Behind the Tears (Behind the Lives) (45 page)

Dante followed him. “You ’kay, bro?”

Ash nodded. “I’m relieved we’re moving, it’s sumpthin’ we should’ve done a long time ago.” And he was even more relieved he was going to meet up with Tiana the next day. She hadn’t come to Dargaville, which had made him think she didn’t care, but he’d found out it was Dante’s fault, his brother warning her to give him time to recover. Plus, he also discovered that Dante was holding a grudge against her for allowing him to walk into Chaz’s trap. Though, Ash didn’t blame her, far from it, because he knew she would’ve been protecting Angelo, which he wanted her to do. If anything, he would’ve been angry if she didn’t; her first priority was their son, not him.

Ash waited for Dante to unlock the front door, raring to get things started, to toss the shit from his life so only the gold remained. After he’d made some calls, he was heading to Craven’s to settle Hunter’s debt. He was going to promise his boss he’d work for him until the house was sold, then he would pay for his family’s freedom, the additional loan Dante had gotten from their uncle and grandfather enough to do it.

After that he was going to see the real estate agent, then if he had time he would check out some night classes, because there was no way in hell he was going to finish his education in high school—stuff that. But then again, it might be amusing seeing the looks on the teacher’s faces when they saw him, tattooed up like some gang-member. He grinned.

Dante entered the house before him. Ash followed, stopping in surprise when he saw his family, all looking at him with either smiles or worried expressions. Their father sat on the couch next to Angelo, while Tiana was on the other side. Standing by the dining-room table were the twins. Sledge looked stern, while Juliet was beaming, like she was trying to stop herself from running to him, the girl practically vibrating with excitement. He smiled back, his brothers knowing she was his favourite, he just hoped he was still hers tomorrow after Dante and him told the twins the truth about who their parents were. He wasn’t looking forward to that.

“Dad!” Angelo yelled, launching himself at Ash.

Ash put his arms around his son, surprised that Tiana had brought Angelo here when she hated the place. Christ, why hadn’t he gotten rid of the house sooner? No, he knew why: because he didn’t think he could do anything but sell drugs, and he also had it fixed in his mind that he wouldn’t be able to escape working for Craven. But after what Chaz had done, he wasn’t going to let any more men rule his life.

Ash lifted Angelo off the floor, so happy he was holding his son, something he didn’t think he was ever going to do again after being kidnapped. Plus, he was immensely relieved that Chaz had been telling the truth about not harming Angelo.

Ash pushed Chaz out of his brain. The sick bastard may be still be breathing—barely, but he needed to keep telling himself that Chaz was gone for good, not someone or
something
he wanted to ever think about again. He knew that was unrealistic, but he had to try to move on, because he didn’t want to continue living with the mind-fuck that Chaz had done on him.

“What’re you doin’ here?” Ash asked Angelo.

“For your welcome home party, Dad.”

“It’s not a party, Angelo,” Tiana piped up. “Only a welcome home.”

“It’s not my home for much longer either,” Ash said, aching to embrace her, but not sure if she would welcome it. He put Angelo down on his feet, but still held his son to him, the little one not trying to get free.

Tiana straightened her skirt, looking more than nervous. “Yes, Dante mentioned you’re selling.” Then her expression broke, and she jumped up from the couch and rushed to him, squashing Angelo in between them as she hugged Ash, their son squealing at her to let him out.

She moved Angelo aside, and hugged Ash fully. “I’m sorry, I went to warn you, but that horrible creature snatched the phone offa me.” She pulled back, her eyes going all over him, then stopped to brush his fringe aside, touching the bruise on his forehead. “What did he do to you? No, don’t answer, just tell me he didn’t hurt you, that he didn’t do the same thing.”

“I can’t.”

Her face dropped, like she was about to disintegrate into a mess on the floor, the guilt in her eyes so stark it hurt.

“He didn’t ra... do that. He did sumpthin’ similar, but I’d rather not talk about it right now. Later? Okay?” And he meant it, because he was sick of bottling up everything. He needed to talk to someone, and Tiana along with Dante were the best ones to open up to.

She latched onto him and started crying again. “Please forgive me.”

He took a hold of her arms and pulled her back, then took her face in his hands and kissed her. She went still for a moment, then returned it with passion, as if he’d just returned from war—which he supposed he had.

He pulled back and smiled. “There’s nuthin’ to forgive. And I’ll get through this, but only if you promise you’ll move with me to Howick.”

“Howick?” she said, looking stunned.

He nodded. “I’m buying my way out of the business; both me and Dante will approach Craven today, offering him a deal he can’t refuse. I don’t wanna live like this anymore,” he said, waving his hand at the house, the place he’d lived in for the past ten years. But his gesture also referred to selling drugs and the lifestyle he’d led. “I wanna be with you and Angelo, and I wanna go back to school, and finish what I would have if that night,”
I was raped
, “never happened.”

A huge smile lit up her face, like the sun had broken through the walls and shone itself on her. She lunged at him, hugging him again.

“I guess that’s a yes?” he said.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes...”

Angelo started chanting yes behind her, his little face reflecting how happy Ash felt right at that moment, which was a strange feeling considering everything that had happened over the past week, something that he’d thought would’ve killed him, but he guessed he wasn’t letting Chaz get in the way this time.

Ash covered his eyes, attempting to stop his hand from shaking, yet failing. He’d thought he’d never get what he wanted, thought he had to constantly compromise, but now it looked like he didn’t.

“Oh, Ash,” Tiana said. “Don’t get upset.”

Ash wiped his face. “I’m not upset.”

“But you’re crying.”

“Cos I didn’t think I would get you and Angelo back, and I also didn’t think I would see any of you again after what happened.”

“So your tears are cos you’re happy?” she said, looking uncertain.

“Yes, and you’re all behind the tears,” he said, sweeping his gaze over his family, “but in a good way.” The image of the two teardrop tattoos under Chaz’s left eye returned for a moment before Ash squashed it down. “And no one will tear my family apart ever again.” He focused on Sledge. “No matter what happens, I will only protect and be there for you.”

Sledge smiled at him.

Ash smiled back, then shifted his gaze to Dante. “And if you want things I don’t want, I won’t get in your way.”

Dante stared back, his look of surprise telling Ash his brother knew he was talking about Beth.

Ash then refocused on Tiana, who was beaming up at him. He kissed her head, then gave her one of his Uncle Luka’s famous bear-hugs. And like his uncle, he was going to live his life to the full and not let anything—
or any man
—stand in his way.

***

About the Author

Marita A. Hansen
was born in New Zealand, where her stories are based. Marita loves writing, creating art, coaching football, and running. She ran her first two marathons in 2012 and is planning on completing many more, the New York Marathon at the top of her bucket list. For more information on Marita check out her blog:
maritaahansen
.blogspot
.
com/

***

An extract from

Behind the Hood

(Behind the Lives #1)

Set in 2010

1

Maia

Maia Daniels knew she should just ignore the boys. Walk past, don’t listen, she told herself. Don’t talk back.

It was ten o’clock on a Saturday night. The gang were sitting on a wall outside Claydon Pub, passing around a smoke. She’d seen some of them at high school, when they decided to turn up that is.

Whooping and yelling came from the pub. A television blared loudly, no doubt replaying the All Blacks’ rugby match against the Wallabies. Maia stopped at the driveway as a purple Holden drove into the car park. Music blasted from inside the souped-up machine, the bass pumping its steady beat out into the night.

“Maia, c’mere,” Tama Harris yelled.

The gang leader was eighteen, tall and solidly built, with a wide, flat nose. He’d shaved off his hair recently, replacing it with a curved pattern called a
moko
. Usually, the tattoo adorned the face, a sign of a Māori warrior—something to be proud of. But Tama was no one to be proud of, nothing but a dreg who constantly harassed her. Unlike the other boys, he wore his hoodie tied around his waist, his ripped jeans and muscle shirt unsuitable for the cold autumn weather. Maia figured he was probably high on something, either from the weed in his hand or the empty bottles at his feet—or both.

“Hey, Maia! Are ya a double d?” a podgy boy with spiky blond hair shouted.

“They sure felt like it,” Tama replied, his hand actions eliciting laughter from the gang.

A blush ran across Maia’s cheeks. Shit, she hated her breasts. Even in her oversized sweatshirt they still grabbed attention. She pulled her hood further over her head, and rounded her shoulders. After another car passed, she hitched up her track pants and walked across the muddy driveway.

Tama hollered, “Oi! I told ja to c’mere.”

She looked back, aching to give him the finger, but instead jammed her hands into her pockets. God, she was a moron for sneaking out, but ... Ben’s raves were always awesome. Why couldn’t her mum let her go? It wasn’t like she did drugs, and the boys at the party were just mates.

Tama’s scowl changed into a grin. He threw his joint onto the ground and jumped off the stone wall. With a jerk of his head, he indicated for the gang to follow.

Maia’s heartbeat picked up. Still concentrating on Tama, she stepped off the kerb and onto Waiata Crescent. The blast of a horn made her leap back. The front passenger leaned out of a battered sedan, and swore at her. Ignoring the pimply git, she scooted around the car and across the side road.

A loud wolf-whistle made her jump. She glanced over her shoulder. Tama’s eyes were fixated on her, promising things she didn’t want.

He grabbed his crotch. “I like ya from behind, Maia.”

All the boys, except for Mikey Thomas, laughed. Tama’s cousin looked away as though uncomfortable with what was happening. He was fourteen and in her class at school. She thought he liked her; either that or he had a staring problem. Yeah, she’d only noticed because she was usually checking him out too.

Maia wondered if she could lose the gang by cutting across the highway. Traffic was heavy, making this option just as dangerous as stopping for Tama. Further up the road, past the tyre yard, the video and liquor stores’ lights were on. The neon sign of the happy video man was a welcoming sight. It was maybe a hundred metres away. She thought she had a chance of outrunning Tama. She was fast, damned fast. If she’d showed up to school enough, she probably would’ve been on the track team.

“Maia, pretty Maia,” Tama taunted. “I’ve got sumpthin’ to show you.”

Maia wasn’t sure whether it was a knife—or something else in his pants. She knew he carried a switchblade. He’d stabbed her brother in the arm once when Nike attacked him with a baseball bat. She’d always wondered whether this was why Tama harassed her. But she couldn’t blame Nike for it. Leila, his girlfriend at the time, had caused the fight. The bitch had cheated on him with Tama, then cried rape after he found out.

“Leave me alone, Tama,” she said, remembering the last time he’d approached her. She’d kicked him in the balls for grabbing her breasts. “Nike said he’d beat the living snot outta you if you came near me again.”

“I’d love to see him fuckin’ try. Plus, you owe me, bitch.”

Maia knew she should keep her mouth shut; that whenever she spoke it got her into trouble. Her mother had told her countless times, “You speak too much, Maia, you should listen more.”

She grinned, unable to help herself. “What do I owe you? More bruised balls?”

She heard a slicing noise behind her, the sound of a switchblade being opened. Shit!

“Get her,” Tama yelled.

Maia took off, her legs pumping hard and fast.

Behind the Hood
is available from Amazon.

An extract from

Graffiti Heaven

(Graffiti Heaven #1)

1

Ash

Wednesday, August 23, 2000.

Today was going to suck, but hopefully in the best possible way.