Chapter 9 Caroline
CAROLINE
I’m woken by the sounds of movement in the house. My pulse quickens and I reach under the bed for my baseball bat. My fingers brush against emptiness, and my gut clenches with fear. Then I remember where I am. I’m in Tony’s spare room. I’m safe.
Gray, pre-dawn light peeps through the curtains as I pull on a robe and pad out of the room.
My brain can’t make sense of the situation. There are men in the house moving boxes, and in my sleep addled brain, I wonder if someone’s moving out.
I recognize Seth and Lyle, Tony’s military buddies who are now part of the Sunset Security firm where they all work. The other two guys are wearing biker jackets with “Underground Crows MC” emblazoned on them.
It’s the local MC club that patrols the coast. From what I hear, they do some dodgy dealings but also a lot of good. I’ve got no idea what they’re doing in Tony’s house.
Until I see what’s written on the side of one of the boxes.
“You found my supplies!”
Tony appears looking tired but with a triumphant look on his face. “You’re back in business, baby.”
I can’t hide the grin on my face. I want to ask how he found them, but it’s probably best that I don’t know. If Seth’s involved, then it’s bound to be in some sneaky and not-quite-legal way.
The boxes are jammed into Amy’s old room, stacked to the ceiling.
One of the MC guys sees me and saunters forward. “I’m Bruno, the Underground Crows President.”
I eye him warily. I heard the club president just got out of a stint inside. But the tough looking man before me with the kind eyes doesn’t look like a criminal.
“We’ll store the rest for you at the clubhouse,” he says.
“Thank you.” I’m so grateful that I clasp his hands in mine, and he gives me a warm smile.
“Hey,” Tony growls, coming between us.
Bruno puts his hands in the air, backing off. “Just happy to help out a veteran and his old lady.”
Tony eyes the man warily, and the spark of jealousy in him makes my heart flutter.
I thought Tony was doing all this out of a sense of obligation, but if he’s getting territorial over me, then he’s still got feelings. And that makes me feel warm inside, in a way that shouldn’t happen when it’s about your ex.
“I got your money back too, honey.”
“My money?”
“Back in your account, and your passwords are changed so Paul can’t access it.”
The words finally sink in. I’ve got my money and I’ve got my supplies. Which means I don’t need to go bankrupt. I don’t need to close the business.
“Tony!”
I throw my arms around him excitedly, and he lifts me into the air. On the way down, I plant a big, sloppy kiss on his mouth.
That’s when I see the blood—red spots splattered across his polo shirt.
My body goes tense as Tony lowers me to the floor.
“Tony, what did you do?” It comes out as a whisper as my elation turns to comprehension. What did he have to do to Paul to get my supplies and money back?
Tony’s gaze follows mine to the blood spots that trail over his shoulder in a streak as if they’ve been splattered.
“I asked you not to hurt him.”
Tony clenches his jaw. “I did less than what he deserves.”
A shiver goes through me. This is the other side to Tony. On one hand, he’s a loveable gentle giant that buys flowers and cooks omelets, but there’s also the dark side, the brutal side. The side that he always kept hidden from me.
I back up, my feet edging down the hallway, needing to put distance between us. Tony takes a step toward me, the fire going out of his eyes when he sees my look. He’s about to say something when Lyle interrupts.
“We’re off, man.”
Tony reluctantly drags his gaze away and turns to his buddies.
“Thanks for the help, guys. Appreciate it.”
“Anytime.”
While they say their goodbyes, I creep to the spare room. It was a mistake to come back here. It was a mistake to think that things would be any different.
A few minutes later, I’m stuffing my clothes into my bag when Tony knocks at the door. His face falls when he sees me packing.
“Don’t go, Caro.”
I fling a pile of t-shirts into the bag as tears threaten my eyes.
“Coming back was a mistake.”
“No.” Tony closes the distance between us. “Letting you go was a mistake.”
“You said you wouldn’t hurt him.” I swipe at the tears with the back of my hand. “Violence isn’t always the answer, Tony.”
He takes a step toward me and catches my hand, stopping it on its way to the bag.
“He hurt you, Caroline. He lied and cheated and made you think you’re a failure.” He tilts my chin so I’m looking into his eyes. They blaze with intensity. “And I won’t let anyone get away with doing that to you.”
His expression is earnest, open and honest. I see not the young boy that I fell in love with, but the man that he’s become, struggling with his demons, trying to do the right thing.
“Will Paul live?” I whisper, because I don’t wish death on anyone, no matter what they did to me.
“I only roughed him up a bit. He’ll be fine.” He says it as if he’d like to have done more. “I won’t apologize for it either. Anyone comes for you Caroline, or threatens my baby girl, I’ll protect the both of you with my life.”
His eyes blaze with passion, and I know he means it.
My heart softens. Tony isn’t a monster. He’s the product of conditioning, of a life in the military where he was sculpted to do what was needed to protect our country. And now he’s doing what he needs to do to protect me.
I didn’t understand it as a young wife, but I understand it now. Tony isn’t a bad man. He’s the best kind of man. He gave up all that was dear to him to serve his country, and for that alone, he’s a hero.
My will softens, and I crumple onto the bed. Tony is there with me, his arm wrapping around me and pulling me close.
“I missed you so much.” And I don’t just mean the last few years. I mean every time he left me when we were married. I missed Tony so much I got used to having an empty hole inside of me.
“You won’t have to miss me ever again, honey. I’m here for you now.”
He scoops me up off the bed, and I give a shriek when he lifts me into his arms.
“Where are you taking me?”
He plants kisses on my raw eyelids, and I lean against him as he carries me down the hallway.
“I’m taking you to our bed, honey.”
I surrender to him, to my feelings. I surrender to giving this man a second chance, to letting him love me and letting my love flow to him in return.
As he lays me on the bed, the first rays of dawn peep through the window.