Chapter 15
Fifteen
Andre
We’re coming around the corner of the property heading for the house, and my stomach is in knots, telling me something isn’t right.
We park the ATVs, and the need to put my eyes on Tinsley is pulling me forward quickly.
I’m halfway across the yard when my phone starts vibrating in my pocket. Pulling it out, I find Vito calling me.
“Hey, you good?” I ask, not slowing my steps.
“You know, just in the sitting room hanging out with Tins and our special guest,” he says slowly.
I stop walking and start thinking, why the fuck would he be hanging out in the sitting room? No one goes in there. He also called Tinsley, Tins. The only person to call her by that name is her brother, meaning the other guest is an outsider.
“I wasn’t aware y’all would have guests today,” I state, trying to find out if this is planned or not.
“Our guest was a surprise to me as well. He is saying we spoke about this visit while we were in Nashville during the incident at the Halloween party.” Vito chuckles humorlessly.
“God damn it,” I hiss because that means what's going on is bad.
“That about sums it up. Oh, and there are special seating arrangements making things difficult,” he tells me.
“I got it. Give me a few and I’ll join the party,” I murmur, thinking. “Oh, can you remind Tinsley that she can send this guest to visit Otis if need be?”
I wait as he relays the message to her. He comes back on the line. “She said to tell you that if the chance becomes available, she will do just that.”
“Just make it out alive,” I firmly state, my chest tight.
“Always the plan,” he tells me and hangs up.
I gather men and get ready to go save my woman and child.
And once they are safe, I’m moving us all to a private fuckin island to make sure no one can ever reach us again.
Bryce comes to me, slapping me on the back, a glint in his eyes telling me he is excited to be going to war.
We come up with a plan and then we’re on the move.
I go through the front door, stepping up beside Vito, staring at the man who not only has his hands on my woman but also is holding a gun to my child.
“Martin, what’s your plan here?” I growl.
He smirks. “It’s making you both choose between your lives for hers or her life for yours.”
“I can already guarantee Vito told you we will both lay our lives down right now for hers,” I state flatly.
Even with tears streaming down her face, Tinsley’s eyes are hard and ready for a fight.
Martin shrugs. “Fine. On your knees, hands on your head.”
We both do just that, moving slowly to keep him from getting trigger-happy. I lock eyes with Tinsley. “I love you, Tesoro. Never forget that.”
No sooner than I get the words out, Martin lifts his gun away from Tinsley, doing the predictable things we thought he would and aims for my chest. Tinsley throws herself backwards, and the gun goes off.
Pain explodes across my chest. After that, all hell breaks loose.
I’m lying on the floor gasping for breath when Tinsley's tear-stained face comes into view.
“Where are you shot? I don’t see any blood,” she says frankly.
Slowly I reach down, pulling my shirt up, showing her the Kevlar vest I’m wearing under it. Tinsley glares, smacking me on the shoulder.
“You asshole, I thought you were going to fucking die,” she sobs, laying her head on my chest.
I place my hand on the back of her head to hold her close. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Vito comes into view, holding his hand out to help pull me up.
“Tesoro, sweetie, let me get up so I can hug you properly.”
Tinsley sits back on her heels. I take Vito’s hand, hissing when it pulls in the bruised area of my chest. Kevlar is good shit, but it still leaves a hell of a bruise when you're shot. Once I’m on my feet, I look over to find Martin sitting in the chair with a single gunshot wound to the head.
Turning to Tinsley, I reach out my hand, pulling her to her feet and into my chest.
“I swear I just lost thirty years of my life seeing you like that,” I whisper into the top of her head.
“You can’t complain when I watched you get fucking shot,” she snaps back, a cute glare on her face.
“How about we make a deal to not ever be in this situation ever again?” I bargain.
“Deal. Now seal it with a kiss,” my feisty little woman demands.
“Yes, Ma’am!” I murmur, pressing my mouth to hers.
I wake up in the middle of the night with Tinsley groaning as she leans onto the side of the bed, swaying back and forth.
“Tesoro, are you okay?” I ask her, jumping out of bed.
She’s breathing in and out rhythmically before looking up at me. Her face is concerned, scared, but the emotion beating out all of it is excitement.
“I need you to go get Miss Tina. The baby is coming, and it’s too late to go to the hospital. I’m delivering the baby at home,” she tells me through clenched teeth.
Standing there, I just look at her. Too shocked to do anything.
“Andre, go now. I’m going to need some fucking help here.” Her tone snaps me into action.
I rush out the door and down the hall to Miss Tina’s room, banging on her door frantically. She pulls it open, gun in hand, looking around wildly.
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” she finally asks.
“It’s Tinsley. The baby is coming now. She says there’s no way to get to the hospital,” I tell her hurriedly.
“Shit,” Tina hisses, turning and going back into her room. She quickly returns with a large bag in hand. She bolts past me toward my room just as a blood-curdling scream rips through the house. We burst through the door to find Tinsley on her hands and knees on the bed, rocking gently.
“I’m here, sweet girl. Tell me what’s going on,” Miss Tina says firmly.
“Contractions are right on top of each other…” Tinsley's words trail off into a scream. “I think when I checked a second ago, I felt the head.”
“Alright, love, let's get you rolled over and let me see what’s going on,” Tina says, helping her do just that.
I move to the top of the bed, kissing Tinsley on the forehead, whispering words of encouragement. As Tina is giving her commands, telling her when to push and when not to. We all lose track of how long it takes. Tinsley is exhausted by the end.
Tina looks up at me. “Andre, I want you to move and sit behind her. Let her use you for support.”
I do, and as soon as I’m in place, Tinsley tenses up. Tina looks up and locks eyes with the most amazing woman lying against my chest. “Now, Tinsley, push with everything that you have.”
Tinsley grits her teeth, bearing down. Just as the first rays of early morning light break over the horizon, our bedroom is filled with the cries of our baby. Tinsley instantly relaxes against my chest with the softest smile on her face. Tina lays our baby on her chest, and it settles right away.
“You have a strong and healthy little boy,” Tina whispers, kissing Tinsley on the forehead and then going back to working between Tinsley's legs.
I look down at the two most important things in my life, finally feeling at peace. Tinsley kisses the top of our boy's head and then looks up at me with tears of pure joy in her eyes. I wipe a tear from her cheek as a single tear runs down my face.
“You are the most incredible woman. Every day I am left in awe of you. I love you, Tesoro,” I whisper, taking her lips in a soft kiss.
“I love you so much, ll mio eroe. (my hero),” she whispers back.
“Did you finally Google it?” I chuckle.
“Nope, I finally called my brother and asked him what Tesoro meant.” She sighs.
“And what did he say?”
“That you call me your treasure.” She blushes as she says it.
“From the very moment you came into my life, I’ve only ever seen you for the true treasure you are. I love you so much, Tinsley,” I say softly, running a hand over our son's head.
Her stunning blue eyes blink up at me. “I love you, Andre. Thank you for giving me the life I’ve only ever dreamed of.”
The End