Page 13 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

Twelve

J aneiro

I dialed the only number I knew would always have my back. On the third ring, he answered threateningly. It was a secure line, and we only used this line if it was an emergency. I never had to use it until now.

“Whoever has this phone better be prepared to die,” he spoke menacingly.

He must have assumed I wasn’t in possession of the phone any longer because I hadn’t used the line until now.

“Zio, sono io Janeiro (Uncle, it’s me Janeiro), ” I stated around the lump in my throat.

“Janeiro, cosa c'è che non va? ( Janeiro, what’s wrong?) ” my uncle Matteo questioned.

“I need you and Aunt Bianca to come to Chicago.”

“Is everything alright, my boy?”

I sensed his protective nature pushing through. No matter how old I got, to him, I’d always still be his little boy.

“No, Zio. My girlfriend has been shot, and she’s currently unconscious.”

I blew out a deep breath, trying to clear the frog from my throat. Deep down inside, I was a wreck. My emotions were all over the place. I wanted to yell at the top of my lungs, fall to my knees, and weep like a baby.

I needed my girl back. The pain that filled my chest inspired me to savagely claw at my flesh and remove the hurt that coursed through my veins.

I didn’t possess the power to do so, and I couldn’t show any weakness.

In my line of work, I couldn’t show any emotions.

I had to remain strong in the face of my pain.

Uncle Matteo’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Actually, my boy, we’re here. We had some business to take care of. We’re going to drop in on you.”

My pacing halted. If they were here, that meant they were on a job.

“Your aunt is going to get on you for not telling her about your girlfriend, but send us the address, and we’ll be there shortly.” The call disconnected.

I texted him the address quickly and walked back into the hospital and headed to Erie’s room. I took my place by Erie’s side while Londen and Erie’s pops sat in the chairs across from her. Erie looked so peaceful while she slept.

That was what I told myself. She was simply sleeping. I had to believe in that like I believed in God. It was all in His hands now.

I’d done so much dirt that I could only pray that God heard my prayers. I picked up her hand and kissed it. She was warm. That made my heart smile. She was always so warm, just like my mother used to be. We’d get through this. I knew we would.

Minutes passed, and rushed footsteps entered Erie’s room. I looked up. Troy Jr. and Trix walked in with worried looks on their faces. That bitch ass nigga had the audacity to show up like he didn’t put a hit out on my Bella, like I didn’t know he was the reason Erie was laid up unconscious now.

I couldn’t shoot him in front of all the witnesses. Time and strategy needed to take place. I needed to put Erie’s recovery over my emotions. Troy Jr. could count his days, though. Once I was on his ass, death would soon follow.

“Pops, how’s Erie?” Troy Jr. queried and halted. “Why are you two so hugged up?” he pointed out.

Trix walked around him. Her nose flared with aggression. “Is this bitch the reason why you don’t come home anymore or why you won’t fuck me anymore?”

Mr. Lakes stood with Londen by his side.

“You seem to be firing off a lot of questions, Junior. Explain to me how I called you both at different times. You both were on two different sides of town, yet you both arrived together?” he inquired calmly.

Troy Jr. scratched his head while Trix eyed Londen with venom.

“Trix, I already told you what would happen if I saw you again. If you’re not ready for me to make due on my promise, I advise you to back the hell up!” Londen spat.

“Fuck what you talking about. Are you fucking Senior!” Trix hollered.

Londen stepped closer to her face. “I’m riding that big dick every night.” She smirked.

In the blink of an eye, all hell broke loose.

Troy Jr. swung on his dad, but Mr. Lakes ducked and grabbed him by his throat.

Mr. Lakes was agile and swift, and he body slammed Troy Jr. on the hospital floor.

Before he could stomp his son, I pulled him away, and security rushed in.

Londen was still committed to the ass whupping she gave Trix’s ass.

Security ran in and separated them, but a doctor was called in to help Trix.

“This shit ain’t over, old man! It’s far from over, nigga!” Troy Jr. shouted.

He was escorted from the hospital yelling out obscenities and threatening his father. Of course, Mr. Lakes was void of all emotion. He had stock in the hospital, so naturally, they made sure he was okay. I discovered that when he had Erie transferred to a room in the private wing of the hospital.

“Looks like we missed the fun.”

We all turned, and in the doorway was my uncle and aunt. I went to them first and grabbed my aunt in a tight hug, picking her up off the floor.

“Zia Bianca, I’ve missed you!”

Excitedly, I kissed her forehead.

“Figliolo, anche tu mi sei mancato ( My boy. I’ve missed you too ).”

I placed her down.

“Zio Matteo. Anche tu ci sei mancato ( Uncle Matteo, you were missed too ),” I stated, feeling a lot better now that they were present.

He grabbed me in a bear hug and held on to me a few seconds longer than he usually did.

“Thank you both for coming on such short notice, but I needed you.”

My aunt fanned her hand at me. “We’re family,” she voiced, grabbing my cheeks.

Zia Bianca was in her mid-sixties but didn’t look a day over forty.

With light brown skin, silky brunette curls, soulful brown eyes, and a slender face, she was still my uncle’s most prized possession.

Zia Bianca was tall and statuesque with a slender build.

Ever since I went and lived with them at seven, there wasn’t a day she wasn’t wearing heels.

She stood at six feet with her heels on, yet my Zio Matteo still towered over her.

At six feet and three inches with a football build, my Zio Matteo was definitely a force to reckon with. He had thick, black hair cut close to his scalp with ocean-blue eyes like mine. He was my mom’s big brother. My eyes clearly came from their side of the family.

His nose was kind of crooked because of an accident on one of his missions, but that only added to his bad boy reputation.

Zio Matteo was always in a T-shirt, jeans, and thick combat boots.

He would never be the most handsome guy in the room, but he’d for sure be the deadliest if Navy or I wasn’t in the room.

My uncle and aunt were my everything. They were the reason I was in the assassin business in the first place. My first kill was a child molester at age seventeen. After that, my taste for killing grew. The rest was history.

“Come on. I have some people I want to introduce you guys to,” I professed.

“Oh, no need for that,” Mr. Lakes intervened.

He walked over and kissed my aunt on the cheeks and embraced my uncle in a bro hug.

“Matteo, Bianca, and I go back a long time, a time before any of you youngins we’re even thought of. It’s how I was able to build my empire today. This here is my special lady, Londen,” he voiced proudly.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Londen expressed, shaking my uncle and aunt’s hands.

“Wow, Horse. She has a nice grip. Strong and beautiful. Can she fight?” my Zia probed.

“I’m more than capable of kicking ass. Ask the dumb broad laying on the stretcher.” Londen pointed.

“You and I are going to get along just fine, dearie,” my Zia stated with a smirk.

“So, if I got this right, you’re dating Horse’s daughter?” my Zio inquired curiously.

“Yes, Zio Matteo.”

“Sleeping Beauty is her?” He pointed at Erie.

I nodded.

“She’s gorgeous,” my Zia expressed. She turned her brown-eyed gaze on me. My Zia examined me.

“You’re covered in blood. Are you hurt anywhere?” She turned my face side to side and checked my body for wounds.

“No, Zia Bianca. I’m not hurt. This is Erie’s blood,” I replied sadly.

“You know who did it?” my Zio questioned, folding his arms.

“Yeah, and I killed them but not the person behind the hit. The loudmouth I’m sure you saw being carried out is the culprit. Her own damn brother,” I expressed, dropping my head.

My uncle’s phone pinged. He quickly pulled out his phone and examined the message.

“Horse, we’ve been in town for a few days. There’s been a hit contracted for you and your daughter. The message that just came through is for your lady here, Londen. I take it that was your son who issued the hits,” he announced.

“Yes. That would be my waste of a nut son. What do you say we go old-school?” Mr. Lakes quizzed mischievously.

“Are you sure you want to really do this?” my uncle questioned.

“For the first time ever, I realized that I don’t have any other alternatives. It’s not something I’m going to take pleasure in. If I don’t, he’ll keep coming for us, and I can’t have that. I don’t roll over and play dead for no one,” Mr. Lakes spoke with finality.

“I’m here for you, brother.” They pulled each other in for a hug.

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Lakes. This hit is personal. No offense to you, but I’ll be handling Troy Jr. on my own.”

He exhaled and stepped in front of me. “The last time we saw each other, things got heated. Erie is my daughter, my Sweet Pea, and I refuse to let anybody play in her face. I was hurt that you came into her life to potentially kill her.

“Erie sat me down, and we had a talk about you. Your intentions for her have always been clear, and it's obvious how much you love and care about her. Continue to do what is necessary to keep her safe, even if that means you have to take out my namesake. He’s left us no other option.”

He extended his hand. I grabbed his hand, and we gave each other a tight hug.

“Thank you for coming around and accepting me. Now that we’re on the same page, can I have your blessing to marry Erie? She’s my heart and soul, and I refuse to do the remainder of this life without her. What do you say?”

“You love her that much?” Mr. Lakes probed.

“I’d die for her. That’s my sweetheart in that bed. When she wakes up, I’m going to show her how much I love her.”

He smirked. “I get it. Trust me. I loved, married, and buried my first love, and God sought fit to bless me with another incredible love. You have my blessing, son.”

Mr. Lakes and I gave each other another hug.

“Thank you, Mr. Lakes.”

“No, thank you for loving her the way she needs and wants to be,” he expressed after we separated.

I nodded in agreement. We were interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Are you all the family of Ms. Erie Lakes?” the short and pudgy doctor queried.

In unison, everyone answered, “Yes.”

He walked toward us with a clipboard in hand, and he shook all our hands.

“I’m Dr. Steinberg. I’m filling in for Dr. Shoffner.

As I’ve been told, you all know the surgery went well.

One bullet was removed. One bullet scraped the side of her head, causing a lot of blood loss.

The second bullet was lodged in her upper shoulder, but it was easy for us to remove it.

She lost a lot of blood, but your prayers were heard.

I’m here to tell you guys that after further tests, we discovered that Erie is pregnant with multiple babies, and they are just fine,” he revealed.

My knees buckled for the first time in my life. My Zio was the first to grab on to me.

“D-Did you say b-babies?” I stuttered with apparent fear in my voice.

Dr. Steinberg laughed. “I take it you’re the soon-to-be father, but yes.

She’s pregnant with triplets. The babies are eight weeks gestation and growing good so far.

Erie has slipped into a mild coma, though.

Sometimes, patients can come out of it within a few hours or days.

I recommend you guys talk to her and coach her to wake up.

It honestly would speed up the process. Any questions? ”

“N-No,” I sputtered.

Everyone else shook their heads.

“Alright. Here’s my card. Don’t hesitate to reach out.” Dr. Steinberg exited the room.

I took a seat. “I can’t believe this.”

My hands shook uncontrollably. I was about to be a father. One minute, I walked this earth as a single man. Next, I met the most beautiful person ever to live. Now, I was responsible for four beings. Holy shit. All I could think was that God had a funny sense of humor.

“No fuckin’ way!” Londen cheered excitedly, jumping into Mr. Lakes’s arms.

“Aww, congratulations, nipote!” my Zia sang, hugging me tightly. Nipote was nephew in Italian.

I stood before he could pull me from my seat. My Zio clamped his strong arms on my shoulders and embraced me in a tight hug. “It’s going to be alright, nipote. You got family all around you now.”

We separated, and Mr. Lakes stepped in front of me. He embraced me.

“Thank you for being by her side. Continue to do so, and we’ll always get along,” he voiced with a smirk.

“Understood.” I gripped his hand firmly.

We all turned and looked at Erie. She looked so angelic, lying there peacefully. We all surrounded her on both sides and bowed our heads. Mr. Lakes led us in prayer. Afterward, everyone said amen and took turns talking to and coaching Erie to wake up. Once we all finished, I opted to spend a night.

“Nipote, I’ll be here in the morning to bring you breakfast and a fresh change of clothes. We’ll stop by and fill Dawn in too,” my Zia informed me. She kissed my head again and patted my shoulder before they walked out.

“We’re heading out, too, but we’ll be back in the morning once we make sure her café and staff is taken care of,” Londen stated.

They hugged me before they left. Everyone was gone, and it was just me, my Bella, and my babies.

I took my seat next to her queen-size hospital bed and rubbed her belly.

“Boys, take care of your sister in there while I take care of mommy out here.”

I had no idea if it was two boys and a girl, but I just had a feeling it was.

“Mommy will be up and running before you know it. Erie, please come back to me, baby. You can’t open me up and introduce me to all these new things in life just to leave me alone. I can do a lot on my own, but why should I have to move on without you? Please come back to me, my Bella.”

I said another prayer before I kissed her lips and closed my eyes.