by Jacki Renée
“Tell me what you need from me.”
I close the space between us, covering his hand with mine. “I need to know our relationship is going somewhere and I’m not just another one of your no-strings-attached flings.”
He winces. “I apologize if I gave you that impression. I want this. Do you?”
“I need to feel safe.”
He leans in. “Your trust means everything and I won’t abuse it again. But I need you to listen and not challenge how I protect you. You can take a step back. I’m always here for you and Kourt even if it seems like I’m not.” We lace fingers.
I squeeze his hand.
“What do you want right now?” he asks.
“I want to know you.”
He sits back on the sofa, pulling me with him.
“What do you want to know?”
“What’s your favorite color?”
I rest my head on the fluffy cushion behind me, staring into the fire, drawing my legs up.
“It used to be blue, but I became partial to light brown.”
My lips turn up in a smile. “Why the change?”
He laughs and I lay my head on his shoulder.
“Dani, who’s Mr. Tucker?”
“How do you know about him?”
“In the mall, you called Vin, Mr. Tucker.”
I take a deep breath. “Derek Tucker attacked me a few months after I moved to Arizona,” I begin to tell Bryan the whole story.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Christmas morning the girls burst into the room, bouncing on the bed. Bryan and I sit up. Surprised.
“Wake up,” Emma shouts.
“Come see what Santa left for us,” Kourtney yells.
Bryan roars, tackling and tickling them until they’re lying between us, breathless from laughing. I prop myself up on my elbow and watch them.
“You two know it’s five thirty in the morning?” he yawns.
“Uh—yes,” Kourtney says, smacking her lips.
Bryan drops a pillow on her head.
“Let’s lie here for an hour, then go downstairs.” He closes his eyes.
Kourtney peeks from underneath the pillow. “Mom? Are you guys still on a timeout?”
“The timeout is over,” I tell her.
“Dad? Is Dani your girlfriend?” Emma asks.
Bryan cracks one eye open and gives me the questioning eyebrow.
I grin.
“Dani’s my girlfriend.”
The pillow flies off Kourtney’s head as the girls wiggle-dance in the bed.
“Mom. I saw a big present by the tree for you.” She uses her hands and arms.
I jump out of the bed. “Go brush your teeth and wash your face. Last one downstairs is a rotten egg.”
The girls scramble out of the room. Bryan drops back on the bed covering his face, mumbling.
I throw on his robe over the pajama top and boxers I borrowed. In the bathroom I grab a spare toothbrush, doing the fastest face wash and teeth brushing in history. I beat the girls to the top of the stairs.
We race to the family room like a wrecking team, reading the names on the tags and tossing boxes to one another. Kourtney picks up a small black gift bag with distinctive monogramed initials in purple. She looks for a name. The breath catches in my lungs and I grab the bag from her, shoving it in the pocket of the robe. I hand her another gift.
Bryan turtle walks in, running his fingers through his bed-hair. He tosses me a pair of socks as he plops down on the sofa. I sit on the floor in the middle of the chaos to slide my feet into the thick cotton men’s crew socks.
Kourtney hands him a gift and goes back to the big one with her name on the tag.
“To Kourty-Bear from Uncle Vinny,” she reads before clawing at the wrapping paper and peeling off the tape in the center of the box. The sides unfold and a life-size, brown grizzly bear cub stuffed animal gives a realistic roar. Kourtney hugs it. “I’ll name him Uncle Vinny Bear because he’s big and tough.”
“Vin has a new fan,” I whisper and Bryan nods.
“To Fala-Emmy from Uncle Vinny,” she reads, taking her time to unwrap the gift. Kourtney chants for her to hurry. The sides unfold and a life-size white-and-black spotted miniature pony stuffed animal neighs. It’s the Falabella pony in the book we’re reading.
“Vin spent a small fortune on their gifts.” I run my fingers through the soft mane of the tail.
“Open your box, Mom.”
I jump to my feet and step over discarded wrapping paper to get to my big box. “To the Featherweight from Vinny the Tank,” I read the tag. With childlike excitement, I rip off the wrapping paper. “Oh, my... I can’t believe him,” I laugh, holding the flaps open.
“What is it?” Bryan asks, craning his neck to see.
I step aside so they can see the life-size punching bag on a stand, with Vin’s smiling face painted on. Also inside are a pair of hot pink boxing gloves with matching boxing shorts and robe. I pick up the Featherweight Championship belt.
“Will it fit in the apartment?”
Bryan rises from the sofa, walking around the mess in the middle of the floor to get to the fireplace. He takes my Christmas stocking off the hook, bringing it to me, then reclaims his spot on the sofa without saying a word.
I go sit next to him. The girls stop opening gifts to watch us. I reach inside and pull out a set of keys and remote fob.
“Emm and I want you and Kourt to move in with us.”
My lungs stop functioning for a heartbeat.
“I know it’s fast, but it feels right,” Bryan says.
“We’re getting to know each other. What if it doesn’t work out? I have a one-year lease. What would I do with our furniture? We have to think about the girls. I’d have to talk to Kourtney first, her opinion is important...”
His finger presses against my lips, silencing me.
“This will work because we want it to. Give me a copy of your lease. I’m sure I can get you out of it, and if I can’t, I’ll write a check for the balance of the year. Bring whatever pieces of furniture you want, we’ll make it fit. Hey, Kourt.” Bryan keeps his eyes on me. “I asked your mom if you guys would live here with Emm and me. She says she has to ask you first.”
Kourtney hops over opened boxes and piles of torn wrapping paper to sit between us, squirming until we make room for her.
“My answer is yes.”
“We can read together every night.” Emma sits next to me.
Uncertainty and doubt begin to fill my heart and mind. “What if it doesn’t work out?”
His smile spreads to his eyes. “I’ll move out. You and the girls can have the house.”
“I don’t know.” I stare at my hands.
Bryan stands, then squats in front of me.
He takes my hand, placing it against his shirt, over his heart. I feel the steady pounding against my palm.
“It’s not just us who gets hurt if...”
Bryan kisses me, forcing away the fear of the unknown. Exorcising the ghosts of our past. The emotion behind his kiss speaks volumes to my soul. He’s ready to commit.
We get so lost in our nonverbal communication, we forget the girls are sitting next to us until they giggle.
Bryan rests his forehead on mine. “Only you,” he whispers.
I cup his cheeks in my hands. “Only you,” I repeat.
“Sooo,” Kourtney sings. “Are we living here?”
“Yes,” Bryan and I say.
“Good.” She jumps up from the sofa. “Let’s open more presents.”
Emma hugs me and follows Kourtney.
“You have a gift from Marie, Mommy.”
Bryan sits next to me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. Kourtney brings me the wrapped box.
Inside is a book of Marie’s family recipes. I thumb through the pages. “I think I’ll make the red velvet cake first.”
Bryan leans over, pressing his lips against my ear. “I’ll lick the bowl while you lick the spoon?” His deep
sensual voice stokes the embers still burning after our make-up sex-session early this morning. “Come help me start breakfast. Our guests will be here any minute.”
I let him pull me to my feet. “What guests?”
“Uncle Vinny spends the day with us,” Emma says, shaking a box.
He stops in the doorway. Bryan lifts my chin with his fingertips. “May I kiss you under the mistletoe?”
My hands slide up his arms as I rise on my tiptoes, giving him a lingering peck.
Our audience cheers and claps.
“Ig and Tony are spending the day with us too. Usually they visit their families,” he says, leading me to the kitchen.
I pull out the small black gift bag from the pocket of the robe and hand it to him.
“You gave me your forgiveness. Sex by the fire. Great sex in the shower. And oh yeah, a travel kit. Plus, you agreed to move in. What’s this?”
“Look inside.”
He reaches in and pulls out a pair of Sex-Dice encased in provocative packaging.
The day after we went to the club I found an adult entertainment store, no longer wanting battery-operated relief. I bought something we could play with. One die names the gratification of the receiver. The other die names how the gratification is given. There were lots more to choose from. I figured I’d start off slow and work my way up to the more explicit ones. I forgot the gift bag was in the hatch until I saw it in Kourtney’s hands.
“Can we play tonight?” I ask.
“Want to play right now?” He lifts me onto a countertop, kissing me.
I run my fingers through his thick hair, deepening the kiss.
“Break it up, you two.”
We pull apart and look to the kitchen’s entrance.
Vin leans on the doorframe. “People eat in here. Didn’t you guys do that after we left?”
I push Bryan back and hop down.
“That’s none of your business.” I go to Vin, rising on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek. He has to lean a little for me to reach. “Thank you for the punching bag.”
He blushes. “You’re welcome, Champ.”
And just that fast, Vin and I establish an unspoken truce.
Anthony strolls into the kitchen. “I gave her a gift certificate to the firing range. She may mistake you for the dummy and shoot you in the ass.” He hugs me.
“Why can’t you two give practical gifts?” Ignacio walks in, kissing my cheek.
“What did Ig give you?” Vin asks.
“An extra-large first aid kit.” I laugh. “Thank you, Ignacio. I’ll carry it with me at all times.”
“Gag gifts aside.” Ignacio holds out a red envelope. “This is from the three of us.” He hands it to me. “It’s more of a gift for Bry though.”
I open the envelope. My mouth drops.
“What did you guys give her?” Bryan peeks over my shoulder.
“A private shopping spree at that lingerie store in the mall, tomorrow at three,” Anthony gloats.
Bryan walks around the kitchen high and low fiving his friends. “What’s her limit? I’ll kick in on it.”
I exit the kitchen, shaking my head. I don’t think I’ll ever understand their friendship.
***
I wait until Dani and the girls go upstairs to question Tony.
“Did you find any information on Derek Tucker?” I ask.
“Sorry, Bryan. I ran his name through the Arizona database. No Tucker lived in that building.”
“She said she cracked his ribs and broke his jaw. Did you search the records of the hospitals in that area?”
Tony nods. “A Stephon Greene flatlined on the table the night Dani said she had an altercation with Tucker. He had a broken jaw, cracked ribs, and a fatal stab wound in the gut.”
I lean against the counter. “She didn’t say anything about stabbing him.”
“I checked the police database. That night, an emergency call came in from a bar five blocks from Dani’s apartment building. Steps it’s called. A Caucasian male had been stabbed. Six one. A hundred and ninety-five pounds. Brown hair. Brown eyes. According to witnesses, he was already drunk when he stumbled into the bar. He went to the restroom, came out holding his side, and collapsed on the floor.”
“Any idea who did it?”
“The case remains unsolved. But there’s one interesting fact though. The owner told the detective Greene met up with an African American Army Soldier two or three times a week.
“Let me guess. The soldier’s description matches Edwards,” I say.
Tony touches his nose.
“His description somewhat matches Vin’s. Did you upload the medical files?” Ig asks, stirring a sauce in a pot.
“Yep. I’ll forward it to you.” Tony pulls out his phone.
“I’ll see how far back the bar’s security cameras’ archives go,” Vin says checking the oven.
“What about the apartment building’s management company? Any record of a Tucker managing the property?” I ask
“That’s the thing. He was a Hollywood B-List actor slash stuntman in Arizona filming a movie. And the building wasn’t managed by a company. The building went through a quick sale two weeks after Dani moved in. It was owned by Elijah Hopper.”
“Why does that name sound familiar?” I ask.
“I thought so too, so I have Riley doing a search.”
Tony cracks his knuckles and takes a deep breath. That’s never a good sign. He’s about to tell me something I don’t want to hear.
“I checked phone records, utility company records, cable company records. Other than the water, which the building owner pays, no other utilities or services were turned on in that apartment.” He looks me square in the eyes.
“Does Greene have any ties to this case besides Edwards?”
“No.”
“Then she wasn’t lying about the attack, Tony.” I rub my neck out of frustration.
We all know what he’s thinking, without actually saying it.
He shrugs. “I didn’t say she was. I’m just presenting the facts.”
That unwritten law between bros is being tested. This isn’t the first time our friendship’s been stretched because of a female. And it won’t be the last. We are the Elite Team. To stay on top, we have to trust each other in the field and off. No matter how I feel about Dani, we’re still working a case. I have to treat it as such and consider all the possibilities. But Tony still has to present more facts to sway me.
“Anything on the driver of the car that tried to run Dani off the road?” I ask.
“His name is Yang Ma-han. American born, but paid to cause an accident,” Ig says.
“By whom?”
With one hand, Vin lines up croissants on a pan. “A female. Didn’t get a name.”
“Is he telling the truth?”
Vin throws me a you know better than to ask me that look.
“I have to hand it to Porter. He managed to shoot out the car’s tire and stop Yang from getting away on foot without backup.” Tony turns over the sausage in the frying pan.
“That’s why I wanted him on Dani’s security detail.”
“Bry, did you tell her your parents are coming?” Ig turns down the fire under the pot. If he were sitting he’d be flapping his wings. Instead he’s moving around the kitchen like a madman.
I shrug. “Thought I’d wing it.”
Anthony slaps my shoulder. “Bro, have I not taught you anything?”
“Mom and dad will be happy to meet my girlfriend.” No one looks at me. I push away from the counter and finish slicing fruit. “You guys think I should tell her?”
Next to me, Vin pulls a pan out of the oven and closes the door with his foot. “Your funeral.”
***
The girls haven’t stopped talking about how much fun it will be to live in the same house since we came upstairs to get dressed.
The smells coming from the kitchen float up the stairs and make my mouth water. Who would have thought all four of t
hem were competent in the kitchen?
I wonder if I can convince Max to go lingerie shopping with me tomorrow. Probably not, he has family visiting.
“Dani. Emm. Kourt. Breakfast is ready,” Bryan’s voice carries from downstairs.
The girls bounce down the stairs ahead of me. The best gift Bryan and I gave them today is their perception of sisterhood.
The front door swings open. “Merry Christmas, everyone,” a woman shouts.
Three people, loaded with wrapped gifts and wearing heavy winter outerwear, step inside.
“Grandma. Grandpa. Aunt Jessi,” Emma screams, jumping the last two steps, running to them. The trio drop the gifts on the bench by the door to hug her.
Kourtney waits for me to catch up. She grabs my hand. I’m floored. I wasn’t expecting to meet his family so soon.
“I forgot to mention that my parents and sister come every Christmas. They stay until New Year’s Day.”
New Year’s Day? Okay floored doesn’t come near what I’m feeling. Dumbfounded should cover it.
Bryan takes Kourtney’s free hand, guiding us over to his family. “Mom. Dad. Jessi. This is Dr. Danielle Edwards and Kourtney. Dani. Kourt. This is my mom, Nancy. My dad, Bryan. And my sister, Jessica.”
I recover from the temporary shock. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Bryan looks a lot like his dad, but he has his mother’s hazel eyes and brown hair.
Nancy and Jessica give me warm handshakes. His dad ignores my outstretched hand.
Nancy stares at Kourtney, then hugs her. Bryan and I have to let go of her hands so she can return the hug. What surprises me is Kourtney isn’t put off by his mother’s display of affection after just meeting her.
“It’s nice to meet you, sweetheart,” Nancy says to her.
“It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am.”
Kourtney turns to Bryan. “Your dad’s name is Bryan too?”
“Yes, young lady. What’s your dad’s name?” The venom in his voice makes her step back like she’s getting out of the strike zone.
I move in front of Kourtney ready to put him in his place, but Bryan picks her up.
“My name is Bryan Kendall Hawk the fourth. My dad is Bryan Kendall Hawk the third. It’s a tradition in my family.”
“When I say Bryan, which one of you will answer?” She looks nervously at his father.
