Dangerously Yours (Titans of Chicago #3)

LULU

Life seemed to get back to some semblance of normal over the last six or seven weeks. Cade’s threats still lingered in my head, but so far, I had not received any summons to appear in court, or had any interaction with him. I thought for sure that something would go down during the time Noah was away at training camp, seeing as he was the only one who could actually come to my rescue. After the night I had spent with him, the two of us went back to dating under a cloak of secrecy. It really sucked, especially while we were still so early on in our relationship. Noah understood it, though. He had mentioned more than once something about talking to Cade, but I didn’t want to involve him more than I already had.

“That’s not necessary. You need to focus on your upcoming season,” I had told him right before training camp. Now the preseason was close to wrapping up, and his worries had shifted. The coaches had held him out of most games, and while I was sure it was out of precaution, Noah thought otherwise. For whatever asinine reason, he was convinced they were trying to shop him around. “That’s crazy. They would be fools to do that!”

“What if they do, though? I would have to pick up and start over in a new city all alone.”

It hadn’t hurt my feelings because he knew I couldn’t pick up and leave with him. Chicago was not only my home, but it was my children’s home as well. They had friends, extra-curricular activities, and family here, even if only on Cade’s side. Our May-December relationship would end, which was nothing that we couldn’t have honestly expected to happen. I still wanted to provide encouragement to him, so when we were together, I made sure to remain positive for his sake. The freak out on my part would happen when I was alone at night with nothing more than memories of his hands on my body to warm me.

Work helped to keep me busy, and I was so pleased with how gorgeous Harper Grimes’ wedding was going to be. I had gotten to know her and Gabriel even better over the last several weeks, and the two were a real-life romance novel. Their love story was what fairy tales were made of, and I would make sure her wedding day was the most magical one the city would ever see. Price was no object according to Gabe which meant I had no limits when it came to my planning. Knowing the joy I would bring to their faces on their big day, not to mention the much needed commission I would receive, made these late afternoon work days more tolerable.

Amanda had recently turned fifteen, and she had been a big help when it came to watching over her siblings on those afternoons when I wasn’t there to greet them as they arrived home from school. I was so proud of the woman she was becoming. I loved all three of my children, and I would never let Cade follow through with his earlier threats. Thankfully, I had heard nothing else from him about them, so I assumed he had finally come to his senses. Punishing me was one thing, but punishing his own kids was quite another.

My cell phone rang, and I quickly snatched it up. “Is everyone home, baby?”

“Yes, Mom. What time are you going to get home? I want to go over to Renee’s house for a sleepover tonight.”

I remembered the slumber party for her best friend, and I looked at the folders I had out on the table. “I’ll be home as soon as I lock up here.” That place was my actual office which was a block away from where I lived. It was not only conveniently located for times like this when I needed to get home, but it added more legitimacy to my budding business. I could host clients here, and I could go over my ideas without having to lug a briefcase full of things from one client appointment to another.

“It’s fine. Will you bring home a pizza on your way?” She asked.

“That, I can do. See you all soon.” I hung up, then quickly put away everything.

I had been working tirelessly, and not having to cook sounded great to me. Pulling out my cell phone, I quickly placed our usual order, then noticed the missed text message from Noah. I smiled at it, then quickly fired off a response to him. I then stretched as my body stiffened from the few hours I had spent sitting down earlier when working on the Blake-Grimes wedding.

My stomach growled at that moment as if it was reminding me that I also needed to eat. I stuffed my cell phone into my purse, and after locking up, I headed a block in the opposite direction for the place I knew had their favorite pizza. This particular venue served the usual artisan fare, and the anticipation of one of their calorie-packed pies oozing with imported mozzarella and Italian sausage made my stomach rumble again.

“Okay, Okay,” I said out loud before heading to the pizza parlor.

It didn’t take very long to arrive there, and the place was bustling with activity. After finding a small table in the corner, I sat and listened to the live music as I waited which helped me pass the time. Soon after arriving, my order was ready, so I paid for it, then headed back outside. I hadn’t really driven much to work since opening my own office, but I knew that would all change soon. It wouldn’t be long until these humid summer days would give way to my favorite autumn ones, before I would be back to having to drive everywhere when winter set in.

Truly enjoying this time, and the walk along Michigan Avenue, I passed my office and continued toward my place. The scent of basil and tomatoes filled the air as the pizza infused steam rose from the sides of the box. I was getting hungrier by the minute. My mind was preoccupied on that, so as I rounded the corner and began to cross the street, a motor revved. I was already mid way across the road, with my building right in my sights. I tried to finish crossing when a car suddenly bolted forward, straight in my direction. I stupidly stood rooted in place for just a moment before realizing the silver vehicle was coming right for me. I barely made it to the curb when the car suddenly swerved.

I tried reaching the safety of the sidewalk but I mis-timed my step. As the front of my shoe hit the raised concrete, I toppled forward, falling right on top of our dinner. Looking over my shoulder, the car had come to a complete stop. I was sure it was to see if I was okay, but when no one rolled down their windows or got out of the vehicle, a frisson of fear raced down my spine.

Did this person purposely try to hit me?

I shook my head at the very ludicrous thought. I continued to stare at the car for a few seconds, but because the windows were tinted a shade so dark, and one I doubted was legal, I couldn't see who was inside. The car remained still, just as I saw the window begin to slowly lower. At that exact moment, I heard my name.

“Mrs. Davis. Are you okay?”

Turning toward the voice of my doorman, I was about to respond but the sound of squealing tires had me looking back at the car once more. The sports car made a quick U-turn before speeding off down the street. I had no clue who it was, but at this point, I didn't even care. It was likely an accident, so I allowed the man to help me to my feet.

“Do I need to call anyone for you?”

I looked down my body, and outside of a skinned knee, I was no worse for wear. Shaking my head, I then noticed dinner. I was sure the pizza was unrecognizable now, so I would need to order another one, only this time it would be delivery.

“No, I’m fine. My pride is the only thing wounded unless you count this pizza.”

“I’m glad you’re okay. There are so many maniacs on the road nowadays. That car came out of nowhere.” He then extended his hand, and after allowing John to help me to my feet, I bent to pick up the crushed pizza box. “Maybe we should call the police. I can?—”

“No, that’s not necessary. There’s no need to involve them over my own clumsiness.”

“It didn’t look like?—”

“I’m sure the car just lost control. You know today’s youth and their flashy cars. Most can’t drive your average car, much less something with so much power. I don't want to file a report or anything. I just need to go home.”

John looked like he wanted to argue, but then thought better of it. “Let me at least get this from you,” he said, taking the pizza box from me.

“Thank you,” I told him, then hurried inside the building. A few minutes later, I was staring into the disappointed faces of my children. “I can order you all another one, or perhaps even make something. I need to head to the market this weekend, but I can probably find something to throw together.”

“Pizza,” they all answered in unison.

I went to grab my purse, immediately feeling a throbbing in my wrist when I reached inside for my cell phone. I called back the same place I had gotten the first one from, and was given a forty-five minute estimated time of delivery. I paid for everything over the line, then looked at Amanda.

“I’m going to take a shower.” I then got up and went into my bathroom.

Once inside, I looked at my wrist which was actually starting to bruise. It was also more swollen than it had been when I had picked myself up off of the sidewalk. Pain still afflicted it, and I sighed. After my shower, I would need to ice it. My knee looked bad too, but not to this magnitude. A bit of alcohol and a band-aid would be all I needed for it. I went to find something else to change into, and after undressing, I returned to the bathroom.

About twenty minutes later, I was out of the shower and fully dressed. The pizza still hadn’t arrived, not that I thought it would. While we all waited, Leslie took it upon herself to play hairdresser, and I was actually appreciative of her brushing my hair as I watched one of the national sports channels with Zachary. They were talking about this last week of the preseason, and of course a good portion of it was focused on our local team. My interest in them was completely different from that of my son, but we still both had our eyes glued to the screen as we watched the team warming up on the field.

Noah was in street clothes still which meant he would likely not see the field tonight. I knew how much he had wanted to prove his worth to his coaches, but I didn’t think that was necessary. He was a consecutive MVP award-winning quarterback, and any team in the league would be thrilled to sign him.

My thoughts were confirmed when his coach was briefly interviewed, and the first question had been about Noah’s availability. “Hey, Noah has more than proven what he can do on the field over the course of his career. His lack of playing time in the preseason has nothing to do with doubts over his talent. We’re simply trying to keep our stars fresh, and more importantly, injury-free. We have a big game week one against a divisional rival. Noah is our starter, unequivocally.”

The topics then turned to scheme, and even the mood of the locker room after last year’s early playoff exit. I was not envious of having to regurgitate the same thing all off-season, and into the upcoming one. The only things I had to repeat over and over again in my line of work were to caterers, florists, or other hired vendors.

“Noah is going to win the championship this year,” Zachary told me.

“Is that so?” I had no doubts that he had the talent and drive to do so, but I was curious as to why my son was so adamant.

“Yep. Ricky’s uncle plays on the offensive line, and he has told him that there is no one more determined to win than Noah.”

I knew all about his determination, both on and off the field. Thankfully, I didn’t have to think about it because the doorbell cut into my thoughts. I got up, retrieved the pizza, then changed the channel to something all the kids would enjoy. We ate and were halfway through the Disney movie when Amanda’s ride came to pick her up.