by Mia Ford
I tossed and turned for an hour before dropping into an exhausted and fitful sleep. When I woke up later that day, it was getting dark outside and I blinked around the dim room. I wondered where I was for a moment as the dreams I’d had swirled through my brain and then it all came back to me.
The car nearly hitting me.
I reminded myself that I needed to keep it together for Lindsay and freshened up in the bathroom. When I walked out into the living room, I saw Rosie in the kitchen. She was working on something and I glanced around the living room. “Where is everybody?” I asked as she gave me a soft smile.
“Alex took her to get ice cream and to get some stuff from the apartment. He isn’t telling her the good news yet but told her he wants to get some stuff. He’s called to let the lease go.” She hugged me tightly. “Congratulations, Soledad.”
“I think he’s crazy for taking this on sometimes.” I replied as I slumped against her small frame. I knew that Lindsay was safe with Alex and that he probably had a security team at this point. “I think we’ll tell her soon though. She’s so happy here and I love him. I just want our calm.”
I helped her with an easy salad for dinner, sitting down with a large glass of wine at the table. I tried to focus on the moment and looked around the beautiful loft that was going to be my home now. I’d add a few touches along the way to make it ours, but I wasn’t in a hurry. The deep love that I felt for Alex was strong and enough right now. It was everything.
I heard the door and looked up from the couch to see Lindsay and Alex walking in. They had a few bags with them and I set the computer down on the table with a smile. “Hello there.”
“Mommy!” Lindsay dropped the two bags that she was carrying and ran over to me. “Are you better?”
I kissed her cheek softly. “I am getting there. Did you have fun?” I looked at Alex, who gave me a thumbs up. They were safe.
“We had ice cream and burgers for dinner. Alex took me to the apartment to get some more stuff, too. I missed Molly.” That was one of her favorite dolls and we’d forgotten her in the rush.
I smiled and looked at him as he came over to kiss my cheek. “Let’s tell her.” My voice was soft, and he smiled lovingly at me as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“I can’t wait. I wanted to all day.” He confided as he stroked my cheek.
I loved this man more than I ever thought I could. He told me that he was going to get our stuff to the rooms and would be right back. Lindsay sat with me and we chatted about her day as I let that joy fill me. When he came back, he took the seat beside Lindsay as Rosie took the chair across from us with a gentle smile. “I have some news for you, Lindsay.” I told her as she looked up at me with wide eyes. I stroked her hair and shared long glances with the other people in the room. “We’re going to move here. That’s why you went with Alex to get some stuff tonight, but we wanted to tell you together.” I stared into her eyes as they lit up and she hugged me.
“Can I have the room I’m using?” She asked as I laughed.
“It’s all yours. We can set it up the way you want and make it yours.” Alex promised her as she hugged him.
“Is Rosie moving in?” Lindsay asked as I looked at my friend.
“I am for a little while, Lindsay.” I gasped and jumped to hug her as tears filled my eyes. I didn’t want Rosie alone right now and apparently; neither did anyone else.
Later that night, we were in bed in our dark room. “How did you talk her into it?” I asked, referring to Rosie as I traced his bare chest. We’d just made love slow and sweet and I felt dizzy with it.
“We talked during Lindsay’s nap. I laid it all out for Rosie and told her that I needed her safe with the both of you. She agreed to move in and help and we can talk later once everything is settled down. She’s important to your family and now me.” He explained lazily as I kissed his jaw. “I want to get your mom and stepdad out here to visit as well. I want to meet everyone.”
“Oh, Alex. I never thought I’d find this.” I gushed as I pressed closer to him.
“I am taking action with everything that’s holding us back. I want to give you what you deserve.” He swore to me as his eyes took me in slowly. It was dark in here, but he always seemed to see me.
“I know. I could never doubt you.” I assured him as we smiled at each other. He told me that he wanted me to stay home from work the next day, or at least work with the team from home. I’d already started that process earlier and I nodded as he sighed.
“I have my guy on this. Once I have enough to go on, I’m going to the police. I’d love to handle it differently, but I want to be here for the both of you.” I didn’t have to see his eyes to know how dark they were, and I stroked his jaw softly.
“Thank you. I’d be lost without you.” I told him as he pressed his body against mine. I watched as he fell asleep, still keyed up from my nap earlier as I played the night through my head.
I helped Lindsay unpack her things and set up her room. The queen bed was loaded with animals and her favorite gray blanket and we hung all her clothes. Alex took Rosie to the hotel and gathered her things, checking out before they returned. Luckily, every bedroom was large in here and had their own bathrooms. There was a bathroom in the hallway for guests as well. It was gorgeous here and I looked at the vaulted ceilings with a smile. I was so restless and moved from under the covers and Alex’s tight hold on me. Slipping on a robe from the bathroom, I slipped out on our generous balcony and breathed in the cool wind that I knew I couldn’t handle for long. I looked over the lights of the city and reminded myself that this was my first place with a man that I loved. I was going to build a future here and smiled as I thought about what was to come.
Chapter Twelve
Alexander
I went into work the following morning to keep up on things there as well as talk to my PI. I called Millie into my office and told her that I was going to have Soledad work from home for the day and possibly the week, depending on what I found out. She agreed and seemed to relax around me. “You’re good to her. She deserves that.”
“Thank you. We’d love to have you over for dinner sometimes. You’re a good friend to her.” I assured her as she grinned.
“I always heard things about you. I know that it was nearly all gossip, but I wanted to warn Soledad away from you. I was worried for her, but she was so happy. When I saw you on the street that day, I knew that this was love.” I smiled gratefully. “Keep taking care of her.”
“I know that you’ve heard a lot. I ignore a lot of it since it is almost all just rumors but I didn’t do any of that to Elizabeth. Things merely ended badly since she was a mistake. I’d never abandon a woman that I knew was pregnant with my child.” I shrugged. “I never heard that she was.”
“I get it. I know you better now but that’s between us.” She smiled, and I nodded at her. She was a quirky blonde that often had the ends of her hair various colors. She was brilliant and earned her way to the top team quickly and now, becoming my girl’s best friend. I watched as she left my office, closing the door as I pinched the bridge of my nose.
I had been in constant touch with the investigator. There was no trace of Keith having a black car at all. The red car was a proven theory, but nobody had seen it lately. I did know that he was in town still though he’d switched hotels.
I checked security cameras on the building for any signs of him. I already knew what he looked like and had every guard on alert for his presence here. It was the same with the loft and they all took me seriously. I didn’t overreact to things normally, so everyone understood that I was serious about this.
I checked in with Soledad late in the morning. She was working for a bit with the team before going to the movies with Rosie and Lindsay. I went as far as to have a man watch them with that knowledge. He would follow them and keep a close eye as instructed so they wouldn’t be stuck in the house. She sounded sorry that she wasn’t at work, but I told her this wa
sn’t forever. I reminded her that spending time with her daughter was a good thing. Soledad laughed and told me that she loved me.
I had lunch with Brent at a quiet steakhouse that we enjoyed. We had a private booth in the corner and I filled him in on the latest happenings. I had a small circle but the ones that were in it were people that I trusted. “Shit. Do you think it was him?” Brent asked as he sipped his water.
“I can’t find any trace of a black car connected to him, but it happened fast. They never even attempted to stop so it was a blur for most of the witnesses. I know that people drive crazy here but that was too close for comfort for me.” I replied as the waiter brought our plates.
“What’s next?” He asked as I cut into my filet mignon.
“She’s moving in with me. It started when he showed how dangerous he was, but I’d want it regardless.” Brent raised a brow at me. I don’t know what the future holds but she’s a part of it.”
“I like seeing you so happy. I just want things to calm down.” Brent assured me as I nodded.
“You and me both.”
A client contacted me with a rush job that was one of my best. I jotted down the notes since I was answering my phone as best I could on my own. I needed my girl here to help me and assured Jim that I’d be contacting him soon about an idea for his new brewery. Fuck it. I’d work from home for a change. That was never appealing to me when I lived alone. I had all the equipment in case of an emergency but didn’t use it. We could get Lindsay to bed and work in bed. I loved it and sent Soledad a text to run the idea by her.
I was leaving the building when I saw a man pacing the sidewalk a few feet away from the entrance. His dark hair and blue eyes were familiar, and I narrowed mine as I approached him. Why the fuck did Lindsay have to have his eyes? He glanced up and saw me, scrutinizing me with a smirk on his face. “I assume you know who I am.” I said quietly as I approached him. He didn’t scare me.
“You’re the guy that’s trying to move in on my baby girl. She’s mine, asshole.” My blood boiled as I took him in.
“She has never been yours. You deserted them and that was the best thing you could have ever done to Lindsay. She’s happy and you don’t need to fuck with that.” I warned as he stared down at the ground.
“I need fucking money. Dad’s pulling it away and I’ll only get it if I have my daughter. He wants me to straighten up.” I blinked in disbelief at his words. A man would encourage his criminal son to get his daughter for money.
“Her mom is all she’s ever had. Their bond is… you can’t break it. Get money another way. They’re mine now.” I growled as he stared at me. “You couldn’t get custody if you tried.”
“I don’t want to fight for custody. We both know that wouldn’t happen. I just want my daughter. I want my fucking money.” I stepped towards him, reaching for his throat as I heard someone call my name.
“Alex?” it was Brent and I grasped the stained shirt that Keith was wearing.
“Get the fuck out of Seattle and don’t come back. They’re mine now.” I warned him as a hand touched my arm.
“Is this him?” Brent asked, and Keith took that moment to jerk away from me and take off down the crowded street.
“Mother fucker,” I swore as people stared at me and he disappeared. We went to my car and I told him what Keith told me inside.
“Are you going to tell Soledad?” Brent asked as I stared forward. She’d lose it once she heard his plan, but I planned to never let it happen.
“I have to. I have to tell a few other people as well.” I replied as he raised a brow. “Fuck, if it’s money, I have that.”
“You would give him money to disappear?” Brent asked as my head started to throb.
“Fuck, I don’t know. I just want them safe.” I was starting to snap, and I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I need to think on this, but Jim Nichols wants me to get something together for his new place. I was going to work with Soledad at home tonight.”
“Do that. She’s safe there and I’ve got your back. Send me his name and I’ll do a little digging this evening.” Brent said as I looked at him.
“You’re the brother I never had,” I told him as he bumps fists with me. We went our separate ways and I saw that my mom was calling as I drove home. I answered it through my Bluetooth and she greeted me warmly. “Hi, Mom. How are you guys?”
“I’m impatient. I want to meet your new girlfriend and her daughter before she goes to college, I already barely see your sister.” She grumbled lovingly as I smiled tightly. I hadn’t told her what was going on since Mom tended to worry.
“I’ve been busy, Mom. She works with me a lot and we’ve just had time for that and Lindsay. I’m going to get them there for dinner and a long weekend soon.” I promised. She lived across Washington in the country by a pond. I knew that she felt lonely sometimes, but it was what it was. Alli went to college a few hours away and visited when she could. “She’s officially living in the loft now. I think it’s serious.” I talked to her when I could, and she wasn’t up on the newest info.
“I am so happy for you. They’re such beautiful girls.” I’d sent her pictures and I vowed to keep my promise to bring them to see her. “I can come and visit you.”
“The nanny is staying there too, Mom. It’s just for now since she watches Lindsay a lot of the time. I don’t have any extra rooms for you,” I told her as she squealed. “She’s not just a nanny. She’s like a mom to Soledad.”
“I love that you’re so involved in this.” Mom told me as I smiled. “I am going to be patient but please make it soon.” We talked for a bit longer about Alli and the house before ending the call just as I was pulling into the garage.
I missed Mom. I was so much closer to her than I was with my father. I’d tried with him, but it didn’t work out. I’d always appreciate the fact that his mother set aside some generous trust funds for Alli and I. Dad made his own money which was the reason my parents split in the first place. He worked too fucking much and I vowed not to do that to my own girls.
I got out of the car and headed to the elevator. I walked into the hallway, pushing back the image of Keith as I unlocked the door. I walked inside to smell chicken cooking and set my keys on the hook in the hallway. “Sol?”
“In here,” she called from the living room. I stepped down and looked at the couch to see them reading together as I smiled.
“I’m almost done with dinner. I’ll have it in half an hour.” Rosie called from the kitchen as I grinned.
“Thanks, Rosie,” I told her as I walked to the couch and sat beside Soledad. “How was your day?”
“Good. I got a little work in and we saw the new Incredibles movie. It was fun.” Soledad kissed my cheek. “I missed you.”
“I missed you. It’s hard handling everything on my own.” I joked as she smiled at me.
“Aren’t you going to go back to work?” Lindsay asked as she looked at her mom.
“Sure, I am. I’m just working from home for a bit,” she told Lindsay as she stroked her hair.
I watched as she read a book to Lindsay, who was familiar with a lot of the words. It was a combined effort now and I looked forward to seeing how she did in school. Once they were done, the girls helped set the table and we sat down to eat. I loved listening to morsels about their day and filling up on home cooked food. I left work early much more than I used to and Brent made a point of observing that on a regular basis.
Lindsay took a bath as usual and I started on the project in my room. Soledad assured me that she’d be in soon and kissed me before going to get clothes for Lindsay. I changed into lounge pants and settled on the bed with my surface pro, listening to a podcast in the background. After about an hour, Soledad strode in and pulled up her hair into a messy bun. “Hey, you.” I already had her computer on the nightstand and she leaned over to kiss me softly.
“She asleep?” I asked as I watched her pull away to stare at me.
“Out. I think she add
s a new stuffed animal every night. Thanks for having a big bed in there,” she thanked me as I grinned. “So, what’s the plan?”
“It’s a new brewery in town. Jim has several other restaurants all over the county but this one is going to be big. It caters to sports fans and families that want a night out for dinner, as well as date night.” I offered as I pulled up the images of the newest addition. It was a large restaurant that was centered around a big bar and kitchen with a lot of windows.
“It’s so pretty,” she said as she looked it over. “How many TVs does it have?”
“Thirty in total. He offers every sports channel out there and it seems to increase his business.” I replied as she nodded. We started talking about ideas as we sipped water and she threw in a few great things. We took a couple of hours to set up a good idea and I saved it for Jim before shutting down my computer. I watched as she did the same, resting her head on my bare chest as she looked at me.
“Am I staying home again tomorrow?” Her eyes were big as she met my gaze and I offered her a tight smile. “I guess so. What’s happening?”
“I’m being cautious, Sol. That’s all. You have the time to take off so enjoy it.” I told her as I kissed her forehead.
“Even if I didn’t, you’d take care of me.” She finished as I nodded. “I’m not used to being taken care of.”
“You have been a strong woman for years for Lindsay. I want you to relax a bit.” I told her as she sighed. I watched as she moved up to kiss me, her mouth soft against mine. It quickly heated up and I dragged her over me as our tongues danced together.
“I get lonely here without you all day,” She murmured as I rolled her over and slipped a hand under her t-shirt. I found her nipple and rolled it between my fingers as she bit her lip. “Alex.”
“I’ll make sure to wake up early and service you tomorrow,” I promised her as I lifted the cotton to bare her nipples to me.
