His Father

“Is this something to do with the extra container Maddox was talking about a while ago?” It’s not hard to put two and two together at this point.

“You knew he was scoping something out?”

I startle at his anger and stare at him, gaping, before snapping, “He just thought it was a mistake and then he never really mentioned it again. I told him to speak to you but I think he wanted to impress you. What was in the crate?”

“Drugs,” he replies simply. “Weapons. You name it.”

“Jesus,” I murmur. “Well if Maddox thinks you’re behind it he’ll never come back to you. Beyond marijuana he despises drugs.”

Sargent’s eyes dim with defeat and he slides down the wall until his rear hits the floor. “I need to find him before they do.”

“That’s the deal you were trying to gamble out of? Is Stone the leader?”

He shakes his head. “He’s as good as. He runs the operation with his club. If he backs out, Yaroslava will have a hard time finding people to keep it going.”

“What does this mean for it all now?”

“Now that the feds are involved? It’ll never go again. My freights will be constantly searched.”

Is there a glimmer of hope in there somewhere? “That’s good right?”

“No, because Cassius will likely force me out, as he should, Maddox could die if I don’t figure out a way to keep his name out of it.”

“What about you? What will they do to you?”

My eyes fill with tears as I process the information.

“I’m going to book you a flight, I want you away from here as soon as possible,” he says after moving to crouch before me. His hands pull mine away from my face and I wonder if he can see the heartbreak he put there. “I don’t want to send you away. But it isn’t safe. They will use you to hurt me. These people are sick. There’s no end game now. Only vengeance. I’ve just lost him millions in trade.”

“I don’t want to leave you.” I sniff. “And Maddox…”

“I’ll take care of my son, but I need you to be strong and do as I ask. If this ever blows over, I’ll come for you.”

I stare at the graying sky through the window as the sun rises. This is the first time since I arrived in Malibu that it looks gloomy. Or perhaps it’s my new mood reflecting on my vision.

“I don’t have shoes, or my things, my passport is still at your house.” I chew on my lip and wipe at my wet cheeks. “Let me get my belongings and say goodbye to Devon and Fidget…”

“I can’t take that chance. I’ll call somebody to collect them. Marcy is booking your flight right now.”

I wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face there. “I’m so scared, Sargent. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“Me too,” he replies quietly. “That’s why I need you gone so I can focus.”

“There’s something else.” I pull away and search his eyes. I don’t want to add to his stresses. “I…”

“What is it?”

“I’m late.”

His eyes remain the same but his fingers dig into my thighs a fraction harder.

“This isn’t the first time though so it’s probably not that but I just… I needed you to know.” In case he’s right and he dies. That sounds morbid and horrible but I’ve never felt fear like this. Everything was perfect and now it’s not. “But if I am, what do I do?”

He stares at me for a longer moment, unblinking. His lips part and close and then he stands and rips his hands through his short hair before looking down at me.

“Are you angry?” I ask quietly. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“I’m not angry.” His reply sounds soft and genuine, so I relax. “Just because you’re carrying it doesn’t shift the blame to you. I should have known better. It was inevitable.”

He’s not angry or upset like I expected him to be.

“If you are, we’ll figure it out, but right now, I can’t think about that. I need you out of here, okay? Yaroslava’s psychopathic daughter is in America and she could be here already. She’s bitchy and bitter and you’re a million times prettier and younger than her so you need to go.”

I stand and he envelops me in a warm hug.

“If you are, whatever you choose, it’s your body and your decision and I will support you,” he whispers. “But, you mustn’t contact me until I contact you. Do you understand?”

At his words, I shudder with emotion and hold him tighter. “I don’t want to leave.”

“You must.”

“I know, but I don’t want to.” We rock together in the steadily rising sunlight before he pulls away and makes more calls, calls to get me the shit I need.

Tempest

Four hours later, I’m on my way to the airport with one of his security guys and I can’t stop replaying the past twenty-four hours in my head.