Broken Soldier: A Lost Hearts Novella: Novella One (Lost Hearts Series) Read online

  “Welcome home, Baby,” she whispers in my ear, as we enter the bedroom.

  My soul falls at ease immediately. I know for the first time in a long time that I have a home. It’s what I’ve been longing for. A home and a family. I have both now.

  Chapter 17

  Betrayed

  Toni

  I’m vibrating with anger as I watch this motherfucker carry my son into the house. That crazy bitch is really testing me. I’ll be pushed but so far.

  I sit fuming, waiting for this bastard to come back out of the house. I want to have a little talk with him this time. I’ve been in the mountains thinking, while waiting out my suspension.

  I came back tonight with plans to talk some sense into Lakia, but then she pulls up with this asshole. I’m tired of playing games with her. This is bullshit and she knows it.

  I wait, getting pissed when it takes too long for the asshole to come back out of the house. It doesn’t take this long to get Isaac to his room and get the fuck out. He has cross all types of lines with my family.

  “What the fuck,” I growl, when the fucker comes into view carrying my woman.

  I grab the goggles to get a closer look. They sit in the window seat talking. My blood is boiling the longer she sits in his lap. I want to blow a hole right through the back of his head.

  I watch her nod at something he has said. I wish I had more time to get the audio set up in her place. I can’t hear a fucking thing and I don’t have an angle to read their lips.

  I watch some more, seeing him nod this time. I can see her biting her lip the way she used to do for me. I see nothing but red. I need to get closer. The right distance and angle and I can get audio and see their lips better.

  I hop from the car looking around. I move into the shadows closer to the house, shoving the ear piece into my ear. I would have preferred to listen from the safety of the car, but this will have to do.

  “Well,” her sweet voice drags out. My heart squeezes to hear her talk to him so tenderly. “I may have heard a lot more than you would have wanted me to.”

  “Marry me,” his voice comes through.

  My blood boils. I’ll kill him. I’ll fucking kill him.

  “Marry me,” he repeats.

  She better say no. I’ve played this game with her long enough. She better tell that motherfucker no and to get the fuck out.

  He continues and I feel the vein in my head start to pound. “I want to call you my wife and Isaac my son. I want you to give me more children. Marry me, Baby Girl.”

  I shove my fist in my mouth to keep from roaring, but her next words drive me over the edge. I’m cut in half by the betrayal.

  “Yes,” she says. “Yes.”

  I can’t tear my eyes away, as he cups my woman’s face, devouring her lips. I shiver with rage, when I hear him groan. It hits me that he sounds like a man that knows the pussy before him well. I can’t believe Lakia would give my pussy away. I taught her everything she knows.

  I fade in and out as I continue to watch them undress each other like filthy animals. The grunting and moaning is disgusting. My son is in that house and she’s going to just fuck this son of a bitch right in the front room.

  Neither of them have thought of how sheer the curtains are. I swallow hard, when her naked body comes into view. Lakia really has been working out. All of that chocolate skin is gorgeous on that body. It’s been so long since I’ve fucked her, I can’t believe she’s about to open her legs to this nobody.

  “Come here.” His voice grates my nerves.

  It kills me to watch her wrath for him, but I have to be sure. I have to know if she really goes through with this. I’ll forgive her if she walks away now. However, if she fucks him in that house with my son inside, we can never go back. I’m going to kill them all.

  My jaw works, as I see her hand press to the glass. The grunting and groaning continues to fuel my fury. A whimper rips from my lips as she tears out my heart. I know the moment she allows him into her body. His groan says it all.

  The sappy shit that comes out of his mouth makes me sick, but her words. Her words are a sword through my chest.

  “Jake, I love you,” she whispers, moaning like a little whore.

  “I love you too,” he groans, pissing me the fuck off. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

  When his name falls from her lips, while she rides him with a familiarity I can’t stomach, my head feels like it explodes. Her hands press to the window again. Then that fucker sucks on the breasts that fed my son.

  “Yes,” she gasps and I’ve had enough.

  I tear the ear piece from my ear, but I stand there with my chest heaving, watching her give my shit away. I see the kind of whore she’s become, allowing him to fuck her like a little slut.

  “You’re both dead, but she’s going to suffer first,” I seethe.

  Chapter 18

  …No One Can

  Lakia

  I’ve never been this happy in my life. Parker officially proposed about a week ago. It was adorable to see my big man so nervous. I guess it was with good reason. His memory failed him a few times, before it was all said and done.

  It was heartbreaking to see his frustration, but I was patient with him and his little buddy was there to help. Isaac was so adorable giving Parker cues and clues.

  We both decided on a small wedding, so Parker wouldn’t be under that type of pressure again. I do believe it’s stress that triggers things. I’ve gotten in the habit of running baths for him after work, so he can decompress. It seems to be helping a little.

  In fact, I dropped Isaac off and I’m planning a romantic night that includes a long bath, dinner, and a movie. I sway my hips to the music, singing along.

  Parker is on his way. He and Ryder went out for a bite. Ryder has some business he’s been trying to get Parker to back. Apparently, Parker has some money stashed away. I haven’t asked too much about that. I’m more than comfortable from my books.

  I’m just curious about this business. Parker tends to blush, whenever I bring it up. I have to say, Parker blushing is sexy. He has the whole Clark Kent thing down.

  My phone rings, bringing a smile to my face. I turn down the music, entering my bedroom and flopping back onto the bed.

  “Hey, girls,” I chime into the phone.

  “She lives,” Dean sings out.

  I laugh, “Whatever, even a small wedding takes time to plan and I’m raising a four-year-old,” I sigh.

  “Tell me about it,” Kaye murmurs.

  “Again, you heifers aren’t about to sit on this phone complaining about in house dick. Shit, I can’t wait to come to this wedding and see what’s on the menu. I can’t keep writing these sex scenes without an outlet,” Dean grumbles.

  Kaye and I burst into fits of laughter. Dean is crazy as hell. I love her though.

  “What’s up,” I ask twirling a lock of hair around my finger.

  I look at the lock and note I need to head in for a trim. Maybe I’ll get a blowout for the wedding. I don’t think I’ll wear one of my lace fronts. Oh, I have to get Isaac fitted for the new suit. I think it’s much cuter.

  “I have a friend that could help end that book for you,” Kaye whispers and I freeze.

  I know what Kaye is talking about. I made a joke a few times over the years about hiring someone to make Toni disappear. I sit in silence, stunned at her words.

  “Actually, a couple of friends that could give personal advice and solutions,” Kaye says nervously.

  I never told Parker about Toni’s last visit, but I did share the details with my girls. I don’t know what to say. I want to ask questions, but I know I shouldn’t.

  “I think I’m going to shelve that book for now,” I say half-heartedly.

  “Okay, but we’re here if you need input,” Kaye replies.

  “I say write the fucker and be done, but whatever you want, hun. We want your mind free and clear for the wedding.”

  “Why do I feel like y
ou guys have been talking about me,” I burst out laughing.

  “Pleading the fifth,” Dean sings.

  I hear a noise down the hall and look up at the clock. Parker must have been flying. I’m not expecting him this soon. I go to tell the girls I’ll talk to them later, but something halts me.

  “Girls, hold on a minute,” I whisper. “I’m putting you on speaker. If you hear something funny, call the cops and Parker.”

  “Fuck them police, I’m calling Parker,” Dean says.

  I don’t have time to protest. I hear another noise. I take the gun from the lockbox by my bed. When I enter the hallway, I place the phone on the little table.

  With both hands free, I move up the hall. My heart is pounding. If it were Parker, he would have made his presence known by now. It’s a habit of his. I want to hope that he just forgot to, but I have the feeling someone else is in my home.

  I move stealthy trying not to make a sound. When I step into the kitchen, I skid to a stop. Vern is standing in the middle of the room looking like a confused slob. He runs a hand over his bald head.

  “I shouldn’t be here,” he mutters.

  “Then, why are you?” I snap. “Speak up, Vern before I put a bullet in you.”

  I’m so damn pissed, I get ready to squeeze the trigger to teach his ass a lesson. I catch movement out the side of my eye, but it’s too late. I feel the blow to the back of my head just before I blackout.

  Parker

  I still can’t even believe I’m entertaining this hair brain idea Ryder has. Strip clubs. Male strip clubs. He and our crazy ass friends want to go out and shake their dicks at women, they can. They can count me and my money out. I can’t even bring myself to say it in front of Lakia.

  Shots.

  I shake my head. Totally some Ryder shit. I think of Myles. He would have talked me into doing it. Hell, before Lakia, I might have. Now, I just don’t think I want to get involved in that kind of thing.

  My phone rings, causing my brows to knit when I see the name. Lakia gave me her friend, Dean’s number to pass to Ryder for wedding stuff. I don’t know why she’d be calling this late.

  “Hello,” I answer feeling uneasy.

  “Parker, Kia said she heard someone in the house. She told us to call you if we heard something off, there was a gunshot,” she rushes out.

  My blood runs cold. I step on the gas, without thinking any further. I have to get home.

  “Thanks,” I cut the call.

  I’m already making the next call, as I race towards the house. I’m too far away. Two blocks would be too far I’m about five miles away.

  “Did you change your mind that fast,” Ryder answers.

  “A gun went off at the house,” I say without any emotion.

  The soldier within has taken over. I have one mission and that’s getting to my woman and getting her safe. I stay as calm as I would in the desert. I have to because there’s no way I’m forgetting a damn thing right now.

  Ryder doesn’t even reply. The line goes dead. I already know he’s on it. Before this night is over there will be one dead cop.

  Lakia

  I groan, but it seems to echo. It takes a third groan, before I realize I’m not the only one groaning. I lift my lids and look around. I’m tied to a chair in the middle of my living room.

  The groaning is coming from Vern, he’s on the couch, bleeding all over my furniture. I knit my brows, confused. My head is throbbing.

  “You shot me, Kia. The fuck,” Vern groans, when he sees my lids open.

  I guess I did get that shot off. I smirk, glad I hit his ass. I know he’s not here to talk tulips and roses. I feel no remorse.

  “Shut the fuck up,” I hear Toni hiss and turn to find him pacing.

  He has on a bullet proof vest, his hair looks wild and his eyes are crazy. In this moment, I don’t know what I ever saw in him. I lick my lips. I have to get out if this chair. I wiggle my wrists and wince when the cable ties dig into my flesh.

  “Your job was to distract her and get the fucking gun. How the fuck do you get your ass shot,” Toni spits. “This is all going to shit.”

  “You said it would be easy. Make it look like a break in and murder. You’d get the cash and the kid. You said she was a shit shot. She aimed right at my fucking leg and shot me,” Vern groans.

  “Quit your fucking whining. The boys have surrounded the place. I need to think we need a way out of this,” Toni panics.

  “I didn’t need this shit man. My wife is going to leave me. All I needed a was some quick cash,” Vern moans.

  “I said shut the fuck up,” Toni bellows, lifting his gun and putting a bullet into between Vern’s eyes.

  I jump. He’s lost his mind. He was partners with Vern for years. Since he was a rookie. Vern was like a big brother to him. I close my eyes and say a prayer. I need to get out of this chair. I’m not the one dying here tonight. I need to get to my son.

  Parker

  Another shot goes off and I try to fly into the house. I fight against the officers, trying to hold me back. It takes Ryder, Doc, and Uncle Wayne to hold me back.

  “Calm down, son. You flying in there isn’t going to help anything,” Uncle Wayne tries to sooth.

  “Standing out here isn’t doing shit either. What if he just shot her?” I say brokenly. “They’ve been sitting out here with their thumbs up their asses because he’s one of their own.”

  “He’s right, I’m tired of this shit. We need in there,” Ryder growls.

  Uncle Wayne nods. He inhales a deep breath. “You three get in there. I’ll keep them busy out here,” he lowers his voice, looking each of us in the eyes. “I have equipment in the back of the truck. Drive it around the block.”

  I’m in motion without a thanks. We’ve been waiting too long. Once they identified Toni and his partner, as the suspects that entered the house things seemed to start moving in slow motion. It’s total bullshit and they know it.

  We jump in Uncle Wayne’s truck and suit up. Doc drives us around the block. I changed my routine to jogging in the neighborhood. I know which house backs up to my garage apartment.

  We move swiftly, with me in the lead. I move on instinct it all comes back to me, flooding my system. I feel like Myles is with me. He won’t let me fail this mission. It’s what I came here for, to keep Lakia safe. Myles always knew something was up with this lunatic.

  I stop to get a look into the house. I can see straight through from the back door. Toni is just out of range, but I can see Lakia dead center, sitting in a chair she’s been tied to. I tamp down my rage. We need to get her out.

  I signal to Ryder and Doc, we need a shot. We could probably get one on the front side of the house through the window, but we need to stay out of sight. I curse under my breath.

  If we enter, we’ll have to engage him. I’m not comfortable with that. Lakia is too vulnerable. My head starts hurting through my frustration. I grind my teeth.

  “I might be able to get a clean shot from the garage apartment,” Doc’s voice enters my earpiece.

  “We need the bastard to move,” Ryder growls.

  Just then, as if feeling me willing her to, Lakia lifts her head in my direction. Her eyes meet mine and I see the trust there. She knows I’m here to get her out.

  Lakia

  I want to burst into tears when I see him. At first, I thought I was seeing things, but I know that man anywhere. I can read the look of frustration on his face. Immediately, I understand the problem.

  After shooting Vern, Toni has been standing out of firing range of the windows and doors. It makes sense, as a cop he knows their next actions. Still, I need in where someone can take his ass out.

  I would pick Myles’ brain for scenario after scenario for my books. I mentally download all that information and look around the room. I know what I need to do. My hands and feet are useless, but my mouth still works.

  “Did you even think about our son?” I say, drawing Toni’s crazed eyes to me.

>   “Did you think about our son?” he snarls. “You fucked the piece of shit like a little whore, while my son was under the same roof!”

  I swallow. I need to be careful. I need him to move, not fly off the handle and just shoot me in the head. I take a deep breath and try something new.

  “Where did we go wrong, Toni? Why are we hurting each other?” I coo.

  His eyes soften, he looks down at the floor as if he’s lost. I see so many emotions cross his face. I think he’s not going to answer at first.

  “My father loved you. He said so from the first time I brought you to the house. I didn’t think he would, but you wrapped him around your finger. He didn’t care that you were Black. You were a good woman, he said.

  “The more we dated the harder it became to please him. He wanted me to pull favors on the Force for his guys. I risked everything and did shit I thought I would never do. He still wasn’t happy. When I got you pregnant, I thought he’d be happy. Instead, he pressured me the entire time to marry you. I knew you weren’t ready. I needed to work you more.

  “But he pushed, and I did it anyway. I proposed and you flat out told me, no,” he lifts his eyes to glare at me. “My old man died a week later.”

  I groan internally, this is not helping. He hasn’t moved and he only seems to be getting more pissed off. I did tell him no. He’d become more possessive and controlling. I refused to marry someone like that.

  “We were going through so much. The pregnancy was so hard on me. I was tired,” I say gently.

  “I wanted to be there for you. I just didn’t know how. My father treated me like shit, when no one else was around. You thought he was such a good man. I never wanted to fuck Isaac up the way my father did me.

  “You’ve always been too good for me, Baby. I just thought if I gave you space you would see how good things were between us, when they were good. I was giving you time to miss me,” his eyes light up and his face becomes animated.