Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
ALICE
L eaving Red is so much harder than it was with Declan. I think about Red almost every second of the day. I miss him. Every day that goes by, it’s like another tear in my heart.
It doesn’t make any sense to me. I was only with him for a few months, and somehow, he’s put me under a spell. I feel physically bound to him.
Every time I hear him at the door asking to speak to me, it takes every bit of willpower I have not to sprint down the stairs and into his arms. I just want him to hold me like he used to. I want to feel the blanket of safety that only he can provide.
I just want him.
But no matter how much I want him, I have to do what’s best for me. Seeing that side of Red makes me think of Declan, and I don’t like it. Although Red has never lifted a hand to me, I won't stand for any kind of abuse, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional.
I spent too many years being unappreciated and abused. So, as much as I love Red, I must stay strong and move on.
As I lie in bed stuffing my face, my mind drifts off to the conversation I had with the ol’ ladies and Will last night.
“Alice, I know what he said was wrong, but Red isn’t Declan. Everyone makes mistakes, sweetie. I’m not defending him, but I think you should at least give him the chance to apologize,” Will said.
All the ladies nodded their heads in agreement. They’ve been trying to convince me to give Red another chance for the past hour. I came here tonight thinking they would all understand why I’m shutting Red out, but it's been the complete opposite.
It’s safe to say the ol’ ladies are rooting for Red and me.
“It’s not that, Will. The way he spoke to me gave me flashbacks to Declan. He didn’t always strike me. Sometimes, he would get pleasure from tearing me down with his words. I can't go back to that.”
“That’s the difference between them, Alice. Declan got pleasure from it. Red was remorseful the second those words left his lips.”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. He had me there. Declan never apologized. For anything.
Crystal laid a hand on my knee, gaining my attention. “He’s right, Alice. No relationship is perfect. You have to be able to forgive and admit when you’re wrong. Paul and I have been together for almost thirty years. Do you think it's been all unicorns and rainbows? Lord knows that man has tested my patience more than a few times.”
“But has he ever said hurtful things knowing the effect his words would have?”
“No, but he’s had his moments where he didn’t address me with the same respect I give him. But we always talked it out and came to a better understanding.”
Cara snorted while shaking her head at her mother. “Ma, why are you sitting over there lying to the girl like this?”
Crystal gasped with her mouth hanging wide open. “I am not lying. Your father and I always talked about our problems. How would you know anything? We made sure to keep all our problems away from you all.”
“Okay, let’s have a little story time, shall we? When Dad used to work those occasional late nights, I used to wait on the steps for him to get home. Sara was too scared to get caught, so I would be alone. One night, Dad came in, and I guess he was stressed about something from work. You asked him how his day was, and he snapped at you. You remember what happened next, Mother?” Cara asked with a mischievous smile.
Crystal palmed her face, shaking her head as her shoulders sagged in defeat. This had me, Will, and the rest of the ladies on the edge of our seats.
“Oh, don’t get quiet now, Ms. Talk it out,” Cara taunted. “Dad took a seat at the table after going on his little rant. Mom grabbed a cast-iron skillet off the stove and clocked his ass right upside his head,” she crowed.
I slapped my hands over my mouth while the rest of the room erupted in laughter.
“Wait, she… did what?” Sara got out in between breaths.
“Mama knocked Dad smooth the fuck out. And then stood over him, and said, ‘don’t start no shit, won't be no shit’ then walked away leaving him on the floor.”
“Crystal!” Victoria shrieked before cracking up with the rest of the ladies.
“Okay! It wasn’t my finest moment, but he never raised his voice at me again, so…” She shrugged her shoulders before taking a sip of wine.
“See, she likes to play innocent like she doesn’t know why all her kids got a few screws missing. We get that from her,” Sofia teased.
“Whatever.” Crystal rolled her eyes, not having a rebuttal.
“But seriously, Alice, think of all the time you spent with Declan and then compare it to Red. If you don’t see any difference between the two, then move on. But if you do see the difference, don’t let fear be the reason you miss out on the man of your dreams.”
My bedroom door is thrown open, snapping me out of the memory. Will comes strutting in with a gleeful smile.
“Get dressed, bestie. Me and the ol’ ladies have a surprise for you.”
“What kind of surprise?”
“If I tell you, then it isn’t a surprise. Now, get dressed. You got thirty minutes.”
Will leaves, and I drag myself out of bed. I don’t know what the occasion is, so I go for a simple green spaghetti-strap dress and wedge heels. After touching up my hair, I walk down the stairs. All of my roommates are there waiting with big smiles.
Will holds a blindfold and twirls his finger, motioning for me to turn around.
“You’re making me nervous.”
“Don’t be. I got a feeling you’re going to love this.”
I hold on to Will as he leads me out of the house. We walk for what feels like forever. My heart feels like it is beating out of my chest. When we finally stop, we’re still outside. The surface under me is no longer grass. It feels like a hardwood floor.
Will grabs the blindfold but whispers in my ear before removing it, “Remember what I said last night.”
I have to blink a few times before my vision zeros in on what’s in front of me. My mouth drops open as my eyes land on Red, Cindy, and Colt dressed up in front of me. Colt and Red both have matching button-down shirts paired with slacks. Cindy is in a beautiful baby-blue dress that matches her eyes to perfection.
That’s not all, though. There is some kind of a see-through platform inside the pool that we’re standing on. Fairy lights are hanging up, surrounding the area, and rose petals are scattered everywhere.
Everyone is out here to witness this moment.
I’m completely speechless.
No one has ever done anything like this for me.
Cindy and Colt watch me with beaming smiles as Red looks a bit nervous. Stepping a few feet forward, he holds a hand out to me. Swallowing down my nerves, I grab it, allowing him to pull me closer.
“First, I want to apologize for what I said to you that day. I was an asshole, and I let the stress of everything going on around me consume me. It’s not an excuse, and I was wrong. To see you look at me the way you did that day nearly destroyed me, kitten. I’m not going to act like I’m perfect because I’m not. I’ll make more mistakes down the line, but one thing I will never do is belittle you or speak to you out of anger.”
I nod, trying to keep my tears at bay, but my eyes pool with them. Red’s silhouette is blurry from holding them back.
Hooking a finger under my chin, he brings my gaze up. “I love you.”
And just like that, the dam breaks. My tears flow endlessly. Red tries to keep up with wiping them away, but I have so many emotions going on that I can’t even keep up.
I want to jump in his arms and tell him I love him too, but the fear of possibly making another mistake stops me. Then all the words from last night come ringing in my head again.
No relationship is perfect. You have to be able to forgive and admit when you’re wrong.
Don’t let fear be the reason you miss out on the man of your dreams.
Red isn’t Declan.
Just like that, everything comes together like a crash course.
Yes, he messed up, but it doesn’t define our relationship. The pull I have toward Red almost feels like our souls were tied the moment he swept me into his arms.
Staying away from him this past month made me not only emotionally sick but physically. This man was meant for me, and I was meant for him.
“I love you, too.”
Red smiles wide before kissing me and making my toes curl. Looping my arms around his neck, I tilt my head, allowing him to drop his tongue into my mouth.
“The children are out here, you two!” Thor scolds.
Everyone laughs uncontrollably as Red pulls away. He keeps an arm around me as Cindy steps forward. It's then that I notice a gift bag in her hand.
“I don’t want you to be my girlfriend, Alice,” Red tells me. My heart rate speeds up and my cheeks heat.
Did I misunderstand him?
“I want you to be my ol’ lady and eventually my wife.”
I definitely misunderstood him.
My mouth falls open as Red drops to one knee. He holds his hand out to Colt, who pulls a ring box out of his pocket and drops it into Red’s hand. Cindy rips the paper out of the gift bag and pulls out a cut that reads Property of Big Red on the back. She holds it up, cheesing at me like this is the best day of her life.
I return her smile with just as much warmth before focusing on Red. He opens the ring box, and I nearly faint at the size of this diamond. It’s a beautiful emerald-cut diamond that has to be three carats.
Red grabs my shaky hand and kisses the back out of it. “So, tell me, kitten, will you be mine?”
I don’t even need to think about it. My head was bobbing up and down before he could even finish. “Yes!”
The crowd cheers as Red places the rock on my finger and pulls me into his embrace. It’s not long before the kids insert themselves between us, making us laugh.
“You have to put your cut on, Mom.” Cindy's eyes bulge at the slip. She looks away quickly. She tries to take a few steps back, but I grab her hand, stopping her.
I stare at Red silently, asking for permission. He nods with a beaming smile. Dropping down to my knees, I look her and Colt in the eyes. “If it’s okay with you two, I would be honored to be your mom.”
Hearing their sharp intake of breath, I watch as their eyes gloss over before they rush forward, wrapping me in a hug that almost knocks me over.
I don’t know how I have any tears left, but they continue streaming down my face.
I haven’t been this happy in a long time. I never thought I would ever be grateful for Declan laying his hands on me, but I wouldn’t take back what happened in that parking lot even if I could.
It led me here.
To my new friends.
To an old friend.
To my family.
And to him.
“Thor, are you crying again?” Blade asks in the background.
“No! How many times do I have to tell you I have allergies!”
There are a few chuckles around the group. “Allergies my ass. Somebody get this crybaby some tissue.”
“Look, just because my man is in tune with his sensitive side doesn’t make him less of a man,” Madison scolds.
“Sensitive side?” Blade chortles.
“Madison!” Thor reprimands her before storming away.
Everyone howls with laughter, watching Madison chase after Thor. Standing to my feet, I pull Cindy and Colt to me as Red wraps his arms around me.
“You know what would make this night even better?” I tell him.
“Anything you want, it’s yours, kitten.”
“Ice cream.”
Red throws his head back, giving a big belly laugh. “Really?”
“Yes. It’s my biggest craving, and right now, a double scoop of mint chocolate chip on a waffle cone sounds like heaven.”
“Well, let's say goodbye and get out of here.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re loaded into the truck and on our way to the ice cream parlor. We sit at a table, talking and laughing while eating our ice cream. Red is a little jealous because the kids only want to sit on my side of the booth.
Colt told his dad they still loved him but missed me. That made my heart sting a bit. Even though I still had movie nights with them, I know it wasn’t the same, not seeing me every day. It’s okay, though, because we have forever to make up for that time.
After eating our ice cream, we play a few games in the game room before heading back to the clubhouse.
We aren’t on the road a full five minutes before flashing lights catch our attention. When the officer turns on the siren, I look at Red in a panic.
“Calm down, kitten.” He pulls his phone out to make a call, but it’s dead. “Alice, do you have your phone?”
Shaking my head frantically, I watch the review mirror. “No. I didn’t think I was leaving the compound earlier, so I left it on my bed.”
“Fuck,” he growls between clenched teeth.
“Dad, what’s going on?” Colt asks.
“It’s going to be okay. Just stay in the truck no matter what.”
“Dad.” Cindy’s voice shakes.
“It’s going to be okay,” he repeats.
Once Red pulls over, I recognize the office getting out of the truck. Xavier has been friends with Declan since middle school. He taps the window with his baton harder than necessary causing the kids to jump.
“Get out of the truck, please.”
“For what? You haven’t even told me why?—”
Gripping the gun on his hip, he shouts, “Get out of the truck, now!”
Red turns to me. “Stay in the truck.”
He gets out slowly as Xavier leads him toward his patrol car. With Red's back facing Xavier, he doesn’t see him pull out his taser. I open my mouth to warn him, but it’s too late. Red drops to the ground, and a scream rips through me.
Before I can even think of a plan, a van comes out of nowhere, blocking us in.
My worst nightmare becomes a reality when Declan hops out of the passenger side while Chloe and Jeffery pull up behind them in a blacked-out SUV.
What in the entire fuck is happening?
I lock all the doors, but that doesn’t deter Declan. He smashes the driver's window with a baton and unlocks the doors. Cindy and Colt scream, reaching out for me.
“Mom!” they cry in unison.
I’m holding on the best I can, but when all the doors are ripped open, we’re torn from each other. Chloe and Jeffery grab the kids from the backseat, leading them to the SUV.
Vincent drags me out of the truck, pulling me toward Declan.
I have never seen him look so evil.
This night was beginning to be so beautiful, but like the dark cloud that he is, Declan just had to come and ruin it.
I haven’t been taking any self-defense classes since I found out I was pregnant. I learned a few moves, but this differs from defending myself. They took the kids as well. I don’t know how I’m going to get them back.
“Miss me, honey?” Declan sneers.
I keep my mouth shut. Nothing I say will end well, and I have my unborn child to think about.
Declan backhands me, making my ears ring.
“ANSWER ME!” he roars, spit flying.
“Declan, not here. Let’s go.”
My heart drops into my stomach as I watch Xavier drag a handcuffed Red and throw him in the back of the van.
Declan approaches me with a needle in hand and a devious smile. “You’re going to take a little nap until we get to our destination.”
“No!” I whip my head back and forth frantically, fighting against Vincent's hold.
My baby. I can't let them do this. My fight is futile as Vincent locks his arms around me. Declan stabs me in the neck with the needle. I can feel the liquid shoot into me as my limbs grow weak.
“I told you. If I can't have you, then nobody will.” Those are the last words I hear before darkness takes me.