CHAPTER TEN #4
“Levi, there isn’t a time that goes by that I don’t catch her in our room looking over your pictures in there.
She doesn’t know that I watch her, but I see her every time.
She opens the door and takes Halo in there, she points to you and then whispers in her ear.
” My heart aches when she says this because I know what she’s saying, my name to our daughter.
“I don’t think she’ll ever be over you. She’s going to need some time to process everything, but you can’t give up hope. ”
I nod and try to formulate a plan.
I check the clock and see that it’s getting late, and knowing that my grandparents like to turn in early, I stand.
“I’ll see you both tomorrow. Thank you for taking care of my family when I couldn’t,” I say and grab them both in a tight hug, crushing them to me.
We say our goodbyes and my security and I drive away from their house. My mind is racing, and the farther we get from my family, the more I can’t stand it.
“Jacobs, take us to Jackson’s ranch,” I say in the quiet car. He cuts his eyes over to Mitch quickly and then back to the road, thinking I didn’t catch it, but I did.
“Sir, I think it would be best to go back to the hotel and regroup in the morning. Today was draining, and I think you might have a better head on your shoulders once you’ve had some rest.” Mitch tries to coax.
“I know you mean well Mitch, but there’s no way I can rest knowing that my family is in the same vicinity of me. Take me there.”
“Yes, sir.”
We drive for a while; in the dark it’s hard to decipher what’s around but the black top road ahead of us.
Finally, we pull over a cattle guard and then follow the path up to a large ranch style house, from what the headlights reveal.
My heart is ready to leave my chest at the thought of seeing her again, but this time she’ll know that I’m here.
We park in front and I think how this is only the second time in my life that I am a complete and utter nervous wreck; the first was asking her to marry me. Mitch must sense it, so he turns to face me.
“Levi, Brody Jackson is a military man and if he is anything like what I remember, he’ll protect them with his life.
” Why is he telling me this? “If he’s backed into a corner, we’ll need to proceed with caution so that no one is hurt.
” He must see the questioning on my face, so he explains more.
“For the last two and a half years, he’s been playing ‘family’ with your wife and now daughter.
I’m sure he’ll see it as you coming to take his family from him.
” I nod, now understanding. “And for the love of God please keep your temper under wraps. This isn’t going to be a walk in the park for anyone. ”
I nod and take in what he’s trying to convey, then inhale a deep breath.
We exit the vehicle and walk up to the porch with Mitch, Jacobs and Colbert flanking me.
One more deep breath, and I knock steadily on the thick wooden door.
It takes a while, but I can hear voices on the other side, and wait before I knock again.
The door flings open and Brody Jackson stands tall, with both his shirt and belt unbuttoned.
He looks disheveled, like we just interrupted something intimate.
I swallow the bile that is threatening to come up, at the thought of what we just stop them from doing.
“Sorry guys, but we already know about Jesus,” he candidly says, and moves to close the door.
Fucker! He knows exactly who we are.
Before he can close it completely and before I can stick my hand up to stop it from shutting, Mitch shoves his boot in the doorway. He presses his chest right up against Brody’s chest, so that they are both nose to nose.
“I think you can make some time to hear what we have to say, then depending on your answers, we might need to have that talk about Jesus,” he says, punching Brody in the gut, making him double over, and it causes him to back up a little, allowing the rest of us to walk in. So much for keeping our cool.
I take a quick look around the living room and find it cozy.
I can smell that she has recently baked some of her treats.
There are pictures of my girls all over the room; Saylor definitely added her touch to this house.
Without thinking, I pull off one of the pictures of Saylor and Halo riding a black horse, and hold it in my hands.
They are both smiling so brightly and laughing.
Mitch and Brody take a seat on the couches.
He’s breathing heavily from the blow to the stomach and fidgets slightly, looking over at the hallway that I assume leads to the bedrooms, where my girls sleep.
It must be only a matter of time before Saylor comes in.
“Why Brody? Why did you lie and keep her hidden, even after your Uncle passed away?” Mitch starts questioning. I know they go way back, and Mitch has been kicking himself for not following up after he questioned Brody over two years ago.
Brody gives a shrug and leans back in the cushion, looking bored at the conversation.
“I was given a job and I did what I was expected to do.” He looks over at me and smirks.
I want so badly to knock his teeth in, then that smile won’t be so pretty.
“I think it worked out for everyone involved, don’t you think.
He,” Brody points over to me, “got to move on with his life of being a bachelor, and I got the family I’ve always desired. ”
Putting the photo in my pocket, I turn, giving this piece of shit my full attention.
“There’s just one problem with that, you little fucker.
That’s my family and I have no intention of letting anyone else fill my shoes.
I’m husband to that beautiful woman living here temporarily, and that little angel has my blood running through her precious body.
Mine. This is my family and no one is taking my place,” I growl out.
Is this guy for real? Does he really think any man with a woman like Saylor would give her up willingly?
“It seemed easy to throw them away over two years ago,” he retorts, pushing off the cushion and placing his arms on his thighs, leaning in.
“I didn’t throw them away and you know it. The truth is about to come out and the only person to be thrown away is you!” I seethe.
The baby monitor goes off and the small cry from my daughter fills the room.
My heart aches as I hear a creak from a door, then my beautiful wife’s voice.
“Momma’s here baby bear, don’t worry.” Saylor starts to hum, and I can almost picture her swaying with our baby girl in her arms. I need to see them, to be with Saylor to comfort my daughter.
We are all distracted for a brief moment when the front door bursts open and five men barrel through, all armed with guns in their hands. What the fuck?
Jacobs and Colbert all draw theirs as Brody shrugs off Mitch, then bangs on the end table, making a drawer on the side shoot out. Brody reaches in and produces a gun, and stands up with his guys. Mitch stands in front of me as Brody aims his gun at us.
“I think it might be best if you and your goons leave my house and property before this gets out of hand. Patrick will see you out,” he says and flicks the gun towards the door. “Sadie and Halo have everything they need right here.”
Sadie? They changed her name to hide even more from me.
“I’m not leaving without my family,” I growl out and buck up. “I’ve been waiting too long to get them, and I’m not going anywhere.”
A voice down the hall comes into ear shot, and I’m worried for her safety with all the guns drawn.
“Brody, I thought you were coming to bed?” Saylor asks before she comes into view.
She’s wearing a short silk robe and her short hair is pulled up half way.
“I’ve got the shower ready.” She stops when she sees the room filled with men, who are all pointing guns at each other.
She gasps, and both of her hands cover her mouth to keep her from screaming.
She takes in the room, and her eyes finally find mine.
“Levi,” she whispers. It’s as if our bodies are magnets; she takes a step in my direction and I do the same.
Of course, that shithead and his rat pack try to block us, but it’s the growl of a monster at the side of Saylor’s leg that has me at a complete halt.
A very large German Shepherd is now standing between me and the love of my life.
He’s baring his teeth and his ears are pointed straight up, ready for battle if need be.
Saylor leans down and pets him between the ears and speaks to him.
He follows her command and sits at her feet, but doesn’t take his eyes off of me or my men.
“Sadie stay back,” the fucker says, and maneuvers to her. He bends down and whispers something in her ear and she goes ramrod stiff. Her eyes widen, but she never turns them away from me.
“Baby,” I start to say, but she cuts me off.
“What are you doing here Levi, and all of you put your fucking guns down, there’s a baby in this house,” she demands, and for the first time in forever, I’m as hard as a rock.
Not from only hearing her voice say my name, but how she commands the room.
All of Brody’s men holster their guns, as does Mitch, but Jacobs and Colbert are unsure if they should do as she asks. Mitch nods and they follow suit.
I clear my throat, hoping not to sound like a frog.
“I’ve come for my family,” I say, not taking my penetrating eyes off her. “You’re a hard woman to find.”
She huffs, then crosses her arms over her chest, making the round tops of her breast sneak through.
“I find it hard to believe that The Levi Thorne took all this time to find me. With all the resources at your disposal, now you come? I don’t buy it,” she challenges.
“It’s true. We’ve been looking since before I came out of the coma.
” I look over at Mitch to confirm, and he nods to her.
Her eyes widen again, and they flick back and forth over mine to affirm her suspicions.
Brody grabs for one of her hands and secures it in his, making me want to rip it from his shoulder.
“You can’t have her, she belongs with me.” Her voice betrays her, and I imagine Brody has filled her head with more lies regarding the reason I’d be here.
“Baby,” I calmly say with both hands up in surrender stance. “I’m not going to take her from you. I came to get you both.”
She looks even more confused, and I hate how lost and uncertain she looks right now. She’s always portrayed a sassy, confident sense of personality, and this isn’t that.
“Why now and not two years ago? What’s changed? Tired of the single life, or ran through all of Blaire’s escorts? I’ve seen the pictures with you and that brunette. You can’t lie about that.”
This is not the place to have this discussion. I want to explain everything to her but alone, and away from these men so they can’t turn things around or twist my words.
“Come with me and I’ll explain everything. We can talk and you’ll know exactly what has been going on for the past two and a half years. Please, give me a chance,” I plead. “There is so much that you don’t know that has happened.”
“So, you can brainwash her? Not a chance buddy,” Brody pipes up, giving his unwanted opinion. He wraps his arm around her shoulder and my body goes rigid.
“If you knew anything about that woman beside you then you’d know that no one makes decisions for her but her,” I chide him. “And we both know who the brainwasher here is.”
“I—” she sounds unsure and not as confident as earlier. “I—think you should leave,” she staggers out, and shifts her weight from one leg to the other.
“Saylor, please give me the chance to explain. I’ve waited years to see you and meet our daughter.” I hate using our daughter as I way in, but I’m desperate right now.
Saylor closes her eyes at my words and I can’t let her reject me again, my heart couldn’t take it.
“I’m staying at the Arvon Hotel in town, come by anytime.
I’ll be staying there for the foreseeable future.
” I notice a pen and pad on the coffee table, and lean down scribbling on it.
“Here is mine and Mitch’s numbers, if you need to reach me.
” I walk over to her but Brody’s goons try to step in the way, and that damn dog shoots up and bares his teeth.
I stretch out my hand, and to my pleasure, she extends hers to take it.
I deliberately graze my fingers over hers, and that explosive tingling shoots through my body.
From her gasp I know she feels it too. We still got it .
Looking into to her brown eyes, I can’t help but get lost once again, like when we first met. “Please give me a chance, baby.”
I reluctantly drop my hand and take a step back.
I need to leave here before I level out every man and animal in this room.
As I walk out, I can feel my heart splinter as the distance once again forms between me and my loves.
I need to get myself under control before I send her running again and this time, I’ll probably never find her.
Once in the car, we head out towards the hotel and I whip out my phone. It only takes two rings before she picks up.
“Yes, sir,” she answers quickly.
“I’m having the jet sent for you. I need you here with me, Sarah,” I vaguely say.
She knows what I need and what I’m referring to.
Saylor was right about me having another brunette in my life.
She’s been with me for the last two years and I’ve leaned on her for most of it.
I can only hope Saylor will understand, when it all comes out, and not hate me even more, with all of my fuck ups.
“Yes, sir, I’ll be ready and waiting.”
“I’ll send you details as soon as they are made. We might be here for a while so pack accordingly.”
I hang up, ending the call, and tell Mitch to make the arrangements for her to arrive as soon as possible.