All This Time (21 page)

Chapter
Thirty-Nine

“So
you don’t want Decks to know you were hurt?” Natalie asks twisting around in
the front passenger seat to look at me.

“Nah,”
I reply. “He’s busy. I’ll be fine in a few days. The doctor said so.”

She
cuts her eyes at her husband and grunts, but doesn’t comment. We pull up to
their house and everyone hops out before me. I reach up for the handle, but the
door is jerked open before I can do it myself. A large hand hangs in front of
my face, waiting for me to accept it. I do and am gently pulled out of the
large SUV. Murph bends over and scoops me up, holding me in his arms.

“Uh,
big guy I can walk,” I say looking into his jewel green eyes.

“I’ve
got you Angel,” he says in a deep and sweet voice. I can’t remember ever
hearing Murph speak before, but he really should do it more often. His voice
has a slight accent to it. It could be Irish, but I’m not quite certain.
Whatever it is, it’s sexy and I plan to engage him in more conversations in the
future.
Yum.

“Thank
you Murph,” I say blushing from those crazy thoughts as he places me down
gently onto the sofa in the living room.

“Shane,”
he states and I nod my head.

“Thank
you Shane.”

“Okay
so tell me what the heck happened?” Natalie begs. “I know you were going out of
town to see your friend, but you were supposed to be back before New Years.
Everyone kind of went nuts thinking something bad may have happened, little did
we know that it really had.” She drops down on the sofa beside me.

“I
don’t remember much,” I say pointing to my head. “Apparently I was forced off
the road. The EMT told the ER Dr. that it was a hit and run.” She gasps and
quickly covers her mouth. “Yeah, I don’t have a clue where my bike is or if
it’s even salvageable and I hate not knowing why this happened.” I glance up at
Wise and notice the frown on his face matches the one on Shane’s. Something
tells me they know more about what happened and I plan on getting down to the
bottom of it.

“Can
I bother you for something to drink? I need to take my pain pills.”

“Of
course,” Natalie leaps up, rushing toward the kitchen.

“Okay
guys. How about one of you tell me why you’re both looking at me like one of
you is the kid who took the last cookie from the cookie jar and the other one
knows better than to tattletale on him?” They look at each other and then turn
back to me. Wise sits beside me while Shane slips out toward Natalie’s
direction.

“Angel,
we think it was retaliation,” Wise says keeping his voice low.

“Oh,”
I say. The conversation I eavesdropped on between Wise and Decks floods my
memory bank and so does everything else leading up to the night of my accident.
It rushes in so fast I feel lightheaded.

“I’m
so sorry,” Wise offers honestly taking my hand in his. “He’ll get the fuckers
for doing this to you and make them pay.”

“No.”
I shake my head and retrieve my hand from his. “Just leave it alone. You can’t
be certain that’s what happened and I’d rather not be a reason for a drug war.
Please Wise, just let it go.”

“It’s
not my call Angel,” Wise says staring into my eyes.

“Decks
already
knows
,” it’s a statement instead of a
question. Of course they told him, they’d be stupid to withhold anything from
Decks.

“Yeah,”
he nods drawing his hand up to the back of his neck. “And he’s hot about it.”

“We
have to stop this. I can’t be the reason he wants to attack another mob boss.”
I rush my words hearing Natalie and Shane coming back in the room. “You have to
help me, Wise.”

“Help
you do what Angel?” Natalie asks carrying in a glass of ice water.

“He’s
going to help me upstairs,” I offer glancing over at him.

“I’ve
got it,” Shane steps over and lifts me up like I weigh nothing.

I
glance over his shoulder at Wise flashing him a look of pleading. He nods and
reaches for his cell. Upstairs Shane sets me down on my feet and then turns to
leave.

“Wait,”
I beg. “Wise told me Decks is going to do something foolish because of my
accident. Is there any way to stop him?” He shakes his head, “Fucking shit,
Shane. Do not give me the silent treatment again.” I snap and he growls back,
instantly tired of my attitude and tone.

“He
has already made the call Angel. It’s done.”

I
slump down feeling the heavy burden on my back. Shane escorts me over to the
bed before I fall. He helps me with sitting before taking the spot beside me.

“This
is all wrong,” I mumble.

“This
is our lives. I’m not going to say it’s good, but it’s what we’ve chosen.”

I
shake my head, staring into his light hazel eyes with my mouth hanging open,
“Why?”

He
shrugs. “I didn’t go looking for it. It just sort of found me.”

“Yeah,”
I mumble completely in despair over Decks actions. Shane leaves me alone and I
lie back on the pillow allowing the events and information run through my mind.
I am too exhausted to fight the ‘big bad wolf’ that is drugs at the moment, but
when I’m better, fuckers better watch out. I’m
gettin
’
my bitch on!

A
knock on my door wakes me from a light sleep. I stretch before saying, “Come
in.”

“Hey,”
Blues comes into the room and then takes up a spot near me on the bed.

I
blink several times and after a minute I realize that I’m not dreaming. He’s
actually here. “What are you doing here?”

“I
came by to see you of course,” he says pulling me up and sliding in behind me.
He wraps his arm around me and kisses the side of my head. He touches the cast
on my left arm and winces.

“Blues,
I don’t think it’s a good idea to do this in Wise’s house,” I whisper.

“They
went out. We’re all alone, Doll.” I twist around to the right and fine a proud
smirk displayed on his handsome face.

“Are
we now?” I ask, reaching up with my good hand to cup his jaw. The stumble is
thick and scratchy, like he hasn’t shaved in a week. I lean away and get a good
look at his face. There are dark circles under his eyes and deep worry lines
etched all over his flawless face.

“What’s
wrong? You look like shit.” I turn my body lying on my right side so that we’re
face to face staring into each other’s eyes
. Oh those sapphire eyes.

“I’m
so glad you’re back,” he says truthfully tilting his head forward and touching
his forehead to mine and running his long fingers through my hair. “I was
scared shitless when you didn’t return. Everyone expected you to be at Holidays
on New Year’s Eve. When you didn’t show I thought it may have been because of
me.” His eyes drift closed briefly. “Then a couple of days later I ran into
Decks and he told me that you still hadn’t come back. His whole demeanor was
strange. He wasn’t himself.”

“What
do you mean?” I ask, sitting up a little straighter, happy to switch the
subject from him worrying about me to what I already know is wrong with Decks:
Ryske.

“He
was pissed off that he hadn’t heard from you,” Blues says running his hand over
my hair, pushing some behind my ear. He tilts his head to the side. “Are you sure
there isn’t anything more than friendship between you? He acts like a jilted
lover.”

“No,”
I sigh. “He wants more, but that’s just
not
the kind of relationship I’m
looking for.”

Strangely,
he doesn’t respond to that answer. Instead he pulls me against his chest and
just holds me. We lie silently on the bed for about thirty minutes before we
hear a car pulling into the driveway. He glances down at me with sad puppy dog
eyes and kisses my lips tenderly. My whole body comes to life with his kiss. It
is simply the most riveting kiss any man has ever given me. I don’t want it to
end. And I don’t want Blues to leave. There has never been a man who was
capable of holding my attention for longer than a few dates, but Blues is
shattering all kinds of records in my score book.
I want him
so much
that it leaves me blindsided and breathless
.

I
want him
? I stare at him and know that from this moment what we have is
different.

“Get
some rest, Doll, and I’ll see you soon,” he promises moving off the bed. He
leans down and places a kiss on my forehead before spinning around and leaving.

Loud
voices greet him as he descends the staircase and Natalie’s is the loudest.
It’s only a few seconds before she’s standing in my room with a quirked
eyebrow.

“Are
you alright?” she asks biting back a stupid knowing smile.

“I
am. Thank you.” I shift around the bed so that I can place my feet on the
floor. “Except that I have to pee like crazy. Ugh! This is going to be fun.” I
indicate my cast in a sling and my tied hospital scrubs waistband. “I guess the
nurse didn’t think about potty breaks when she knotted it ninety-five times.” I
chuckle.

“I’ll
get it,” she offers dropping down to her knees so she can pick at the ridiculous
tie. “Angel?” she asks staring intently at the string. I wait for her question,
but all she can do is open her mouth and then bite down on her lip. It’s like
she can’t decide if she really wants to know the answer to her question.
Odd.
What could have chatty Natty all ‘cat’s got your
tongue?’

“I’m
fine,” I offer confidently and she nods after glancing up at me.

“He
broke everything off with Lourdes on Christmas Eve.”
The last night I saw
him
.

Chapter
Forty

Keeping
the details about my accident from Decks was impossible and I should have known
better. He showed up at Natalie’s house the very next afternoon demanding that
I return home with him. He says that he feels that my life is still in jeopardy
and being with him will keep me safe. Something strange is happening to Decks.
He’s becoming more excitable and weirdly more explosive. After leaving the
Kingston’s, he insisted on taking me to dinner, but we avoided his normal
hangouts in the downtown district. He brought me to a small, fancy Italian
restaurant west of Atlanta and he has hardly spoken since I agreed to his
earlier coercions, which is completely out of character for him.

“How
is business at the traps?” I ask, slicing my fork through a fluffy wedge of
Tiramisu. Clearly he didn’t expect me to ask him about this because he stares
at me for a few moments before responding.

“
It’s
fine,” he answers flatly, placing his folded arms on
the table and leaning in toward me. “Have you missed hanging out in the
shitholes or are you ready to break probation and get high?” Stealing my fork,
he smirks before scooping up a big bite of my dessert. He makes a big
production out of licking my fork slowly and seductively before saying, “I’ll
give you whatever you need. Just tell me your pleasure Angel.”

Ignoring
his ridiculous attempt at seduction, I tell him exactly what I want. “I will go
mad sitting at your house all damn day long. Since I can’t work at the TatHouse
until after my arm heals…” I pause, lower my voice to an octave that makes me
sound all sultry and lusty, and then whisper, “Decks, I want you to take me.”
Yeah,
there’s no way he will resist this intentionally misleading request.

“Angel,”
his eyes zero in on my mouth where I hold my irresistible fake pout before
cutting him off with a soft laugh and then correct myself.

I
smile sweetly. “I mean that I want you to take me with you and let me help. I
promise not to get in your way. I just miss spending time with you.”

“Really?”
He shallows hard, pulling his chocolate brown eyes
away from my lips and glancing up at me truly happy with my confession.

I
nod. “I think my accident woke me up. I’ve been careful for so long now that I
sort of lost myself.” I shrug innocently while internally rolling my eyes at
the bullshit I’m feeding him. “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to
live life how I want instead of how others expect.” His expression shifts
abruptly to annoyed, and I wonder what caused that out of the ordinary
reaction. I stare at him realizing he isn’t looking at me anymore. While
focusing on something behind me the brown in his eyes turn a charcoal shade. I
twist around slightly to get a look at what’s set him on edge, but he grips my
arm and shakes his head, still completely distracted by whom or whatever it is.

“Do
not turn around,” he growls softly. Fury rolls off of him in waves and it has
my curiosity going apeshit.

“
What’s
wrong Decks?”

“Get
your purse and go to the ladies room beside the cash register. When you come
out go straight to the car.” Clenching his jaw tightly, he pierces me with a
determined glare and then hands me his keys before saying, “Do not look for me.
Do not stop. And do not make eye contact with anyone. Do you understand?”
Clearly, his orders are not to be disobeyed. I nod and follow his instructions
exactly.

After
a while two large Hispanic men stroll out of the restaurant looking as furious
as Decks did before I left him sitting at the table. The men climb into a black
Mercedes, squalling their tires on the pavement as they streak passed me.
Another minute later Decks steps out the door, glances around the area and
makes his way to the car.

“Are
you alright?” he asks watching me intently. I nod plastering a fake smile.
“Thank you for doing as I asked. It really means a lot to me that you followed
my instructions without question or hesitation. I apologize if I freaked you
out. I thought I had brought us to a remote place where we wouldn’t be found so
easily. Clearly I was wrong, but I’ll not be so foolish in the future where
you’re concerned. Now, I’m going to make your wish come true.” He holds my
confused look for a moment before he reaches down, takes my hand in his and
whispers, “You are not leaving my side for a second.”

I
glance nervously from him to the front of the restaurant before speaking,
“Decks will you tell me what that was about?”

Disappointed
that I didn’t join him in his happiness, he huffs and releases my hand. He
stays quiet for a minute, propping his arm on the window and pinching the
bridge of his nose.

“Angel,
I don’t like when someone messes with what is mine. Not my business, not my
family and damn sure not the woman I’m falling for.”
Oh shit
. He shifts
in his seat, recapturing my hand again. His touch is gentler this time, holding
me like he would a priceless treasure. Then he looks deeply into my eyes before
adding, “They will
never
touch you again.”

“Decks,”
I whisper, feeling my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. “What did you do?”
He has done something bad. I feel it like an elephant sitting on my chest and a
dominating force inside of me is screaming wildly. Suddenly I’m not sure if I
want to hear his response.

“I
made sure that the ones who put you in the hospital got the message that you
are
mine
and no one will ever touch you again,” he growls so deeply it
forces a shudder through my entire body and I fight back the gasp, lodging it
in my throat. Although he hasn’t confessed to a crime I understand that because
of me someone has died from his order.

He
runs his hand up the side of my face, tracing his thumb along the tip of my
earlobe while pushing his fingers through my hair. I bite back the bile rising
in my throat when he puts his hands on me. “I will do anything for you, Angel.”

I
do not take his words lightly.
Decks isn’t
the kind of
man to mince words or make empty promises. He won’t just let my waiting game
continue either. I’m running out of time. This assignment has become more than
I ever expected and it needs to end now.

“Let’s
get you home,” he says, smiling at me while staring at my lips before pulling
out of the parking lot.

Thank
god I’m injured. Otherwise he would be expecting more from me than he will ever
get. If Decks was the last man on earth there is no way in hell that I would
ever sleep with him. That’s a guarantee I’ll keep even if my life depends on
it. He will never have me,
ever
!

“On
Sunday’s I have brunch at my uncle’s house. If you aren’t feeling up to it this
weekend we can stay home.”

“Hmm?”
Finally, understanding his request and finding my
voice I say, “No, I couldn’t ask you to do that for me. I’m sure I’ll feel
better by then. Besides, I wouldn’t mind seeing your aunt again.” Driving down
the highway, his lips stretch wide with a very contented smile.

“That’s
good to hear,” Decks chuckles. “Camille will be please to see you too. She
asked about you the last time I was there.”

“And your sister?”
I know there is no way that bitch will be
happy to see me.

“Lourdes
joining us again is likely since she isn’t with Blues now, but like I told you
before she is not a concern for you. I’ve made myself perfectly clear with her
on where you and I stand. Lourdes may be a total bitch, but she’s not stupid.
She won’t go against me on this.” He has entirely too much faith in that wench.

We
pull into the garage of Decks’ house and he quickly walks around to open my
door. Once inside he escorts me up to my room where he presses his lips to the
side of my head and offers a soft spoken goodnight. This man’s behavior is
truly becoming somewhat of a challenge to deal with. I must figure out a way to
get him to give up the information on Nelson soon. What is it that would make a
man like Decks roll over on his own family? There must be something that means
more to him than the world of drugs and gangs. Once I find out what the damn
thing is I won’t rest until he takes my offer.

Removing
my sling from my arm I undress and slip into the silk pajamas I bought a few
weeks ago. This isn’t my home, but it’s nice to be back here after everything
that has happened this past week. Realizing that I haven’t made contact with my
family,
or Kris since the accident I cross the room
and lock my bedroom door before slipping my cell out of my backpack. There are
ten missed calls from Russ, four from Marcus and one from Kris. I’m not sure
what Marcus and Kris want, but I guarantee I can guess Russ’ reason for
calling.