The Last Husband
Page 29
“By jumping off of a roof?”
“I didn’t actually jump.” His voice was irritated and he reminded me of Zane even more. “Braydon was an idiot for believing that. But he was f**king high, he had no clue what was going on. I made him think I was high and depressed, like they told me to do and when he left the roof to go get something, I ran down the emergency exit stairs. The ambulance and police were ready and waiting to go as soon as they saw me make it outside.”
“So, it was a setup?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “They put me on a stretcher and made sure that Braydon saw me being escorted into the ambulance.”
“But didn’t he wonder who called 911?”
“They had a guy with his dog.” He laughed. “They thought of everything. They had this guy pretending he had been walking his dog, and he was there screaming about how he saw me jump. So Braydon just assumed what the cops said was true.”
“Wow.” I paused and sat back thoughtfully. “So that’s why Zane was never able to see your body, huh?”
Noah nodded and grinned. “I see you’re a smart one.”
“And that is why Braydon’s story and the police report didn’t really add up.” I played with my curls as all the inconsistencies came to mind. “Braydon really didn’t witness you jumping off the roof, so he wasn’t lying in the interrogation. He couldn’t have saved you because you never died.”
“Crazy, right, Lucky?” Zane walked back into the room and handed Noah his drink.
“Thanks for telling me about the plan before it went down, Noah.”
“We needed everyone to think that I was dead.” Noah shook his head and sighed. “They told you that man. It wasn’t my choice.”
“You can’t just disappear and make people think that you’re dead, man. You were all I had. You f**king tore me apart.”
“I’m sorry.” Noah’s voice was soft and I could tell he was devastated at Zane’s obvious hurt. “But we did it, man, we got them.”
“You risked my life, Noah, you risked Lucky’s life. If anything had happened to her...” He took a deep breath and I saw his face turning red. “Do you know she went on a date with Braydon?” Zane’s voice rose with anger. “Who knows what he may have tried to do to her?”
“You dated Braydon?” Noah looked at me in surprise and I rolled my eyes.
“I did not date Braydon, we were friends and we went to dinner.”
“He wanted more than dinner from you.” Zane glared at me and downed his whiskey.
“Well, I didn’t want more from him.”
“You thought he was a nice guy.” Zane’s eyes narrowed. “You …”
“Bro, don’t get mad at her when it’s me you really want to punch.”
“I do want to punch you, you jerk.” Zane looked at his brother and then brought him in for a hug. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will kill you myself.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I don’t plan on doing that again then.” They grinned at each other and something hit me. Something I wanted to ask but I didn’t know if I should bring up.
“Did Sidney Johnson know?” My voice was quiet as I asked the question in my mind, a part of me didn’t really want it to be heard, but I needed to know.
“What?” Noah turned towards me with a glint in his eyes and Zane froze still.
“She asked you if Sidney Johnson knew.” Zane looked at his brother and sighed. “You told Sidney Johnson and you didn’t tell me?”
“I could trust him.” Noah sighed and he looked at me. “How did you know he knew? I know he would never say a word.”
“He didn’t tell me exactly, but I think if I had really listened to some of the things he had told me, I wouldn’t be as surprised as I am now.”
“That Sidney.” He laughed and then looked at me curiously. “How did you meet him anyway?”
“We’ve been working on the documentary.”
“My documentary?” He looked shocked and turned to his brother. “You’ve been working on civil rights stuff now? Wow, you must really have missed me.”
“While I did miss you bro, the documentary was for Lucky.” Zane raised an eyebrow at me and I blushed. Noah looked back and forth between us and shook his head. “This is all too much for one day. I need to take a nap. I hope you feel better, Lucky. We’ll talk later?” He smiled at me warmly before yawning and I nodded eagerly.
“I feel awful. I haven’t even asked where you’ve been. Or how you were able to come back. Or if Braydon knows you’re really alive.” I blurted out a bunch of questions. “Sorry, that was a bit much.”
“No problem.” Noah walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m honored that you’re interested. I’d love to tell you more.”
“Back off, Noah.” Zane teased his brother and winked at me. “You can sleep in the room two doors down. You okay to go by yourself? I want to make sure Lucky is okay.”
I felt myself flush at his words. Oh shit, he still doesn’t know that I may be pregnant. I bit my lip and I saw Noah frown as he saw the worry in my face. He gazed at me in concern for a moment before turning back to Zane. “No problem bro, I can find it.”
He reached over and gave Zane a pat on the back and Zane brought him close for another bear hug. They stood there for what seemed like five minutes just hugging and then they broke apart. I could see the love and happiness shining in Zane’s eyes as he stared at his brother and I couldn’t believe I was in this moment. It was truly one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in my life.
“Sweet dreams, Noah.” I smiled up at him and he winked before he left the room. Zane watched his brother walking away and then came back to the bed to join me. “Crazy day, huh?” I grabbed his hand as he sat on the bed next to me.
“I don’t think I even know the definition of crazy anymore.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t know that I even know which way is up and which way is down right now.”
“Are you okay?” I looked at him, worried that it had all been too much for him.
“I’m beyond okay.” He shook his head. “Today has been the best day of my life. Lucky, when I saw Noah walking towards me, I thought I was going to pass out or that I had died and gone to heaven.”
“I’m surprised that he got to leave the program? On TV, they always make it seem like once you go into witness protection, it’s for life.”
“It was slightly different for Noah.” Zane explained. “The FBI was worried that Braydon would hire someone to take Noah out. They weren’t worried so much that Braydon would do it, but they knew he had a partner that was a lot more coldhearted. The problem is, they didn’t know who, so they didn’t want to take any chances.”
“Oh, my God, Braydon’s partner was Angelique right?” My blood ran cold. “What if something had happened to you that night? What if she got suspicious?”
“She didn’t harm me, Lucky. Nothing happened.” Zane leaned over and kissed me.
“But something could have happened.” I closed my eyes. “And I never would have known. I would have just been sitting here waiting for you to come home and you would have been laying dead in a ditch somewhere.”
“It didn’t come to that Lucky.” He pulled me towards him. “And I don’t think she or Braydon had a clue that I was working with the FBI. Or about Noah. My grief and hatred was too real.” He shook his head. “In a way, I understand why they didn’t want to tell me that he wasn’t dead. It was the best way for me to get into the group and to do everything I could to make sure I could get the evidence to prosecute Braydon.”
“They used you.” I frowned and we sat there in silence for a few minutes. “So what is going to happen to Braydon?” I was scared he was going to try and come and exact revenge on Zane and Noah now.
“Braydon and Angelique both took plea deals to testify against Sanchez.” His eyes burned. “But they will likely still be in jail for 20 years at least.”
“But what about Sanchez, will he come after us?” I trembled a little at the thought. I didn’t want to be looking over my shoulder every time I went out, and I certainly didn’t want Leo to become a full-time bodyguard.
“Sanchez was murdered last week.” Zane shrugged. “What can I say? Drug lords don’t play fair.”
“That’s really scary.” I cuddled up next to him. “Please tell me we don’t have to deal with this anymore. I don’t want to even think about these things anymore.”
“I promise, Lucky. It’s over.” His eyes gleamed as he looked down at me. “And I have Noah back.”
“He looks a lot like you.”
“Just a bit more handsome,” he laughed and I ran my hands through his hair and down his face.
“No one’s as handsome as you, my love.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” He grinned and kissed me deeply. “I feel so happy Lucky, I don’t know that I’ve ever felt happier in my life.”
“I’m glad.”
“Make it the best day of my life.” He whispered while staring into my eyes. “Say you’ll marry me.”
“What?” My eyes popped open at his words and I thought my heart stopped beating for a moment. “What did you say?”
“Say you’ll marry me, Lucky. I love you to the moon and back. Since you’ve been in my life, I have felt such contentment. You’ve been able to awaken my heart and make me whole again, I don’t just want to be your last boyfriend; I want to be your husband.”
“My husband?” I breathed the words back to him, still shocked to my core.
“Say I can be your last husband, Lucky.” He winked at me. “Make me the happiest man in the world. Make this the happiest day in my life.”
“Yes, Zane. Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, Zane. I love you more than life itself. I don’t even want to think about a day without you in it.”
“You will never have to know a day like that ever again, my dear.”
“I have something to tell you.” I took a deep breath. “Well, two things to tell you.”
“What?” He looked worried for a second. “Please do not tell me you’re already married.”
“No, goofy.” I laughed and he laughed back at me, stroking the hair away from my face. “I decided to apply to UCLA. I researched their History program and it’s great. I’m hoping to be able to transfer.”
“Are you sure?” His face was full of concern. “Don’t do that for me, Lucky, I’d be happy to go back to Miami with you so you can finish school there.”
“No.” I shook my head. “This is our home. I feel like this is my real home. I love it here. I don’t want to leave.”
“Then we will never leave, my love.” I felt Zane’s hand creep up to my breast and I pushed it away gently.
“I have something else to tell you, Zane.” I grabbed both of his hands and stared into his eyes. “I think we’re having a baby.”
“What?” His jaw dropped open and he looked at me in shock. “How?”
“Well, one day we had sex and we didn’t use a condom …” I started and giggled as he started to tickle me.
“I know how, you little …” His words drifted off as he kissed me and then he looked back up at me. “I thought you got your period.”
“You can still be pregnant when you have your period. Plus remember that day in the field in Paris?”
“Oh yeah,” he grinned.
“And the day at the beach.”
“Oh, yeah.” This time he licked his lips.
“We haven’t exactly been the poster children for safe sex.” I shook my head and we both made faces at each other.
“I guess that is what the puke was doing on the couch downstairs?” Zane made a face and I smacked my mouth across my face. “Oh shit, I forgot. Sorry. Let me go and wipe it up.” I tried to get off the bed and he held me down. “Don’t worry about it, Lucky. I’ll go clean it up later.” I smiled up at his caring face and felt so special to be loved by this man.
“So when will we know?” He looked serious all of a sudden. “We have to get a doctor’s appointment so we can check and find out for real this time. What makes you think that …” All of a sudden his eyes popped open. “Oh shit, you’ve had morning sickness, haven’t you?”
“I think so.” I nodded my head.
“And that would explain why you have been eating so many pickles.” He shook his head and laughed. “I thought you were trying to turn me on.”
“What?” I laughed. “With a pickle?”
“Well, you know.” He paused. “It’s the way you eat it, all nibble, nibble and then gulp, gulp. It makes me think things.”
“You’re disgusting, you know that?” I wrapped my hand around his waist and pulled him closer to me. “But that’s why I love you.”
“You love me because I’m disgusting?” His hand found its way to my breast again and this time I didn’t push it away.
“I love you because you look and act like this big macho guy, but you’re really a big ol’ softie inside.”
“I didn’t actually jump.” His voice was irritated and he reminded me of Zane even more. “Braydon was an idiot for believing that. But he was f**king high, he had no clue what was going on. I made him think I was high and depressed, like they told me to do and when he left the roof to go get something, I ran down the emergency exit stairs. The ambulance and police were ready and waiting to go as soon as they saw me make it outside.”
“So, it was a setup?”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “They put me on a stretcher and made sure that Braydon saw me being escorted into the ambulance.”
“But didn’t he wonder who called 911?”
“They had a guy with his dog.” He laughed. “They thought of everything. They had this guy pretending he had been walking his dog, and he was there screaming about how he saw me jump. So Braydon just assumed what the cops said was true.”
“Wow.” I paused and sat back thoughtfully. “So that’s why Zane was never able to see your body, huh?”
Noah nodded and grinned. “I see you’re a smart one.”
“And that is why Braydon’s story and the police report didn’t really add up.” I played with my curls as all the inconsistencies came to mind. “Braydon really didn’t witness you jumping off the roof, so he wasn’t lying in the interrogation. He couldn’t have saved you because you never died.”
“Crazy, right, Lucky?” Zane walked back into the room and handed Noah his drink.
“Thanks for telling me about the plan before it went down, Noah.”
“We needed everyone to think that I was dead.” Noah shook his head and sighed. “They told you that man. It wasn’t my choice.”
“You can’t just disappear and make people think that you’re dead, man. You were all I had. You f**king tore me apart.”
“I’m sorry.” Noah’s voice was soft and I could tell he was devastated at Zane’s obvious hurt. “But we did it, man, we got them.”
“You risked my life, Noah, you risked Lucky’s life. If anything had happened to her...” He took a deep breath and I saw his face turning red. “Do you know she went on a date with Braydon?” Zane’s voice rose with anger. “Who knows what he may have tried to do to her?”
“You dated Braydon?” Noah looked at me in surprise and I rolled my eyes.
“I did not date Braydon, we were friends and we went to dinner.”
“He wanted more than dinner from you.” Zane glared at me and downed his whiskey.
“Well, I didn’t want more from him.”
“You thought he was a nice guy.” Zane’s eyes narrowed. “You …”
“Bro, don’t get mad at her when it’s me you really want to punch.”
“I do want to punch you, you jerk.” Zane looked at his brother and then brought him in for a hug. “If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will kill you myself.”
“Well, it’s a good thing I don’t plan on doing that again then.” They grinned at each other and something hit me. Something I wanted to ask but I didn’t know if I should bring up.
“Did Sidney Johnson know?” My voice was quiet as I asked the question in my mind, a part of me didn’t really want it to be heard, but I needed to know.
“What?” Noah turned towards me with a glint in his eyes and Zane froze still.
“She asked you if Sidney Johnson knew.” Zane looked at his brother and sighed. “You told Sidney Johnson and you didn’t tell me?”
“I could trust him.” Noah sighed and he looked at me. “How did you know he knew? I know he would never say a word.”
“He didn’t tell me exactly, but I think if I had really listened to some of the things he had told me, I wouldn’t be as surprised as I am now.”
“That Sidney.” He laughed and then looked at me curiously. “How did you meet him anyway?”
“We’ve been working on the documentary.”
“My documentary?” He looked shocked and turned to his brother. “You’ve been working on civil rights stuff now? Wow, you must really have missed me.”
“While I did miss you bro, the documentary was for Lucky.” Zane raised an eyebrow at me and I blushed. Noah looked back and forth between us and shook his head. “This is all too much for one day. I need to take a nap. I hope you feel better, Lucky. We’ll talk later?” He smiled at me warmly before yawning and I nodded eagerly.
“I feel awful. I haven’t even asked where you’ve been. Or how you were able to come back. Or if Braydon knows you’re really alive.” I blurted out a bunch of questions. “Sorry, that was a bit much.”
“No problem.” Noah walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m honored that you’re interested. I’d love to tell you more.”
“Back off, Noah.” Zane teased his brother and winked at me. “You can sleep in the room two doors down. You okay to go by yourself? I want to make sure Lucky is okay.”
I felt myself flush at his words. Oh shit, he still doesn’t know that I may be pregnant. I bit my lip and I saw Noah frown as he saw the worry in my face. He gazed at me in concern for a moment before turning back to Zane. “No problem bro, I can find it.”
He reached over and gave Zane a pat on the back and Zane brought him close for another bear hug. They stood there for what seemed like five minutes just hugging and then they broke apart. I could see the love and happiness shining in Zane’s eyes as he stared at his brother and I couldn’t believe I was in this moment. It was truly one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen in my life.
“Sweet dreams, Noah.” I smiled up at him and he winked before he left the room. Zane watched his brother walking away and then came back to the bed to join me. “Crazy day, huh?” I grabbed his hand as he sat on the bed next to me.
“I don’t think I even know the definition of crazy anymore.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t know that I even know which way is up and which way is down right now.”
“Are you okay?” I looked at him, worried that it had all been too much for him.
“I’m beyond okay.” He shook his head. “Today has been the best day of my life. Lucky, when I saw Noah walking towards me, I thought I was going to pass out or that I had died and gone to heaven.”
“I’m surprised that he got to leave the program? On TV, they always make it seem like once you go into witness protection, it’s for life.”
“It was slightly different for Noah.” Zane explained. “The FBI was worried that Braydon would hire someone to take Noah out. They weren’t worried so much that Braydon would do it, but they knew he had a partner that was a lot more coldhearted. The problem is, they didn’t know who, so they didn’t want to take any chances.”
“Oh, my God, Braydon’s partner was Angelique right?” My blood ran cold. “What if something had happened to you that night? What if she got suspicious?”
“She didn’t harm me, Lucky. Nothing happened.” Zane leaned over and kissed me.
“But something could have happened.” I closed my eyes. “And I never would have known. I would have just been sitting here waiting for you to come home and you would have been laying dead in a ditch somewhere.”
“It didn’t come to that Lucky.” He pulled me towards him. “And I don’t think she or Braydon had a clue that I was working with the FBI. Or about Noah. My grief and hatred was too real.” He shook his head. “In a way, I understand why they didn’t want to tell me that he wasn’t dead. It was the best way for me to get into the group and to do everything I could to make sure I could get the evidence to prosecute Braydon.”
“They used you.” I frowned and we sat there in silence for a few minutes. “So what is going to happen to Braydon?” I was scared he was going to try and come and exact revenge on Zane and Noah now.
“Braydon and Angelique both took plea deals to testify against Sanchez.” His eyes burned. “But they will likely still be in jail for 20 years at least.”
“But what about Sanchez, will he come after us?” I trembled a little at the thought. I didn’t want to be looking over my shoulder every time I went out, and I certainly didn’t want Leo to become a full-time bodyguard.
“Sanchez was murdered last week.” Zane shrugged. “What can I say? Drug lords don’t play fair.”
“That’s really scary.” I cuddled up next to him. “Please tell me we don’t have to deal with this anymore. I don’t want to even think about these things anymore.”
“I promise, Lucky. It’s over.” His eyes gleamed as he looked down at me. “And I have Noah back.”
“He looks a lot like you.”
“Just a bit more handsome,” he laughed and I ran my hands through his hair and down his face.
“No one’s as handsome as you, my love.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.” He grinned and kissed me deeply. “I feel so happy Lucky, I don’t know that I’ve ever felt happier in my life.”
“I’m glad.”
“Make it the best day of my life.” He whispered while staring into my eyes. “Say you’ll marry me.”
“What?” My eyes popped open at his words and I thought my heart stopped beating for a moment. “What did you say?”
“Say you’ll marry me, Lucky. I love you to the moon and back. Since you’ve been in my life, I have felt such contentment. You’ve been able to awaken my heart and make me whole again, I don’t just want to be your last boyfriend; I want to be your husband.”
“My husband?” I breathed the words back to him, still shocked to my core.
“Say I can be your last husband, Lucky.” He winked at me. “Make me the happiest man in the world. Make this the happiest day in my life.”
“Yes, Zane. Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you, Zane. I love you more than life itself. I don’t even want to think about a day without you in it.”
“You will never have to know a day like that ever again, my dear.”
“I have something to tell you.” I took a deep breath. “Well, two things to tell you.”
“What?” He looked worried for a second. “Please do not tell me you’re already married.”
“No, goofy.” I laughed and he laughed back at me, stroking the hair away from my face. “I decided to apply to UCLA. I researched their History program and it’s great. I’m hoping to be able to transfer.”
“Are you sure?” His face was full of concern. “Don’t do that for me, Lucky, I’d be happy to go back to Miami with you so you can finish school there.”
“No.” I shook my head. “This is our home. I feel like this is my real home. I love it here. I don’t want to leave.”
“Then we will never leave, my love.” I felt Zane’s hand creep up to my breast and I pushed it away gently.
“I have something else to tell you, Zane.” I grabbed both of his hands and stared into his eyes. “I think we’re having a baby.”
“What?” His jaw dropped open and he looked at me in shock. “How?”
“Well, one day we had sex and we didn’t use a condom …” I started and giggled as he started to tickle me.
“I know how, you little …” His words drifted off as he kissed me and then he looked back up at me. “I thought you got your period.”
“You can still be pregnant when you have your period. Plus remember that day in the field in Paris?”
“Oh yeah,” he grinned.
“And the day at the beach.”
“Oh, yeah.” This time he licked his lips.
“We haven’t exactly been the poster children for safe sex.” I shook my head and we both made faces at each other.
“I guess that is what the puke was doing on the couch downstairs?” Zane made a face and I smacked my mouth across my face. “Oh shit, I forgot. Sorry. Let me go and wipe it up.” I tried to get off the bed and he held me down. “Don’t worry about it, Lucky. I’ll go clean it up later.” I smiled up at his caring face and felt so special to be loved by this man.
“So when will we know?” He looked serious all of a sudden. “We have to get a doctor’s appointment so we can check and find out for real this time. What makes you think that …” All of a sudden his eyes popped open. “Oh shit, you’ve had morning sickness, haven’t you?”
“I think so.” I nodded my head.
“And that would explain why you have been eating so many pickles.” He shook his head and laughed. “I thought you were trying to turn me on.”
“What?” I laughed. “With a pickle?”
“Well, you know.” He paused. “It’s the way you eat it, all nibble, nibble and then gulp, gulp. It makes me think things.”
“You’re disgusting, you know that?” I wrapped my hand around his waist and pulled him closer to me. “But that’s why I love you.”
“You love me because I’m disgusting?” His hand found its way to my breast again and this time I didn’t push it away.
“I love you because you look and act like this big macho guy, but you’re really a big ol’ softie inside.”
