“I’m fine with staying. The kids are hungry but isn’t that burger place nearby?”
“Yeah, I could go get us all food.” Delilah looked around.
“Julian can go with you to help you carry stuff,” Bobbi offered.
“Sure.” Julian nodded. “Can I have two burgers, Mom? I’m starrrrrving…”
Bobbi laughed. “Yes, my growing boy, you may have two burgers.” She dug in her bag for some money and handed it to Delilah as she told her what she and Sam wanted.
Delilah pulled on shorts and flip-flops and she and Julian headed up the boardwalk towards the burger joint Eric had shown her. The food was decent, it was inexpensive, and they didn’t have to leave the beach, which was a bonus.
“I want two cheeseburgers, cheese fries, and a big soda.”
“Does your mom let you have soda?” she asked.
He hesitated. “Sometimes.”
“Do you want to run back and ask her? I don’t want to say no, but I also don’t want to get you something you’re not supposed to have.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
He took off back towards Bobbi, and Delilah shook her head as she continued to walk.
“Hello, Delilah.”
The voice behind her made goose bumps rise all over her skin and she froze.
Derek.
Sonofabitch.
Chapter 19
Delilah turned slowly, her eyes meeting his with more defiance than she felt. She would not be cowed on this public beach. She refused.
“Derek.” She stood still and faced him.
“You look good, cheating whore that you are.”
She didn’t say anything, merely held his gaze without wavering.
“Who are you fucking now? Some poor soldier schmuck?”
“He’s a Marine.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to say that, but Marines didn’t like to be called soldiers, something Eric had taught her immediately.
“Whatever.” His smirk made her a little sick.
“What do you want?”
“You.”
“If I’m such a whore, why do you even care? I’m someone else’s problem now.”
“You know way too much.”
“If I haven’t told anyone in the last two years, why would I say anything now?”
“Not a chance I’m willing to take.”
“So, what? You’re going to kill me here on a public beach? Because I promise you, I won’t go without a fight and there are people everywhere.”
“Once I get that sweet little boy of yours, or your friend’s kid, you’ll do anything I want.”
He was right, but she wouldn’t tell him that. “Are you really going to stoop so low as to hurt children? Jesus, Derek, what happened to you? What happened to ‘protect and serve’?”
He snorted. “That’s a crock of shit and we both know it. Being a cop is all about getting shit on by the public even though you put your life on the line for them every day. I’m going to take the money I’ve saved up and disappear.”
“So why don’t you?”
“Loose ends.” He took a step towards her but she stepped back.
“Fuck off, Derek.”
“Hey, Delilah, Mom said—” Julian came towards her grinning but Delilah cut him off.
“Go back to your mom right now!” she yelled at him. “Don’t ask any questions, go!”
Julian, for whatever reason, seemed to take her at her word and took off like a bat out of hell.
“The woman with the baby can’t run that fast.” Derek laughed.
“No, but her husband is badass and won’t hesitate to kill you.”
Something flickered in his eyes but then it was gone and he shrugged. “We’ll see, I guess. Now let’s go.”
This time she laughed. “Not a chance in hell.”
“You know what I’m capable of, Lilah. I can frame you and you’ll never know what hit you. Your choice. Death or prison.”
“Go to hell.” She turned to go but he grabbed her arm. She yanked it back, letting out a shriek meant to get attention. “Let go of me, asshole!”
“It’s okay, I’m a cop.” He pulled out his badge and flashed it at the two men who’d looked their way.
“He’s my ex-husband and is stalking me,” she yelled at them. “Don’t let him take me anywhere. He doesn’t have a warrant and I’m not under arrest.”
People were watching now, confused and undoubtedly interested in any public drama. Someone already had their phone out to video the situation. Well, she definitely wasn’t in hiding anymore.
Eric got off the plane and headed to his truck. He wanted to get home and make up with his wife. One way or another, they would get through this. They had to. He wasn’t letting her go and she’d already admitted she had strong feelings for him.
“Hey!” Ron jogged over to him. “Bobbi left me a message saying she, Delilah and the kids are all at the beach and planning to have dinner there. Wanna go surprise them?”
“Sure.” Eric nodded and got in his truck, following Ron towards their favorite beach. He was nervous and excited, but Delilah was always more relaxed at the beach, so this might work in his favor. Plus, the fact that Bobbi, Ron and the kids would be there meant they wouldn’t necessarily argue in front of them. At least he hoped not. She was pretty chill, though. Even when she’d been angry, she hadn’t raised her voice and she’d left the house to go cool off instead of fighting in front of Elias, which meant a lot to him.
They found parking close by since it was later in the day and it wasn’t as busy anymore, but there were still a lot of people, so he wasn’t sure how they would find them.
“I’m texting Bobbi now—” He stopped talking and frowned. “Shit!”
“What?” Eric hurried to his side.
“Bobbi said Derek’s here!” Ron took off at a run and Eric joined him.
“Where are they?”
“We have a big green and purple umbrella we use at the beach and I’m sure that’s where they are.” Ron was looking around wildly.
“Oh my god.” Eric spotted Delilah immediately, her body language angry and rigid as she followed a man that couldn’t be anyone but Derek. He was approaching the big purple umbrella quickly and Delilah was right on his tail.
Everything happened in slow motion. Eric couldn’t get to them fast enough but he saw Derek pull a gun, and instead of pointing it at Delilah, he pointed it at Elias. People started to scream and scatter as someone shouted, “Gun!” and Julian suddenly ran full speed at the man, hitting him in the back of the knees. The gun went off and Eric ran faster, watching as Delilah threw herself on top of Elias and Sam, shielding them with her body as the gun went off again and again.
Eric tackled Derek, sending Julian sprawling, pulling back his fist and pounding it into Derek’s face. He’d never hit anyone so hard, or so many times, and even when he felt the crunching of bones in the man’s nose, he didn’t stop.
“Eric, Eric… He’s out cold. Eric!” Ron grabbed his arm, holding him back.
Eric was breathing hard. “Motherfucker…” He let out a string of expletives in English, Spanish, Russian, and French, breathing fire as he tried to get himself under control. He’d never felt such rage—or fear—and he still had his knee in Derek’s chest.
“Delilah!” Bobbi’s scream jolted them back to reality and Eric turned to look in that direction. Bobbi was leaning over Delilah, who was eerily motionless. And there was blood everywhere.
“Mommy!” Sam was crying and clawing to get out from under Delilah.
“Okay, baby, it’s okay.” Ron gently moved Delilah, pulling both Sam and Elias out from under her.
“Daddy!” Elias ran to Eric. “Why is there blood? Why isn’t Mommy moving?”
Mommy. Dear god, his son had just called her mommy and she wasn’t moving.
“We need help!” Ron yelled at the crowd that had gathered. “She’s been shot.”
“No, no, no.” Eric dropped to his
knees beside her, pulling her into his arms.
“We need to stop the bleeding,” Ron said to him, grabbing one of the beach towels and putting it on the wound.
“Daddy, why isn’t she talking?” Elias dropped down beside him. “Is she dead?” His eyes were big and round and terrified.
“No, baby, she’s going to be okay.” Bobbi had Sam in one arm but pulled Elias with her other. “Sit here with me while Daddy and Uncle Ron help her.”
“Mommy…” Elias started to cry.
“It’s okay, buddy.” Eric tried to be strong for his son but tears were blurring his own vision.
“Is…Elias…okay?” Delilah’s whisper made his head snap back down to look at her.
“Everyone’s fine, babe. Just hang tight, an ambulance is coming.”
“Where’s Derek?”
“Out cold. Don’t worry about anything. Just hang on, okay?” He leaned down to brush his lips across her forehead.
“Mommy!” Elias let out a shriek and broke away from Bobbi, running to Delilah. “Mommy, you can’t go to heaven. I already have a mommy there—I need one here and I need to learn how to surf and write my letters for kindergarten…” He burst into tears.
Delilah’s eyes fluttered open and she somehow smiled. “I’ll be okay, baby. Just need some stitches and then I’ll be fine.”
Police and paramedics arrived and Eric stepped back to let them do their thing. There would be a lot of questions, paperwork, and maybe even a lawyer. He had to make sure Derek didn’t try to turn this back on Delilah, but there were a ton of witnesses, including Bobbi and Julian, who’d just become Eric’s hero. How a scrawny twelve-year-old thought to take out the man’s knees amazed and impressed him. Ron and Bobbi were doing a good job with the kid. He’d have to mention that later.
Delilah came awake slowly. She was stiff, sore, and groggy. Where was she? She blinked a few times to clear her vision and eventually focused on the figure sitting next to the bed she was in.
Eric.
Looking pale and worried.
With a bloodstained shirt and smudges of dirt on his face.
“Eric?” Her voice was more of a croak.
“Hey, beautiful.” He was immediately on his feet, leaning over her. “Do you hurt? Do you need me to call a nurse?”
“Where am I?” She looked around in confusion.
“Hospital. You were shot, but the bullet went straight through, so there’s no permanent damage. They had to do surgery to repair your collarbone, but otherwise, you’re going to be fine in a few weeks.”
“Oh. Derek.” She winced. “Where is he?”
“Jail. There were a ton of witnesses and your buddy Diego showed up, telling them how Derek blackmailed him into giving up your location.”
“He always gets away with everything,” she whispered.
“Not this time. I will spend every last dollar I have to make sure he’s prosecuted. Erin already hired us a fancy L.A. lawyer to help.”
“She did? Can we afford it?”
“We’re not paying for it.”
“We’re not?”
“It’s a long story. Erin inherited a ton of money when her ex died, like a hundred million dollars, and although none of us would take any from her, she made us promise we’d let her help if we ever needed something important. I decided this qualified.”
“Oh.” She was so tired and this was so much information. “Where’s Elias?”
“With Ron and Bobbi.”
“He called me mommy…” Her voice trailed off. “I don’t know why. He never did it before.”
“I think it fits the bill, don’t you?” His eyes met hers and she wasn’t sure what to say.
“I don’t want to replace her.”
“You’re not. She gave birth to him. You’re raising him. There’s lots of love in this world and she would love him for you if roles had been reversed. Maria would be happy to know he has a new mom who literally took a bullet to protect him.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry I put him in danger. I knew this might happen. I’m so sorry…”
“Shh.” He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “He’s fine. I’m fine. Our friends are fine and you’re going to be fine. Everything worked out and your asshole ex isn’t going to bother us anymore. I promise.”
“You can’t promise.”
“Yes, I can.” He squeezed her hand. “I just want you to rest now and get better.”
“Don’t leave me tonight,” she said softly. “I’m so scared he’s coming back.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He sank back down in the chair. “You sleep and I’ll be right here.”
Chapter 20
Antonia arrived two days later like a force of nature. She swept into the house with bags of groceries, gifts for Elias, suitcases, and…a surfboard? Eric stared at his nearly eighty-year-old grandmother in confusion.
“Abuelita, we love you to death, but are you moving in?”
“Maybe.” She swatted his backside. “You have problem with this?”
“No, but—”
“Delilah will not be able to cook or clean for a while and if you get called to your missions? Who will care for everyone? Me.” She spoke so matter-of-factly he laughed.
“Okay. You win. But where will you sleep? You can’t sleep on the couch!”
“I brought air mattress. I will share the room with Elias. Is okay. I am old but strong. Now, where is mi niña?”
“I’m here, Antonia.” Delilah came out of the bedroom.
“Back to bed!” Antonia rattled off instructions in Spanish and Eric began to blow up the air mattress, put her surfboard on the back porch, and carried her suitcases into Elias’s room.
“I’m fine.” Delilah grinned. “Just no lifting or using my arm for a few weeks.”
“Sit.” Antonia put her hands on her hips.
“Yes, ma’am.” Delilah sank onto the couch and Elias immediately ran to snuggle next to her.
“Bisabuela, Delilah is my new mommy.” Great-grandmother.
“Yes, I see.” Antonia’s eyes shone with delight. “Now, who is hungry?”
“Me!” Elias bounded off the couch to follow her into the kitchen.
Eric took his place, sliding an arm around her neck. “How are you?” he asked. “I know you’re anxious to get back to normal, but you just got home from the hospital and you need to take it easy.”
“I’m okay. The shoulder is sore, but otherwise, I feel okay. Really.”
“Everyone’s been calling to check on you. Bobbi, Leslie, Wolf and Mozart, Erin, Mark and Lana… Lots of people are worried about you.”
“That’s kind of nice.”
“But for now, I just want you to rest.”
“We still have a lot to talk about, Eric.”
“I know. Soon. Now that my grandmother is here, we’ll have time and privacy.”
“You think she’s going to give us privacy?” She giggled.
He chuckled too. “I mean, we don’t have to worry about Elias and we can actually leave the house alone.”
“That’s true.”
“I’m sorry about everything that happened but I’m going to make it up to you. I was an insecure ass and I took it out on you.”
“Insecure?” She stared at him in confusion. “Insecure about what?”
“Myself. Why a woman like you would want to be with a simple guy like me, and saddled with a kid, no less.”
“Simple?” She made a face. “There’s nothing simple about you, Eric. You’re incredibly intelligent, hard-working, strong, loyal, and sexy as hell. What’s simple about that?”
“I don’t make a lot of money. I work all the time so you’re going to be alone a lot. And honestly, I’m just a lot of muscle. There’s nothing sexy about me.”
She raised her eyebrows and burst out laughing. “You’re a crazy man, you know that? You’re so hot I got a little wet the first time you took your shirt off. But it’s not just the muscles and t
hose ripped abs or that tight, sexy ass… Your dimples make me want to flutter my eyelashes at you. Those eyes of yours are sweet and soulful and so damn intoxicating I can stare into them all day.” She shook her head. “Looks are subjective, babe. I think you’re out of my league. What do you think of that?”
He grimaced. “Not even possible, but I like hearing it.”
She paused. “Eric, I’m crazy about you, but if you don’t trust me, I don’t know how this is going to work.”
“You know, all of that occurred to me while I was away. It all boiled down to my insecurity, like maybe if I found fault with you first, you wouldn’t be the one to leave. I know it’s dumb, but at the time, my heart was all mixed up with my head.”
“And now?”
“My heart belongs to you.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened slightly.
“Really.” He leaned in to kiss her, as gently and lovingly as he knew how. “I want you to stay and be my wife forever. I want to make babies with you, if you want them. I want you to go back to school and finish your Ph.D. I want you to have everything you ever dreamed of and I’m going to do everything in my power to be worthy of your love until you actually love me.”
“Oh, Eric.” She touched his face, her eyes warm and soft. “Until? You silly man… I fell in love with you almost immediately. Sometimes the heart knows long before the head does, and mine definitely did.”
“Oh, baby.” He leaned in and kissed her, deeply and as thoroughly as he dared with his grandmother and son in the other room.
“Enough!” Antonia’s bark of laughter made them both jump. “Is time for lunch! Kissing later.”
A few days later, Antonia, Delilah and Elias were having lunch when she heard Eric’s key in the lock.
“He’s home early,” she said, getting up.
“Maybe he miss you?” Antonia teased.
“Maybe.” Delilah walked into the living room and froze.
“Surprise, baby.” Standing next to Eric was her friend and mentor, Gene Barnes.
Protecting Delilah - Kat Mizera Page 10
