Running Scared: Sequel to Special Delivery (The Billionaire's Baby Book 2)

by S Cinders

  His gaze snapped to hers, “What are you talking about?”

  She laughed but there was only harshness in the tone, “You obviously are okay with fucking me. I never even wanted to go into this line of work. Did you know that? I just wanted to be close to you. Ever since we were young I wanted to mean something to you, anything more than just friends with benefits. I am a slow learner, but I have finally caught on.”

  “That is bull shit, Gina, and you know it!”

  His angry tone had her temper soaring.

  “Fucking hell are you now telling me how I can feel?” she was incredulous.

  He shook his head, “No, that isn’t what I meant. I heard you, Gina, when we were kids. I heard you say something about my birthmark and how you could never love someone like that.”

  Instead of a guilty look on her face, she laughed, “I don’t know what you think you heard or who, but I have never once stopped loving you. Don’t you get it? I have been in love with you since we were kids! Sure, people used to say crap to me, but it was mostly girls that were jealous and wanted you for themselves.”

  He scoffed, and Gina took his jacket off and threw it at him, “Don’t believe me? I don’t care. It’s the truth. You can’t take snippets of conversations Marco and decide our entire future from them. I can’t keep doing this. It’s killing me.”

  Marco could feel the terror enter his blood. Had he ruined everything?

  “Gina, I don’t know what to believe.”

  Tears started to spill down her cheeks, “It doesn’t matter. It’s too late, don’t you see? We had our chance. Look, don’t be afraid that I will cut you out of the baby’s life because I won’t. I was mad before, but you and I both know the baby is yours.”

  All the fear of rejection and stupid prejudice that he had harbored all of these years fell away and, in its place, Marco saw what he had right in front of his face. What kind of fucking idiot pushed the woman he loved away?

  “Gina, I am so sorry. I messed up.”

  She looked away, her eyes glistening with more tears, “I don’t want you to be sorry, Marco. I just want to be finished with this. All we do is hurt each other over and over again. That isn't loving.”

  Marco could feel her pulling away from him, “No, Gina, you were right. I was just afraid. I do love you, I’ve always loved you.”

  The look on her face was heartbreaking, “I know you do, Marco. But it isn’t enough.”

  “What does that mean?” his skin felt heated and his heart had sunk to his toes, “It isn’t too late. It's never too late.”

  Gina shook her head, lips trembling, “I can’t do it anymore.”

  “Let me prove it to you,” Marco pleaded, “Let me show you that I can change. I know I am a fuck up and don’t deserve you. I didn’t think anyone could love me with this birthmark on my face. I was wrong, I was so fucking wrong.”

  Gina’s shaking fingers covered her mouth and she looked so young and afraid. Marco had never even considered that he could lose her.

  “Please,” his voice was thick with emotion, “One more chance.”

  She met his eyes and held his gaze. For a long moment, she held his dark eyes. And just when he feared that all was lost she gave a short nod.

  “One chance, but only until this mess with Shay is over.”

  Marco flew out of his seat and wrapped his arms around her. But Gina didn’t melt against him like she had in the past. She was going to make him earn it.

  CHAPTER 20 – Will

  “I need to speak with Elliot Brand.”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line before the secretary inquired, “And may I ask to which this is concerning?”

  I sighed not having time for this shit, “The safety of his wife and child, this is Will Jennings. He will take the call.”

  The woman put me on hold and I ground my teeth until the phone was picked up.

  “You have some fucking nerve, Jennings to call here.”

  I knew that Brand would be pissed, but there wasn’t any other choice.

  “Look, I’m not threatening your family. But I do know of a threat that is out there. And I know that someone I care about would never forgive me if I didn’t tell you.”

  Brand was seething on the other end of the line, “Go ahead.”

  “Do you remember a woman named Emma Graves?”

  Brand blew out a breath, “Vividly.”

  I was thankful that he didn’t hang up yet, but I could tell that I hadn’t earned his trust. “Look, Emma has a vendetta out for Shay.”

  He interrupted, “We are no longer involved in Shay Montgomery’s life.”

  I wanted to pound my fist into his face, “Just wait a fucking moment. This Emma chick has it out for Shay. But what makes this dicey is that she has involved her boyfriend, Renaldo.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  “Brand, I have intelligence that they might be coming after your wife. Emma knows how much Mandy means to Shay. I know that you both hate her. And frankly, yeah, she did some bad shit. But the woman has been through hell and back. Even still she is desperate to protect Mandy if she knew about this threat she would never have left the country.”

  “Where are you?” Brand barked out, “You can’t just tell me my family is in danger and then disappear. Why should I trust you?”

  I laughed, “You shouldn’t. That would be a huge mistake. But I am not lying to you. I care enough about her to try and protect you. If you and your wife are willing there will be a jet at the airport leaving at 9:00 pm tonight. It will bring you to a safe location. If you don’t I know that I tried.”

  Brand scoffed, “Shay fucked Mandy’s brother. She said horrible things to Mandy, why would she try and protect her?”

  “I guess you have to ask yourself that. I’m not asking either of you to forgive Shay. But a part of me can’t help but wonder what kind of person harbors a grudge against a woman that has paid her debt to society. Life in prison isn’t easy, Brand. Neither is getting off of drugs or dealing with your demons, but that is what she has been doing. And now she’s running for her life. Look, I don’t care if you board the plane or not. But for her, I had to do something.”

  I slammed the phone down before I could say anything else. My heart was already hanging on my fucking sleeve and I didn’t need my guys to comment on it.

  Marco was silent beside me. When I got back to the villa I only had a few moments to eat dinner and kiss Shay before we left again. Things were looking like Redmond was going to attack in two areas. He wanted to split our reserves between the city and Italy.

  I was one hundred percent serious with Brand, I wouldn’t send anyone to save him or his family. The jet is the only offering that I can make. I have full forces allocated here along with my cousin’s men we should be impenetrable.

  “Do you think he will come?” Marco’s question brought me out of my revelry.

  “I have no idea,” I started the car and headed back toward the estate. The rolling countryside so different from the city.

  “Your cousin is a fucking prick,” Marco rubbed the back of his neck and I smiled looking over at him.

  “What has Julio done now?”

  Marco closed his eyes, “It’s my baby.”

  I laughed, “No shit!”

  He scowled, “I know, I’m a gigantic idiot.”

  I couldn’t help but commiserate with the man. I too loved somewhere that promised a grisly end.

  “How does Julio play into that?” I asked.

  “Shay and Julio locked Gina and me in the library.”

  I bit back another laugh, “How did that go?”

  He shrugged, “She said she loved me and always had.”

  “It doesn’t sound bad so far,” I said encouragingly.

  “She said it was too late.”

  The words were ripped from his throat and I could feel the heartache radiating from him.

  My jaw clenched, “It’s never too late unless y
ou give up.”

  He nodded.

  We were silent the rest of the way back, it was early morning before the sun had begun to rise. I couldn’t remember a time when I was more tired than at that moment. I went to my room and smiled when I saw Shay sprawled across the sheets.

  Her little pajamas were snug and mouthwatering as I just sat for a moment and stared at her. It pissed me the fuck off that Brand and his wife still carried a grudge. Couldn’t they find an ounce of kindness in their hearts to let it go? It wasn’t like she wanted to be part of their lives. Shay just wanted their forgiveness and no matter what they may have said it was clear she didn’t have it.

  Shay stirred on the bed, “Will?”

  I removed my clothing down to my boxer briefs and approached, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  Her eyes were tired as she gave me a faint smile, “You didn’t. I was waiting up.”

  I couldn’t help the warmth that washed over me. When was the last time someone had waited up for me? Had given a damn if I even came home at night? The tightening in my chest became almost unbearable.

  I leaned down and kissed her sweet mouth, “You need your rest.”

  Shay pulled me into the bed and cuddled up into my arms, her body the perfect fit against mine. I wondered how I would ever go to sleep with her amazing body surrounding me.

  She began to trace lines on my chest and I was done for. My lips found hers in an almost frenzied movement. I couldn’t help the terror that raced through my veins. This woman was starting to mean more to me than the air I breathed.

  I fucking hated that someone was trying to hurt her, no, kill her. I yanked at her clothes until they flew to the floor and in seconds I had one of her perfect tits in my mouth. Sucking and pulled I lapped at the nipple until it was rock hard and then moved on to do the same to the other one.

  Her legs parted open and my length nestled against her heated flesh. It felt too incredible that I had to catch my breath. I didn’t want to hurt her, but everything inside of me was screaming to conquer, make her mine. I wanted to mark Shay so that she was mine and everyone would know it. It was animalistic, but I didn’t care.

  “Please,” she pleaded, and I drove to the hilt.

  Her nails scaled my arms as I pounded into her again and again. Her body’s juices making a sound with every pass. She was so wet, so needy, and I knew that she felt the urgency just as badly as I did.

  Our fucking was frantic like we were holding on tightly despite the knowledge that unseen forces were trying to pull us apart.

  My cock felt deeper than it ever had, it was wetter, tighter. I couldn’t explain how incredible it was with Shay.

  She screamed as the pleasure hit and the intense gripping of her walls sent me hurtling into my own release. I panted and thrust through every last spurt until she had milked me dry.

  “Will?” her voice was panicked, not what I was expecting after such mind-blowing sex.

  “What is it?” I was still buried inside of her, the moment intensely intimate.

  “We forgot a condom.”

  CHAPTER 21 – Shay

  “For heaven’s sake would you please just sit down?” Gina scowled at me. “I am supposed to be mad at you and I can’t even do that properly with you freaking out.”

  “You don’t understand,” I was wringing my hands wearing out a hole in the carpet. “She hates me, Gina, they both hate my guts and now because of me they are forced to come here.”

  Gina raised a brow, “Unless you are God and can control what that bitch Emma does, it is not your fault.”

  “I introduced them, Gina!” I insisted.

  She scoffed, “Brand is one the wealthiest companies in New York besides maybe Sutton Enterprises. Do you honestly think that he hasn’t made enemies of his own? Look, I get that you are crawling with guilt. But isn’t it part of your recovery to let it go?”

  I looked up at her with a hollow expression and she jumped to her feet.

  “Shay,” don’t listen to me. I’m a pregnant bitch with too many hormones. I shouldn’t have been so callous about your program.”

  I shook my head, trying to reason out what she had said to me.

  “Please don’t be mad at me!”

  I took her hand in mine and answered her, “I’m not Gina. You are right.”

  She blinked, “I am?”

  “The eleventh step is seeking the help of a higher power, essentially putting it in God's hands. And then the last step is to help others who are in need. I was stuck on admitting I was wrong. And yeah, I did a lot wrong. But I hadn’t turned it over to God because I felt like I didn’t suffer enough for it.”

  Her gaze softened, “Oh Shay, I don’t know much about turning things to your God or whatever you believe in. But I know it’s time for you to let that shit go. Send it out into the universe girl, you are only hurting yourself.”

  I felt a lump in my throat, “You are right. I need to let it go. I’m just not sure how to do that.”

  There was a short knock on the door and then Marco entered. Gina tensed but didn’t move from my side.

  “Well?” she demanded shortly.

  “The Brand’s plane has arrived in Rome, they are in route to the villa as we speak.”

  I felt dread in the pit of my stomach.

  Gina turned to me, “Do you want to go swimming?”

  “Swimming?” I looked at her blankly.

  How could she think about swimming at a time like this?

  “Yeah,” she smiled, “You need to take your mind off things and we are in one of the most beautiful places in the world. Let’s go swimming.”

  Julio looked up from where he was reading, “That is a wonderful I idea, I think I will join you.”

  Marco’s jaw clenched, “I will as well.”

  We all turned to him knowing that Gina was assigned to me today.

  He cleared his throat, “For extra protection.”

  Julio didn’t bother to smother his broad smile, “But of course, Marco. We would love your—protection.”

  Marco turned on his heel and left before Gina and I could dissolve into laughter. The thought of the Don needing extra protection was clearly asinine. But it was so sweet that he was jealous of Julio.

  “You are mean to tease him,” I smiled at Julio.

  He shrugged, “A man worth anything will rise to the occasion when tested. If not, he isn’t good enough for you Gina.”

  I looked over at Gina whose cheeks had taken a pink hue.

  In confusion, she grabbed my hand, “Let’s go get changed.”

  We were just outside her room when I pushed inside after her and pounced, “Do you have feelings for Julio?”

  She shook her head, “Lord, no! It just caught me off guard for a moment. He has been charming since you arrived Shay, no doubt to lull us into a state of relaxation. He wants you to like him because he knows how important you are to his cousin. But don’t ever forget who he truly is.”

  A killer, that is what she was implying, and Gina was right.

  She placed a hand on my arm, “We are all not what we seem.”

  “I know that you want me to think I’ll of you Gina, but I won’t. Whatever your work has been I know who you are inside. I have known plenty of others that pretend to be good and are rotten to the core. At least, you are honest about what you do.”

  She bit her lip, “I have to get out. I can’t raise a baby this way.”

  I nodded, “Will has said that he would let you out?”

  “Yeah,” she gulped, “This is our last mission.”

  That word caught my attention—our.

  It stayed with me as we played in the warm Italian sun. I felt my skin darkening and of course, gained a few freckles along the way. We received word that Mandy, Elliot and their child had arrived and were resting in their rooms.

  Despite the fact that I wanted to freak out, I stayed and swam until my body was good and tired. We went in to shower and change for dinner. I steeled myself
with the knowledge that Mandy might refuse to even eat in the same room as I did.

  After slipping into a summer dress I was just adding lip-gloss when I heard a knock on my bedroom door.

  “It’s open Gina,” I called out, thankful that she hadn’t left me to enter the dining room by myself.

  “It’s not Gina.”

  My head snapped up at the sound of Mandy’s voice. I couldn’t form words so I just stared at her. The marriage had been wonderful to my friend despite the current drama we was in. She had put on a few pounds with the pregnancy and didn’t look so terribly thin. Her long blond hair was in a loose braid over her shoulders. Those honest blue eyes staring right back at me.

  “May I come in?” she asked.

  I nodded, “Of course, please do.”

  “I pictured this in my head a thousand times,” her voice was tense. “I had a million things I wanted to say to you, scream at you if we are being honest. I have spent the past year being so angry with you that I didn’t stop to think about anything else, anyone else.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I blurted out, my eyes shiny with unshed tears.

  Mandy nodded, “I know you are.”

  “But you still hate me?” I couldn’t help the question escaping.

  She slowly shook her head, “I don’t hate you, Shay. I did. But when Mr. Jennings called and spoke with Elliot he said something that I just couldn’t shake.”

  “Will called Elliot?” I repeated stupidly.

  Mandy nodded, “He told him about the danger that we were in and who was behind it. I knew that Emma was trouble, but I had no idea to what degree.”

  I gulped, “What did Will say?”

  “Something about, what kind of person won’t forgive someone who has paid the debt and is trying to make things right. I don’t know the precise words, I am just paraphrasing. But Elliot said that Jennings didn’t want to offer the plane to bring us here. It was only because of you; how much he loves you that he called.”

  Another tear escaped, “He doesn’t love me, not like that.”

  Mandy shook her head, “You’re wrong about that. He might not have said it to you, but only a man in love would do what he did. And I know it is because you wanted us to be safe. How can I hate you, Shay? When you are trying to save our lives?”