wake up. He has to.

  Sixty-Nine

  They aren’t special, no, not special, not better than me. The gods have chosen me to be their leader. I am special. They tell me I am all the time, all the time, every day, they do, it’s true. Look at him, pretty boy, thinks he’s perfect, they both do, but I will show him. I will show her, too. The new one is good. I like her. She can stay. She will live. They are dark on the inside. She is light. They are evil, bad, killers, poison. They say I’m different but they are the ones who are bad. I am special, not different. Glory be to Tamila! I have to get rid of them; gone, gone, gone, they have to be gone, the gods told me so. Nobody wanted me, they didn’t know, didn’t know I was special and now they are gone and I can’t tell them. They loved that evil monster and his temptress sister. They locked me away but I’m free now, watching them. I see the smoke that surrounds them. Evil leaks out of them, the voices talk to me. They know, they know the world is ready for their queen but the devils have to die first.

  It’s so easy. He is sleeping. A machine breathes for him, switch it off, off, off, off, switch it off. But the good one guards him. She doesn’t know, she should know. I am the messenger and I am the queen. I must deliver the news to the pretty one; she needs to be saved. She won’t leave him. Why does she protect him? I will wait for the evil temptress to come, together, die together. Then the voices will be proud and quiet, I want them to be quiet. When it’s over, they will love me, Tamila the queen, yes, I like that, I like that very much.

  Elijah is gone. Marcus’s nurse brought a cot for me to sleep on in the room but I can’t let go of his hand. I know I will have to at some point. I already have to pee so bad it hurts.

  I should go and check on Brian. Elijah says he’s in bad shape. He has a broken nose, a fractured skull and internal bleeding.

  Marcus must have been an animal to do that much damage in such a short amount of time. A shiver runs up my spine when I think of how violent he must have been.

  Something else is bothering me. I can’t decide exactly what it is, but the sensation that something isn’t right is there. Nothing is right about this. If something were right, it would stick out like a sore thumb.

  I press a kiss on the palm of his hand and pray for him to come back to me. In the meantime, I have some serious damage control to do if I’m going to keep Brian on board.

  I only know one way to keep him interested in performing Marcus’s surgery. I don’t want to; in fact, it makes my skin crawl but I’ll do it. I’ll do anything to save Marcus.

  I’m going to have to make Brian believe that I’m leaving Marcus and that I am falling in love with him. Pretending to love someone else makes my stomach flop like a fish out of water.

  It’s a dangerous plan; one that could get somebody killed before it’s all over. After witnessing the aftermath of Marcus’s wrath tonight I have no doubt that he would kill Bryan if he so much as lays a finger on me.

  He can never know. In fact, the only person I can trust is Elijah. I can’t keep him in the dark. It would devastate him to think that I was betraying Marcus that way.

  I’m more and more curious about the strong feelings Elijah has for Marcus. I know he loves him; he’s tol
d me in those exact words but I wonder how much.

  I’m going to ask him, we’re close enough now and I think I have the right to know, or at least the right to ask.

  “Imani?” A soft knock on the door and a familiar voice pulls me from my thoughts.

  “Elena! Oh my God, I’m glad you’re here.” Marcus’s gorgeous leggy twin sister crosses the room in three long strides and hugs me tight.

  “Oh, Imani, what has he done? What on earth happened?” I pull away from the soft material of her sweater and see that she isn’t alone. Enrique is right behind her.

  He looks at me with sympathetic eyes. They have been keeping Marcus’s secret, too, and Elijah must have told them I know. I wonder if they would have told me eventually.

  “Would you like the abridged version?”

  “Sure, just tell me what’s going on.”

  “He freaked out on the physician who’s supposed to do his surgery and almost beat him to death.”

  Elena heaves a deep sigh and moves to the opposite side of the bed to look down at my crazy beautiful man.

  “Oh, Marcus, why are you so self-destructive?” she asks, knowing she’ll likely never get an answer.

  “Imani, have they spoken to you about his condition?” Enrique asks stepping closer.

  I can’t tell if he’s asking to get the information or to confirm what he already knows.

  “I haven’t spoken to a doctor. Elijah told me that he was in a coma.” I’m not talking about this in front of Marcus. He can hear me, of that I’m completely sure. I don’t need him getting any ideas about this being a hopeless situation because it’s not. There is always a chance, always.

  I get that prickly feeling again, the hairs on my arms stand up and a palpation of anxiety flows through me from my head to my feet.

  Marcus is no longer a threat to me as long as he’s in a coma so I have no one watching me. Elijah and Black are taking a break from security duty. I had gotten used to constantly having a pair of eyes watching out for me. Without them, I feel exposed and vulnerable.