by Rye Hart
He sighed and shook his head as I reached for my things.
“Give me the keys to your truck and I promise I’ll be quick. One store on the outskirts of town has everything I need, and I’ll stock up. A one-hour trip will allow me to stay here for a month, but I have to go get them.”
“I’ll go get them for you,” he said. “It’ll be safer for you that way.”
“They know who you are,” I said. “They know what you look like, but there’s a chance they don’t know about me, right?”
“Not a risk I’m willing to take”
“But you have to. I’m the safer bet going into town anyway. Is there anything else we need here?”
“Heather.”
“Damn it, Cameron. I’m not asking anymore. Give me the damn keys and tell me if there’s anything we need.”
I couldn’t dwell on the shock of what was happening any longer. I had to buck up and ride it out. Losing myself in my emotions and getting angry at him for what was happening wasn’t feasible. There was too much at stake. I could be angry at him once the threat passed, and I could yell at him once all of this had blown over. But I didn’t have any more morning sickness drops, and I’d had my last ginger ale for breakfast that morning, which meant my nausea would make an appearance full-force before dinnertime if I didn’t get anything to help with it.
As it was, my fear only came from his. His warnings were genuine, but I wasn’t exactly convinced they were warranted. Undoubtedly, he believed the threat was real. It would take more for me to buy into it, though. At the very least, no one would recognize me as being connected to Cameron. It’s not like I was some well-known person in the community an outsider would pay attention to.
He tossed me the keys, and I made quick work of getting into town. I stopped by the store and picked up four bottles of ginger ale before grabbing the packages of the morning sickness drops. I’d rather have too much than not enough. I rushed through the store to load up on things like toilet paper and snacks for Audrey since I figured she wouldn’t be heading to school for a while.
Just as I loaded everything into the back of Cameron’s truck, Nikki called. “So, what happened to this keeping me updated thing?”
“I’m sorry. Things have been a bit of a whirlwind around here,” I said.
“I can only imagine. I’ve come by your bakery twice, and you haven’t been open. What gives?”
“Just not feeling well. A lot has happened since we last talked.”
“Well, can you spare a moment for your best friend so we can update each other on our lives?” she asked.
I felt like shit. She didn’t even know I was pregnant. “Sure. I’ve got a few minutes to spare.”
“Glad I’m worth at least that.”
“Nikki.”
“I just want to see my best friend. Don’t worry, I’m pretty busy myself, so I won’t hold you up. I miss you, though, and I want to make sure you’re okay,” she said.
“I appreciate that. Where do you want to meet up?”
“I’ll come and get you from your apartment.”
“I’m not at my apartment,” I said. “I’ll drive to meet you somewhere.”
“Wait, you’re driving?”
“Like I said, it’s been a whirlwind.”
I hopped into Cameron’s truck and drove while talking with Nikki. She kept prying me for details, but I figured the least I could do was tell her all this in person. I pulled up to the coffee shop she frequented and got out, watching as her eyes locked with mine through the window of the shop. She gawked at the truck as I hung up the phone, and then I walked inside where she threw her arms around me.
“Never in a million years did I picture you as a truck girl,” she said.
“It’s not my truck,” I said. “It’s—”
Her eyebrows shot up. What name did I give her?
“It’s Andrew’s,” I said.
She narrowed her eyes at me as I drew in a deep breath.
“Are you still doing that surrogacy thing?”
“Not exactly,” I said.
“What does that mean?”
“Can we sit down for this?”
“Come on. I’ll get you a cup of coffee.”
“I can’t have it,” I said.
Her eyes whipped over to me as I flopped down into a chair. “You’re pregnant.”
“I feel like it’s been weeks since we talked,” I said.
“Because it has been. Damn near over a month now. Though part of that is my fault. Work took me out of town for the past couple of weeks. But still. If you’re not doing the surrogacy thing but you’re pregnant, does that mean you and Andrew worked things out?”
I couldn’t help the smile that slid across my face despite the path he and I were hurtling toward.
“Oh my gosh. You worked things out with him! Tell me everything, Heather. Now.”
“There really isn’t much to tell,” I said. “We abandoned the surrogacy thing because I told him I was getting too attached and that made him feel uncomfortable. Then, he came into the shop apologizing and talking about how he didn’t want to leave things like that between us.”
“Oh, I bet he didn’t,” she said with a grin.
“Things happened and … yeah. I’m pregnant. The same deal is in place. He’s covering everything and things like that. I’m staying at his place a lot so he can make sure I’m okay. My morning sickness is kicking my ass, and he wants to have a hand in helping me through everything.”
“Heather. That’s so awesome. That means you might not have to give up your child,” she said. “Are the two of you dating? Together? In a relationship? What are you?”
“I’m not sure,” I said. “But it also doesn’t worry me. He’s made it very clear he wants to be there for me and the baby, and that’s good enough for me for now.”
“So there’s still a chance you’re handing the child over to him before walking away.”
“I don’t think so, no. It’s all been a whirlwind. I mean all of this happened in the span of two weeks. The second I told him I was pregnant, he was excited and insisted I stay with him more so he could look after me. We haven’t had a lot of chances to talk about it, but what we have talked about is good.”
Nikki rose up from her seat and bent over to give me a hug. “I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“I know. I promise, I’m keeping guarded as much as I can. But that’s not all that’s happened since we last talked.”
She pulled back and scooted her chair closer to me as I drew in a deep breath.
“Charlie’s getting worse,” I said.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’ve had several run-ins with him lately, and a couple of them have been when Andrew and his daughter have been in the shop. And guess what that asshole did?”
“What?” Nikki asked.
“He threw a brick through Andrew’s window.”
“Say that again?”
“Yeah. That’s what Andrew told me. I didn’t believe him until I read the note for myself. Charlie threw a brick with a note attached to it through the man’s kitchen window.”
“What did the note say?”
“That if Andrew didn’t leave me alone, he would make sure he did.”
“That doesn’t even sound like Charlie,” she said. “Are you sure it was him?”
“Yeah, his writing hasn’t changed much since high school. That’s part of the reason I haven’t been opening the shop. I mean, my morning sickness has been rough, but I don’t feel comfortable around Charlie any longer. Even without the brick through the window thing, he’s been getting very territorial where it isn’t needed. The last time he came into the shop and saw me, I yelled at him to get out, that he wasn’t welcome unless he was a paying customer. And do you know what he told me?”
“What?”
“That I would regret talking to him like that.”
“The fuck is wrong with him?” she asked.
“I don’t know. But it ma
kes me nervous.”
“Did you tell the police?”
“Not yet.”
“You need to tell the police.”
“One thing at a time,” I said with a sigh.
“One thing at a time? What else is going on?”
“Nothing, it’s just—”
I put my head in my hands as I looked out the window, keeping an eye on the truck so nothing would get stolen out of the back of it.
“Right now, my main concern is trying to figure out where I fit in when it comes to Andrew’s life. That’s the priority.”
“I agree with you,” Nikki said. “And if that’s the priority, then you need to figure it out sooner rather than later, especially if you’re staying with him and his daughter. That little girl could grow attached to you, and that isn’t good if you aren’t going to be sticking around.”
Before I could tell my best friend I agreed with her, my phone rang.
“Where are you?”
“I’m just about to head back,” I said.
“You said you would be gone an hour. It’s been an hour and a half. Where are you?”
“At a coffee shop with Nikki. I’m coming right back.”
“You needed to call me, Heather. I’ve been worried fucking sick. Get back here. It’s not safe yet.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just get back.”
“It’s not like anyone—”
“We can’t be careful enough, Heather. I know your argument is that they don’t know who you are. But you don’t understand this situation the way I do. Until further notice, we have to lay as low as we can. That means not going into town unless it’s necessary and not sticking around any longer than we have to. There’s a reason I haven’t made friends in town, Heather.”
I ground my teeth together as I smoothed my hand over my hair.
“Okay,” I said. “I’m coming.”
“It’s not safe. I know you don’t understand—”
“I understand perfectly,” I said curtly. “I’m coming back now. Hold your damn horses.”
Then, I cut the phone call and shoved my phone back into my pocket.
“Who the hell was that?” Nikki asked.
“I have to go,” I said.
“No,” she said as she stood up. Her hand came down on my wrist and stopped me in my tracks. “Was that Andrew?”
I closed my eyes and pulled my wrist away from her grasp. “I have to go.”
“What is going on? Because he didn’t sound very friendly over that phone call.”
“Nikki, I can’t talk about it right now. I have perishables in the back of the truck, and I have to get back.”
“No, you don’t. Heather, look at me.”
“What?” I asked as I whipped around.
“That man doesn’t own you. Just because you’re pregnant with his child doesn't mean he controls you.”
“It’s not like that. I promise you,” I said.
“Are you sure? Because it looks a hell of a lot like that.”
“I have to go,” I said. Then, I rushed out of the coffee shop before she could corner me anymore about it.
I wanted to tell her about the Mafia stuff. I wanted to tell her Cameron’s real name. I wanted to tell her all the things swirling around in my world, but I couldn't. If Cameron was right, that would put a target on her back, and I couldn't do that to her like it had been done to me. I started up Cameron’s truck and pulled away as Nikki came out of the coffee shop. I saw the worry in her eyes as I drove off, but there was nothing I could do about it. I did tell Cameron I’d be back in an hour, so he had every right to worry.
We’d have to talk about that tone of voice he just took with me, but his worry was understandable.
CHAPTER 23
CAMERON
Heather and I kept tiptoeing around one another ever since she came back from town the day before. I knew I’d been harsh with her over the phone, but she was being reckless. I understood her wanting to see her friend. I got that. But seeing her could have put all of us at risk. Whether or not she wanted to act like it, she was carrying my child, and that meant I had two more lives to protect. She didn’t have to like my tactics and decisions, but she did have to follow them. That was the stipulation to living with me so I could take care of her and our child.
She had to listen, even if she didn’t like it.
“Hello?” I asked as I picked up my phone.
“It’s Brad,” he said. “We’re supposed to be meeting this morning. Where are you?”
“Some things have developed,” I said. “I’m not coming to town until further notice.”
“We need to do another meeting. You have to keep your skills sharp, especially if something is lurking. Should I be aware of anything?”
“If you can get to my place, I’ll talk to you about it, but not over the phone,” I said.
“Done. I’m headed to my car now. Be ready for me in twenty.”
“I’ll be outside waiting,” I said.
Brad knew why he was needed, and sometimes it was nice unloading on someone who understood what was going on. Today, he blocked every punch I threw and every kick I dealt, and he could tell I was distracted. His headlocks took me to my knees, and I couldn’t get out of his death cages. Sweat dripped down my back as the sun hung heavily in the sky, and when I expected his next attack, it didn’t come.
“Okay,” Brad said. “What’s going on?”
I wiped the sweat from my brow as I stood to my feet.
“You’re distracted. Useless. Covered in bruises from punches and kicks you didn’t block. What’s happened?”
“They’re on the edge of town,” I said.
“And you know this for sure?”
“That’s what my friend’s been telling me. And to make matters worse, I have a woman staying with me who’s pregnant with my child.”
Brad’s eyes hardened on me as I drew in a deep breath.
“It’s the longest story on the planet, but the gist is she went from being nothing but a surrogate to being much more. It’s my job to protect her from this bullshit I’ve got at my feet, and the guilt is overwhelming.”
Brad threw a punch at me, but I managed to block it.
“My daughter's life changed because of his.”
Block.
“Now her life has changed because of this.”
Another block.
“My selfish antics put people I care for in danger.”
Block, block.
“And now this fucking makeshift family I’ve taken under my wing is holed up in some massive cabin in the woods because I’m a fucking idiot!”
I threw a punch at Brad, and he moved. His hands clamped down onto my wrist, using my momentum to toss me to the ground. I rolled over, escaped his plummeting body, and then quickly clamored on top of him and wrenched his arm around. I pinned it to his back and wrapped my free arm around his neck, throttling my muscles against his windpipe until he gasped for air.
“Tap. Tap. Tap,” he said breathlessly.
I let go of him, and he began to choke.
He rubbed his neck before I helped him up, but he instantly turned me around. I ducked and threw him over my head, bracing my arm so he couldn't dislocate my shoulder. He went down onto his back and wrapped his hands around my ankles, taking me down to my ass.
But I twisted and got out of his grasp before I stood to my feet and put my foot against his neck.
“You’re strong,” Brad said. “And even though you carry a great deal of guilt, it’s that guilt that keeps you focused. It wasn’t until you started talking about what you felt responsible for that you started stepping up. That’s what a man does.”
I removed my foot from his neck and helped him to his feet.
“You’ve got good skills under your belt. What you can’t do is get distracted. Keep them at the forefront of your mind, but don’t let your guilt overwhelm you. Use it to fuel your protective instincts we’ve bee
n honing. It’s all you’ve got.”
I nodded as I gasped for air, wiping the sweat from my brow.
“Got another hour in you?” he asked.
I turned around and saw him picking up two large tree branches. I smiled as he tossed me one, then he came at me ready to strike. I blocked all of his movements, grunting and panting as he swung his stick at me. I broke mine into two once I had his shattered, then began to swing them around and kick at him until I backed him into a tree.
I pinned his neck to the bark of the trunk with one of the branches pressed against his carotid, watching as it pulsed in my vision.
“You’ve been practicing,” Brad said.
“What the hell else am I going to do with my time?” I asked.
“Your pregnant woman answers that question for me.”
I snickered and shook my head as I released him from the tree. He hopped onto my back and took me to my knees, the branches falling from my hands. We went back to grappling on the ground until I finally got his arms and legs wrapped up in my muscles. Then, I pulled until he called out for mercy.
“You’ve got this,” Brad said as he wiped his forehead off. “Stay the course and keep what’s important at the front of your mind.”
I walked away from that session feeling more confident than I had in a while, and the guilt that kept ebbing and flowing in my veins abated.
For the moment.
CHAPTER 24
HEATHER
“Heather! You have no idea how relieved I am to see your name pop up on my cell phone. How are you doing? Please tell me you’re back at your apartment,” Nikki said.
“I’m not,” I said. “I’m still with Andrew.”
“Heather, I don’t like the fact that you’re still with him, not after what I witnessed Wednesday.”
“I need to ask you a favor and I need you to not ask questions, okay?” I asked.
“Anything. Tell me what you need.”
“We need some things at Andrew’s place, but he’s busy and I feel like crap. If I sent you a list of things as well as his address, would you run by a store and get them for me?”
“Of course, I will. I’ll be glad to see you. Send me what you need, and I’ll see you soon,” she said.
“Okay. I’ll get it sent to you as soon as I can,” I said.
