I wanted to spit on his grave and claw the dirt with my nails until I reached the box he’d been buried in so I could dump his rotting bones in the dumpster where they belonged.
“Get up!” Natalie screamed.
I got to my feet, feeling less vulnerable now that I was standing.
Tires screeching drew her attention back to the street and I didn’t hesitate—I lunged.
We landed on the ground with a thud, she was under me and I started swinging. I think I missed the first few times because I was still trying to get my balance. I finally landed a punch to her jaw and my knuckles felt like they broke. I didn’t care. I didn’t care she was screaming, or was that me? I didn’t care she had a gun in her hand, I didn’t care she’d threatened to kill me.
I was blinded by rage and fueled by despair. Her brother had taken one child from me. She was not going to take one as well.
I was raining fury and hell to her face when suddenly I was pulled back, up off Natalie, and strong arms wrapped around my chest, turning me.
I’d almost lost sight of the crazy woman when she lifted her hand—the sun’s rays reflected off the metal and I screamed.
“Gun!”
Two very loud cracks rang out and I was twisted away from the gruesome sight.
My lungs burned as I tried to fill them with much-needed oxygen.
“Breathe, Delaney.”
The tone of Carter’s voice snapped me to attention and I locked eyes with…not my Carter. His eyes were the same color they always were. A shade of green that was so unique there was no word to describe them. I’d always thought they were beautiful, but when he’d looked at me, from the time we were teenagers on, they’d turn soft and sexy and I knew just by the way he looked at me he adored me. I knew it like I knew my name. Like I knew it in my heart. In my soul. In my bones.
“Carter,” I whispered and he let go of me.
“You need to go to the hospital.”
What was happening? His expression was murderous, all hard edges, and fury. A look I’d never seen, not from anyone in my life, and most certainly never from him.
“Okay. Take me.”
There were sirens wailing in the background, my dad was talking to me, Carter’s dad was saying something. Uncle Levi and Uncle Clark were both on their phones, but none of them mattered. Nothing could pull me away from Carter’s bottomless stare.
“Delaney—”
“Yes.”
“Huh?”
“Yes, Carter, I’ll marry you.”
“Don’t say that. Not now.”
“Now’s the right time.”
“Not here, Delaney,” he snapped.
“Yes. Right here, right now. Come back to me, honey. Turn it off and come home to me.”
“Delaney.”
“I have to go to the hospital, honey.” I stepped closer to him, his eyes leaving mine to look at the blood I knew was still streaming down my face. I could taste the coppery liquid in my mouth. My hands rested on his chest and he tried to jerk back.
“Now’s not a good time to touch me, Laney.”
“I’m not scared of you, Carter. Switch it off, and take me to the hospital.”
The sirens were close and the lights to what looked like a hundred first responders filled my line of sight. I paid none of them any mind.
All I wanted was my Carter back. And I knew with great clarity if I didn’t get him back right now he’d pull away.
I saw.
I saw the man he’d tried to keep hidden.
And I finally understood how wrong he’d been. He thought I’d be horrified. I’d never been prouder. He thought I’d be scared. I’d never felt safer. He thought this side of him, my warrior, my hero, would make me turn my back on him.
Without care or concern for his own life, he’d protected me. Natalie was taking aim to kill one or both of us and he didn’t hesitate. I saw that, too.
“Carter, I wanna take that test now, but I can’t unless you’re with me. Let’s go to the hospital and see if we’re having a baby.”
Finally his eyes flashed and the storm that was raging inside them settled.
“Fuck!” he roared. “Christ, Laney.” My name was ripped from his throat and it sounded painful.
One hand went to my face and he pushed my hair away from the gash at my temple, taking a long hard look at it before he gathered me into his arms and shoved his face into my neck.
And for the second time, my big, strong man broke. I waited for him to catch his breath and when he was ready he lifted his head and asked, “You hurt anywhere else?”
I wanted to laugh at his belated question but instead answered, “No.”
“Proud of you, Laney.”
“I didn’t—”
“You did. You were handling business like a UFC fighter. And one day I may be able to joke about you being a mixed martial arts champion the way you were cleaning that bitch’s clock, but it may be a while. In the meantime, just know I’m damn proud of what a strong woman you are.”
“The paramedics are ready to take her,” Lenox said.
“I’m not leaving her side.”
“Nick already cleared it; a uniform will follow you there for questioning. Jasper’s going with you.”
I looked up at Lenox, a man I’d once called my uncle, but would soon call father-in-law, and much like his son, his face was marred with fear and anger.
“Lenox?”
“Right here, Laney.”
“Thank you.”
“I didn’t—”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. You two get to the hospital. We’ll all be there as soon as we can.”
Carter’s arm was around me, mine around his waist and I was standing there in a cemetery near the headstone of the man who’d torn my life to hell, a place where his crazy sister had tried to kill me, and I was all right. Actually, I was more than all right. I was good.
“Jasper!” Carter shouted.
My dad lifted his chin in answer and Carter chuckled.
“You mind hurrying it up so we can get our girl to the hospital?”
My dad pinched his lips and some of the anguish washed away. He made his way to us and Carter transferred me to my dad’s arms.
We walked to the ambulance, my dad and I, with our arms around each other. His around my shoulders, mine around his middle. Just like he’d done thousands of times before. Something he loved to do. If not with me then my sisters or Mom. Jasper Walker loved his girls, liked showing it, and didn’t give a flying rat’s ass what that said about him. I thought it said he was the most caring, generous father a girl could ask for. And he’d always said my opinion and that of my mom and sisters was all that mattered to him.
He helped me into the back of the rig and stepped aside, but before Carter could step up, my dad grabbed his hand and with a firm shake and a nod, he helped Carter climb in.
And away we went. A medic was at my side cleaning the gash on my face and asking rapid fire questions and as I was answering, exhaustion took over and I yawned. Carter barked at the poor man and told him that was enough, his outburst causing my dad to laugh.
Yeah, I was all right. Even after a lunatic shot at my sister and held me hostage, driving me to her brother’s grave, all the while talking crazy. I’d been scared out of my brain, so afraid I was going to die, but somehow, I’d found the strength to fight. I wasn’t going to give up, not on myself, not on Carter, not on my family, and not on the baby I might be carrying.
So while it sucked I was in the back of an ambulance, I was alive, unharmed, and having the two men who meant the most to me in there with me made it bearable—kinda.
31
Carter
We’d spent hours in the ER. Laney needed three stitches to close the gash. Unfortunately the cut was jagged so the ER doc wouldn’t glue it. Thankfully it was close to her hairline so if any scar was left it wouldn’t be noticeable. And I say thankfully, because I didn’t want each time Delan
ey saw the scar for it to bring up something painful.
Every member of our family was outside in the waiting room. My dad, Uncle Levi, Uncle Clark, Ethan, and Nick were the last to arrive. They’d stayed behind at the crime scene. Ethan’s one-time partner, Officer Oscar Lorenz, had followed us to the hospital and had graciously waited until Delaney was situated before he’d started his questioning. He’d also been slow and gentle with her as she took us through what happened.
Jasper’s face had turned to stone, and only softened when Laney got to the end of her ordeal and was talking about swinging with her eyes closed, hoping she’d make contact. I think he may’ve muttered, that’s my girl, but I couldn’t be sure. What I was sure about was we’d gotten damn lucky.
Dana had fired three shots at Jasper’s house, one shot into the air, which meant there was one bullet left when they’d been fighting. One last bullet. She’d pointed her gun at me and I’d shot her.
In a quiet moment of self-reflection, I searched my feelings about ending the woman’s life and found no remorse. Dana’s intent had been clear, she’d meant to cause grave harm to Delaney, and I’d always pick Laney’s life over anyone. There was no hesitation, no second-guessing myself, I knew what had to be done and took the shot. And in doing so I saved Laney’s life and possibly the life of our child.
After Lorenz left with the standard, don’t leave town, Jasper stepped out of the room and Delaney’d peppered me with questions about Dana Lowe, even though she’d heard what I’d told Lorenz, which was everything. She was in disbelief. But, of course, someone as good and kind as Delaney would be shocked. She couldn’t fathom the evil some people have in them. It wasn’t in her to think the worst of people. She wasn’t jagged like I was. Sweet and innocent, that was my Delaney, and I’d go to great measures to make sure she stayed that way.
“Sorry for the long wait,” the doctor said, walking into the room. “Your test results are back.”
Delaney shifted on the gurney and I picked up her hand and brought it to my mouth and brushed my lips against her battered knuckles.
“And?” Laney impatiently asked.
“Positive. You’re pregnant.”
Emotion hit my chest, so many emotions I didn’t even know existed. Excitement and fear for sure, but then there was a new kind of protectiveness. I had never loved someone so much—sight unseen. It was instant. It was monumental. It was overwhelming.
It’s funny how one word could change your life. In a single second everything changed for me.
I was a father and this time I’d be able to hold my child.
Delaney, the girl I fell in love with, the woman who owned my heart, was the mother of my child.
Finally.
My eyes drifted closed and I took a moment to let that settle over me. We did it. We made it.
Laney squeezed my hand and I waited a few beats, still enjoying the beauty that had taken root, the joy that was flowing through me, warming me from the inside out.
I finally opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Delaney’s pretty smile. I’d seen it a lot over the years. I could remember all the way back to when I was five and she was two. I could remember when she was ten and I was thirteen. I could remember her middle school graduation, high school, college, and every moment between. We’d been together for every milestone, every celebration, all of the good times, all of the sad. So I’d seen her smiling and happy a ton over the years. But I’d never seen her look like she did now.
This smile was different. Pure joy. Serenity. Full of hope and promise.
Our future.
Delaney and Carter—the way it had always been written. The way it was supposed to be.
“I sent the results to Dr. Butler. You should follow up with her,” the doctor said, cutting through my thoughts. “Congratulations. Do you have any questions?”
“Would it be possible for you to send our parents in?” Laney asked.
“Of course. I’m guessing your family is the very large group all pacing the waiting area?” The doctor smiled.
“Yeah. Lenox and Walker, those are the only two we need,” I told her.
“Again, congratulations.”
The doctor walked out and I looked back at Delaney. With my heart in my throat I said the only thing I could.
“Thank you.”
“I think that’s what I’m supposed to say to you. You’re the one who saved me.”
“Not talking about that.” I sat down in the chair next to her bed and finally did what I’d wanted to do since the doctor confirmed what we’d suspected, and that was place my hand over her stomach.
There was nothing to feel, no bump, no protruding belly, but I felt it all the same. Under my palm was the most precious gift Laney could ever give me. There was a life growing. A life that Delaney and I made. Together.
“The doctor said you wanted to see us?” The trepidation clear in Emily’s voice.
I waited until my dad stepped inside the small ER exam room and looked at all four of them. The best examples of what a parent should be. Two mothers who loved so fiercely, so hard you couldn’t miss their devotion to their children. Two men, who were wise, mentors, examples, humble heroes, and ferocious protectors.
Then I glanced back at Delaney. She’d inherited the best of her parents. A woman I was so damn proud to have stand next to me, I was bursting with pride. I knew I didn’t deserve her loyalty after the shit I pulled, but I’d spend the rest of my life making it up to her. She’d never regret loving me.
“Everything all right?” my dad asked.
“Yeah,” Laney whispered. “You wanna tell them?”
I drew in a deep breath before I announced, “Delaney’s having a baby.”
This time the tears I saw in my mom’s eyes and streaming down Emily’s cheeks didn’t cause my gut to twist. And when the two men cleared their throats, and held their women close, I knew it wasn’t from extreme pain they were feeling for their children.
“It’s still early. A lot can—”
“My baby girl’s having a baby,” Emily whispered, cutting Laney off.
“Mom…”
Emily ignored Delaney and looked at my mom, smiling so huge, so full of happiness that when Laney sniffled, I knew she’d seen it, too.
“We’re happy for you both,” my dad said.
Jasper was suspiciously quiet, yet he was wearing his thoughts clear as day.
“Dad?” Laney called, but it was me Jasper addressed.
“Gave you thirty days. Would’ve given you however long you needed to put that smile on my daughter’s face. We’ve all waited a long time to see this. It was worth the wait. Better than I imagined it would feel. Knowing my daughter has a man by her side I respect; one I know will love and protect her better than I can. Now you’re givin’ me more. Thought the day I gave my daughter to you, I’d be filled with happiness. I was wrong, this isn’t happiness, this is goddamn elation. This is all that is right in the world. This is every dream my daughter’s ever had come true. You’ll learn this soon, but nothing a father wants more than to see his child safe and happy. Could not be more thrilled you are that man for Delaney.”
“’Preciate that more than you know,” I croaked, overwhelmed by his approval.
“No, Carter, I do know. I know the man you are, the husband you’ll be to my daughter, and father to my grandchildren. I know down to my soul you were born for her. No other man would do. Not in my eyes, not in hers.”
“Can’t even say welcome to the family.” My dad laughed. “But, Delaney, I can say Lily and I loved you since the day you were born. Still remember the look on your dad’s face when he heard he was having a girl. Sheer panic set in. That was the day your dad understood the meaning of fear. He had a boy, a son, he loved beyond measure, but a baby girl is something different. Suddenly, he understood what vulnerability truly meant. And from then on, I swear he was groomin’ my boy to love you. Carter was three. I knew when you fell off your bike when you were ten and
Carter carried you home, the way you looked up at him with stars in your eyes, blood drippin’ down your boney little legs, it wouldn’t have mattered what your dad did, you’d laid claim to my boy. And that’s when I knew, he’d be all right. No matter what he did, where he went, the struggles he’d face—you’d be there. And with you by his side, the woman you’d become, I knew he’d have a beautiful life. Know I don’t say it enough, but I’m proud of you, Delaney.”
“Thank you, Uncle…I mean, Lenox,” Laney whispered.
“We’re really gonna have to work on that,” my mom huffed. “I’m not having my grandbaby hear his mama callin’ his grandfather ‘uncle’. Jeez.”
The room exploded in laughter and the heavy was gone.
“What? I’m serious.” My mom slapped my dad on his chest and he easily caught her hand and held it to his heart.
“I know you are, sweetheart.” My dad chuckled.
Jasper’s movement caught my attention as he was pulling his phone out of his back pocket.
“Nick?” Then there was a pause. “That fast?” Another wait, then he nodded and continued. “Right. Thanks. I’ll let them know.”
“Know what?” Dad asked before I could.
“SSA Gonzales personally went to the Lowe residence and spoke to Derek and Dana’s parents. They helpfully provided Christmas cards, handwritten letters, and a diary. Gonzales says he’s certain Dana wrote the letter and mailed it to Delaney. Something about the letter, line, and formatting being the same but he’s sending it to a forensic document examiner to be sure.”
“I’m so stupid. I should’ve—”
“Don’t do that. That’s lookin’ in the past.”
“No. It’s admitting I was wrong and I shoulda listened to you. You told me there was something wrong with her.”
“And I could’ve been wrong. I could’ve been acting like an overprotective jerk. And you rightly called me on it. I don’t ever want the things I’ve seen to stifle who you are. I don’t want my cynicism to taint the good in you. It’s done. It’s over. She can never hurt you again. And now we move on. You have an important job to do and mine is to make you safe while you’re doin’ it. Free to be who you are—my sweet, carefree Laney. You leave the rest to me.”
Adoring Delaney: The Next Generation Page 23
