by Tessa Anders
He nodded. “But after you get ready, I need to first head back to the consideration building for a change of clothes.”
“We’ll take my car. Maddie is too young for dragon riding.”
With the mischievous twinkle in his eyes and the emotion flowing through the bond, I knew he would argue this again, sooner than later.
After I showered and dressed, Maddie took Black’s hand and led him to the car. I laughed when he tried to fold himself into the passenger’s seat. He reminded me of sardines packed into a metal can. But he somehow managed.
Nervously, I drove the three of us in my rusted down car. After backfiring a couple of times, I finally pulled into the parking lot.
Black looked my way. “That was…”
I laughed, knowing it probably felt like a death trap to him. “Awesome. My car is awesome.”
He chuckled. “That’s not the word I would use.”
Once inside, he introduced me to Arkin, his brother. And the guard Kayle. “I’ll be right back,” he said, giving me a quick peck on the lips.
Maddie, unafraid of anything, tugged on Arkin’s dress pants. My lips twitched as I watched the big man bend down.
She jumped into his arms, startling both of us.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why she is so attached to you guys.”
Arkin straightened with Maddie in his arms. They were face to face when she reached for his hair.
“Pretty,” she giggled.
Arkin’s lips twitched. “Males are not pretty.”
“Uh-huh. Blue is pretty.”
I snorted as I watched Arkin and Kayle both fall under her spell. At least now I knew why she was so drawn to them; she liked the color of their hair.
It still made me feel better. I’ve always thought that children had a sixth sense about adults. Some people repelled Maddie automatically, but not Black nor his brother. My reluctance was quickly fading away, but I needed to hold on to it. Opening myself up prematurely could lead to me and Maddie’s heartbreak.
Once Black showered and dressed, we spent the day in the park. I ignored the women as they ogled him even though that was part of my insecurities. Why would he want someone who looks like me when he could do so much better?
Taking our time strolling through the park, I introduced him to Tom while Maddie played with his dog. And then I introduced Black to a hot dog stand and the nice man who owned it.
I could not only see the bond between Maddie and Black as she took his hand to show him around, I could feel his feelings for her. My heart swelled.
When she ventured over to play with Opal, a blond girl around Maddie’s age, I took a seat on the bench. Black sat down beside me.
After a few moments of silence, I asked once again. “Tell me more about your realm. Where do you live? What should I expect if I decide to go with you?”
I didn’t think he would answer at first. “My company, Drata Inc…”
“Drata, that’s what you call a dragon right?”
“Yes. My father started the company before I was born. After he died, I took over. As far as where I live, I actually have an apartment in the building.”
For some reason, I pictured something like a hair salon with a one-bedroom overhead apartment. But that didn’t fit with what little I knew. “But you invented a portal?”
“My brother Tyran and I came up with the idea, yes.”
I pictured a normal city with women dressed in pantsuits heading off to work. Okay, normal enough. “So your father started the company…and then you took over.”
“Yes.” He grew very quiet and somehow, I knew that he’d never told anyone about what happened to him. “My mother, Sariah, lost her will to live after my father died. I had to make sure she ate, bathed—I was afraid she would try to follow her bondmate into the afterlife.” I felt a wave of pain wash through the bond but still he continued. “My brothers, they dealt with their pain in a more destructive manner. And to add to everything else, I had to take control of the company to make sure my family would be taken care of financially.” He glanced my way and I saw fresh pain shinning in his eyes. “I never wanted to be responsible for anyone else again.”
My throat bobbed as I held back the tears. “That must have been hard. Holding the family together and running a company.”
“Yes.”
“How old were you?”
“Eighteen.”
“That’s a lot for someone that age.”
“And yet, you were raising a child by yourself at that age.”
“Huh, I guess I was.” Eyeing him, I asked, “how old are you now?”
He smiled, a beautiful genuine smile. “Twenty-nine.”
Needing to lighten the mood, I rolled my eyes. “Good grief, I’m dating an old man.”
He laughed before growing serious. “Is that what you think? That we are dating?”
Ignoring him, I asked, “Will you tell me more about your realm? Do you have more women like we do?”
“No, it’s a normal ratio, or close to it. What happened here that caused the uneven numbers? It doesn’t seem natural.”
“No. There are rumors that some vitamins back in the day had all kinds of health benefits. Everything from weight loss to an increased libido so everyone took them. Later, they realized that women were only birthing girls but by then, it was too late. The damage was done, and even after they stopped taking the pills, nothing changed.”
“Mommy!” Maddie came running over. “Can I go swing?”
“Yes baby.” Glancing at Black, I said, “be right back.”
After putting Maddie in the swing and giving her a push, I kept watching Black from the corner of my eye. Some women tried to approach him and although he was friendly enough, his eyes kept sliding back to me.
I looked away and smiled.
That night, he slept on my couch. Again.
The next morning, Maddie jumped out of bed and headed straight for Black. Looking at me over her head, he said, “Time’s up. I cannot spend another night on the couch, and I refuse to leave the two of you here alone. How long will it take you to be ready to go?”
Is this what I wanted? Looking around, I knew that yes, it was. There was no future here, only surviving. But there were several things making me hesitate. “Can Jessie go with us to your realm?”
“Yes. If she wants to go, we can find her a place to live nearby.”
“That’s good. Oh, what about her parents?” I knew she would worry about them.
“They are welcome as well. And if they decide not to come, then we can arrange scheduled visits.”
“And Maddie and I, if we don’t like it there can we return?” There was nothing here, but I needed the security of knowing that I had an out if I needed one.
“Yes. But you must give it time. Give us time.”
Staring hard at this sexy man who made my heart sing with happiness, I mentally let go. It was very difficult placing our wellbeing in his hands. “Okay.” I sucked in a breath and smiled. “Are we really doing this?”
His answering smile ignited a fire in my belly as my panties drenched. He sat Maddie on the couch and engulfed his arms around me. Leaning down, he whispered, “There will be time for that later.”
Stepping out of his arms so I could think. I nodded and then nervously laughed. “You’re right.”
“Now, how fast can you be ready?”
“I have to call Dara and quit my job. Let Frankie know. Hopefully, my super will let me terminate my lease early without a penalty.”
“Do not worry about that.”
I thought about closing out my bank account, but didn’t know if I should, or hold onto it in case I had to come back. Maybe if I closed it, but kept the money hidden. But I would have to cancel my car insurance. The last thing I needed was bad credit.
“Hey mommy, can we go to the park again today?” I froze. I couldn’t possibly get all that done and take care of Maddie.
“Can I take her with me today?” B
lack asked cautiously.
I could feel the sincerity, but I worried. “What if she overwhelms you and you decide to take off?”
He cupped my face, lifting it to his. “It will not happen.”
“She hasn’t known you very long so it’s her call. You can ask her and if she wants to spend the day with you then that’s okay with me.”
Black nodded, the headed over to speak with Maddie.
Kneeling in front of her, he asked, “Maddie, how about we spend the day together?”
“Umm,” I smiled when she scrunched her face up. I knew that look and she was about to con Black into something. “Can we get a puppy?”
I said, “no,” the same time Black said, “yes.”
“Yay!”
“Madeline, you know better.” I gave her the stern, that’s not nice look.
“Sorry mommy. Sorry Black.” She turned those sad brown eyes on him and I knew that she already had him wrapped around her finger. “Can we still spend the day together?”
His happiness beamed through the bond as he glanced over at me. “May I take her back to the consideration building?”
“You know, we call that the applications building.” He shrugged, not really caring. Glancing back and forth between the two of them, I agreed. “Yes. Just make sure you don’t let her out of your sight. For any reason.”
Feeling my distress, he closed the distance and pulled me into his arms. Whispering in my ear, he asked, “what’s wrong?”
As quietly as possible, I told him about the law that was changed right after her birth. Anyone pregnant with girls had to abort them. That was the governments way of fixing a problem.
“If anyone tried to harm her, I would shred them to pieces.”
Stepping back, I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Like you killed Ricky?” I didn’t know why I asked. Maybe because I needed to be reminded that Black could be ruthless.
“Yes, if they tried to rape someone. That’s why crimes of that nature are rare.” He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. “You must remember Alex, even though our realms are similar, our people are not. We are shifters. Wolves, bears, foxes, mice… I acted accordingly and your realm is better off without him.” When I relaxed a little, he finished with, “I will always protect you and Maddie.” And I believed him even if I still had issues with his form of justice.
At least he was honest. That had to count for something.
Stepping back, I sighed. “No more killing people here. As bad as he was, Frankie will miss him even if she says differently.” I didn’t know if that was true but it still needed to be said.
He nodded.
I took a quick shower, and then dressed in a pair of jeans and a blue cotton T-shirt. Next, I called Jessie and asked her to meet me for a late breakfast at McDonald’s. She agreed.
After dropping Black and Maddie off at the application building, I headed over to the bank to close my account.
I smiled remembering the scowl on Black’s face when he once again tucked himself inside my car.
After the bank, I stopped by McDonald’s. Jessie was already seated. I forwent the breakfast knowing I didn’t have much time.
“What’s up, Alex? You sounded strange on the phone.”
Sitting here with my best friend, I was almost afraid to ask. What if she said no?
“Alex?”
“So, turns out that Black and Maddie really hit it off and I’m going back with him.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“I—I don’t know what to say.” She looked sad almost.
“Say you’ll come too.”
Our eyes locked. Mine with excitement, hers with surprise.
“What?”
“I told Black that I wanted you to come. He agreed. And then I remembered your parents. He said they could come, or he could arrange scheduled visits.”
“This is so…”
I reached out and grabbed her hand. “I know it is. But this is what you sort of wanted. And you can still see your parents.” Knowing she was on the verge of saying yes, I added, “there’s nothing for you here. You said so yourself. You urged me to give Black a chance. Come with me Jessie.”
“This is so sudden.” Her eyebrows knitted together. “Let me at least think it over while I finish my coffee.”
“Okay, but don’t take too long. I’ve got a shit load of crap to do today.
We sat in utter silence as Jessie sipped her coffee. When she drained the lost drop, she set down the empty cup and smiled. “I can’t believe I’m saying yes.”
“Yes?”
“Yes! I got so much to do.”
“Me too. Meet me at my place at 6pm?”
“Yep.”
Leaving in a hurry, I stopped by the DMV and gifted my car to Frankie and then headed home. I canceled my car insurance, my credit cards, before heading down to speak with the landlord. He agreed to let me out of my lease without a penalty.
I called Dara and explained the situation, and then apologized for quitting without a notice. She said she understood and was very happy for me.
And then I made one last call.
“Hello?”
“Hi mother.”
“Alex? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. How have you been?”
“Working. Are you still working at that little dress shop?”
“No. I quit today.”
The silence stretched until she finally asked, “Why? Did you get another job or something?”
“Or something.”
More silence.
“Alex, I don’t know why you’ve called, but you know I can’t take care of you or that girl of yours. I told you when you had the chance—”
“I know mother. I guess I’m calling to hear your voice one last time. You know, despite everything, I do love you.”
“What do you mean one last time?” I scoffed knowing there was no I love you too. Some people just couldn’t say it and some people were incapable of loving someone besides themselves. I didn’t know where my mother fit in that group.
“I’m getting married and moving away.” Technically, I wasn’t but I didn’t want to tell her I was shacking up with a guy.
“Married? What did you do with that girl of yours?”
“Believe it or not, some people love children.”
“Huh, give it a year or two and then you’ll know what I’m talking about.”
Knowing that this was the last time I would call her, I wanted to be civil. I decided to lay it all there and get it off my chest. And then I would move and never let it rule my life.
And yet I’m finding the words difficult to say.
“I would like for you to listen for a moment without any interruptions please.”
“Alexann, what’s—”
“Stop. Just let me say this please. There’s a lot I never told you because I never felt like I could come to you for anything, not even moral support. Instead, you blamed me for your failed relationships and made me feel like a burden.” Licking my lips, I blinked back the tears. “Maddie is the best thing that ever happened to me and my husband loves her dearly. Anyways, I just called to tell you goodbye. I hope you find some semblance of happiness in your life.”
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way about me.” She didn’t sound sorry. “Have a nice life.” And then she hung up on me.
I don’t know what I expected, but I felt a little better.
Enough of that. One last thing to take care of before I packed.
Knocking on Frankie’s door, I wanted for her to answer. My hands trembled and I felt a deep dread telling her goodbye. Over the years, she had been so good to Maddie and me and I was finding this very difficult. More so they telling my own mother.
When Frankie answered her door, she immediately looked for Maddie. “What’s going on?”
“Hi Frankie.”
“Alex. Is everything okay?”
“You remember the hunky guy that w
as here with me last night?”
“Yeah, what about him?”
“Maddie and I are moving away with him.”
I couldn’t read her face as she stared at me unblinking. And then she yanked me toward her and wrapped her arms tightly around my shoulders while mine hung at my sides, trapped in place by her arms.
When she let go, tears were shimmering in her eyes. “I’m so damn happy for you Alex, but I’m gonna miss that damn kid. She was good company for an old woman like me.”
“Frankie, you’re not old!”
“Thanks.”
“We are leaving tonight, and I wanted to tell you bye. Also, I know it isn’tt much, but here’s the tittle to my car. I’ve already filled out my part of the paperwork at the DMV. And when we leave this evening, come over and take anything you want before it’s hauled away during cleanup.”
“I can’t…I can’t accept all this. It’s too much.”
“No, it’s not enough. You have helped me so much and I love you for it.”
A tear dripped from her left eye before she could swipe it away. “You need to get on out of here and take care of that daughter of yours.”
I shoved the title into her hands and smiled. “Bye Frankie. And don’t forget—anything you want—it’s yours.”
Back inside my apartment, I went through all of Maddie’s things. I grabbed a few outfits, a few keepsakes from the hospital when she was born. Her favorite stuffed animal, favorite blankie. “Her book!” I almost forgot her book. I even picked up her coloring books and crayons.
For me, I packed a few outfits. There really wasn’t much worth taking with me. A couple of pictures. One of me and Maddie when she was first born. Another with me, Maddie, and Jessie.
Staring at my worn book, I decided to leave Salyer behind. I had found something much better.
Feeling a little melancholy as I looked around at our home. This was where Maddie learned to talk, to walk—I was going to miss it. A little. Like maybe a half an inch between thumb and pointer finger.
16
__________________
Alex
Standing in front of a pulsing white light, my hands trembled. I never was too fond of the unexpected. It had always turned out bad. But I had a good feeling when I looked over at Black holding Maddie on his hip like a natural.
