Chapter 24
Blake: Where the fuck are you?
Quincy: Missing me already, baby girl?
Blake: You're going to be missing a damn leg if you don't tell me where you are.
I bit my lip as I pictured my fiery husband glaring at his phone. Husband. The thought still made my stomach flip and my chest get achingly warm. I knew it was in name only but it was so much more to me at the same time. The ring on my finger was the only thing getting me through the excruciating hours without weed or Blake. I twisted around a few times as I settled back down and relaxed in my seat.
Blake: Quincy! I will start burning your shit.
He made sure to attach a photo but the reception was subpar and it hadn't come through.
Quincy: I hope that's a dick pic. I could use the motivation
Blake: For what? Benito and Harlow have no idea what you're doing.
I hadn't told either one of them shit. This was for me to handle. Blake was mine and I was going to do everything in my power to take care of what was mine. I'd make sure that there was nothing in this goddamn world that could possibly take Blake away from me.
Quincy: Can we have catfish for dinner when I get home?
Blake: If you don't tell me what you're doing, you won't have a home to come back to.
He was being harsh, but a part of me really enjoyed this side of Blake. When he was upset with me, he only fucked me harder. And when we finally made up and I made sure to right all my wrongs, he always gave me a well deserved reward.
The picture finally loaded and I groaned. There, in Blake's hands, was one of my favorite pairs of jeans. He had his lighter next to them. I got the threat loud and clear.
Quincy: You can set the whole place ablaze, baby, as long as I get to keep the most important thing.
Blake:......I don't even want to know the answer.
Quincy: You.
Blake: Cringe.
Blake: Hurry up and get back home!
Ding.
The seatbelt sign was back on as the stewardess got on the intercom. "Please stay seated as we descend. " The pilot was right after her, informing everyone just how fast we'd arrived.
"The local time in the sunshine state of California is twelve-fifteen. We will be descending shortly. I want to thank you on behalf of Sunshine Air. If this is your final destination, enjoy your time in the golden state."
I put my headphones back on, drowning out their words as I stared through the window. The clouds were nothing more than puffs of smoke. My fingers twitched against my thigh as I thought about smoking. My phone stayed in my hand as I waited for it to vibrate again. I'd made the right choice for the inflight internet. I was able to text Blake at least.
Harlow: Your boy toy just walked in cursing up a storm. Where are you?
Quincy: He's my husband.
Harlow: Same thing.
I rolled my eyes. Harlow still knew how to get on my nerves. I switched back over to the messages with Blake.
Quincy: I'll be good, I swear.
Blake: What about safe?
Quincy: That too. I will be back home tonight. It will be like I'm not even gone.
When I didn't receive a message back from Blake, I sighed. He was going to kick my ass or deny me dick. I was hoping for a fight instead; at least then I knew I'd get dicked down right after. The wheels hit the tarmac, and the moment the seatbelt sign was off, I was up and out of my seat. Unlike the other passengers, I didn't have a carry on to scramble for. I deplaned and headed toward the exit.
My sunglasses were out and on my face before the California sun hit me. I whistled as air too warm for winter slid over me. Blake hadn't been kidding when he said that New York was too fucking cold for his California blood. If this was what they called winter, there was no way in hell I was going to be able to convince him to turn down the heat in our apartment.
I switched my phone fully off airplane mode and was not surprised by the amount of calls I'd received while I was in the air. Blake's name came up the most, and it brought a grin to my face. He was obsessed with me.
I mean, how couldn't he be? I’m fucking fantastic.
My phone buzzed with an address of where I needed to go. I focused on catching the first taxi and gave them the address. Relaxing back in the seat, I stared at my phone again, waiting to see if Blake would message back. When nothing came through, I gave in and sent him another message.
Quincy: Don't be mad.
Blake: I'm not.
Oh good.
Blake: Fuck you.
Wait, so he is mad? I stared at my phone before sending him another message.
Quincy: You can fuck me anytime of the week, peaches.
Blake: Nah, I'm good. This will be a sexless marriage.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me."
"Sir?"
I shook my head at the cab driver, indicating I was on the phone. I hit the call button next to Blake's name.
"Now you want to call?"
"Baby—"
"Quincy, whatever you're doing, don't be a goddamn idiot."
"I won't. I can't wait to be back home with you."
Blake's sigh was soothing to hear. I relaxed more in the back of the cab. "Yeah, me too. Hurry up already."
"Aww, you need me attached to you, huh?"
"No, I need to get you a tracker. Maybe I'll get you a necklace with one in it."
My heart skipped a beat and I literally fell for him even harder. "Fuck, I'm madly in love with you."
"What—Quincy. I?—"
The cab driver was slowing down, and I noticed we were close to where I needed to get out.
"Hey, peaches, I'll call you back soon. I need to go."
"Okay, we will be talking when you come home."
"As long as your dick's inside of me, baby, you can say whatever you need to."
Blake grunted as we hung up the phone, and I paid the cab driver. I got out and headed over to the small, single story home. It was a soft blue with red shingles on the roof. The short palm tree in the front yard was more brown than green. The front door opened and Danny, an older man, stepped out. He wore a plain white shirt and sweats like he hadn't left his place in weeks. He squinted, shielding his eyes from the blaring sun.
His smile stretched over his face. "Quincy, long time no see."
I shook his offered hand before making my way up the path and into his home. "Not long enough. What are you doing out here now?"
The interior matched the outside; soft colors adorned with deep browns and soft reds. He shrugged, the gray in his hair had spread a bit more and overtaken the pepper. He gestured to the couch and I shook my head. Danny moved around his place, taking up the cigarette he'd left in the ashtray before retrieving me. "Living. Doing what I can."
I nodded, knowing when not to pry. "Remember that favor you owe me?"
Danny nodded. "Yeah. It's been ten years and you're just now coming to me?" He scratched at the scruff on his face. “I’ve been hearing about you in New York. Tough luck with those bosses of yours. Was certain you’d ask for a way out a hell of a lot sooner.”
Originally, that had been my plan. If shit got to the point I couldn't handle my own anymore, I’d disappear. "What can I say? I didn't have anything worth asking for."
"Shoot. What do you need?"
"Someone to take the wrap for a bank robbery," I said.
Danny didn't blink at my request. "Was it by force? How many people were involved?"
"No, he was in and out. And only one. There’s a guard that will probably need to be paid off as well.”
He whistled. "Damn, I think I know which job you're referring to. The guy had balls and his wits about him. Still hasn’t been caught. Cops have been trying everything to crack down on him."
The corner of my mouth tugged up in a smile. Yeah, that was my baby girl. He was fucking badass. "Can it be done?"
"Yeah, but you sure you want to use your favor for this? Something like this could easily run you only fifty grand."
I shook my head. "Money isn't the issue. I need this done right, Danny." No amount of cash could replace a man's life debt to you.
Danny's empty gaze stared at me for a long while before he nodded. "I got a guy whose family needs to be taken care of. He doesn't have any priors. He’ll get five years max and probably be let out early for good behavior."
"He can't talk."
"Don't worry. He's seen what happens first hand when someone goes back on a deal."
My anxiety settled a little at his words. I knew Danny from my short stint at Rikers. I'd saved his life, and since then, he'd owed me. After this, I wouldn’t have any aces up my sleeve, but I didn’t care. Blake would be safe. And free.
"When will it be done?"
"In a hurry?"
“Yes.”
I wasn't going to let this hang over Blake's head any longer. He deserved to breathe easier like the rest of us.
"Give me a few hours. By the time you make it back to New York tonight, you should be able to print off the report. I'll have my guy on the inside process everything."
Thank fuck for Danny's connections. If he didn't work out, I had a few more options, but none as securely and sure as him. I checked my phone. I still had plenty of time to spare.
"Do I need to stick around?" I asked.
Danny waved me off as if I was more in the way then not. I left him to it as he got behind his computer. I headed out with one goal in mind. Blake's mom.
In and out. I just hoped his mom was nothing like mine. Although from Blake's stories about her, and how often he showed he missed her, I doubted they were anything alike.
Finding the apartment Blake grew up in was a lot harder than I'd originally thought. I had eight hours before, and now I was reduced to half that time before my flight took off. I knocked and waited for the door to open. When no one came to answer, I knocked again. On the third try, I gave up and picked the cheap lock. As good of a thief Blake was, I was surprised he hadn't added a multitude of locks on the door. I let myself in, making sure not to make too much noise.
"Hello? Is anyone here?"
Unsurprisingly, there was no response. The place was small, but clean. I could picture a little Blake sitting on the small couch and watching TV much like how he did now at home. There was no wonder he didn't mind staying with me if his childhood home was anything to go by. We’d both gotten by with the bare minimum.
I checked my phone. My flight back was in four hours, and I needed to make sure I made it in time. I wouldn't hear the end of it if I didn't get back to him tonight. Blake was bound to light the whole place up. I joked, but he was crazy enough to do it. I found a final notice bill with Blake’s name on it, and turned it over to write a quick note.
Dear Blake's mom,
I know you've been in the dark about a lot, but I wanted to inform you, Blake is safe. He is no longer in any danger and if you do not believe me feel free to check for yourself. I'm leaving enough money for a business plane ticket and some extra for anything you need. Give it about a month and everything will be clear. Your son misses you, and I hope to meet you on a more personal level.
-Your son-in-law, Quincy.
It wasn't technically a lie. I made sure to lock up before heading out. I just hoped she read it and came to New York. Maybe I should have added more to the note but short and to the point was the best method from my experience.
Jet-lagged and hungry, I stepped through my front door.
"Baby girl—" The punch to the abdomen knocked the air out of my lungs and I bent forward. "Okay, I deserved that one."
Blake raised his knee and I blocked him from breaking my nose. I twisted him around and shoved him up against a wall. I plastered my body against his.
"I missed you too, peaches." I kissed him and was rewarded with a bite. Pain flared over my lips and dragged a grin on my face. I ran my tongue over the small tear he’d caused. "Fuck, you needed to taste me that bad, baby? All you had to do was ask. I'd cut myself open for you."
"Quincy, I'm pissed off."
I pressed him more firmly against the wall. "Sorry."
"That's not enough. You didn't tell me shit before leaving."
I wanted it to be a surprise, but I could tell Blake wasn't going to appreciate that. "You're right, moving forward I'll try to be more forthcoming. I'm used to moving on my own."
"You're not alone anymore." He held his hand up with the gold ring on it. "We're married, so, yeah."
I intertwined our fingers. "Yes, we are."
The silence that wrapped around us wasn't the least bit strained as if we both couldn't help but look at our clasped hands. It hadn't even been that long since we officially tied the knot.
"Sorry, I wanted to surprise you."
"With what?"
I let him go and rummaged through my bag for the papers. I passed over the case files. Since walking through the door, I realized that Blake had been cooking. I smiled as I took notice that it was exactly what I'd asked for.
"What is this?" He opened them, his eyes widening the more he read. "Who the hell is this?" He pointed to the picture of the perp that had robbed the bank.
"Didn't you read what it said?"
"Yeah, but he didn't do it."
I nodded. "Yes, he did." Blake stared at me as if I'd lost my mind. "I know a few people in California who owe me big time. A deal was struck, and bam, you're no longer on the run. There are eyewitnesses and everything.”
"Just like that?"
I smiled and stood up taller. "I told you I'd take care of it."
His mouth opened and closed as he stood there.
"Was it not a good surprise?"
Blake shook his head and then closed the folder. "I mean, yeah, but how? I was still contemplating telling Benito. And my dad said he'd take care of it if?—"
I was back on him in a second. Shoving him against the wall again and lowering my head until we saw eye to eye. "You're mine, Blake Vitale."
His blue eyes stared back at me expectantly.
"I take care of what's mine, I don't need another man to do it. Am I clear?"
His smile was mischievous. "Yeah?"
I took his mouth in a heated kiss, drinking him in until my lungs burned from lack of oxygen. "Don't push me, Blake. I tiptoe the line of insanity everyday."
His laughter filled the space as he pushed at my chest. "Quincy, I have news for you. You're fucking batshit insane already."
I backed up reluctantly, putting distance between us. If I could, I'd crawl inside of Blake and be there twenty-four-seven. No breaks needed.
"Stop looking at me with that crazed look in your eyes," Blake warned as he headed for the kitchen. He went right back to the stove.
"You could have eaten without me." I looked at the time, it was nearly midnight.
He shrugged as if it wasn’t that big of a deal, but it was to me. Blake was giving me more than anyone ever had. It was clear I was someone important to him.
My phone rang and I checked it. My mom’s contact was displayed on the screen. I hadn't told her I got married and a part of me didn't want to. I didn't need her soiling this happiness that I had finally carved out for myself. I wanted to hoard all of Blake's attention for myself. The other part, the one that still craved some kind of parental acknowledgment or love, wanted to go and show Blake off to her. Show her I could make someone happy. That I wasn't my father, or even her, but someone so much better. The thoughts were fleeting and it was a steady war of should I or shouldn't I.
"Who was that?" Blake asked as the screen went black.
I shook my head and stuffed my phone away, but not before turning it off. "No one important."
He lifted a single brow, watching me keenly. "You sure?"
I nodded, wrapped my arms around his waist, and rested my head on top of his. "You're all I need."
He reached up and touched my forehead. "You're not warm."
"I'm not sick."
"Had to make sure. You're being such a simp."
"Fuck you, Blake."
"We both know I'm the one who does the fucking." He booped my nose. Me. Someone who's killed more people than he could possibly ever imagine. "You're cute though."
And he calls me crazy. The Vitale DNA was showing up more and more in Blake.
I thought about my words, the ones I’d rushed out on the phone. As much as I’d tried to wait, I couldn’t help but to tell him how I felt at that moment. I studied him, wondering if he would bring it up.
“Is there something on my face?” he asked.
“Not yet,” I teased. “But your night could improve at any moment.”
Blake rolled his eyes. He hummed as we moved around the kitchen together. Not once did he tell me to back up or let him go. I couldn't possibly fall for this man anymore than I already had.