Three Little Words
Havoc
The moment that woman’s face came up on the screen in my office, my blood ran cold. Seeing her now shouting at my son…is making me murderous. “Can this thing go any faster?”
“You know it can’t.” Rogue’s in front of the wheel instead of me, which is a good and bad thing.
“Why isn’t he in school? He’s supposed to be at school for another forty-five minutes.”
“My guess is your girlfriend had something to do with that.”
My eyes were so focused on Creed that I didn’t notice her get out of the truck. “I’m going to kill her this time. If she touches him…”
“Creed’s smart. And you taught him how to defend himself. He’ll be fine until we get there.”
“How long? How long until I’m there to protect him?”
“Three minutes. But it looks like Creed has another protector.”
Greer. She’s at his side, holding his hand like their lives depend on it. And every time that woman gets closer to Creed, Greer inches more and more in front of him. “Does Greer really think that she’s going to protect my son?”
“Sure looks like it.”
That’s foolish and dangerous. And then she steps fully in front of him. “I think I’m in love with her.”
“If I wasn’t married, I would be too.”
My heart is standing there in the yard, beating outside my body. “Drive faster.”
***
The moment my son and Greer step inside the door of Greer’s house, I say, “Give me a name, and I’ll let you live.”
“You wouldn’t kill me. Not in the middle of the street with all these possible witnesses about.”
“What witnesses? Do you mean the people who have known Creed since he was born? The ones who brought me food in the hospital while I stood by as doctors tried to save my son’s life? You really think one of them will testify against me? They’ll offer to help me bury your body. So give me a name.”
“Havoc.” She steps forward, reaching her arms out to me. “Can’t you remember the good times we had?”
“They were replaced a long time ago by the image of Creed’s lifeless body. Of the infections he got because his diaper wasn’t changed and he sat in his own filth for days. That’s what I remember. A name.” I reach into my waistband and pull out my gun. “I won’t ask you again.”
“I don’t know his name. No one does. But he doesn’t like you blocking his sales here. Do you think I wanted to come here? I know you were serious when you said you’d kill me if you saw me again. As afraid as I am of you, I’m even more afraid of him.”
Our mysterious drug dealer found my ex-wife to warn me. He knows where I live. I’m getting to him. “Your fear isn’t my problem.”
“But he is. He won’t let this go. The Ghost doesn’t forgive and forget.”
The Ghost. “I thought he didn’t have a name.” Did I really expect her not to lie?
“That isn’t his name. No one knows his real name.
It’s what the dealers and muscle who work for him call him.
No one ever sees his face. And if you do, you’re as good as dead.
Just give me some money so I can get out of here and leave him alone before he hurts Creed.
If you don’t care about me or about your own life, do it for Creed. Do it for our child.”
“We don’t have a child. I do. You gave me your warning. Now go.”
“At least give me some money so that I have a chance.”
“A chance to buy more drugs. No. Get out and be glad I’m not dropping you where you stand.”
Her head drops, and all the fight goes out of her. “Just keep Creed safe, okay? I know I let all this make me into a horrible person, and I don’t have the right to call him my son, but I’m serious about this guy. He’s bad news.”
“I’ll protect him.” With my life. But I can’t allow drug dealers to kill any more kids in my town either.
She nods and leaves.
“What are you going to do about Greer?” Rogue watches with me as the car drives away.
“Other than getting her on the back of my bike as soon as possible? Maybe take her out on a date before I tell her I love her.”
“Good plan. But I’d lock that woman down before the other brothers meet her.”
No joke. “Thanks for the backup.”
“Always.” Rogue nods and walks off.
I’m going to have to get my ride from the clubhouse later. Now I need to go make sure Creed is all right and reassure Greer.
Instead of finding a crying woman, I find the two of them playing a video game and laughing.
Neither of them looks up as I take a seat next to Greer. They’re driving carts, throwing things at each other. This definitely isn’t Creed’s normal choice of a game.
But my son is laughing instead of stressing like I expected him to be. I have Greer to thank for that.
“You beat me?” Creed sets down his controller. “How did you beat me? You’re old.”
Greer laughs. “Experience. I’ve been playing games like this since you were born.”
“No way. But not many old women—”
“Creed.” That boy is going to get himself into trouble one of these days.
“She just hustled me.”
“Hustled you…you didn’t gamble away your allowance money. Which I’ve done. Never play against my friend Ottilie.”
“When is she coming to visit you?”
“Who knows. My friends seem to turn up when I need them.”
“Kind of the way Dad did today?”
“Exactly.” She smiles at Creed.
“Are we going to go get that ice cream you promised me?” he asks Greer, but looks at me.
“I think I have some sugar-free sorbet in the freezer.”
“Sorbet isn’t ice cream…that’s like frozen fruit.”
“He’s right. It isn’t.” And I need five minutes to talk to Greer about what she just did. “Why don’t you go get each of us a bowl from our house.”
Creed grins like he can read my mind. “On it.” He practically races out of the house.
Greer turns to me. “He was so worried—”
Good, because I about lost my mind.
“—about you.”
“What?”
“Creed didn’t care that his mother was there—”
“The woman who gave birth to him.” I correct out of habit and fact. A woman like her doesn’t deserve that title even inferred for a moment.
“The only person he cared about was you. He was afraid that she would hurt you.”
“What?”
“Not physically. Emotionally. Just like you were worried about him. I didn’t mind being used as an excuse to get him out of that situation, but you’re going to need to talk to him.”
This woman…she’s night and day compared to the woman who birthed Creed. “I will, but I don’t have to be as concerned because he’s had you by his side protecting him.”
Greer blushes. “It wasn’t anything someone—”
I reach out and brush my finger across her cheek. “It was everything. You’re everything.” This discussion can wait. I need her lips on mine, now.
We can figure out the rest later.
After she’s on the back of my bike.
“What are you doing?” she asks as I slide closer to her.
“What do you think I’m doing?”
“You look like you want to devour me.”
“Way more than any ice cream.” Is she going to shy away?
“Then you’d better hurry up. It’s not going to take Cre—”
My lips smash onto hers, silencing her gasp of surprise. My woman has to learn that I’m not one to ignore an invitation like that.
Her fingers go right to my hair as she pulls me closer. It seems she takes advantage of every opportunity as well.
***
Creed’s up waiting for me at the island the next morning with his untouched cup of coffee in front of him.
“What’s on your mind?”
“That woman is really gone forever, right?”
I knew this wasn’t settled even though he said everything was fine last night. “There are no guarantees in this world. But I think so. She knows no one is going to give her what she wants.”
“Greer isn’t anything like her. Do you know she stepped in front of me? She thought that she could protect me.”
“That was hard to miss.”
“You two were kissing in her living room when I got ice cream yesterday.”
My kid doesn’t miss a thing. “Does that bother you?”
He shakes his head. “No. But I think it’s risky.”
Huh?
“The two of you aren’t getting any younger.”
“Creed.”
“It’s true. And what if you two decide you want to have more kids? I don’t want my brother born with defects because the two of you are over the hill. Not to mention the fact that Greer is fine. Once the guys in Chaos meet her, they won’t hesitate to ask her out—”
The boy has a plan, or at least a goal for this conversation. For the moment, I’m going to ignore the baby comment. Not that the idea of a pregnant Greer isn’t more than a little tempting. “And?”
“If you think she might be the one, you need to act soon, before someone else swoops in and steals her from you.”
“Love doesn’t work that way. You don’t need to rush it because you’re afraid that the woman you love might fall for another man.”
“So you don’t plan on asking her out after you kissed her?”
“That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just not in a rush.” That feels like a lie.
“Are you sure? Because I only have a few good babysitting years left in me. After that, you’re going to have to find someone else. Someone who might not be as reliable. Just saying.”
Incorrigible. Creed is completely incorrigible. “Why don’t you focus that energy on breakfast? What do you want to eat?”
He shrugs. “I’m going to go invite Greer. Maybe she’ll have an idea.”
What would it be like having a baby with Greer?
***
“These cinnamon rolls are the best.” Creed pops the last bite of his fourth one in his mouth.
“I thought you’d like them. Would you like some more hot cocoa?”
“Yes. But I need to get to school. I can’t play hooky twice in a row.” He stands up. “I’m going to take my bike today. There’s no sign of rain…unless you plan on visiting my school again?” He looks at Greer.
Creed never told me what she was there for, but this is probably his way of helping me to find out. Where did that meddlesome streak come from?
“Nope. I’m going to Urbium today to have lunch with my mother and see the doctor.”
“That sounds like fun.”
Greer’s grimace makes it sound like anything but fun.
“See you later. I’ll make us all burgers for dinner since you probably won’t feel like cooking after your long day.” Creed runs off.
“I think your son just invited me to dinner.”
“Are you good with that?” It feels like I’m asking her out even if my son did the legwork.
“Yeah. I’m good with that.”
I stand up and walk over to where she’s sitting. “Is there anything else you might be good with?”
She stands up, moving her body right next to mine. “Possibly. Do you have any suggestions?”
“I can think of one or two.”
“I’d prefer not thinking.”
“Let’s see if we can make that happen.” For a very long, enjoyable time.