“Make a sound and I’ll blow her brains out.”
The butt of a gun was in my back, and I could see the reflection of a gorilla-sized man looking back at me. “I don’t want to kill your friend, but I will.”
“Nod if you understand.”
I nodded, and he dragged me from the bathroom with my best friend unaware.
Chapter 4
“Hello?” Abby was the last person I expected to hear from and just seeing her name made me feel like she wasn’t calling to ask me out for a cup of coffee. My life tended to deal hard blows. As much as I thought about the girl I met weeks ago, I knew, we could never be. Seeing her name on the screen was like a dream come true, but I personally knew life was far from a fairy tale.
“Is this Liam?” A startled voice asked on the other end.
“Yes, who is this?” I asked, steeling my voice.
“This is Robyn, the beautiful red hair you met in the club. I introduced you to Abby,” she said not stopping to check I knew who she was. “Where are you? You need to come right now. Some guy took Abby!” She screamed.
“What?” I asked, knowing every minute made a difference. I needed all the facts now.
“We were eating at Oso’s, she ordered the burger even though I totally ordered a salad. She started to get a little weepy and that’s not cute. Guys won’t come to flirt with us if one of us is crying. So I took her to the bathroom. Some guy came into the bathroom. I don’t know what he said to make her go with him. But one minute she was there and the next minute she wasn’t. I know she was taken though because she left her phone! How do you think I’m calling you right now? I only saw his feet under the stall but she told me you’re some kind of criminal,” she yelled accusatorily. “I don’t know what kind of mess you’re into but this is probably all your fault!” She waited a few seconds, “So get off your fine ass and go get my girl!”
I felt like a plague. My life was a sickness that infected everyone I touched. One bad decision. One moment of misplaced trust and the one girl I can’t stop thinking about is kidnapped. Less than 24 hours of talking and her life was on the line. I couldn’t find it in me to regret how we barely talked.
“Hello?” she asked with an attitude as if I didn’t hear her. How could I not?
“I’ll get her,” I said confidently. This was a fact.
“You better mister because I don’t know your last name, but I will find you and kill you myself. If something happens to my girl, it’s over for you.” She would have done well as a mobster’s wife. “Over!” she threatened and hung up.
If they took Abby, it wasn’t a matter of finding her. I knew where she was. It was a matter of if we make it out alive.
The Toretto family had three major mansions. Robert owned one, just on the outskirts of New Jersey. I guessed that’s probably where they took her. Dino, their father was conscious about the use of his house. His house was sacred and rarely used for business. Only for personal matters. Reno, the youngest son, was just getting inducted into the family affairs. His house was used mostly for hiding drugs and money, never used as the main hub for activity. Recently Robert had been more involved when it came to my assignments, I could only assume it was because he was beginning to take over the business. Dino wouldn’t live forever.
The drive was stifling, with my thoughts consuming me. I hate how I couldn’t evict Abby from my mind. I could see her body underneath my body. I could see us doing it again. I hated what she must think of me. I was not a drug dealer and just maybe, if I could get us out of this alive, she would give us a chance. It was a long shot, but as I climbed out of the car and was checked for guns, it was the only thing I clung to. They patted me down, and just missed the knife I had along my back.
“Robert,” I said to the man making my life a living hell. He was sitting behind his desk, in an oversized chair, like a typical man trying to assert his dominance. I wonder what exactly he was trying to compensate for. His two guards were posted around his desk. “Romeo, Al,” I said acknowledging everyone in the room.
He smiled, happy at my discomfort. He opened his arms wide and hospitably, “Liam, my old friend.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. “We’re not friends. You have something of mine. I need it back.”
He laughed and waved a hand to signal his other men. Two men dragged Abby out, handcuffed with her arms behind her back. Her mouth was taped shut doing nothing to stifle her muffled screaming.
“Really? Are the handcuffs necessary for a woman barely 110 pounds soaking wet?” I asked, assessing her body, she didn’t look hurt too bad. “She’s not dangerous.”
Robert actually frowned, “my guards think differently.”
One man was limping to stand beside her and stare menacingly at the back of her head. The one holding her had a black eye. She struggled fiercely against his arm. I actually smiled, impressed with her fight.
“Robert, I have paid my debts.” It was time to get us out.
“You have,” he nodded agreeing with my words though his face gave nothing away.
“Then why are we here? Let us go.”
Robert stood, to pace while he walked. “You know, when my father helped the son of a billionaire reclaim his legacy, I thought he was foolish. I thought he was wasting his money. But then I saw how great you were at enforcing and realized my father’s wisdom knew no bounds. You were so close to running daddy’s business into the ground and look at you now. We save your ass from bankruptcy, and this is how you repay me?” Robert yelled the final parts of his speech, stopping on the opposite side of the room.
He calmed himself, wiping the invisible creases from his suit. “We stepped up. Even though no one wanted to help you. It’s not hard, you intimidate and point my goons in the right direction. Your pretty hands barely get dirty.” He was intentionally prodding me.
“I told you I will not kill anyone.” Raising my voice would be counterproductive.
“So now, you’re too good for a little gang activity?”
“I already paid my debt,” I said.
He shrugged, “true, you did, but we all need a little grease on our wheels.”
“But who the hell decided I had to be the grease?”
He smiled like the cat that swallowed the canary, “That’s just the luck of the draw. I guess you’re just lucky.”
I looked at Abby, feeling so much between the three feet where she stood. I had thought of her for so long. The two weeks apart practically killed me. I missed her, and I hated I did this to her. I tried to tell her with my eyes how much I cared. I tried to tell her not to worry. I wanted my eyes to say, don’t be scared. But I don’t think she was getting the message.
Chapter 5
How do I get myself in these kinds of situations? I was so happy to see Liam. He looked even sexier mad. I listened as the mob guy talked and was relieved to hear Liam wasn’t actually some drug dealer or mass murderer. I couldn’t see past his face. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to tell me. I could only hope he could see that I wasn’t scared and that I trusted him. I sat in a cell for several hours and had time to think. I thought about so many things. I thought about Robyn and if she were safe. I thought about how we never got to get chocolate and about how late my period was. I thought about the last thing I had to eat was an early lunch and it was now well past dinner, I was hungry. I thought about how dirty I felt and how I had not been easy to take down. I wasn’t a punk. I fought like my life depended on it, and those jerks wouldn’t underestimate me again.
I knew he was here when they dragged me from the small cell but to see him in person, practically smoldering with his anger was a relief. His face was a balm on my bruised elbow and sore big toe. I held my breath hoping a reasonable resolution would come to pass. He tried, he really did, but I knew it was a lost cause when Robert, the head ruthless in charge walked towards the door.
“You will keep enforcing my father’s law and by extension, my own. We will keep your little girlfriend for insurance.” One
of the guys, pulled me back, trying to take me away but I wasn’t leaving Liam. I couldn’t. I knew he was the only thing standing between me and certain death.
Liam flew into action, fighting six men at once. They poured from the same door where Robert left. I stomped the foot of the jerk holding me closely. His breath smelled like Brussel sprouts, and I almost gagged when he grunted in pain but held me closer. Liam was moving in a blur, hitting, kicking, dodging and all I could make out were grunts. The first goon was shaved completely bald, though tattoos encompassed his smooth white skin. He threw a block with his left hand, tried to hook Liam’s left leg with his own, trying to throw him to the ground. Liam stepped forward and to his right, slapping his left hand against the middle of his opponent’s back as he slid past. The blow caught his opponent between his shoulder blades, driving the air from his lungs forcefully. His face made an impact into the ground. Liam grabbed his neck and thrust his head forward into the floor once more. His body slumped unconscious on the floor.
The second male was pierced on every possible orifice on his face, and I wished Liam would kill him by way of yanking them all out. He approached Liam from behind, and I panicked as they toppled to the floor. Liam rolled over out of the way as the pierced bully tried to punch him. He yelled in agony as his hands connected with the cherry glossed wood where Liam’s head was five seconds prior. The pain shot from his shattered bones up his shoulder and through his arm. He rolled away whimpering and gripping his arm.
Another attacker much bigger than the other men tried to kick him while he was down. Liam backed up quickly and stood. He reached behind him secretly grabbed the paperweight on the desk behind him before knocking the first man out unconscious. Now down to two men, he became more energetic and aggressive. The other attackers moaned on the ground, trying to collect themselves. The fourth man came at Liam like a hurricane, propelling his arms forward without aim. His brown skin in comparison to Liam‘s was the only identifiable marker of who was where. Liam pushed the base of his fist in the tall attacker, and the crunch of his nose was audible. The fourth aggressor dropped to one knee. Liam pulled him to his feet, almost tearing the collar. He hit him once, hard in the eye and the man slumped forward.
Liam worked his way towards me. He glanced my way often, never putting me behind him. Desperation washed over one of his attackers. Out of Liam’s peripheral, he watched a knife leave his distant aggressor’s hand. I squeaked shocked and sure it would hit him, but Liam’s reflexes were animal-like. At the last minute, he turned, and the knife lodged itself into the neck of the attacker’s partner causing him to choke on blood. He fell backward gurgling and holding his throat. The final assaulter lunged forward unapologetically, and his weight carried him into Liam’s fist. His head snapped back on impact, and he landed on the floor. Liam pounded his fists into his angular face, unrestrained until the man stopped twitching.
The man holding me moved quickly and held a discarded gun to my forehead.
“Move and I blow her head off.” I knew this man was serious. He was trembling, from fear or anger, I didn’t know. My head leaned back to the side of his gave me the perfect view of his deadened eyes. This might be the last time I see him. This might be the last chance I have to say goodbye.
Liam stood there helpless, no weapons in hand to stop this monster. Why was I so important? Why did I have to be the one? Why me?
“Liam, I’m pregnant,” I announced. “It’s true.” I talk, not knowing when the idiot would pull the trigger. Tears started to stream down my face, but my voice never faltered. “I know it was only one time, but I’m sure. I know it was only a one night stand, but I wanted more. You meant more to me. Please don’t let me die. I’m keeping the baby, and I want you to be a part of our lives.” I was sincere in my words, and I was sure that they would reach out. If this was the last moment, then I wouldn't regret putting it all in the air so that he could hear.
I have always wanted to be a mom. I’m 29 for God’s sake; the baby fever was real. The man leaned closer, putting his forehead against my smothered hair, pushing me farther into the butt of the gun.
“Say goodbye to your new baby daddy.”
Chapter 6
I really hate the villainous monolog. Why did the guy have to say a word? I was already pissed that I had to fight my way out of this ridiculous situation. It wasn’t enough that I was disrespected, betrayed and expected to work for Toretto. It was not enough that my heart was bursting open from love for a woman who refused to give up. Now, this man wanted to threaten the mother of my child.
Mortal danger brings clarity. I have always wanted to be a father and to know that was in reach was unfathomable. The conception was a little unorthodox, but I really liked this girl. She was feisty and not helpless. It wasn’t a thought that I would save Abby. In reality, I wasn’t saving her. She was saving me. She gave me a reason to not give up. I was not going to work for Toretto. I don’t care how long, or how far I had to run, I wouldn’t be alone.
He pulled her head sharply away, his chest heaving, anger still clouding his features. But my anger was deeper than any anger this one man could have at foiled plans. He was angry because he’d have to report we got away. But little did he know, he wasn’t going to threaten the mother of my child and make it out of here alive. That just wasn’t an option.
Pain was just an illusory sensation that the mind can shut down when need be. In a few moments, when the adrenaline rush dropped off and the swelling in my hands made it hard to make a fist, I would understand true pain. It would be nothing compared to how I would feel if I lost Abby. I had so many things I wanted to tell her. I never told her my last name. I never got the chance to ask if Abby was her real name or a nickname for Abigail.
There was a knife hidden beneath my shirt, and I grabbed it, flinging it with as much force as I could gather. It penetrated his pterion with no resistance. He presented the thin piece of his skull beautifully. While he was focused on taunting the love of my life, I was focusing on penetrating his bones all the way to the brain. The forehead is thick and possible to penetrate with a lot of velocity and momentum. The side of the head was not. The side of your skull is impossibly fragile and all I could see while he forced a gun into Abby’s scrunched face. The knife caused his head to reel backwards, and his entire body froze like a toy soldier, then slowly fell collapsed to the ground. Abby was trembling afraid to move a muscle.
“Abby?”
At the sound of my voice, she catapulted herself into my arms sobbing. Her tears wetting the curve of my neck gave me relief. I had her. She was in my arms. She was safe, for now, and as long as I could protect her, she would be safe forever. I critically scanned her face and exposed skin for bruises or cuts. It had washed over me. There was a feeling of security that I wanted to give her. She had watched me do the most gruesome of things, but I had done it all to protect her. I hoped that she would understand it. I couldn't have let them come back for her.
“You ok?” I asked, still looking over her body.
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Are you sure?” I asked, tilting her chin up to look into my eyes and caressing her cheeks.
She nodded sniffing. “I haven’t been late a day in my life.” She smiled teary eyed. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
I grabbed her, pulling her as close as we could into a hug. Her warmth was comforting after weeks of imagining what it would be like to be reunited. Her arms squeezed tightly around me, and I didn’t move, even as I winced in pain. After moments in her space, I pulled away to kiss her softly on her forehead and cheeks, enjoying her presence. Finally, I pressed my lips to hers. Every pain I could feel was worth her safety. We kissed tenderly, and I was grateful. When we broke apart, I grabbed her hand. Some part of me had to touch her. We gathered every weapon we could collect from the unconscious men and secret drawers in the room before finding the extensive garage. Robert’s car noticeably missing and we grabbed the most inconspicuous car. The high price of
each vehicle was more than evident. From cars to trucks, there were a plethora of wheels here. If we were going to move around and not risk catching the attention of subordinates, we'd have to keep it simple and plain. The keys were gratefully in the ignition. We both climbed in, and I couldn’t help myself revving the engine.
I sat still taking a moment to evaluate my body. I could feel at least one bruised rib and a laceration on my forehead. My hands were sore, and my left was noticeably swollen. No matter, I had worse in the past.
“So a baby huh?” I asked, putting the shades on from the car console.
“Yep,” she said relaxing her seat back.
“Can’t wait,” I said, pulling out from the driveway. I had no idea where we would go or how fast we would be getting there, but I was happy she was along for the ride. “Where do you want to go?”
“You sure there’s nowhere you have to be?” she asked, jokingly reminding me of our first night together.
I reached across to hold her hand, driving one handed the opposite direction of the city. “No place I’d rather be.”
We had a long road ahead of us. As long as Robert was out there, we’d be running for our lives. We wouldn’t be safe. Our baby wouldn’t be safe. Our friends wouldn’t be safe if they knew where we were. I didn’t have any family or friends, picking up and disappearing was easy for me. For Abby, that was easier said than done. Our first order of business was letting Robyn know she was safe and finding a place to bring a healthy baby into the world. I had no idea where we would go but I knew driving west was our best bet. The mob had ties in the big cities and preferred to stay on the east coast. The details were foggy but driving away, with her hand in my own, I felt confident it would all work out. Abby was alive; she was safe and in my arms. She leaned forward to turn on the radio. Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal came on, and I ad-libbed singing alone. “Abby, are you ok? Abby are you ok? Are you ok Abby?” She giggled, and the sound calmed my soul. I was something like a smooth criminal. Something like it but more like a criminal baby daddy, I chuckled at the words. Criminal baby daddy. I looked at Abby, appreciating the wind blowing through her short hair and had no problem with the title. Criminal baby daddy, I could be that for a while. It had a certain ring to it.
FOOTBALL ROMANCE: SECRET BABY ROMANCE: Going Pro (Bad Boy Alpha Male Pregnancy Romance) (Contemporary New Adult Sports Romance) Page 15
