Fates' Destiny (14 page)

Destiny hated to say it but she’d spent the entire day paying close attention to her phone. Every time it would ring excitement would spark in her but it would quickly dissipate when it wasn’t him.

This is so sad. She kept telling herself but she couldn’t help it. All she wanted was to hear his voice. All she wanted was to know what she’d done wrong so she could fix it. She was… pathetic.

The day went on slowly. Destiny spent the time the children were at school helping Richard and Dela tidy up. Once the children were home they went through their normal routine of homework and dinner.

After dinner Ali and Jason went to their rooms and Anna stayed with her. Destiny decided to give Dela a hand with clean up. They were just finishing loading the dishwasher when she heard the doorbell.

A moment later Richard walked into the kitchen followed by Ryan. His tall, lean form was dressed in his black police uniform. His dark hair was disheveled as usual.

“Hey Sis.”
He said with his lady-killer smile.

“Hey Ry.”
She gave her brother a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“Well, I’m working this area tonight and thought I’d stop by and see you since I hadn’t seen you in a week.”

“Destiny, is this your brother?”

Destiny glanced down to see Anna next to her, her blue eyes studying Ryan curiously.

“Yes Anna. This is my big brother Ryan. Ryan,” She rested her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This is Anna Fates.”

Ryan hiked up his pants and squatted in front of her.

“Hi Anna.” He held out his hand to her.

“Hi.” She giggled as she shook his hand. “You’re very handsome.”

His smile grew, his green eyes danced with humor. “Why thank you Anna. You’re not too bad looking either.”

She giggled again and Destiny couldn’t help but think Ryan had himself a little admirer.

“So you’re a police office?” She asked him and he nodded.

“You put bad guys in jail?”

Again he nodded. “Sure do.”

“Wow! That’s so cool.” She was just fascinated by him. “Do you drive a police car?”

Ryan laughed at her obvious questions. “Yep. It’s out front.”

“Cool! Can I go turn on the sirens?”

“Sure.” He answered but Destiny reminded her, “Anna, its bed time. You’ll have to play in Ry’s car another day.”

“Awe.”
She whined.

“Don’t worry Anna. I’ll come by again and you can play with the sirens then.”

“Promise?” She asked with a pout.

He h
eld up his fist and stretched his pinky. “I pinky promise.”

The little girl giggled again as she locked her pinky with his.

“K.”

She made her way to the archway but stopped before she was out of sight and turned back to Ryan who was now standing.

“It was nice to meet you Ryan.”

“You to
o Anna.” Then he winked at her.

The little angel’s giggle could be heard as she walked out of the kitchen.

“I think she may have a little crush on you.” Destiny told him the moment she was gone.

“Yeah, I know.” He said as he puffed up arrogantly. “I’m just that lovable.”

Then his eyes looked past Destiny toward the kitchen area. She turned and spotted Dela watching them with a smile.

“Oh
Dela. I’m so sorry.” She said sheepishly. “This is my brother Ryan. Ryan,” She motioned to Dela with a wave of her hand. “This is Mr. Fates’ chef, Dela Brewton.”

“Ryan,” She walked around the island and extended her hand to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You too Dela.” Ry gave her his best smile.

“
Richard,” She looked around the room and spotted Richard straightening the linen on the dining table. “is Dela’s husband. He’s also Mr. Fates’ butler.”

Richard gave him a pleasant smile and continued with his task. Once he was done he straightened and made his way to the group.

“Destiny,” He looked at her. “If everything’s ok we’re going to go ahead and retire for the night.”

Destiny nodded her approval. “You guys have a good night.”

“You too.” Dela told her and then the two were gone out the back door.

“A butler and a chef?
Moving up in the world aren’t you Des?” Ryan teasingly nudged her with his elbow.

“Hey.” She held up her hands in defense. “I get paid to live here.”

She motioned for him to have a seat on one of the barstools. After she claimed the other she told him about all that she’d encountered over the days she’s worked for Adam. He damn near choked on his own laughter when she told him about the baseball incident.

“What in the hell were you thinking?” He asked between laughs.

“I was thinking I could help him like you did me when we were kids.” She explained thinking he of all people would understand.

“Destiny,” He shook his head. “I did that because I knew you couldn’t throw a ball hard enough to hurt me.”

“Well,” She shrugged. “I didn’t think a 13 year old boy could throw a ball hard enough to hurt me.”

“And you learned the hard way he could.” Ryan broke into laughter again and she couldn’t help but join in and laugh at her own stupid choice.

“Ok,” Her laughter sobered. “Enough about me and my stupidity. How are you and…” Destiny searched her memory for the name of Ryan’s newest girlfriend.

“Alisha.” He helped her out. “We’re done.” He said without a hint of upset.

“Really?” Destiny gasped even though she wasn’t surprised. Ryan rarely ever hung on to a girl for longer than a month.

“Yep.”
He nodded. “It wasn’t working for me.”

“Why not?
I thought you liked her.”

“I did until she started talking about our future and how she wanted me to quit the force and go to work for her
father selling furniture. After that she had to go.”

Destiny nodded in understanding. Ryan loved being a cop and no one would ever take that away from him.

“Well, good. You don’t need some woman who’s going to control you.”

“Exactly.”
He agreed as he slid off the stool. “Now, I need to get back to work.” 

She walked him to the porch, gave him a hug, and told him to be safe.

Once he was about half way down the drive she walked back inside. In that moment she heard the sound of her cell phone from the kitchen.

She flew back into the kitchen in hopes it was Adam. Her brow furrowed when she saw Ryan’s picture.

“Hey. Didn’t you just leave?” She asked curiously.

“
Did you know there’s a black truck sitting on the side of the road a few feet from the driveway?”

Her curiosity faded to confusion. “No.” She made her way back to the living room and toward the front windows. “Maybe it’s someone broke down.” She suggested as she instinctively peaked through the blinds, searching the grounds for any sign of life.

“Maybe.” He said skeptically.

At that moment she spotted movement.
A silhouette skittering across the grass from the house, staying clear of the street lamps that lined the driveway. She studied the form for a second wondering who that could be. As the form neared the end of the drive it got close to the light and instantly she knew.

Damn it! She turned away from the blinds and stormed back toward the kitchen.

“Ryan, circle around and follow that truck. I think Ali just snuck out.”

“Already done.
I just saw her get in.” He informed her, his tone stern and serious.

“Follow them. I’ll be right behind you. I have to call Dela and see if she’ll listen out for Jason and Anna.”

“Ok. Call me back when you’re on the road.”

Quickly she lowered her phone, disconnected with her brother, and dialed Dela. When she answered Destiny told her that Kenna just called and was broke down on the side of the road and needed someone to come get her.
She decided to keep the truth to herself for fear the truth would cause a panic. When Dela agreed to head to the main house Destiny hung up and darted out the front door, determined to make that girl regret her decision.

~              ~              ~

“I’m pulling up behind them Ryan.” She told her brother through the phone.

The black truck was stopped at a red light. Ryan’s patrol car was stopped next to them.

“Ok, what’s your move?” He asked her.

She wanted to jerk the g
irl out of the car but there was a better way to go at this.

“I’m calling her on three-way. Hold on.”

“K.”

She lowered the phone, tapped a couple of buttons, and put the phone back to her ear.

“You there Ryan?”

“Yep.”

Then ringing filled her ears. She watched the silhouette in the passenger seat make movement and then she heard a very groggy, “Hello?”

She almost laughed but she was too pissed off. Instead, she decided to play along.

“Hey Ali. Did I wake you?”

“Yeah.”
Ali said with a stretch. She saw the silhouette’s arm stretch out in the truck. “Is everything ok?”

“Oh yeah.
Everything’s fine.” Destiny masked her anger with a sweet tone. “I just wanted you to know that you’re busted.”

“Huh?” Was Ali’s reply and Destiny couldn’t fight the deviant grin.

“I know you’re in a black truck.” Just for shits and giggles she gave her the licenses plate number and told her what intersection she was at.

When Ali didn’t say anything Destiny continued.

“I want you to look out the window. See that cop sitting next you?” She didn’t give her a chance to answer. “That is my brother, Ryan. Say Hi Ryan.”

“Hi.” Ryan’s voice came over the phone.

“You have two seconds to get out of that truck and into my car or I will have Ryan follow you to wherever you’re going, put you into the back of his car, and escort you home.”

“I’ll turn the
sirens on too.” Ryan’s threat held no humor.

“Damn it.” She heard Ali sigh. Then she saw her lean over and
kiss the driver. A second later she was exiting the car and walking toward Destiny.

“Thanks Ryan.” She said as she watched Ali.

“You’re welcome. Good luck.” And then his car turned down the side road.

She hung up her phone just as Ali was opening the door. The moment she was in the passenger seat she turned on Destiny.

“Just who in the hell do you think you are?” She yelled.

“Don’t cuss, Young Lady.”
Destiny kept her cool.

“Don’t talk to me like a child.” Ali spat back at her.

Fine. She wanted Destiny to talk to her like an adult she would.

“I’m the bitch in charge of you right now.”

“You’re not the boss of me.” Ali argued.

“Is that so?” Destiny asked her, gripping the steering wheel so tight her fingers hurt.

“Yeah,” Ali smirked. “That’s so.”

“Ok, then. Why didn’t you just use the front door instead of crawling out your window?”

When she didn’t respond Destiny glanced over at her to see her glaring at her. That got her. Score!

“Look Ali,” She took in a deep breath. “I know what it’s like to be young and have a boyfriend. I get it. But I can tell you right now that boy
is only after one thing.”

“And what’s that?” Ali snapped.

Ok, the girl was a little naive. That was ok. She’s only 16. She doesn’t get it yet. Destiny had no problem opening her eyes to the evils of teenage boys.

“Sex Ali.
He’s only after sex.”

“No he’s not!” Ali gasped and Destiny casted
her an all knowing smile.

“Yeah, he is. Teenage boys love to take a girl’s virginity. It’s like there only goal in life.”

“I-I’m not a virgin.”

“Oh please.” Destiny snorted with a roll of her eyes.
“You all but have a big red V stamped on your forehead. Let me ask you something? Has he told you he loves you?”

“Yes.” She answered, her anger simmered a bit.

“Yep.” Destiny nodded. “Is this the first time you’ve snuck out?”

“Yes.”

“And where were you two going?”

Ali hesitated for a moment but when Destiny glanced over at her she answered, “His house. His parents are out of town for a couple of days.”

“Of course they are.” Destiny shook her head at the ideas the boy had planned for Ali. “I can almost guarantee you that he would’ve got you there and convinced you to sleep with him. Then tomorrow he probably wouldn’t utter one word to you.”

Ali sat silent for a moment as if she was thinking about what Destiny was saying. Destiny couldn’t help but think she may be getting through to the girl and that thrilled her.