Chapter 28
Cage
I gently rub my hand over my mouth as I sit on Joel's couch, scrolling through listings of empty buildings in Hill Crest that the realtor sent me. My girl hasn’t said much since last night, ever since her sister had an outburst.
After Drew cried herself to asleep in her old bed last night in my arms, I was ready for fucking murder, but when Mary confided to an unsuspecting Joel that Elizabeth had always taken her sister's things growing up. She felt they belonged to her and Mary never said anything then because she thought it was normal childlike behavior. She made Elizabeth feel invincible and after Elizabeth had a meltdown screaming the baby my girl is carrying shouldn’t exist because she apparently shouldn’t exist, Joel had no choice but to commit her.
The woman believes she’s an only child and Drew stole her life. She is clearly whacked, now my girl is struggling because she can’t understand her sister’s hate when she’s done nothing but put her first her entire life at her mother’s insistence.
“According to Dr. Paul, Mary made Elizabeth feel superior to her sister, always telling her that she will come first no matter what. She felt she should get more than her sister because she was a miracle,” Joel says as he storms into the house, a tearful Mary walking in behind him looking sorrowful, and I sigh as I shake my head.
“So basically, because of your guilt in losing one child and fear of losing the other, you made her think she should have been the only child. Which caused her to have an unhealthy obsession with ruining her sister’s life?” I say and Mary flinches but nods.
What the actual fuck?
I shake my head, then look back at the screen and scroll through the listings, knowing I’ll say something to upset her otherwise or worse, shoot her in the fucking head.
"I didn’t mean to," Mary whispers and Joel scoffs, "You told her that whatever money Drew earned would always be hers because she nearly died."
Son of a…
“Fuck’s sake,” I grunt, and Mary sobs, “I’m sorry, I just…”
"Elizabeth was your favorite," I say, turning her way, "You hated that Drew chose ballet, that she resisted your matchmaking, that you couldn't reach her.
So you poured yourself into the daughter who joined your church and allowed you to control her life.
You chose Elizabeth—who tried to kill my baby! "
Mary looks away, and Joel sighs, “Where is Drew?”
I turn back to the screen and scroll as I admit, “Handing the keys to Caty and showing her where everything is, Blade is with her while the Dark Angels are loading everything into vans.”
A building with a large glass window catches my attention and I quickly click on it, recognizing it instantly.
It’s the old bakery next door to Carnage Tats, the building I originally wanted but the owner refused to sell…
Fuck me, it is perfect.
“I’ve found the perfect one,” I mutter before feeling Joel and Mary crowd around me.
“The large window is too exposed,” Mary instantly says but I ignore her, scrolling through the pictures, pausing to note the hardwood floors and how the sunlight stretches across the room.
“It’s perfect,” Joel states, causing Mary to gasp because he’s going against her wishes, but we both ignore her and continue to look at the property.
This is about my girl, not her.
"It’s right next door to the tattoo shop," I admit as my stomach tightens.
Joel chuckles, "Scratch that—it’s fucking perfect," and I grin widely and mutter, “Yes, it really is.”
“I just said it's too exposed,” Mary snaps.
“And I said it’s fucking perfect, so give it a rest, Mary, because right now you don’t have a leg to stand on,” Joel snaps, and I wince.
Shit.
I clear my throat and ask Mary, “Have you managed to find a church in Hill Crest?” hoping to divert the anger.
She hums in agreement but continues to scowl just as the door opens and I look up to see Blade stroll through like he owns the place.
“Okay, your girl's apartment is completely empty, and keys have been handed over. She’s currently saying bye to some of her students who came to plead with her not to leave, Viper is with her,” Blade says.
I nod to the screen and admit, “I’ve found the perfect studio for her. Even better, several kids already want to join since word got out.”
I reached out to all my fucking old contacts. People helping to put flyers up to get word out for Little Bird’s Ballet and already the sign-up sheet is full for opening in two months. Once construction is completed on the building I just found for my girl.
She will get to live her passion still, if it is the last thing I fucking do, especially when she’s willing to move for me.
“And your dad still doesn’t know?” he confirms, and again I nod.
"The brothers aren’t aware of anything just yet," I say as my phone rings and I sigh, knowing it’s church.
“Go,” Blade states as he takes a seat next to me and grabs the laptop. “I’ll call the realtor and tell them you’re paying in cash tomorrow. She won’t lose that studio. Go have church, brother. If Drew comes back, I’ll hide the page. Your surprise won’t be ruined.”
I give him a grateful nod, so fucking happy he and his brothers are in town for a few days to help us move.
I walk into the kitchen, then out to the backyard, without looking at a pissed-off Mary.
I’m not sure what she expected because what she put in Elizabeth’s head isn’t okay.
Losing her child doesn’t excuse any of it, she liked that she could control one of her children because the other in her mind rebelled.
“Yeah,” I answer as I take a seat on the patio steps, and Dad growls, “Church in session!” before a bang echoes, and I shake my head.
The longer I’m away, the moodier he gets…
“Okay, let's start with Scar killing Scrawny. The man squealed like a pig, spilling all the secrets with the Chargers. We’ve managed to intercept several flesh sales in the past week,” Dad states and I sit up straighter.
“They were dealing with flesh?” I growl, and Dad grunts, “Yeah, eight five-year-olds we’ve managed to intercept so far.
It’s why they’re trying their hardest to get rid of us, they know we’ll stop them.
I spoke to the Cartel and apparently it has fuck all to do with them.
He’s just as pissed because his wife was an abused child and he’s also against it, so we believe the fuckers are on their own. ”
Fuck me.
“We have a system in place. Despite doing his residency, Trick is keeping a handle on it,” Dad continues then the fucker clears his throat and I tense as asks, “What are your plans in returning, Cage? We gave you some time, and I know you still have a month left but now we need to crunch down. We know the fuckers are dealing with flesh, I need you home, and I need you home, now, to take your rightful place.”
I swallow hard and lie, “I’m not returning. I can’t.”
Loud growls echo down the receiver, I pull my phone away just as the back door opens and everything inside me relaxes.
Drew…
I sit up straighter and widen my legs as Drew enters my sight.
She looks absolutely beautiful in the maternity dress I bought her a few days ago.
It fits her perfectly, the light blue making her eyes seem brighter and without a word, seeing I’m on the phone, she sits down in front of me and leans back.
My free hand instantly goes to our baby. Tomorrow, we will find out the sex.
I’m becoming more settled about being a dad. My excitement is slowly growing.
I kiss my girl's head just as my dad shouts, “You are coming home whether you like it or not!” and Drew winces while I hold in my snort.
“Dad,” I try but he cuts me off and snaps, “I’ll come fucking tie you up and drag you back if I have to, boy! You still have four weeks. Get ready, because you are not fucking handing in your cut!”
He hangs up, shocking me. I chuckle slightly as Drew lifts her head back and we lock eyes.
“Hey,” I rasp as I gently caress her lips, then cup her bump with both hands after I place my phone on the patio. As soon as I set it down, it instantly begins to ring.
“You going to get that?” she asks, and I smirk.
“Nah, let’s play with them a little, shall we?” I say, and she grins widely despite the sadness still in her eyes, the situation with her sister is still difficult for her.
I kiss her, needing her lips against mine. Our tongues tangle, sending shivers down my spine.
Fuck, I’ll never get tired of her lips against mine.
I slow the kiss to little pecks before pecking her cheeks and nose, making her giggle. I tighten my arms around her and place my face into the crook of her neck, breathing her in but my peace is ruined as Blade shouts, “You fucking got it, brother!”
I smile widely as we look behind us to find Blade doing a stupid dance in celebration and Joel laughing his ass off, while Mary looks at the laptop with a scowl.
Damn woman. Surely, she knows I’ll put up a privacy film so Drew can see out, but no one can see in?
“Got what?” Drew chuckles as she watches Blade.
I nip her neck and whisper, “The perfect fucking building right next door to Carnage Tats that I’ve just purchased with cash.
We found several students who want to join Little Bird’s Ballet, most hoping to make it big as you did.
Best part, none of them know it’s medal-winning and Broadway dancer Drew Taylor, soon to be Martinez that will be their teacher.
When word gets out, you’ll have dozens of moms trying to sign their kids up. ”
Drew spins in my arms, her eyes wide, and I grin at her and state, “After everything that you’ve had to deal with where your mom was concerned, your sister, I wanted to do something for you because you are already doing so fucking much for me.
Showing me how much you fucking love me every single day, willing to leave your hometown, the kids you love, your passion, just to be with me. I want you happy always, baby.”
“It helps that you’ve got a big house with a wraparound porch,” she jokes.
I chuckle and press my lips against hers once again.
This fucking woman—since the day she came into my life, I’ve grown as a person. I’ve learned to forgive myself and understand what happened wasn’t my fault. I’ve learned to love with my whole heart and heal myself with her standing by my side making me feel really fucking grateful.
She’s my rock, and I’m her pillar, always and I can’t wait to build a life with her.