"Don't. I don't want you to hurt yourself." I said, trying to move his hand away. However, he remained persistent and ran his thumb over my cheek."I don't care how painful it is. Nothing will ever stop me from taking care of you. I've been a dick to you in the past. But still, you love me. Lord knows I don't deserve it, but I'm thankful you're giving me, us, another chance. You are by far the most important person in my life. That will never change." Damian replied, holding my head tight against his chest. I sucked in a breath but let him take care of me. We remained silent for a while before the car stopped. I looked up and saw that we were downtown, about twenty minutes from the library. "Let's get off here." I replied. Damian nodded, then I helped him to stand up, letting him lean on me for support. We took a few turns outside the underground station until we came to a bus stop. We climbed on board until our next destination. I needed to get us outside of the city. There was a
We'd been driving for a few hours already. The trip had been mostly silent. Damian forced me to pull over and eat. I was happy he didn't ask where we were going. "Hey, do you think we could call my brother so that he knows I'm ok?" Damian asked after a while."Sure. Use mine. It's a burner, so it's untraceable. Just don't tell him about anything that happened. Also, don't mention you're with me. It will only put their lives in danger.""What can I say then?""Tell them that you were sure you found me but got stuck behind some cars in a traffic jam and lost me. Say that you think you may have a lead, but want to be sure before you say anything."Damian nodded his head and did just that. He called his brother, who was, in fact, worried, and calmed him down, telling him he was safe. We needed to keep them out of the loop for now. It was already dangerous enough to have Damian involved. I couldn't risk the Cobras going after them as well. After Damian ended his call, he passed me back th
The car had gone quiet after my response. There was nothing that either of us could say. I knew Damian was just as worried as I was, if not more."Anyways, Kayden thought it was in my best interests to learn how to protect myself. The first was always knowing where exits were located at all times. I make it a habit not to go in any building I haven't had a chance to memorize the schematics for." "Kayden also taught me to always have a backup plan. We can never know where they're at all times, so it's best to have an escape route planned in advance.""That explains the library, the subway, and the bus. Wait. What about the airport?" Damian asked as if only remembering it now."What about the airport?" I asked."What even happened back there? How do you go from asking for a Taxi to getting in a plane a moment later?""Oh, that. It's spy talk. Kayden taught it to me. There are safe places spread throughout the country. He made me memorize each one in case something ever happened. Kayden
...Damian POV...I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant... I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant... I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant... I have a son... I'm a father... Haley was pregnant...My mind continued to swirl on repeat. The words made sense, but it was as though my mind couldn't compute the meaning. My brain had shut down altogether. So much had happened in a few short hours. My brain was trying its best to keep up with everything as it is. But now this?I was still trying to wrap my mind around what was going on, so I decided to take a walk. I needed some air. I wasn't sure if I was even ready to have kids. But now I don't have any choice. I'm not upset with Haley. I understand why she never told me. Hell, I would've done the same thing if I were in her shoes. I'd completely ruined any trust we had in our relationship. So what else was she meant to do? But as if that wasn't enough, the Cobras have been after her. I wish I'd known. I
"Follow me." Kayden said as he turned away from me. I did exactly that, using my foot to kick the door closed. Kayden led me to a small room, and I placed Haley on the bed. I wrapped her in a blanket and tucked her in. "Don't leave." Haley whispered out. My heart broke from her admission. I kneeled on the ground and kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back, my love." I cooed in her ear.She nodded her head, then closed her eyes.I ran my fingers through her hair. A gesture I knew she loved. Soon, she was fast asleep. I turned to see Kayden watching us. He looked at me and silently nodded for me to follow. I nodded my head in response, then turned to look back at Haley. I leaned over and kissed her cheek, then walked out of the room. I gently closed the door, careful not to wake her. I could see through Kayden's expressions that I wasn't his biggest fan. But that didn't concern me. He could hate me for all I cared. Gawd knows I deserve it and so much more. So long as he cared for H
I spent the next while going over every detail of the bets with both Haley and Kayden. Kayden, however, didn't seem the least bit surprised, which made me wonder how he knew. But I didn't focus on that. Rather I focused on Haley. Her movements, reactions, everything. I tried to reach out to her. However, she pulled away from me. I felt absolutely gutted seeing her react like this to me."So all this time, I was nothing but a bet to you? A way to gain a position and further advance your business?" Haley replied, outraged."No! I swear! I truly love you!" I shouted, walking closer to her, hoping to wrap her in my arms. However, she backed away from me, holding a hand up, preventing me from getting close."And you! I trusted you! You knew about this and didn't tell me?!" Haley shouted incredulously at Kayden.Kayden's eyes went wide. He also tried to get closer to her; however, she backed away once more."Hales." I began, but she cut me off. She looked at me with daggers in her eyes. But
I looked to the street once more, hoping Haley would return any moment now. Seeing that she wasn't going to, I followed Kayden back into the house."Sorry, man. That wasn't my intention when I brought it up." Kayden explained, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck uncomfortably. I could tell he was upset and felt bad for how things played out.I nodded my head at him. I didn't blame him. It was my own mistake. I should've been truthful with her long before now. "Do you mind me asking why you asked then? Cause you already seemed to have known all about it." I asked, hoping to change the subject."Yes, that's true. I did know all about it. I asked because I have questions about the bets. Or rather one in particular." "Which one?" "The one with your friend, Lucas." Kayden said, making my eyes grow wide."What about it?" I asked, growing curious."Can you go over the details of the agreement itself? Because something isn't adding up."I eyed him but agreed, telling him in full de
...Haley POV...I was so hurt. Before I had walked in on their conversation, I was planning on asking Damian to rest with me. I was exhausted and needed him at my side. Part of me still felt on edge. As though I was in a dream, and when I woke up, Damian would be gone again. I couldn't rest easy knowing that Damian was in the other room, and Maverick had been taken from us. He had become my world, and I was at a loss with him gone. I didn't even know where to begin to get him back. I knew Kayden would've already begun to look for solutions. I would give him whatever he needed to get my son back, and Kayden knew that. We'd gotten close, and he knew that money wasn't an issue for me. So when I walked into the kitchen and heard them talking about bets. I was absolutely floored. But mostly, I felt like an idiot. Here I was, about to ask him to sleep with me, when all this time I was nothing but a bet to him. Not just one but two bets. He not only agreed to be in a relationship with me bu
...Fifteen Years Later......Haley POV...It's hard to believe that Damian and I have been married for fifteen years already. So much has happened in such a short amount of time. We experienced so many firsts together. First the birth of the twins, their first steps, as well as Sienna's first steps. Then there was preschool, middle school, high school, along with so many more precious memories. I couldn't believe how fast time had gone by. It seemed as though we were just saying our vows, but as I look at our kids playing in the backyard, a smile creeps on my face.I still remember that day as if it was yesterday. After our impromptu wedding, Damian took me aside to explain what had happened. He was just amazed that I had pulled it off without a hitch. Little did he realize how much help I received. After his initial shock wore off, I decided to explain to him why I had chosen that particular venue for our wedding. When he realized that the home we were at was ours, he was over the mo
I felt on edge. Was I seeing properly? When I had taken the turn around the house, I had face to face with a large crowd. They all immediately jumped to their chairs and clapped. My eyes went wide in astonishment. What in the sam's blazes was going on right now?My eyes scanned the crowd which is when I noticed a bunch of familiar faces. I saw Haley's parents holding Sienna, Luca, Jace, Zach, as well as a bunch of Haley's relatives. I recognized a bunch of our friends faces before turning to see what looked like a stage. The entire location looked like it was decorated for a wedding. But what on earth was going on?Zane passed Maverick over to Zach before he made his way over to me. "Are you ready?" He asks, clapping me on the back."For what? What's going on?" I ask."Why don't you coo and find out?" Zane remarks, pulling me with him down the aisle towards the stage. He pushes me into place as I stand frozen, unable to move. My mind is spinning a million miles a minute. It's as if
...Two Weeks Later...Two weeks have passed from one of the worst emotional rollercoasters of my life. Just when I thought I was at the lowest point in my life, Haley surprised me with two incredible miracles. We were set to have twin boys. I couldn't be happier. Haley didn't mind either way. She was a proud mama regardless of their genders. The odd part of our story, was that we were about to have child three and four, and yet neither of us had been present for every birth. I missed the first one. Haley missed the second. So neither of us really knew what to expect. We decided not to dwell on it, and treat as it should be. Our first pregnancy together.I was looking forward to experiencing everything with her. I so desperately wanted it to be perfect. Regardless, as long as we had each other, I knew it would be."So, are you ever going to tell me where you were that day?" I ask."How about tomorrow?" She says, making me turn towards her surprised. I hadn't expected her to give in so
By the time we got to the hospital, I was an absolute mess. I was terrified from the lack of the unknown. Was Haley ok? What about Sienna? The moment we arrived at the hospital, Sienna was taken away deeper into the hospital so they could run some tests. They had me go to a waiting area where they bring Sienna once they discovered what was wrong with her. I held Maverick in my arms, using him as a life support. If it wasn't for him right now, I doubt I would be standing up. They would need to put me in a bed as well, as my nerves were all over the place. My worry over both Sienna and Haley had gone to extremes. My mind was swirling with all the what-ifs. Was Haley in trouble? Did the Cobras go after her? Has she been kidnapped? Worse? "Mr. Stone?" As if that wasn't enough, my mind continued to plague me with fears over Sienna. What if I got to her too late? What will happen to her? Will she survive? Will she grow up to have a normal life? What did I do wrong? Was it something I di
...A Few Months Later...The construction on our new house was coming along swimmingly. With my connections, I had managed to secure some of the best people for this project. I worked well with Taylor, our project manager. He had so many great ideas that I could incorporate into my design. I was like a kid in a candy store. We made a great team. I would constantly bounce ideas off of him, and he would give me his input. Sometimes coming up with an even better solution. I was so happy to have him. With his insight, we had designed several hidden rooms, such as a play room, a room for the kids to hang out when they're older, even a butlers pantry. Taylor even came up with a secret passageway between the kids rooms. So that they could sneak into each others rooms. I was so thrilled with how well everything was coming along. It wouldn't be long for the house to completed at this rate. I couldn't wait to show Damian. I knew he was growing suspicious, as I was leaving the house more freque
My conversation with Damian from last night was ringing through my mind. I knew he was stressed, but he is good at hiding it from me. I wanted to help him, but when it came to his work, there wasn't much I could do. My strengths weren't in the tech industry. I was an architect.Wait... I'm an architect. I say to myself, as if reminding myself of my talent. Which is when it hit me. I wanted to take something off of Damian's plate. If I couldn't help him at the office, then I would help him with our home. I quickly got dressed then grabbed my cell phone. I called Colton to come pick me up then had him take me to our realtors office. I had our realtor look into various locations, and then once we came up with a list, we toured each and every one of them.Just before noon, I found the one I'd been searching for. It was a secluded location not far from the main city centre. It was situated right on the lake, and boasted a stunning private sand beach. I knew the moment y eyes landed on it,
…Haley POV…I woke up during the night to find Damian not in bed. I walked to the bathroom figuring he must be in there, only to find it empty. Realizing that he wasn’t in our room, I went to check on Maverick and Sienna, wondering if Damian had gone to check on them, however, both were sleeping soundly. I was about to head to the kitchen, when I saw a glow coming from the office. I walked inside, to see Damian fast asleep at his desk, his head buried in a mound of paperwork.“Dame.” I whisper while silently shaking him. However, to my surprise he doesn’t wake up.“Dame?” I question, a little louder this time, however, yet again, still no movement. I get on my knees before him, and run my hand through his hair. I feel him shift slightly, until he begins to stir.“Hmm?” He moans, as he turns to look at me.“Why don’t you come to bed?” I suggest, standing up to crawl onto his lap.I continue to stroke his head as his hands wrap around my waist. He buried his head in my neck, as he’s
Damian's phone ringing woke us up the next morning. It seemed as though a critical file that needed to be sent to finalize a deal had gone missing, meaning that Damian would have to go to the office to investigate it.Damian sighed, then kissed me on the forehead before heading to the bathroom. I couldn't help myself. I turned around in the bed to watch him as he walked towards the shower."I can feel you staring." He says, without looking at me."What are you going to do about it?" I remark. I can't help it. I love looking at his ass. It's so perfect, talk about eye candy."I can't do anything right now. But just know that when I get back, I expect you naked and willing on this bed for me." Damian shouts from the bathroom. I get out of bed and follow him into the bathroom. He's already in the shower as I enter, so he's unable to hear my silent footsteps as I approach.I walk into the shower behind him, and wrap my arms around his waist, reaching down for his member. "And what if I'm
I looked up to see Damian hover above me. I crawl backwards further into our King mattress. Damian mimics my moves as he comes closer to me. He tosses his shirt to the ground, as he hovers above me. I feel his bulge against my core, making my head tilt back in anticipation."Please." I whisper, reaching for the waistband of his pants in hopes of sliding them off."Please what?" He responds back, as he places kisses along my chest. He squeezes one of my nipples with his hand as he moves higher to kiss my neck. I can feel him sucking on it, making me wet down below. I tilt my head back further into the pillow as I give into his assault."Damian. Please." I find myself begging as I claw at his pants, trying to remove them from his waist. In one fluid motion, Damian manages to not only drop his pants but also remove his boxers, freeing his member. He traces his member along my core, teasingly.I reach for it, to push it inside me when Damian's hands reach for my wrist, pulling my hand aw