Shattered Vows (The Denton Family Legacy Book 2) (13 page)

“I guess I was expecting to be tied in the basement until you wanted to deal with me.”

Maddox chuckled. “Not a lot of good. Charlotte would kill me. I’ve got to go and see what chaos they’re causing.”

Harper stayed out in the garden, watching the clouds pass her by. Her life had gotten so crazy in the last couple of days. There were times she missed the simplicity of just being normal.

“Stupid men. They do not care,” Charlotte said, coming outside.

The woman in charge of the Denton men stood beside her, looking ready to slaughter the entire world. “How are you?” she asked.

“I’m okay,” Harper said. “You?”

“They trashed Tamsin’s room. They’re animals. I cannot stand them when they refuse to listen to reason. Stupid men! I’ve now got to go in and clean it all before Tamsin comes home.” Charlotte growled. “I’m not offering them a hot beverage. I think a new rule should be adhered to. If they can’t find anything, they clean up the bloody mess.”

Harper laughed. “I imagine there wouldn’t be many warrants.” She glanced back at the house. The officer who had come out and questioned her stood staring at them. Harper gave him a little wave.

“I appreciate you not screaming murder,” Charlotte said.

“I wouldn’t do that.”

“I know this life, it sucks. I’m not going to lie. There are so many dangers with it. I worry that Maddox will get killed, and then Jacob will have to take over. It’s so … soul-destroying. Or it can be if you allow yourself to fall victim to it.”

“You don’t struggle?”

“In the beginning when I found out the truth, I ran. Jacob was born, Abel, too, and I couldn’t help it. You see, we don’t fall like our men. We don’t know right away, and that in itself can be
our
curse.” Charlotte ran fingers through her hair, taking deep breaths. “They know, and I wish I could have that ability, you know. Wish I could have looked at Maddox and known he was the one for me. I didn’t. Our early years were hard. They were tiring, and scary.”

“You’re here. Seven kids later.”

“I know. Seven kids. In the beginning I didn’t want one.”

“You didn’t?” Harper asked.

“I was a little like you. I wanted a career, or I thought I did. I didn’t know what I wanted, only that I wanted to be something. When I was with Maddox, in the beginning, it was just a fling. A one-time thing. I got pregnant with Jacob, and Maddox wasn’t going away. We’re both strong women. Right now, I know you don’t think you can handle this life, but I see the strength inside you. It’ll be nice to have another woman around. If you ever need anything, my home will always be open to you.”

“Thank you, Charlotte.”

“Thank you. I was always worried about Abel. I still am. Since he’s been with you, he’s different, and I know that’s all because of you.”

****

“This is fucking bullshit,” Landon said, following his uncle out into the field. They were going to pick some mushrooms. Mushrooms! They weren’t going shooting. He’d been in England a week, and he hated it. It was miserable, cold, wet, and the school, they all talked funny. Some thought the English accent was nice, but he didn’t. It was all a nightmare. None of them had any respect for him, and he couldn’t start any fights either.

He also noticed several of them ran in little groups, not like his high school. Some of the popular kids hung out with the nerds. The uniforms, they were a fucking nightmare.

“Landon, your problem is you expect things to be done quickly, efficiently and that is not the case. Some things in life take a lot of hard work, and time. Your biggest problem is you expect everything to come to you quickly.”

“I don’t. I work hard.”

“I’ve seen your hard work, and it’s sloppy,” Rick said. “Mandy asked you to clean the dining room floor. You didn’t do it. Told her it was a woman’s job.”

“Oh, so this torture is because your wife can’t stand to do her own job.”

Rick grabbed him and slammed him up against the nearby tree. Landon hit out, but Rick pressed his arm against Landon’s throat. “In this country, you’re of age, Landon. You’re responsible for your actions. Sixteen years old, and most kids are away to college. You’re having to mingle with fifteen-year-olds.”

Landon was terrified. No one had ever threatened him. His father would never hurt him, but in Rick’s eyes, he saw the threat, and knew he couldn’t stop him. For a doctor Rick was a lot stronger than he was.

“You ever disrespect my wife, you little shit, I will fucking end you. I may not be in with my brothers. I may be a doctor, saving lives, but don’t ever for a second think I can’t kill. I’m lethal, Landon, and I would take great pleasure in killing you. You made my Mandy cry, and you’re lucky you’re still breathing right now.”

More pressure built on his throat, and he thought he was going to die. Suddenly, Rick pulled back, and Landon dropped to the floor.

“I heard you were a tough guy. Knew what he was doing, and all of that shit. You know nothing. Your opponents, I bet they were not even on your level, were they?”

Landon coughed, staring up at his uncle.

“You think your dad liked doing this?” Rick knelt down so that they were on the same eye level.

“He thought it would teach me a lesson.”

Rick laughed. “Son, I don’t know how much Maddox tells you, but there is a reason he sent you to me.” He leaned in close. “Without Mandy in my life, I don’t give a shit. I have no feelings whatsoever. She makes me feel. Maddox sent you to me, because he knows I can get you in line, and I won’t care. You being afraid, I didn’t care.”

“How are you a doctor?”

“My wife is one. I love my wife, and I met her in the last years of high school. She always wanted to be a doctor, so I did what makes her happy. I love my job. Caring for people makes her happy, so it makes me happy.” He gripped Landon’s face. “If you think for a second I’ll take your attitude, you can think again. Suck it up, suck it in, and grow the fuck up. This is no time for you to be a baby. It’s time for you to grow up.”

Rick released him, stood, and started humming to himself.

“Oh, if you want to tell your father what I just did, here you go.” Rick tossed him a cell phone. “Call him up. At the end of the day, you only got what you deserved, little shit. I’ve been nice, dealing with your attitude. I really don’t know what the problem is with kids today. You all have a problem. All of you are constantly moaning how unfair life is. You get pocket money, cell phone, bollocks none of us got growing up.”

Landon listened as Rick started to hunt around for some mushrooms.

Staring at his reflection, Landon saw a bully staring right back at him. He wasn’t a good person. Hearing Mandy cry last night, he hadn’t cared that he’d been the cause, saying horrible shit to her. Wiping away his tears he got to his feet.

Rick had just given him a wakeup call, and it was time he got his shit together.

Chapter Thirteen

Abel stood in the florist shop, looking over several different bouquets of flowers. None of them were giving him that edge that he wanted, and it was starting to bug him. It had been a week since he saw Harper, and he was in pain, serious pain. He couldn’t sleep. Eating was a huge problem, and he missed her. Last night he hit a low point as he’d tugged one of her shirts over his head, and lay with it across his head. It wasn’t the same as having her in his arms, and he wanted her back.

“You okay?” Damian asked, coming around the corner.

“No. The red, the white, or the yellow?” He looked at the different varieties of roses, and cursed. None of them were perfect, and when he went to see her, he wanted them to be perfect.

“What about the pink?”

“They look too dull. I don’t want her to look at them, and for her to think that I think that they’re dull.”

“You are really overthinking this. It has been over a week since you saw your wife. You have been bugging Mom and Dad constantly. They have told you the same. Go and see her. She’s waiting for you. Pussy,” Damian said.

“What the fuck did you just call me?”

“A pussy. Did you know that Oliver is tracking a lead on the Coltons?”

The Coltons were a bunch of cowards who came out and attacked their business, but then when Abel fought back, killing two of their men, they retreated.

“If anyone can find them, it’s Oliver.”

“Actually, he needs you.”

“Why?”

“You were able to locate everyone. We’re hoping getting back with Harper will put your thinking brain back on. What do you think?”

“I think I may have to go with the forget-me-nots.”

“No. Everyone gets them. It screams desperation.”

“I
am
desperate. The love of my life watched me kill not one, but two men.”

“She had several opportunities to scream that we’re killers, and she didn’t do it,” Damian said.

“I know. I fucking know all of this.”

Damian held his hands up. “Just trying to boost your confidence.”

“It doesn’t need boosting. I need to know what flowers to buy her.”

Abel looked around the shop. The woman was busy with another customer, and he was so tired. Rubbing at his eyes, he took a deep breath.

“Harper doesn’t strike me as the kind to want flowers. Why do you think they’ll work?”

“Don’t they always?”

“No. Sometimes you just have to go as yourself.” Damian patted his chest. “You look like shit. I’d say that would work more than a bunch of flowers.”

Growling, Abel stormed out of the shop and headed toward his car. Damian rushed out, following close behind him.

Before Damian had even finished shutting the door, he was pulling away from the curb, and joining traffic.

“What are you going to say to her?” Damian asked.

“I’m going to tell her how much I love her, and that I care about her.”

“That should work.”

“Why should it work? It’s not very poetic, or very good!”

“You know, I’ve never seen you doubt yourself before. It’s kind of interesting to watch. Like a train wreck, only very real.”

Abel ignored him. He was living on coffee, minimum sleep, and no food. He was hungry for his woman.

“What’s it like?” Damian asked.

“Finding the woman for you?”

“No, this feeling right now. You look half-crazed.”

“It has been a week without her, and I don’t know if I can go on anymore. I love her more than anything else in the world. I will do everything to keep her safe. When that bastard touched her, my only thought was to kill him. To protect her because she belonged to me. I still feel that now. It never changes. My feelings, they’re strong.”

“Do you wish it wasn’t happening?”

“No. I’m pleased it is. I love her. You see it as a curse, and even I saw it as a curse before. These feelings, they’re not made up. It’s not based around lust. They are real, and it’s what makes every second of pain worth it.”

Pulling up outside his parents’ house, he keyed in the code that allowed him entry. Driving down the long road, he exited the car. This was it. He was going to see his woman. One week he’d stayed away, checking on her through phone calls. He hadn’t heard her voice in so long. Damn, he wanted her.

Entering the house, he made his way toward the kitchen, only to find the house was empty.

His cell phone started to ring. Abel pulled it out of his pocket and saw his father was calling him.

“Why are you in my house?” Maddox asked.

“Where’s Harper?”

“She went to go and see a friend. Your mother and Tamsin are spending the day with me, so Bruce escorted her.”

“How was she?”

“She was looking sick but healthy. Your mother believes she’s pregnant,” Maddox said.

Abel paused, taking a seat on the steps outside of the home that he’d grown up in. “Pregnant?”

“I thought that was what you were hoping for?”

“It is.”

“Good. Then I would advise you buy a pregnancy test. She’s constantly getting sick, and the scent of coffee offends her, as does the smell of fish. Let us know if you’ll be making us grandparents as well.”

His father hung up. Damian came to stand beside him. “Is everything okay?”

“My woman may be pregnant.”

“I thought that was what you wanted?”

“It was, but what about her? What if she doesn’t want a kid by me?” Abel ran his hands down his face, cleaning the sleep away. “You know what, I’ll handle it. Whatever trouble comes, I’ll handle it.”

“Are we heading toward her apartment?” Damian asked.

“Yeah, we’re going there now.”

****

“You’re pregnant?” Harper asked.

“Yeah. I went to the doctor, and he confirmed it with a blood test. I wouldn’t believe those packet things. I had one that was a false negative.” Betty blew her nose. Tears fell down her cheeks, and Harper grabbed a tissue to dab at her own tears. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant?”

“I took a test. It read negative,” Harper said.

“I did the same, but I got worse.”

“If you were with Damian, doesn’t that mean you’re, like, four months along?”

“We hooked up a couple of months ago. I’m only two months along. I don’t know what to do. This was not in my plans, and I’m scared, Harper. What do I do?”

The doorbell sounded, and Harper got to her feet to go and answer. Lara was at class, but Betty had called her, begging for her to come over. She had stopped off to get some pastries, and now she wished she had taken another pregnancy test.

Opening the door, she gasped. Abel stood before her, and he looked … a mess. His hair was all over the place. His jacket was creased, and his shirt had a ketchup stain down it. At least, she hoped it was a ketchup stain.

“Harper.” He spoke her name, and she couldn’t help it. She went into his arms, breathing in his scent. The moment he touched her, she just knew everything was going to be okay. He calmed her in ways no one else could.

“You’re here,” she said, crying. She was always crying, kind of like Betty.

You stupid idiot!

They had been having unprotected sex for the past couple of months. In fact, their entire relationship, neither of them had done anything to protect themselves from pregnancy.

“I could be pregnant,” she said.

He pulled back, cupping her face, and staring into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I don’t know. I’m an idiot. I took a test, and it came back negative so I just assumed I had a cold, but I keep getting sick. With everything that is going on, I didn’t think about it.”

“Sh, it’s okay. We’ll talk.” He looked over her head, and she looked over his shoulder to see Damian.

Glancing back at her friend, she saw that Betty had frozen.

“We should leave both of them to talk,” Harper said. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, I have to tell him some time.”

Harper grabbed Abel’s jacket, and shoved him out of the door. “We’re going to go for a walk. We’ll be back in an hour.”

“Where are we going?” Abel asked.

She took his hand, leading him away from the apartment, and shoving Damian inside. Harper grabbed her jacket, putting it on as they made their way down toward the outside.

“We’re going to the pharmacy, and then a bathroom,” she said.

“You want to take the tests out in the open?”

“Nope. I want to do them in a bathroom, but we need to give Damian and Betty some privacy.”

“Why?”

“She’s pregnant with his baby.”

Abel paused. “What?”

“They’re going to have a child together.”

“I know.”

Harper understood his hesitancy. “I was afraid of you,” she said, drawing his attention back to her.

His eyes filled with regret. “I know.”

“Thank you,” she said.

Abel frowned. “I don’t get it.”

“You saved me. That night when you took their lives, you saved mine. I didn’t even think about that at the time, or since. We could have both been dead.”

He walked up toward her, wrapping his arms around her. “I wouldn’t have let that happen.”

“I know, and I wanted to thank you.” She closed her eyes, resting her head against his chest. This was what she’d been missing for the past week. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“We have a lot to talk about. Would you like me to drive you to the pharmacy?”

“No. We can walk, and talk, if that’s okay with you?”

“I’m fine with that.”

Exiting the building, she took Abel’s hand, and they started walking along the street. With it being so cold, not many people were venturing out.

“Do you have a lot of questions?” he asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me? You had so many chances. I wanted to know about you, and to learn everything.”

“I was afraid,” he said.

“You were afraid?”

“Yes.”

“Of what?”

“Losing you.”

She looked toward him. He wasn’t lying.

“I had only just found you.” He chuckled. “You thought I was a creep grabbing your ass, so we didn’t exactly get off to a really good start.”

“No, we didn’t.”

“You married me, and I knew we were struggling. I didn’t want it to be like that, but it was. Every time I got close to you, I just thought if you knew the truth, you’d run. I couldn’t stand the thought of you running from me.”

“So you pretended to be someone you’re not?”

“No. What you got, that was who I am. Abel, the man you know. He’s here. The guy you didn’t know, he’s the one that goes out hunting for people that cause trouble. I’m not going to lie to you. To the enemy, I’m the monster. I’m the kind of guy that people have nightmares about.”

“If I ask you questions, do you promise to be honest?” she asked.

“Yes. You know everything. I have nothing to hide.”

She took a deep breath and started asking him questions.

“Have you ever killed an innocent person?”

“No.”

“Not one?”

“I’ve only ever killed bad people. The night we were attacked, one of my friends, she was a whore who I used to fuck—she was killed by some bad guys. I’m going to hunt them down, and I’m going to kill them.”

“Oh.”

“I don’t kill good people. Just bad ones.”

She nodded. “Have you ever taken drugs?”

“No.”

“Really?”

“We’re not allowed. Dad, he’d be pissed. Like seriously pissed. We’d get pushed out onto the street. He doesn’t allow us to take that kind of shit.”

“Okay. Er, what about—er, do you traffic women?”

“No. The women who work for us, work for us willingly. We don’t force anyone. Anyone who is found to be forcing women gets killed, and we support the women who have been pulled into our world.”

She took a deep breath. “Have you ever hit a woman?”

“No.”

“Killed a woman?”

“Yes.”

She froze.

“She wasn’t a good woman, and would willingly sell other women to earn money. Prostituting girls is not something I agree with.”

“So you killed her?”

“Wouldn’t you?” he asked. “Someone abusing their position, their power. Wouldn’t you want to kill them?”

“I don’t know.”

“Our justice system has a lot of problems.”

“It’s there to protect.”

“Yet it sometimes protects no one. I’m not justifying what I do. I’m a monster. I get it, I accept it. Everything I’ve done, I’m not guilty or ashamed of. The only thing I am ashamed of, and feel guilty for, is keeping it from you. I didn’t lie. I simply didn’t tell you the truth.”