Authors: Aisha Brooks
ROMANCE: Billion Dollar Question (BWWM Billionaire Bad Boy Romance) (African American Alpha Mail Order Bride New Adult) (4 page)
Crazy Woman
All Dallas could think about for the next week was Jada and his baby girl on the way. He never thought he’d be happy with a wife until that night with Jada. He felt so comfortable around her. She was full of fire and talent. He pictured a happy life filled with love for all of them.
George interrupted his dream with a knock on his office door.
“Sir, Janie Poole is here to see you,” George announced.
Dallas felt a lump in his throat. He wasn’t looking forward to this conversation. “Alright, send her in.”
Janie entered and stood with a strong, determined pose. She spoke with a distinct Russian accent. “Mr. Moody, you and I had agreement.” She held up her contract. “I have signed document that say you pay me fifty-thousand U.S. dollars.”
“That was if you carried my child. I’m sorry it didn’t work out, Janie. I had every intention of following through, but things changed.”
Janie slammed her fist on his desk. “It is not my fault. I still can carry child.”
Dallas pursed his lips. “But now I don’t need you to. I’m sorry, the contract is null and void. You can talk to my lawyers if you have any questions.”
Dallas stood and walked to his door. He opened it and gestured for her to leave the room.
“I still have obligation to Russian family. I promised them.”
“I wish you the very best, Janie.”
“That’s it? That’s all you can do?”
Dallas shrugged.
“We’ll see about that.” Janie stormed out of his office.
Dallas closed the door behind her. He was confident his lawyers would handle her from here.
Jada hummed while she pushed the logs into the saw mill.
“Somebody sounds happy,” Tony teased.
Jada smiled at her brother. “Yes, I actually am happy. Dallas turned out to be a pretty great guy.”
“The billionaire? Yes! Does this mean we’ll all be rich?”
“No! Stop it!” Jada slapped his arm. “We’re still lumber mill workers. Nothing has changed.”
“Except that you’re singing while you work. I never heard you do that before.”
“Well,” Jada smirked. “I’ve never felt like it before.”
“Jada Foster!” a woman screamed.
Jada and Tony looked toward the sound and saw a young White woman stomping through the plant.
“Who wants to know?” Jada yelled back.
The woman looked at her and started running toward her. She picked up a two-by-four laying in a bin on her way.
“What the hell?” Jada tried to step back, but the woman came at such speed, she didn’t have time to react.
She lifted the two-by-four and swung it, hitting Jada right in the belly.
“Moy Malysh!” the woman yelled.
Jada doubled over in pain.
Tony tried to grab the woman, but she got another hit on Jada’s back. Jada fell to the ground.
Other workers ran to the commotion and helped Tony stop the crazy woman from hitting Jada again.
“Call an ambulance!” Tony yelled out.
Jada lay on the concrete floor and held her belly. She was too afraid to look and see if she was bleeding. She heard her brother talking to her, but she could not comprehend what he was saying. She was in a fog. Everything sounded muffled. She was dizzy and confused. Her eyelids felt heavy. She couldn’t keep them open anymore.
Moy Malish
Dallas became alarmed when he heard Tony’s voice on the other end of the phone. All he heard was “Come to North Memorial Hospital. Jada is in trouble.”
Dallas didn’t wait for his driver. He grabbed the keys to his Porsche and drove straight to the hospital. He saw Tony and Jada’s mother in the waiting room.
“What happened? Is Jada alright?”
“We don’t know yet. Some crazy woman just came into the plant and hit her with a two-by-four. First on the stomach and then on her back.”
Tony’s voice was shaky. Tears were streaming down his face. “I don’t know who that bitch was, but when I find out, I’m gonna kill her.”
“Tony, stop that kind of talk!” his mother scolded.
Tony looked at Dallas and repeated what he just said with his eyes.
“Did the woman say anything?” Dallas asked.
“She said something, but it was a different language. I don’t know what it was. European. Something like ‘moy malish.’”
Dallas felt his throat constricting. “Was she Russian?”
“Yeah, maybe. Why? Is she someone you know? Is this your fault?” Tony’s voice got louder.
“I don’t know.” Dallas turned away from Tony and quickly googled
moy malish
on his phone. In Russian it meant,
my baby
. “Oh God. It was Janie.”
Tony puffed out his chest and walked toward Dallas. “Get the fuck out of my sight before I beat you to the ground.”
Dallas lowered his head. It was his fault. He had no idea Janie was so unstable. “I’ll take care of it, Tony.”
Tony stepped closer. “Don’t you dare come near my sister again!”
Dallas left the room.
The Most Awaited Day
Over the next three months, Dallas tried to contact Jada, but she would not return his calls. Jada’s mother was kind enough to tell him that both Jada and the baby were okay, but Jada was restricted to bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy. She assured Dallas that he would be informed when the baby was born.
He knew better than to show up at her home with Tony around. He couldn’t blame Tony for protecting his sister. If he had one, he’d do the same.
He left a voicemail for Jada when the police arrested Janie so she wouldn’t have to worry. He offered to hire a nurse to care for her, but her mother wouldn’t think of it. The more he offered, the less that family would accept.
Autumn came and went. The lake was beginning to freeze. It was the loneliest time of year on the lake. Too cold for boating, too warm for ice fishing. It was just empty. Dallas had never felt so alone.
After being rejected by Jada for four months, Dallas went back to the Dakota Club. He thought he would feel better with a little attention from the beautiful women. But it was different now. He had changed. The women no longer enticed him. Seeing them only made him want Jada more.
The week of Thanksgiving, Dallas received a call from Jada’s mother.
“She’s here, Dallas. Your baby girl, Serena Foster, is healthy and currently sleeping with her mama.”
“Can I see her?”
There was a pause while he heard her ask Jada.
“Yes, Dallas. She will see you now.”
Dallas breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Thank God!”
He hurried to the hospital and walked into Jada’s room. He slowed when he saw Tony standing next to his mother. Tony looked at Dallas and offered his hand. Apparently, the freeze out was over. Dallas shook it and nodded.
He took one look at Jada holding a little baby with a pink hat and he was overcome with emotion.
“Dallas, this is Serena. Would you like to hold her?” Jada asked.
Dallas nodded and held out his arms. He was too emotional to speak. Jada placed the baby in his arms and he held her close to his body. “I’ve never seen anything so precious.”
Jada smiled and touched his hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t return your calls, Dallas. I was so…”
Dallas shook his head. “Don’t. It’s all fine. I’m just so relieved that you and Serena are okay.”
Dallas looked around the room and saw how happy Jada was with her family. He understood for the first time why it was important to her to live near her loving and supportive family. That was something he never had and therefore never understood.
“Jada, I’m so glad Serena has you and your family to love her. I understand now why you want to stay close to them.”
“Thank you, Dallas.”
He had peace in his heart for the very first time. Holding Serena gave him a brand new perspective. He realized he would do absolutely anything for her. He kissed the baby’s little fingers and toes and counted each one. Jada laughed. He had almost forgotten his beautiful dream of Jada and the baby. But now it was coming true before his very eyes.
Happy Ending
Over the next few months, Jada remained at her mother’s small apartment and cared for the baby. Dallas came over at least once a week and spent time with them. He never said a word about wanting her to move, but she knew it was on his mind. Jada was realizing how small the place was and was finally ready to consider moving.
On Dallas’ next visit, Jada brought up the subject.
“Dallas, I know you had concerns about my living situation…”
Dallas interrupted. “I respect your decision to be near family, Jada.”
“I know. You have been wonderful. But, the truth is, you were right to have concerns. This place is small and noisy, and run down. You were right about all of that.”
Dallas sat up straight. “Would you like to come and live with me? Your whole family is welcome.”
Jada smiled. “I don’t think we’re ready for that. But perhaps we could compromise?”
“What do you have in mind?”
Maybe we could find a modest home in a diverse neighborhood where Serena could have friends of many races and ethnicities. I was thinking in the Camden area or Powderhorn. Both of those places have lots of diversity, parks and nice homes.
“I’ll get my realtor on it right away. We’ll make the choice together.” Jada agreed.
One month later, Jada and her mother moved into a three-bedroom bungalow in Camden. Dallas bought it, had it renovated and updated and even paid for movers to do all the heavy lifting. Jada kept resisting his financial help, but eventually allowed it.
Dallas asked Jada’s mother if she could watch Serena one night for just a few hours so he could spend some time with Jada. She happily agreed.
Dallas brought Jada to The Blue Nile for dinner.
“Ah, good memories here,” Jada said.
“The best,” Dallas agreed. “I hope you’ll sing again for me tonight.”
Jada smiled. “Anytime. You know I love singing.”
“The pianist is ready for you.”
“You didn’t!” Jada said.
“Of course I did.” He walked her to the piano and helped her sit on a stool next to it.
Jada sang several jazz standards. The crowd was so pleased with her singing, the owner actually asked her if she would consider making it a regular gig. She promised to think about it.
At the end of the evening, before they left the restaurant, Dallas kneeled at Jada’s feet and looked at her.
“Jada, you have made me the happiest man in the world. Will you consider marrying me?”
Jada beamed. “Yes, Dallas, I will marry you.”
They embraced and the crowd at The Blue Nile applauded.
Dallas moved into the bungalow. They spent weekends and most of the summer at the mansion on Lake Minnetonka. Serena had the best of both worlds. She was surrounded by a loving family with strong, moral values, a welcoming neighborhood and all the money she could ever need or want.