Chapter 21
She doesn’t need to see this. She doesn’t need to be traumatized any further than she’s already been. Dragon moves in, scooping Nessa into his arms, and moving her away from me. My grip on Miles never falters, though. When she’s out of the line of sight, I slam his ass against the wall.
“You put a gun to my unborn child. You killed the mother of my son,” Growling in his face, I can see the life slowly draining from him.
“You will die.” Bringing the knife up to his neck, I slide it slowly into his throat, closing my eyes to revel in the feel of it.
“How does it feel to know your life is gone?” His eyes fade as blood seeps out of his body. Pulling my knife free, I let his body slide to the ground.
“That looked fun. Sorry I didn’t get a piece,” Devil says, as I look over at him “Is it finally over?” Devil smiles, nodding his head.
“It’s over. Let’s go get your son, and have one hell of a party!” Devil screams at the top of his lungs making me laugh.
I know we need to get out of here quickly but I can’t go just yet.
“I’ll meet you at the van.” Devil slaps my back before walking away. I walk back over, dropping down next to Melanie’s body. Running my hand through her hair, I sigh.
“I wish you didn’t leave that day, Mel. I would have protected you. I would have made sure you were safe. I know I wasn’t always the best person to be around, but you had my son. I would have died for you, Melanie.” Her hands come to rest on my shoulders. I’d know her warmth anywhere.
“We’ll take good care of Jordan for you. He won’t be alone. We love him.” Nessa’s words to Melanie cause me to lose it. I break down and cry. I let it all out. I have to get it out so I can move forward, and be the man I need to be for my kids. Nessa wraps her arms around me, holding me tightly.
“Everything’s ok now, Ghost.”
***
Having Nessa back is everything. She’s safe. The baby is safe. But, for how long?
Nothing in this world is guaranteed and that includes our safety. I’d like to think that I have everything under control but reality is a bitch to overcome.
I watch Nessa as she sleeps. The bump on her stomach rolling and moving. It amazes me, that is mine in there. It’s a little life that I made. I could watch that baby move inside my girl for hours. Whenever she stops moving, I have to fight myself not to put my hand on her stomach. I need to know that she’s ok in there.
“Don’t hurt her!” Nessa jumps, screaming and throwing her arms around until she sees me. It isn’t unlike any other night. The nightmares haunt her.
“Come here,” I say, holding my arms out to her. Her eyes lock on mine before she scoots toward me.
“I didn’t wake Jordan, did I?” She asks full of concern. Shaking my head, I glance over at the crib next to the bed. That boy could sleep through a fucking tornado.
“He’s out,” I say. Nessa sighs into my chest as I hold her head against me.
“I don’t know how to make them stop, Ghost.” I run my hand through her hair, trying to comfort her in some way but I feel as lost as she is. I don’t know how to help her, or make her feel safe anymore.
“I can’t help with that. I can when you’re awake, though. I know this hard for you, darlin’. If you want to walk, I’d fuckin’ understand,” I say in honesty. Nessa jerks out of my grasp before staring me in the eyes.
“You’re kidding, right? You can’t actually mean that.” She’s serious, but so am I. She never wanted this.
“You didn’t ask for this life. It’s all mine.” Her cynical laughter shakes me to the core.
“No, I didn’t. I’m here, though. I want you, Ghost. Why the hell do you always want to push me away?” Damn, she’s on fire. Does she not see what happened?
“Are you forgettin’ that little nightmare? That was my fault, Nessa!” The look in her eyes is as serious as ever.
“No, it wasn’t your fault. It was Melanie’s fault! She took him, Ghost. She left you to clean up her fucking mess!” I don’t know how to respond to that. I don’t know if I should be pissed or not.
“Melanie’s dead, Nessa! What the fuck?” Shaking my head, I think I’m going with pissed.
“She is, and you know what, it was her own fault! I’m sorry, Ghost. I’m sorry you lost the mother of your child. I’m sorry that you lost the one person you cared about!” She screams. Nessa’s on her feet, far beyond pissed now. I shove off the bed, moving toward her quickly.
“Is that what you think? You think she was the one I cared about?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I glare at her. She has to be losing her mind right now.
“She was Jordan’s mother!” Wow, she’s really going to pull that card.
“And you are, what?” Cocking my head to the side, I wait for her to answer. I wait to hear what she has in that little head of hers right now, because I know it’s all bullshit.
“I don’t know what I am!” She yells. Shaking my head, I’m over this shit. I drop my arms, moving toward her quickly. Pinning her against the wall by her shoulders, I lean in closely to her face.
“You are the one I want, Nessa. You are the one that holds my heart in your hands. You are the one that makes me look at my life differently. Don’t you fuckin’ understand that? If I wanted Mel, I would have gone after her the day she left here. I didn’t. You know why?” Watching her eyes, I see the tears filling up. I don’t want that. I don’t want her to cry, I want her to understand! “I didn’t go after her, because I knew where my heart was. It wasn’t with Melanie—It was with you. It’s always been with you.” Crushing her mouth with mine, I take away every last doubt that she could have. She is mine. My fingers move from her shoulders to her neck. My thumbs trace her cheeks, savoring the feel of her skin. My body crushes her against the wall, letting her feel exactly what she should. Our breathing becomes sporadic. Our hearts slam into each other without hesitation.
“Never doubt your place with me, Nessa. I only wanted you to have the option of walkin’, sweetheart. I never intended on lettin’ you go.” Kissing her neck, I hear the gasp escape her.
She has to know that I can’t let her go.
“I’m sorry,” She says softly. Shaking my head, I pull back looking in her eyes.
“No more sorry. We’re past that,” I say. Grabbing the hem of her shirt, I pull it over her head slowly.