Ch. 101..105: Until I Met You Chapter 101-105
Chapter 101
My head slams against the dashboard again once the car falls into the water. Gray’s terribly bleeding and he’s already passing out.
My head hurts and my stomach too. I quickly push back Gray’s seat and touch his neck to feel any pulse. He’s struggling to keep his eyes open.
” Gray.” I weep and look around for my phone.
His right hand clutches his bleeding stomach as his eyes roll into his head.
” Please stay with me.” I whimper and help him with his stomach.
He gives me a faint smile and leans back against the chair as he fights to open his eyes. I look out the window and we’re already sinking.
” Oh God.” I scroll through my contact and click on Alexa’s contact.
I quickly dial her number and press the phone against my ear. She’s not picking up. I look back at Gray and he’s bleeding terribly. I can’t lose him, I don’t want to lose him. Not for anything.
I decide to call one number that I hope he picks up.
” Dad..”
” Ariel. What happened? You sound scared?”
I wipe my eyes and sniffle.
” We had an accident and I need help. The car is sinking and Gray’s dying. Please I don’t want to lose him.”
” Hold on , where are you?”
” We fell off the bridge.”
” Oh shit.” He mutters on the phone. I hear rattling noises and I think he’s looking around for something.
” Hold on, I’m coming. Just try to stay alive okay. And keep Gray from bleeding, okay?” He says and hangs up.
I wiped my tears and Gray already passed out.
” Gray.” I tap his cheek and start to sob.
” Please open your eyes.”
He gently opens his eyes and it rolls back into his head. I decide to call for backup since the car is already sinking.
” 911, what’s your emergency?” The female voice asks on the phone.
I explain to her and tell her our location. I look out the window and all I can see is water and it’s already entering the car. I turn back to look at Gray and he’s completely passed out. Despite bleeding terribly on my head , I didn’t care. I wanted him to be fine for me. I feel his pulse and it has turned cold.
~ALEXA~ Reid sits on the edge of the bed as he gives me dinner. He’s been terribly nice lately since I got shot. Still finding it hard to tell it to my face that he cares about me.
” You look cute.” I tell him as I shove a spoonful of chicken soup into my mouth.
He raises one pierced eyebrow and huffs.
” Will you eat?” He asks.
” I’m just saying you look good. You just gotta say, thank you Alexa. You’re just being grumpy and it doesn’t suit you.” I say.
” Hurry up. I need to check the bandage on your leg.”
” I’m still waiting for you to tell me you care about me and you want me.”
” Fuckin bitch.” He mutters and scoffs.
I giggle, because taunting him is pretty cute.
” Where’s your friend?” I ask.
” Went out with your cousin and you know that. I’m gonna appreciate it if you shut up.” He says and that made me giggle.
” Can you please pass me my phone. It’s been silent for too long.”
He rolls his eyes and collects my phone from the dresser and gives it to me. I go through my phone and I’ve got a missed call from Ariel. I dial her number and press the phone against my ear. She isn’t picking up. She’s probably having fun with Gray. It stops ringing and I call again. She didn’t pick up. That’s kinda weird.
I drop my phone on the bed and begin eating. Reid turns on the TV as he tunes the channels.
” Reid, I need a massage.” I whine. I’ve been nagging like a pregnant girl since I got shot.
Cute part is, he never says no. He does everything I want, and most times I wish we had a thing. He was serious about whatever thing we had that night. Like he called it a mistake and he meant it. What a prick.
” I’m busy Alexa.” He scoffs and continues tuning the channels.
” Please…” I whine again.
He drops the remote and turns to look at me. Reid sits on the bed and places the leg that was shot on his lap. I smile at him as he starts to lose the bandage. My eyes snap to the TV and it’s a news channel. Business news displays on TV and there’s an ambulance too.
” Popular business tycoon, Gray Carter, was involved in a fatal car accident with his girlfriend. It was reported he was shot in the stomach…”
” What the fuck!” Reid and I utter as he snaps his head to the TV.
The TV displays Paramedics with two people on two stretchers as they are rushed into a hospital.
” Is that Gray?” I ask as someone knocks on Reid’s door. Reid stands up and walks to the door.
” Did you see the news? Gray’s been shot?” Manny asks.
” Fuckin hell.” Reid walks back to the room and I’m already on my feet.
” The fuckin Russians. It’s their stupid work.” He says and picks up his car key.
” I’m coming with you.” I state and search his room for my clothes.
I quickly put it on and Reid switched off the TV.
|•GRAY•|
I blink my eyes and I’m faced with white. What’s this? I slowly part my eyes to get used to the light affecting my vision. I look around this strange place and it’s occupants. I look at the left and Damon is standing, his back leaning against the white walls, with his arms crossed. I look at my right and Reid’s seated next to my bed. Wait! Bed. A hospital? What the fuck! Who brought me here? Why am I even here?
” Sup man.” Reid says. He smirks at me and I don’t really give a fuck about that right now.
Why the actual fuck am i in a hospital? The door to the room springs open and my mom walks in with a doctor. What’s happening?
” Oh my baby.” Mom sobs as she rushes to my form. Shit!
She touches my neck and my head and she wipes her eyes. Why am I here?
” You’re awake.” A voice says. I traced it to the doctor whose name tag says Hardy.
I blink my eyes and try to remember my last experience. I was in my car with Ariel. Damn, we were shot at and we had an accident, fell off the bridge and that’s the last i can think of.
” Where’s Ariel?” I ask. ” She’s still unconscious.” Mom says.
” Unconscious?” I ask. How can she be unconscious?
” You need to calm down Gray. I need to check your health status and how you’re feeling. You suffered internal bleeding and…” He trails as he tries to hold my shoulder.
” Fuck man.” I slap his hands away.” Don’t touch me, man.”
” Gray, you’re not fourteen. You need to calm down. I thought I lost you.” Mom says.
” Where the fuck is Ariel? How can I be sure she’s fine?”
” She’s fine Gray. Nothing happened to her. She was only unconscious and she’s not awake.” Reid says. ” Alexa is with her. She will be fine.”
I sigh and take deep breaths. I caused this. I know I was involved with it but I was selfish. I dragged her into my dark world and she has gotten hurt a lot of times.
Doctor Hardy holds my wrist and drops it. He writes something on his clipboard.
” Do you feel any pain?” The doctor asks.
” No.”
” Stomach?” He asks again.
” Fuck no.” I reply.
Damon scoffs and makes an annoying sound. I just can’t remember when I was last admitted. Aside from an accident that almost cost my life, that’s like four years ago. Now this.
A nurse walks in with a tray and an injection on it. The doctor takes the syringe and taps the needle. He pierces the needle into my arm and injects it.
” That’s gonna help you rest better.” The doctor says and turns to leave with the nurse.
Once the door is shut , I turn to look at Reid.
“Where the fuck is Moskov?” I ask Reid.
” Who the fuck is Moskov, Gray?” Damon asks.
” Not your fucking concern.”
” Gray, what is wrong with you? You almost lost your life and your girlfriend’s life , what does that even mean to you? Don’t you value your life?” Mom asks.
I can’t be calm unless I end Moskov’s life. He has done more than enough and I’m not fuckin resting, except he’s six feet underneath the earth.
” Where is Moskov, Reid?”
” Manny and Carl have been on the pursuit since the day you got shot.”
” How long have I been out?”
” Three days.” Reid answers.
” Was this some sorta Mafia fight that almost cost your life?” Damon asks?
” Yeah. What?”
” I thought I’d lost you again, Gray. I had to leave Canada and come to New York when I heard you were shot and in a fatal accident with your girlfriend. Why can’t you give up this life?” Mom sobs. Why’s she acting like she didn’t date a drug dealer. Nobody leaves the Mafia , what’s their shit? Should I tutor them again?
” So when are you leaving the Mafia? Gray you’re gonna end up dead if you don’t give up the mob. You’ve made a lot of money from the mafia, why not stop this bullshit and focus more on your girl.” Damon says. They are pissing me off.
” What the fuck is wrong with you , man? What are you, fourteen? Should I start giving you rules about the Mafia? Blood in, blood out. Nobody leaves the Mafia and you know it. The only way out is with a coffin. Dead Damon.” I yell at him.
Reid places his hand on my arm to calm me down. They keep on acting like six years old with their persistent shitty attitudes. Who leaves the Mafia?
Mom begins to cry and I’m hurt again.” Why not leave the country? Move out and don’t come back.”
” And why should I do that?”
” Because, I don’t want to lose you Gray.” She says. Damon walks to her little form and begins to pat her.
” Nothing is gonna happen to me. I knew what I was getting into. I made this decision and I’m gonna live with it. With time , I’m gonna retire.”
” And Ariel ? What’s gonna happen to her?”
” She will be fine. I’m gonna look after her.” I say.
” Look after her? She’s unconscious Gray. What type of looking after her was that? You shouldn’t indulge her with your sick business even when you know the risks .” Damon says.
” Sinclair was here. Why was he here?” Mom asks.
I sigh and turn to look at Reid. He gives me a sympathetic look and shrugs.
” I don’t know.”
” You don’t know? He was one of the reasons we lost our father. He was part of father’s death and he was here. He was with Ariel , stuck in her room.” Damon says.
” Sinclair had nothing to do with dad’s death, okay.”
” What makes you think so? They went out together that day, before he was shot dead.” Damon says.
I shut my eyes and breathe out. I need to tell them.
” I killed him.” I say and open my eyes.
The room falls silent as everyone looks at me.
” Excuse me?” Mom asks.
” What the fuck Gray? What are you saying?” Damon asks.
” I killed our father, okay. I fuckin killed him.” I say.
Mom looks at me as a tear slips from her eyes.
” How could you?” She backhands me as I touch my cheek. What the fuck?
” You stupid son, how dare you?” She slaps the opposite cheek.
Fuck.
” How could you do this to me? You turned me to a widow? I thought maybe it was Sinclair. How could you kill your own father?” Mom yells as Damon and Reid stare at me in awe.
” Why did you do it, Gray? Why did you shoot him?”
” He fuckin snitched on me alright?” I protest and mom slaps me again.
” You will pay for this. I regretted ever coming here to make sure you’re okay. You don’t even deserve love. You killed my husband.” She cries and starts to thrash at me.
Damon and Reid hold her back to prevent her from pulling off the drip stand.
” Don’t ever call me again. I’m deleting your number and you’re not my son.” She says as she storms out of the hospital room.
Goddamnit.
” Fuck , Gray. I knew you were insane but I never thought you’d be crazy enough to shoot your own father. I’m getting the hell outta here.” Damon says and leaves too.
Now it’s just Reid. He doesn’t say a word. He stares at me and runs both hands down his tousled hair.
” I hated what I did though.” I say with a sigh.
” But you didn’t regret it though, right?” Reid asks.
” I don’t know.”
” You shouldn’t have Gray.”
” He fucked me up and I got angry..”
” And you shot him, because you were angry? My dad’s a dick, a fuckin pussy but I never ever thought about pulling a trigger through his fucked up head. The fuck Gray.” Reid sighs.
” Is Ariel aware?” He asks.
” Yeah. One of the reasons she wanted to leave me. I’m fucked up , she made me see reasons what I did was wrong. What did the doctor say about her health?”
” She will be fine. When you passed out , I think she fell unconscious out of shock. She’s got a little injury on her head and she bled profusely. She will be fine.” Reid says.
I nod and take in a deep breath.
” Damn, Gray.” He mutters and paces around his room.
” Your mom is never gonna forgive you , you know that right?”
” Yeah. But that won’t stop me from apologizing properly. I’ve done a lot of terrible shit. It sucks.”
” Yeah.” |•ARIEL•|
I move my fingers and slowly part my eyes. The brightness of the room made me squint my eyes as I raise my hand to hold my head. My head hurts terribly. I’m having a terrible headache.
” Oh my God. Ariel.” I hear a familiar voice as I try to open my eyes.
” Go get the doctor.” A male voice says.
I slowly open my eyes and it lands on Sinclair. He’s sitting right next to me. Where am I? What’s this place? I look up at the white ceiling and white walls. A hospital? What happened?
I shut my eyes and try to recall what happened. An accident right on the bridge and Gray was shot. Gray , where’s Gray?
” Where’s Gray?” I ask Sinclair.
” Calm down Ariel. Gray’s fine. Nothing happened to him and it’s your turn to get better too.” He says.
I can’t taste anything. My mouth is dry and I’m thirsty.
” How long have I been out?”
” Four days.”
I nod and try to sit up. Dad holds me gently and helps me up.
” Water, I need water.” I lament. Just then Alexa walks in with a female doctor.
She rushes to me and hugs me at once.
” Aww , birdie. Thought I lost you again.” She says.
” Can she get water?” Dad asks the doctor. She nods and walks out.
” What happened? The car fell off the bridge Ariel.” Alexa says.
” The Russians.” I say. My voice cracks and I badly need water.
” Russians? The Mafia?” Dad asks. I nod and touch the bandage on my head.
” Yes.” I voice out.
” Why?”
” Same old feud with Gray and Vladimir. Gray killed Vladimir and his brother Moskov isn’t happy. He wants Gray dead.”
” Fuck. Not again.” Dad mutters.
” Was mom here?”
” The day it happened , yes. She was here with her husband and her daughter. How are you?”
” Not fine at all. My head aches , terribly.” I answer.
The doctor returns with a bottle water as she gives me.
” Thank you.” I say and uncap it and I chug down the water. I feel better.
” Thank you.”
” How are you feeling? Any pain at all?” The doctor asks as Alexa takes the bottle water from my hand.
” I’m fine. Just a headache.”
” Yeah. You bled a lot. Can I have alone time with her?” The doctor asks.
Alexa and dad look at me as they look at the doctor.
” Why?”
” I need to carry out a series of tests on her. To make sure she’s better.” Okay that’s quite strange.
” Ariel?” Dad asks me.
” Sure. I’ll be fine. I’ll scream if she tries to strangle me.” I say as they laugh.
Alexa leaves first and dad follows. The doctor smiles at me and sits next to me. She touches my neck and sighs.
” Do you feel pain?”
” Just the head. Am I gonna be fine?” I ask her.
” You’ll be fine.” She smiles widely.” You’re a strong woman. It wasn’t really easy at all. You were supposed to miscarry because of this accident.”
What’s she talking about? Miscarry what?
” The baby’s fine too.” She says.
Wait, I don’t get it. What baby? What is she talking about?
” I’m not pregnant.” I defend.
” Yes you’re. You’re three weeks pregnant…”
Chapter 102
“You’re three weeks pregnant…”
Holy hell.
No , not true.
Can’t be true.
Not now , not anytime soon.
I shake my head and chuckle. This is crazy. I cannot be pregnant. I know I didn’t take any pills at Mia’s yacht party but that doesn’t mean I’m pregnant. Oh God I’m dead. Gray’s gonna kill me. He told me he doesn’t want a kid and now I’m pregnant?
” Doctor, I’m not pregnant. I can’t be pregnant.”
” Why can’t you be pregnant? You’re Gray Carter’s girlfriend right?” She asks.
I sigh and nod.
” You’re fertile and he’s got nothing wrong with him. So what makes you think you can’t be pregnant.”
” Because I don’t want a baby.” I whisper to her.
” You’re serious? Why not? Children are good news. I’m sure it’s a boy.” I sob at her news and shake my head.
No, not pregnant. Gray’s gonna freak out. He’s gonna yell. I don’t even wanna think about his reaction. He might even get angry and act weird. Why do I even have to get pregnant now? Of all the time?
What about school?
What about my life!
I’m only twenty for God’s sake.
” Are you crying?” The doctor asks as she wipes my eyes.
” You don’t have to cry darling. You’ve got a good boyfriend. A nice one for that matter. And your father? You know he’s gonna be supportive of you , no matter what. Think positive darling.” She advises.
She’s not gonna understand.
That same sweet boyfriend of mine doesn’t want a baby. He doesn’t like kids. They are like a distraction to him and right now kids aren’t the best option.
“Did you tell anyone?”
” No. Thought the mother should be the first to hear this good news.”
This isn’t good news.
This is more like sad news.
” Thank you. Please don’t tell anyone and I’ll be forever grateful.” I plead with her. She nods in understanding.
” Thanks.” She smiles and stands up as she leaves.
Alexa enters the room with Sinclair by her side. They look at me and Alexa looks back at the door.
” What did she do to you? You were crying?” Dad asks.
I fake a smile and wipe my eyes.
” No. She said I’ll be fine.” I lie.
Dad sits on the chair close to my bed, and Alexa sits on the other side of the edge of the bed.
” What did she say to you Ariel?” Alexa asks.
” You care a lot, Alexa. I’ll be fine. What’s up with Brandon and Piper?”
” Stopped by yesterday. And the day you got shot. They panicked.” Alexa says.
I sigh and nod.
Now it’s my turn to panic. I’ve got little Gray Jr in my stomach. How hilarious. A nurse walks in with a tray. She drops it on a table beside my bed. She picks up a syringe and looks down at me.
” It’s gonna sting a little.” She says.
” I’ll be fine.” I say. My mind’s not here anymore. I feel like my world’s ending with this baby news.
She injects me and gives the plate to Alexa. Alexa opens the covers and it’s soup.
” It’s gonna help you. The injection will make you sleep and let you heal faster.” She gives Alexa a spoon and walks out.
Just then Aisha enters.
” Look who’s awake.” She praises with her big smile. She stands next to dad with her hand around his shoulder.
” How are you? How are you doing?” She asks.
” I’m good. A little headache though” I say as she sighs.
She unwraps her arms from around Sinclair as she sits on the edge of my bed.
“I’m really sorry about what happened. I just hope you get better.” Aisha says.
Alexa twists her lips and dramatically shoots herself. Sinclair sees her and shakes his head sideways.
” Thank you Aisha.”
” Oh my God. She’s awake…” Brandon and Piper shouts as they close my room door.
” And she looks more beautiful.” Brandon adds as they surround my bed.
” Hey guys.” I smile , still not forgetting the fact that I have Gray Jr right inside my tummy. This is too big to take in.
I need to tell someone. Certainly not Gray.
” We were so worried. I thought we’ve lost you again.” Piper sighs as she pouts.
” Thanks guys. I’m fine and strong.” I manage to laugh.
” How are you feeling? Better?” Brandon asks.
” Yes, Brandon. I’m doing great. Thanks guys for checking up on me.”
” Yeah. These guys…” Piper whispers , motioning to Sinclair and Aisha like they are not in the room.
Aisha giggles as she smiles. She stands up and wraps her arm around Sinclair’s shoulder.
” That’s my Dad and that’s his wife.” I say.
” Uh… I don’t get it. How is he your dad?” Brandon and Piper ask.
” Yup. He’s her dad. That’s his wife. Please don’t ask if her supposed mom cheated on her supposed dad with him.” Alexa says. ” Those parents of hers are Ariel’s foster parents and the supposed mom is her Aunt. Got it..” Alexa continues.
” Fuck , you’re crazy.”
…
A week later , I finally got discharged. Gray’s still admitted. I heard the doctor said it’s not safe for Gray to leave. Considering that he suffered internal bleeding. After I was discharged, Dad drove me home. I change my clothes and return to the hospital. Sinclair didn’t allow it. He scolded me several times but I was too adamant to listen to him. I twist the doorknob to Gray’s room and peek my head in. Manny is seated next to him and he’s reading a magazine. They visited me actually before I was discharged. Manny, Nick and Reid. Reid didn’t talk much. Nick , jeez, I barely could feel my ears that day.
Gray is up. He averts his gaze to the door and our eyes meet. He smiles at me and I walk in. The doctor said he’ll be discharged the day after tomorrow. I close the door as Manny looks up from his magazine.
” Hi, Manny.” I greet him and sit next to Gray.
” Hi.” He replies with a smile.
” Hey, babe.” Gray says as he holds my wrist.
” You look a little pale.” I tell him and touch his neck.
” I’m fine. This fuckin doctors won’t let me out. They are annoying as fuck.” He says and I chuckle.
” Never knew you nagged when sick.”
“I’m not sick.” He defends.
” You got shot , Gray.” I remind him. He rolls his eyes and look at me, from head to toe.
” I’m just glad you’re fine. That’s what matters.” He says and kisses me at once.
” Damn. I’m just gonna get the hell out of here.” Manny says. I chuckle in between the kisses.
” Bye Manny.” Gray says as Manny shuts the door.
” You’re okay?” Gray asks once I pull away from the kiss.
*Gray, I’m pregnant.*
That will be terrible. I can’t do this.
” Tinkerbell…” Gray calls my name.
” Um… yeah, I’m fine. I was worried about you.” I tell him and bite my bottom lip.
I need to get rid of this pregnancy. I can’t tell him. He’s never gonna be happy about it.
” You’re sure?” He asks and trails his forefinger down my jawline.
I smile and cup his cheek as I lean in to kiss him. My hand runs down his hair as he wraps his arms around my waist to feel my body.
” Oh God. Making out in the hospital. Seriously.” Reid mutters.
I pull away at once but Gray won’t take his arm from around my waist .
” You don’t fucking knock Reid.”
” This is a hospital, not your bedroom. Was even wondering why Manny sat outside.” He says and walks to the other side of Gray’s bed.
” Hi.” Reid tells me. That’s one of his normal greetings since we barely talk. He always acts awkward around me. Don’t know why. I think part of the reason is because he threatened me before and smacked my butt.
” Hi.” I reply.
He nods and turns to look at Gray who hasn’t let go of me yet.
” Moskov is still missing.” Reid states.
” You really don’t have to fight it Gray. You’re still recovering and you should stop thinking about the Mafia.” I tell him.
” I need to kill him or he’s coming back. And this time I can’t tell what’s gonna happen. I might not even survive it.”
” Gray he’s not coming back except when you make an attack. I want you to be safe , please.”
He rubs his thumb on the back of my hand and pulls me to himself. I lay next to him on his bed and rest my head on his shoulder.
” Love , love , love.” Reid mutters with a sing-song voice.
” Go get a girlfriend Reid.” Gray says as he chuckles.
” He’s already got one. He and Alexa.” I say as Reid creases his forehead. I scrunch my face at him and giggle.
” You’re serious, man?” Gray asks and turns to look at Reid. “I thought it was just fucking.”
I swat his chest.” No cursing in a hospital. You’ve been shot, remember.” I scold him.
” Yeah. Maybe it’s just fucking.” Reid says, trying to annoy me.
” That didn’t sound like just sex to me. You guys are into each other. She likes you.” I say.
Reid rolls his eyes and looks at me for a second before looking at Gray.
” I don’t know what she’s talking about.” Reid says.
” I’m not mad. I can’t stop your happiness even if it turns out to be Alexa. If you wanna go on with the relationship thing then I’m fine. Just don’t cause trouble.” Gray says as he rubs my arm.
” Asshole.” Reid huffs and throws his head back to stare at the ceiling.
” Then I’m just gonna text her you are inviting her for dinner but you’re scared and ashamed.” I say pulling out my phone from my back pocket.
” Ariel, don’t. Gray, talk to your girl.” Reid whines.
” I’m not among your games. Count me out.” Gray says as I text Alexa.
To Alexa; Get a dress Alex, Reid is taking you out on a date. Buddy is ashamed and too scared.
Once it reads sent, I keep back my device and smirk at Reid.
” You’ve succeeded right?” Reid asks.
” Yeah. Get ready to rock.” I chuckle. Reid isn’t really bad at all. He’s got a sweet side he only allows Gray to see. Now I’ve seen it. And maybe Alexa too.
I’m still pregnant and most times I think it’s one of my bad dreams. The one you wake up and realize it’s just a dream and nothing more. But this is real. I’ve got a little Gray in me.
•••••
I throw my bag on the couch in my room and slump on it. I barely could concentrate at class or when I was with the squad. I can’t tell my friends that I’m pregnant. And I need to tell someone.
” Oh my God. I can’t believe that dickwad asked me to go out on a date with him. A proper date.” Alexa says walking into my room.
I stand up and sit on the chair opposite my dresser.
” You’re okay , sweetcheeks?” Alexa asks as she stares at my reflection on the mirror.
” I don’t know how to say this.” I sigh and wipe a tear that slips out of my ears.
” What happened to you?” She asks and walks to me.
” You’re okay? Is it Gray? You know he is fine. He’s leaving the hospital tomorrow.”
” It’s not Gray.” I sigh and sniffle.
” Then what is it?” She asks.
I open my mouth to speak but more tears slip out.
” Ariel , please talk to me. You’re scaring the shit out of me.”
” I’m…” I blink my eyes and look down at my lap.
” I’m pregnant, Alexa.”
She blinks her eyes several times. A little smile creep into her lips and it broadens. Hell no.
” Oh my God. You’re carrying Gray Jr? This is the best news I have heard.”
” What are you saying? It’s not , Alexa. It’s bad news. What about college? What about my dreams? What about my life? I’m too young for this.”
” If you’re too young , then you shouldn’t have had sex in the first place. Babies are good news. Have you told Gray?”
” I can’t.” I clean my eyes and look at the mirror.
” Why not? He’s gonna be super happy. A baby? Oh my God. I feel like I’m the one pregnant. I’ve got lots of names already.”
” Alexa , stop. Gray doesn’t want a baby.”
She bats her lashes and blinks her eyes.
” I don’t get it. Did you tell him?”
” I cannot tell him. At Mia’s yacht party in Canada , I threw up and Mia thought I was pregnant. She made me do two pregnancy tests and it was all negative. Gray told me I can’t be pregnant, that he doesn’t want a baby.”
” Oh shit. This is terrible. What are you gonna do?”
” Get rid of it.”
” No. You’re not getting an abortion. I won’t let you do that.”
” Then what? Tell Gray that I’m pregnant. I can’t do that. He’s gonna freak out and probably yell.” I cry.
” It’s okay. You should give yourself time and rethink your decisions. Don’t rush it.”
” I already bought pills , Alexa. I’m taking it tonight…..”
” Ariel, please don’t. Don’t do what you’re gonna regret later.”
” I’ve already made the decision. I’m getting rid of it.”
Chapter 103
” Ariel, I’d rethink my decisions if I were you…” Alexa says as I bring out the pills from the drawers.
” When did you buy these?” She asks.
” Two days after I discovered I was pregnant.” She sighs and sits on the bed.
” You know when Leslie was pregnant, you hated the fact that she had to terminate the baby. You can’t play that same role you talked about.”
I sigh and turn around on my seat to look at her.
” But Gray doesn’t want a baby.”
” Both of you produced Junior. You both had sex like every other partners and boom there comes a baby. You’re gonna tell him that you’re pregnant. If he freaks out and tells you to get rid of it , then it’s fine.”
” Oh God.”
” Don’t you want the baby?” She asks.
” I don’t know. Right now, I don’t even know what I want.”
” Okay, forget the fact that Gray doesn’t want a baby, do you want to keep the baby?”
” Who wouldn’t want a baby?”
” You said Gray doesn’t want a baby , so not everyone wants a baby. You don’t have to tell him now if it’s kinda difficult. You can have your time , think it over and over again, then you can tell him then.” She smiles as she talks.
” But what about school?” I ask her. She looks at me like I just asked the dumbest question ever.
” What about school?” She returns my question and shrugs.
” What about college Alexa? What about graduation? What about getting a job?”
” First, you own a penthouse worth millions of dollars. You have a father who’s rich as fuck. You own a Ferrari which an average person doesn’t even have and you have Gray Carter, something most women want but can never get. You wanna go to college, then sign up for an online class. You can talk to your dad to get an internship since you want to work badly.”
” This is so hard.”
” You’re seeing it the hard way , Tinkerbell.”
I smile at the use of Tinkerbell as I remember Gray. I can’t even imagine his reaction when he finds out. Freak out , pull out a cigarette and avoid me for a long time and probably start to act weird.
” You know if you abort it without telling him , then I’m gonna tell Gray you’re pregnant.”
” Alexa, you can’t do that.”
” Exactly. Reasons you won’t terminate that cute little junior in you. You know I have come up with a lot of names for the boy.”
” What makes you think it’s a boy?”
” Of course it’s a boy. I think the Carter’s have this male offspring curse. You’re likely to give birth to a boy. I can bet a thousand dollars for that.” She says and we giggle.
” Thanks Alex.”
” You’re welcome. Now can I have the pills?” She asks and opens her palm.
I pout and smile at her as I pick up the pills and drop them on her open palm.
” Thank you.” She breathes out and throws them inside her bag.” I almost had a heart attack when you said you wanted to kill him. Thank you for changing your mind by the way. I assure you, Gray won’t tell you to abort it. He might not want a baby now but he wants a baby. He’s just afraid he won’t be fucking you anymore.”
I almost choke on my breath at Alexa’s words.
” Shut up.” I laugh.
” It’s the truth. That’s why most average couples don’t want kids. They are like distractions. They take the mommy away from the daddy. The mommy won’t care about the daddy because she had to look after the baby. Everything she’s gonna think about is just the baby. That’s the sad truth.”
” Well yeah. But she can actually share it.”
” Share. You don’t share attention.” Alexa chuckles.
” Yeah. Fifty percent for Daddy , fifty for baby. When he wants mommy she’s gonna be there. And when the baby wants mommy she’s also gonna be there.”
” And when he wants to fuck?”
I bite my bottom lip and blush. She’s never gonna quit swearing.
” You know if I ever give birth, you’re never coming near my kid.” I tell her and she giggles.
” Why not? I’m not a bad aunt.”
I roll my eyes and stand up.
” You swear a lot, Alexa. Even more than Gray himself.” I blow out my breath and walk to my closet.
” You’re just being dramatic, sweetheart. I’m gonna treat him like the bad boy he is. Imagine taking over the mob when Gray retires.” She says as I halt my hands on the dresses in my closet.
” No way. I can’t let that happen. Even if it’s a girl or boy, he or she is never taking over the Mafia. I can’t watch them go through this mafia bullshit of feud and several shootings.” I say and pull out different dresses and throw them on my couch behind me.
” What if he wants it? What if he liked mob life?”
He’s never gonna like it.
I can’t even think about giving birth to a son and he wants to run a Mafia.
” I believe when Gray was born , nobody forced him into a bad life. He wanted it. I wanted it too. I liked it. Aside from the shooting, the Mafia is fun.”
” I don’t see any fun in it except for an unexpected shootout. Mafia family hating on the other because the other is progressing on the game and he’s got a lot of minions from the street. Greedy drug Lord’s, moles and beefing. I don’t want that for my kid.”
” Alrighty , I get it. You don’t want that for your kid. What if this bad ass kid of yours wants it? What are you gonna do, sister?”
” I don’t wanna talk about it. The Russians are still on the run. I’m pretty sure they are watching after Gray’s movement and waiting for the right moment to strike.”
” And we’re ready for them. I have two special guns for special people like Vladimir’s dickwad brother , Moskov.”
I chuckle and walk out of my closet after successfully throwing out four dresses.
” So, are you going to dinner or not? I’m pretty sure these dresses are gonna look hot on you. I put my efforts on this just to make sure you have Reid back.”
She smiles and looks through every dress.
” You’re really cute, princess. He’s never done this dinner stuff before. I’m just wondering what he’s gonna look like sitting across from me in a booth. He’s gonna be adorable.”
” Silly.”
” I’m hungry. You can try out those dresses if you want. I really haven’t worn them. Reid’s waiting and you shouldn’t keep him waiting for too long.”
” Always keep the men waiting sweetheart. Sisters code.” She winks and I laugh.
” You’re seriously going crazy.”
I go to the kitchen and look through the cabinet for ingredients. My phone rings and it’s Sinclair.
” Hey Dad.”
” Scarlett?”
I chuckle and sit on the counter stool.
” That sounds old and you know it.”
” It’s still your birth name.” He retorts and I nod.
” I know right? How are you? And Aisha?”
” She’s good. How are you? How are you feeling?”
” Getting better I think. I’m trying to hold up.”
” How’s Gray?”
” He’s getting better, dad. You want me to come over?”
” I’d be glad. I’m just gonna tell Aisha to prepare you something nice. I think Cage is around too.”
I smile and nod before answering.
” Sure thing dad. By the weekend, I’m bringing someone.”
” Which someone?” He asks immediately.
” It’s a surprise. Don’t talk me into telling you.”
He chuckles on the phone and I can nearly feel him nod.
” Okay. I hope it’s a good surprise.”
” I hope so too.”
****
By the weekend, Gray was already discharged and he’s obviously strong. He acts like someone who wasn’t shot at all. I park my car outside Gray’s penthouse building. I shut the doors and stride inside the building. The lady at the lobby smiles at me as I walk past her to the elevator. Gray has been hanging around in his penthouse after he got discharged. The idea of telling Gray I was pregnant was still stuck in my head. He just got out of a death trap and it’s gonna be bad if I give him pregnancy news.
I tap in the passcode to his door as the door opens. I step in and shut the door behind me. I drop my bag on the couch and go to the kitchen. Gray sits on the counter stool. He holds a cup of coffee while on the other hand working non-stop on his phone. A cigarette sticks between his lips. He looks up from his phone and his gaze falls on me. He smiles at me as I walk to the other side of the counter.
” Gray you got shot and you’re still healing, you shouldn’t be smoking.”
” Is that a welcome kiss or what?”
I roll my eyes and walk to his side. He pulls to himself and I sit on his lap. He pulls out the cigarette and blows out the smoke above my head. He drops the half smoked cigarette on the ashtray and looks at me.
” You shouldn’t be smoking now.”
He sighs and nods.” I’m sorry. Wanted to calm down my nerves.” He explains.
” It’s called cancer stick for a reason Gray. It’s not good for your health.” He bites his bottom lip and chuckles.
” I’m fine and I’ll be fine.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and mutter.” I’m just worried about you.” I tell him and kiss his neck where my name is inked permanently on it. He wraps one arm around my waist as the other trails on my lap.
” Thanks.” He says.
” Have you eaten?”
” No.”
I remove my head from his shoulder to look at him.
” But why?”
He pouts. ” You know I can’t cook.” He says.
I chuckle and shake my head sideways. ” You should order something? McDonald’s or even Taco Bell.”
He rolls his eyes.” I missed your food.” He says as his right hand trails slowly up my thigh.
” You don’t even have ingredients in this house. I can’t cook Gray except i go grocery shopping.” I sigh at his stubborn behavior and pick up my phone to order food.
” Are you mad at me?” He whispers and rests his head on my chest. Boobs actually. I chuckle at his childish behavior and curl my arms around his neck.
” Why would I?” I ask him and run my fingers down his hair.
” For risking your life and getting you in between my messed up life.”
” It’s okay. I understand. It’s not your fault.” I tell him.
He takes a deep breath and sit up straight to look into my eyes.
” You look pretty.”
” Thank you.” I reply. His eyes travel down my body on his lap and he smiles.
” Can I ask you something?”
He nods and gives me a go ahead.
” If we ever get a baby , will he or she get involved with the Mafia?”
His eyebrows furrow as he stares at me with wide eyes. He looks down at my stomach and looks back at my face. Is he serious?
” Are you like …”
I sigh.” Breathe Gray. It’s a question.”
He breathes out and nods. I badly wanted to tell him that I’m positive. That we’re expecting a baby but I can’t withstand his reaction.
” Okay. If he wants to, yeah.”
” Yeah? And he?”
” It’s always a boy. Girls are kinda rare in the Carter’s bloodline.” He shrugs and smiles.
” What if he doesn’t want to? The baby?”
” Then he’s gonna be a doctor, a lawyer. Whatever these kids like to be. He’s gonna have the best future and I’ll make sure he leaves the country too. Don’t worry, the Mafia isn’t as bloody as you think. If you know how to handle your rivals , they are gonna stay the fuck away from you.”
” The Russian family isn’t staying away.”
” That’s because their bloody late father succeeded in taking out your mom. This is Gray’s reign now , things have changed.”
At the mention of my mom, i just feel weak. I don’t even know what she looks like. She just died , just like that. I’m just gonna ask Sinclair for her picture once I’m visiting today.
” Heard from your mom?”
” She doesn’t want to talk to me.”
” Why?” I ask him.
” I told them the truth.”
” What truth?”
” About my father’s death. She disowned me right at the hospital. She’s not picking my calls and she slapped me also. A lot of times.”
Oh my God.
She found out? He told her?
I bet it’s gonna take Mia a lot of emotions and love for her son to forgive him. Who wouldn’t get angry by the way.
” I’m really sorry. Have you tried calling her again?”
” Yeah. She managed to pickup and she told me to go to hell and quit calling her.”
I nod and pick up his phone from the countertop and go through his contact. I stop at his mother’s number and dial it on my phone.
” I gotta take this.” I wave my phone at him, kiss his cheek and make my way out of the kitchen to the hallway.
” Hello.”
” Mia, it’s Ariel.” I say and enter the spare bedroom as I shut the door.
” Hi Ariel. Damn , it’s been a long time since I heard this voice. I’m sorry I didn’t call to check on you when you finally got discharged. Gray made me leave the country in anger.”
” It’s fine. He told me what happened.”
She sighs on the phone and stays quiet.
” I’m really sorry, Mia. I also got angry at him when he told me what he did. I know there’s no good reason for whatever thing he did but you should please forgive. He’s not himself lately.”
” But why should I forgive him?” She asks. Her voice is faint and threatening with pain.
” Because he’s your son and you love him.”
” Gray is a difficult one, Ariel.”
” I know, right?” I chuckle quietly.” He’s gonna be a father soon. I’d be glad if you forgive him.” I tell her as she gasps on the phone.
” What did you just say? Tell me this isn’t a joke?” She asks on the phone.
I look at the door and walk to the extreme of the room to avoid Gray hearing my conversation.
” Yes, Mia. I’m pregnant. And scared too.”
” Oh my God…” she squeals on the phone like a teenager. I pull the phone away from my ear because of the noise.
” What did he say? Did you tell him?”
” I can’t. Gray doesn’t want a baby.” I whisper.
” Is that why you didn’t tell him?”
” Kinda. But I’ll , once he’s fully healing from the shot.”
” Oh Ariel. You just made me happy now. Another grandchild? I hope it’s a boy. Can’t deal with a lot of girls.”
” I hope so too.” I smile.
” Aww. I wish I could see you right now. I don’t mind taking you out everyday to make sure you eat a lot. And please do me a favor and eat a lot okay. Babies need food and strength from their mom.” She says, her voice lace with excitement.
” Thanks Mia.”
” Don’t think too much about Gray. If you choose to tell him and he freaks out , don’t worry he’s gonna come around quicker than you think. He loves you a lot. He can’t afford to lose the one thing that belongs to you two.”
” Yeah.” I sigh.
” I’m gonna call him if that will make the baby happy. Thanks Ariel. You’ve made a lot of difference in his life though.”
I smile at her words.” Thanks too. For treating me like your own daughter.”
” You’re welcome.”
I smile and hang up. I take a deep breath and run my hand down my hair. I head to the door and open it as I walk out. I go to the living room and to the kitchen and Gray’s on the phone. I think it’s Mia because he looks surprised.
” I’m really sorry mom.”
” Thanks.” He looks at the screen of his phone as he looks at me.
” What did you tell her”
” Nothing important.” I smile and shrug.
He turns his body to face me as he motions for me to come. I walk to his form as he pulls me to sit on his lap so that I’m straddling him.
” Thanks.” He says. His eyes travel from my eyes to my lips as he talks.
” It’s fine.”
” Can I kiss you now?”
” You don’t ask Gray. I don’t see you as someone who takes permission before doing things.” I say and wrap my arms around his neck as he pulls me into himself.
My dress rides up my lap exposing the other half of my lap as his hands stay on my butt. Gray kisses me at once and I kiss back. My right finger trails slowly on his hair as we kiss.
” Shit…” he breathes out as I try to catch my breath at our intense make out.
” I need to ask you for a favor.”
” What?”
” I wanna hang out with Sinclair today. We’re having dinner out in a restaurant and that includes his wife, Aisha.”
” Okay. It’s fine if you wanna go. He’s your father and I can’t stop you.” He says.
” That’s not the point. I want you to come with me.”
His eyebrows furrow on their own as he looks at me in disbelief. I think this is the time to settle their feud. Gray needs to start getting used to the fact that Sinclair is my father now and they need to stop acting like children and move on from their dissing.
” I can’t.”
” Why? Gray if you don’t want to , can’t you do this for me.”
” You know I’m willing to do anything for you and you know that.”
” Then I want you to do this one thing for me. Go out with me this evening and have dinner with Sinclair and his wife. Please…” I pout and bite my bottom lip.
He barely can overlook my pouting and biting my lip.
” Please Gray. Dinner?”
He sighs and rolls his eyes before answering.” Fine.”
Chapter 104
This is so fucking crazy. I can’t imagine sitting across from Sinclair to eat dinner in some fancy restaurant. This is so fucked up. I’m pretty sure we’re both gonna flip and cause a scene. Why did he have to be her father?
I watch her get up from my lap as she smiles triumphantly. I bet she did a victory dance in her head.
Oh man.
The doorbell rings at once. She smiles and walks to the door. Probably the delivery guy who’s here to deliver the food she ordered. My phone rings and I retrieve it. Reid’s name displays on my screen as I swipe the answer icon.
” Hey dick.” He says once I pickup.
” Seriously?” I scoff. I hear Ariel converse with the delivery guy and they are taking too long.
” What are you doing?” He asks and i roll my eyes. I’m still stressed about that dinner date with Sinclair.
” I’m fucking my girl, you idiot.”
” Alright , you sound stressed. What’s up with you?” Reid asks on the phone.
I hear Ariel shut the door as she walks to the kitchen holding McDonald’s take out. I stand up as she enters. I kiss her forehead and motion for the phone in my hand. She nods as I walk to my bedroom.
” Yeah , I’m stressed obviously.” I say and shut my bedroom door.
” Are you in your penthouse?”
” Yeah and I’m fine. Ariel’s here with me.” I say and push the drapes of the transparent walls that view the city below.
” Alright? Why did you sound like someone who slept with blue balls?” He asks and I chuckle.
” Sinclair.”
” What about Sinclair? Did he threatened you?”
” Hell fucking no. It’s different this time. Ariel wants me to accompany her to one of Sinclair’s dinner dates with his wife, Aisha.”
” Holy fucking Christ. No fucking way.” He laughs on the phone. What the fuck is funny? Did I just tell a joke?
” Reid.”
” Oh fuck , Gray. She wants you both to settle. I see nothing wrong with that.”
” You know who the fuck Sinclair is. He was my ex fuckin boss , Reid.”
” Yeah. The boss you betrayed. Come off it man , it’s no big deal.”
” Really?”
” Okay I get it. It’s a big deal. You fucked his ass up and you’re about to sit from across him in a diner. That’s fucked up. What did you tell Ariel?”
” Yes?”
” Then why complain? You love her, you don’t want to turn her down. Whether you like it or not as long as you’re still dating Ariel and you wanna get married to her, Sinclair isn’t leaving her life soon. Start getting used to his presence around your girl. You just gotta apologize properly tonight. Keep your ego aside , Jamal.”
” Fuck , shut up.” I run my fingers through my hair and sigh. This is gonna be so fuckin hard.
” Breathe Gray , it’s no big deal.”
Of course it’s a big deal. It’s just gonna take God and a little tolerance for both of us not to flip the goddamn table of that fuckin diner.
” Sup with Moskov? He’s killing my patience. I want my fuckin peace called life back and he’s been distracting it lately.”
” Gray there’s no chase. He’s gone MIA. The dick is smart. Can’t find him.”
” His club?”
” Can’t step on that club, Gray. It’s covered with Russian Mafiosos fully guarded and ready to pull the trigger.”
I sigh.” Don’t worry. I’m pretty sure he’s hanging around there. Once I’m back from the dinner, we’ll check in his club.”
” That’s like a suicide attempt, Gray.”
” You’re scared? Manny will take the roof with other snipers to shoot at every asshole. Then Nick and the others will take the front. I’ll go inside.”
” Gray you just got shot. Just one wrong bullet and you’re gonna be dead.”
Fuck death. I’ve seen that a thousand times and it’s getting bored lately.
” I’ll be fine.”
” Gray, don’t.”
” Lemme plan my dinner tonight. Tell Spencer to put eyes on the street. We might find one of his little minions.”
” Sure.” He sighs , obviously disappointed at his so called ‘suicide attempt.’
I hang up and sit on the bed. A knock startles me as I look at the door. It creaks open and Ariel peeks her inside before walking in.
” The food is getting cold.” She says and strides to the bed I’m sitting on.
She sits on my lap and wraps one hand around my neck.
” You’re okay?”
I smile and nod.” Yeah. I’m fine.”
” Or you’re thinking about dinner? Gray, it’s just dinner. No one’s gonna bite you there.” She says it like it’s nothing.
I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her neck. She whimpers and squirms on my lap. I nuzzle her neck and bite her neck. She squeals and giggles.
” You’re gonna be there , so I won’t be scared. Just wondering why you want me to come.”
” Cause you’re mine Gray and I want you there.” She says.
I pull back to look at her eyes. Those same eyes that actually tamed my heart. I’m never getting enough of her. I smile and nod like a baby.
” You’re cute.” She says.
” And you’re pretty. Beautiful and hot.” I tell her and she blushes. If her skin was pale, then she would have been red by now.
I lay her down on my bed and hover on top of her.
” Gray, don’t.” She giggles.
” Don’t stop huh?” I smirk at her and raise my brows.
She swats my chest and I grab both her little wrist and rest them above her head.
” Seriously Jamal, the food is getting cold.”
” Food can wait. I got the best food here and she’s never getting cold.” She bites her bottom lip and absently squirm underneath me. Shit, that actually made my heart flutter. I lean down so that our bodies are likely touching as I kiss her.
It didn’t take her a second to kiss me back. My right hand releases her wrist and lets it trail down her thighs that’s clad with jeans. Fuckin blockage. I hiss under my breath against the kiss as our lips fight for dominance. She pulls away and stares at me.
” You should be resting and eating and taking your drugs. You got shot, Gray.”
” Fuck…” I slump down on the bed next to her and groan.” What’s with everyone reminding me I got shot like it’s the first time.”
She chuckles and stands up.” Come on baby, you gotta eat something.” I smile at the sound of ‘baby’ on her tongue. Sounds good.
I stand up, and instead of taking her hand , I toss her on my shoulder and she squirms and giggles loudly.
” Breathe baby , don’t let daddy spank you.” I tell her and spank her booty.
” Gray, stop. Put me down.” She laughs but I ignore her as I walk her to the kitchen.
•••••
Carl opens the backseat door as Ariel steps out of the car. It’s a new diner at the center of the city and it has outdoor seating. It’s kinda fancy and the lights from the busy streets made everything look beautiful. Ariel smiles at something or perhaps someone from afar. Carl shuts the door and nods at me. Nick sits at the driver’s side. He steps out of the car and leans against it. This is gonna be awkward.
I wrap my right arm around Ariel’s waist and that seems to jolt her into reality as she looks up at me.
” You’re okay?” I ask her, looking down at her little frame.
” Yeah. Just nervous.”
” Why?”
” I can’t watch two important people in my life fight over something that happened years ago.” She says. I give her a small smile and pull her to face me.
I wrap both arms around her waist to look at her properly.
” I promise to be on my best behavior.” I tell her and run my fingers down the silky smooth material of her tight short dress.
” You’re sure?”
” I’ll try.” I tell her and lean down to kiss her. My hand lowers down to the top of her butt as she giggles quietly.
” Don’t do that outside.” She scolds me and swats my hands away from her booty.
” What?” I chuckle.
” We’re in public.”
I look around and shrug. Nick already pulls a cigarette as he shakes his head. Carl on the other hand has his sunglasses on, i can’t see his expression.
” Keep your eyes open guys. Any type of shit happens and we get stuck, Nick, I want you to take Ariel out of here and make sure she gets somewhere safe. It’s an order.” I say.
Nick salutes as Ariel stares at me in confusion.
” I’m trying to take precautions. Always expect the unexpected when you go out . I work with the Mafia, Tinkerbell.” I smile at her and motion for us to start walking.
She touches the pocket of my suit jacket and flinches. I think she felt the gun I had.
” Do you have to?”
” Yes, for security measures.”
She rolls her eyes as we walk to her father’s table outside the restaurant. The outdoor diner isn’t that occupied yet. Just six occupied tables.
” Dad.” She says. I push my hands inside my pocket as I stare at this man. He doesn’t notice me yet. He stands up and pulls Ariel into a warm embrace.
” You look beautiful, daughter.” He tells her and then his gaze shifts to me. Surprise!
” What the fuck is he doing here?” He asks and looks at me with rage. Still haven’t gotten over the shocker that transpired between us? Unbelievable.
” Dad , it’s not what you think. I ask him to come with me because it’s a family dinner. And we’re in a relationship and you know that.”
Sinclair doesn’t look pleased. He composes himself and sits down close to his wife as Ariel and I sit across from them.
|• ARIEL•|
Twenty minutes into the dinner and my dad won’t stop glaring daggers at my boyfriend, and my boyfriend won’t stop glaring daggers either. They look tense as they don’t speak to each other. Gray clenches his jaw and unclenches it several times , including my dad. They are yet to say a word. The waiter comes in with our food as he drops them on our table. Aisha won’t stop complimenting me and my dress. I really like her. She’s nice and I admire her accent a lot. Still wondering where she got her daughter Sasha from – The crackhead.
” Thank you.” Aisha and I tell the waiter as he leaves.
” I’ve been wondering to ask Aisha, where are you from?” I clear the air before these men murder each other in their imaginations.
” I’m African dear. Northern side actually. My mom’s the Hispanic one.” She answers. I smile and nod.
” That’s pretty nice. Do you speak Spanish or maybe any other related languages?”
” I speak a little Spanish dear. Where are you from?”
” Her mom’s African too.” Dad answers for me.
” Honey and you didn’t tell me?” Aisha whines.
“I’m really sorry about that.”
Gray still stays quiet. Our eyes meet. I glare at him and he gives me an apologetic smile. I roll my eyes and motion for him to eat. He sighs and nods.
” She’s pretty.” Aisha compliments me again.
” So Gray, hope you’re having a good time?” Aisha asks him.
Gray smiles -An obviously fake smile. And he nods.
” Yeah. Thanks.”
” Happy that you came.”
” Yeah.” Gray says.
I drink my wine and sit back my glass and moan to the tasty lobster. They cook really good.
” So, Ariel said , the Russians were behind your attack almost two weeks ago.” Dad says.
” Yeah?” Gray utters distastefully. I groan silently and kick his shin under the table. He silently curses.
” Yes , they are responsible.” He answers and looks at me. I give him one of my rare smiles and he rolls his eyes.
” And what are you doing about that? The Russians won’t stop until they kill you. You don’t have to endanger her life and get her into your mess.” Dad says.
” Really dad? We’re together. And whatever problem he’s facing is also my problem.” I point out.
” This was one of the reasons I lost your mother. Because of stupid games like this.”
” Oh really?” Gray fires.
” Yes, really Gray. Why did you get involved with him knowing fully well Gray is involved with the mob. This is too dangerous for you Ariel.”
” You don’t know anything about her, Sin. The fuck you won’t tell her what to do.” Gray yells at him.
” Gray stop. Dad you too.” I yell at both of them.
They both shut up at once. They glare at each other and sigh.
” This is gonna stop and it’s annoying.”
” Why did you date a mob boss , actually?” Dad asks.
” Because I’m in love with him.” I state.
” It’s not about love , Ariel. This is one of the reasons I lost your mom.”
” And that was because you were careless. You couldn’t even protect her mom.” Gray says.
” And you won’t talk to me like that.” Sinclair retorts.
” Oh really dad. What’s your shit? Why are you acting all fucked up because of what happened years ago. The fuck, I said I’m fuckin sorry and you’re still acting all vexed up.” Gray yells back.
” Boys…” Aisha and I call for their attention but they don’t seem to listen.
” I don’t fuckin care about what you did, alright. The part is that I get to find out you are dating my daughter, you piece of shit.”
” Dad…”
” And you really haven’t stopped this attitude of yours. You act like a lady Sinclair.”
People are already staring at us. Carl and Nick already cross to the diner as they watch the two adult men throw abuses at each other. Including two other men in suits, who I assume works for my father. I saw this coming. I badly wanted to help them settle their feuds but as it seems, this isn’t working.
” Boys.” I yell and slam my palm on the table. They shut up at once and whip their heads to my form. Aisha sighs and runs her fingers through her short black hair. She looks stressed too, just like me.
” What’s the meaning of this? Why act like a twelve years old in an outdoor diner? Did you really have to fight each other?” I ask both of them.
Nick shakes his head and goes to stand at a corner not too far from our table. Carl leaves too , including the two men who work with my dad. I’m pretty sure they are all armed with guns in their body. The other customers at the diner look away as they mutter something amongst themselves and go back to talking.
” This needs to stop and I’m begging you both to quit this. Dad, we’re in a relationship. We’re in love. He’s in the mob and I don’t really care about that. Aisha accepted you for what you’re including my mom. Because they care and love you dad. I care about him and I’m in love with him. And you Gray, he’s my father okay. No matter how much you choose to fight each other it won’t change anything. You both are the most important men in my life and I don’t want to lose you both. You guys are meddling this today.” I say.
Gray sighs , including my dad. I shake my head and I’m about to stand up as Nick screams ‘get down’. Before I can know what’s going on, someone already pushed me down as gunshot erupts from the air. I breathe out deeply as customers screams and wails. I look up at the cold night and i see it. A black car drives into the street, windows all down as two hands shoves out of the window all with guns as they fire.
Someone grabs my arm and pulls me to my feet. With tears , blurry eyes and confusion, I look at the shootout. Aisha is already whimpering under a table as Dad, Gray, dad’s two men and Carl shoot at the car.
” Come on Ariel.” Nick says as he rushes me out of the scene, shooting non-stop at the vehicle. It’s bulletproof.
” No…” I scream and snatch my hands away from Nick.
” Ariel go…” Gray shouts and that was it.
A bullet pierces into Gray’s chest and another one at his shoulder.
” No.” I scream and try to run to him.
They shot dad too, and dad’s two men were already on the ground. Everything starts spinning as the world slows down. Another bullet was shot into Gray as he collapsed on the ground, bleeding. Dad’s already on the ground too. I don’t notice the bullet being aimed at me, but Nick is fast, he rushes into me as the bullet pierces into him.
” Oh my God.” I mutter as everything blacked out.
Chapter 105
” Emergency! Someone’s getting a panic attack!”
The voice is muffled and I barely can hear anything. I lay on a stretcher as I’m pushed down the hospital’s hallway. I watch the ceilings pass by as I try to breathe.
I can’t breathe. Everything is blurry as the stretcher continues to move. Two paramedics surround me , talking non-stop and giving me promises that I’ll be fine.
The next minute, I’m in a room with doctors and nurses trying to give me treatments. Gray’s been shot. I can’t even think of losing Gray without telling him he’s gonna be a father soon.
” What’s happened to Gray?” I choke out as a nurse tries to press me back down to steady my breathing.
” Someone get her an oxygen mask!” The doctor yells.
” She needs a tranquilizer…” The doctor mutters and snaps at another nurse.
I feel my hands tremble as the nurse holds me down.
” Calm down Miss and please take deep breaths.” The doctor assures me.
I can’t speak. It’s been a long time since I had a panic attack and I never thought I would ever have this again. The nurse sent to fetch the tranquilizer returns as the doctor injects me with it. I begin to breathe gently as everything starts to darken. I fight to open my eyes but it doesn’t work, I already blacked out.
***
” She’s still sleeping. She had a panic attack earlier and we had to sedate her. She needs rest…” I blink my eyes to the unfamiliar voice.
The brightness of the room make me squint my eyes as I open my eyes to a familiar room.
” She’s awake.” Someone says.
I shut my eyes and reopen them again. Alexa stands close to the door with her arms crossed. She looks like someone who’s been crying earlier. She gives me a faint smile and walks to my bed. A female doctor stands at the left side of my bed with a big smile on her face. Aisha sits close to me on the right side and none of them seem happy except the doctor.
” What happened?” I ask. My voice sounds croak as I look between the two familiar women.
” You need to rest. You’ve been stressing yourself out and the baby and you need to rest. And eat a lot of food too.” The doctor says.
Aisha nods at the woman as she leaves. Now it’s just Aisha and Alexa.
” Never knew you were pregnant.” Aisha says. Her voice sounds low because of crying I think.
” Is Gray aware? That you’re pregnant?” Aisha asks.
” I didn’t tell him. I wasn’t prepared for it and now this.” I sob.
” What happened? I passed out after he was shot the third time.”
Alexa sniffles as she wipes her eyes. Aisha sighs too.
” Your dad was admitted. He’s in this hospital and I hope he will be fine.” Aisha says.
” And Gray? Nick, what about Carl?”
” Ariel…” Alexa walks to me as she sits on the edge of my bed. She holds my hand in hers as she weeps.
” What happened?”
” A lot of things happened. I went out with Reid this morning…”
” Morning?” I ask, confused. It’s dawn already.
” Yes dear. Whatever happened, happened yesterday’s evening.” Aisha says.
” So what happened?” I ask.
I don’t wanna think negatively or I’ll start panicking again.
” Reid was shot today when we went out.”
” What?”
” Yes.” Alexa answers and continues.” Yes. Luckily he was wearing a Kevlar vest, hopefully the bullets didn’t do a lot of damage. It was the Russians, they said they wanted to end Summit, for good.”
I sigh and nod. Reid is fine, not dead but also hospitalized and safe because he wore a Kevlar bullet proof vest. What happened to Gray?
” And…”
” Nick’s dead Ariel.” She says as she tries to muffle her tears.
” No.”
” Yes. Nick’s gone. It was a headshot Ariel. Carl died too. A lot of bullets were found in his body. I don’t know what’s going on, this is getting messed up.”
Oh no.
I killed Nick.
” Ariel, breathe. Oh , God, not another panic attack.” Aisha says as she slowly taps my cheek.
” He took a bullet for me. Nick died because of me. I killed him. Oh my God. Where’s Gray?” I wail loudly.
The door opens as Manny, Cage and Ace walk in.
” What the fuck is happening?” Manny asks and rushes to my side.
” Panic attack?” Ace asks as he holds my wrist.
” Ariel, breathe. Calm down. Take deep breaths and you’ll be fine.” They assure me.
I nod and start to inhale and exhale. It worked as I take in a deep breath.
” How could they kill Nick and Carl? What happened to Gray?” I ask the guys and no one’s willing to speak.
” We don’t know if he’s dead or alive. Gray’s missing Ariel.” Alexa answers.
” What! Is that true Manny?” He nods.
” He couldn’t be found. Not a trace, just his blood. Someone called 911 when the shootout happened. They came as fast as possible. They couldn’t find Gray.” Manny explains.
” And the NYPD was here.” Aisha states.
” What for?” I ask.
” They are trying to investigate what’s going on. The police think this is an illegal war and they are suspecting Gray is into narcotics. They need proof.”
” This is the second time Gray’s been shot at the minimum of two weeks. They think something is up. One of the Russians was shot , police made a chase and captured the bruised guy. Checked his body and saw the Russian Mafia symbol. A tattoo.” Manny says.
” This is stupid.” I mutter and try to sit up. They helped me up.
” How are you feeling?” Cage asks. He hadn’t said a word since.
” I’m not fine at all. I don’t know how to explain it.” I say. My voice is trying to fail me again.
” This shit needs to end.” Manny says as he blows out his breath.
” How are you willing to end this?” Ace asks.
” This is a Mafia fight. We are gonna need a lead. Gray’s nowhere to be found. He’s the boss here. Can’t even tell if he’s dead or not.” Manny says as Alexa slaps his arm.
” You don’t have to say that in front of her. You don’t wanna give her a panic attack again. I believe he’s fine.”
” He was shot thrice. He was barely healing from the first shot before this three shot again. I can’t lose Gray.” I say and sob.
” It’s okay.” Aisha assures me as she confronts me.
The door to my room opens as two NYPD officers walks inside. One of them wears a black dress shirt in his grey colored slacks and the other wears his uniform.
” Good day everyone.” The man with the dress shirt greets.” My name is inspector Collins and this is my assistant, officer Baron.”
” Nice to meet you.” only Aisha responds.
” We’d love to speak with the patient please.” Baron says and smiles at us. I roll my eyes. Why are they here? To ask me if Gray is into illegal drugs and arms or what?
Everyone looks at me for approval to leave. I nod and give them a small smile. They turn around and begin to leave one after the other.
” You’ll be okay, right?” Aisha asks and I nod.
” Thanks.” I voice out.
She smiles, squeezes my hand a little, and leaves too. Once the door is shut , inspector Collins walks to my bed.
” I’m really sorry about what happened.” He says and sits down on the chair Aisha was occupying earlier. I don’t respond.
” Hope you’re getting better?” He asks again. I turn to look at him and nod curtly.
He sighs and nods.” We are here because of what happened yesterday. At the diner.”
” What happened?”
” You guys were shot at. Do you know who?”
I shake my head sideways.
” Just a vehicle and hands tucked out of the window and started firing a gun. I don’t know what you want but I’m not in the mood to talk about this.”
” Gray went missing Ariel.” He says it like it’s nothing. I sniffle and draw back my tears.
” We want to help look for him.”
” We don’t need your help.”
” You care about him, don’t you?” He asks and I don’t answer.
” We found out among the shot victims was Mr Sinclair Daxton, CEO of Sinclair and Co. Found out yesterday he was your father and you were having dinner with him and Gray outside a diner. We chased down the car of the gun-men and we managed to catch one of these guys. He works with the Mafia, Ms Ariel. Do you know if Gray got involved with illegal people and they went after his life.”
” No.” I answer dismissively.
” What makes you think they are after his life? This is his second shot in less than two weeks.”
” I know right? I don’t know who wants him dead and why the Russian mafia wants to kill him. I think maybe his business rivals sent a member of a Mafia to come after Gray. Gray doesn’t deal with illegal people. I can’t speak more than this. I need a nap.” I say and shut my eyes hoping this officer leaves and thankfully they did.
•••••
I stand on my balcony and absently stare at the city. It’s been four days since I got discharged. No news from Gray or where he is. My dad’s in a coma , Reid’s taking treatments and he’s hospitalized and Nick is dead. The news of Nick dying because of me hurts me a lot. If he didn’t take that bullet for me, nothing would have happened. And to think about Gray’s disappearance, I’m slowly starting to feel depressed.
I lost my appetite and I can’t eat. I’ve been throwing up lately each time I try to eat something because of the baby and it’s fruitless. My stomach hurts a little as I rush to the bathroom to throw out my nerves. I stare at my reflection on the mirror above the sink as I throw up again. I can’t even remember when I last ate something. I think it’s almost two days now. Alexa was always around making sure I’m fine and doing okay. I told her not to tell Brandon and Piper about what happened. I can’t explain to them the man I fell in love with works with the Mafia. That’s a total disaster.
I turn on the tap to wash my face. I wipe my face with my hand and go to my bedroom. I walk past the full length mirror in my room as I stop to stare at my reflection. I walk toward it and look down at the pendant hanging down my neck. I’ve got bags underneath my eyes and sigh.
” Tinkerbell.” I read out the name he usually calls me on the pendant.
A tear slip out of my eyes as I rush to my nightstand. I squat and pull out the drawers to look for the ring he gave me. It’s like he knew things like this were gonna happen. He knew he was gonna get shot to the extent of going missing. He knew it. I twirl the ring between my forefinger and thumb as I stare at the diamond. He promised he was gonna be back. That no matter what happened and he’s gone for now, he was gonna come back.
I smile at the promise ring Gray gave me as tears slide down my cheek. He will be back. Angels don’t die, right? He can’t just leave without knowing about his son. Our son. I wipe my eyes and slide the ring down my middle finger. I raise my hand up and admire the ring. Moskov really went far. They took my mom and now my lover and my dad. To the extent of taking the lives of people I cared about. This is ending and I’m gonna end it.
The doorbell rings as I get up to open the door. Alexa stands outside looking sad as always. It hurts her a lot about Nick’s death. It’s like a dream to her. Despite the fact that they had a relationship before Reid, Nick was one of the best guys she has ever met. And he was a good friend too, to me as well. She walks in holding bags of take out. She drops the food on the counter at the kitchen and comes back to the living room. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and embraces me. I cry in her arms as she caresses my hair.
” It’s okay. Everything will be fine.”
I nod in her embrace and pull back. She wipes my tears as we sit on the couch. I pull my knees to my chest and hold my head in my hand.
” What are we gonna do?” Alexa asks.” Manny and the others want to start a real war with the Russian mafia but they need a lead. I don’t even know what to do right now. They still can’t find Gray.” Alexa says.
” We need to end this. If we don’t , they won and they can’t win.” I say and turn to look at Alexa.
She chuckles sadly.” It’s not as easy as you think. We can’t just start a fight with them. Nobody knows where the fuck that retarded bastard is hiding.”
” You dated Vladimir right?”
” We fucked, there was nothing romantic about it.”
” What was his best underground club?”
” What?” She looks at me and stares at me in disbelief.
” There are many of them.”
” He’s got a favorite. There must be this favorite club where he likes to hang out when there is trouble. Probably for hiding.”
She taps her fingers on her thighs like who’s thinking.
” There might be one.”
” There might be?”
” Ariel, yes. He’s got one. He owns a club and Moskov took over from his brother.”
” We’re going there.” I say at once. She darts her head to look at me like I’ve gone insane.
” No, you’re not.”
” Yes we’re.” I gesture to the both of us with my finger.
” No Ariel.” She stands up at once.” Babe, you’re pregnant. With Gray’s baby. There might be a probability with Gray’s disappearance. What if he’s dead and the baby is the only thing you’ve got of him. You can’t risk the baby. And going to a Russian club to fuckin shoot at Moskov is impossible. That’s a suicide attempt.”
” First , we’re not going to shoot Moskov in his club. You and I know he can’t be there. Vladimir’s right hand man is Moskov’s present right hand man. I believe when you were dating slash fucking Vlad, his right hand man hangs around.”
” Yes. Alejandro. That’s his name.”
” Vladimir’s right hand man?”
” Yes. What’s your plan Ariel? You’re trying to risk your life.”
” And I don’t mind. I have lost enough people already. They took my mom Alexa. My father’s in a coma. My boyfriend is missing after being shot thrice and now what, Nick is dead. You want us to sit back and let them kill us one after the other?”
She opens her mouth to speak but closes them.
” Reid’s also in the hospital. Every single person that we love is hurt and I’m not gonna sit back and do nothing.”
” What’s your plan? Storm into their club?”
” Yes and find Alejandro. He’s gonna tell us where to find moskov.”
” And what if he doesn’t say a word?”
” Stop being a chicken. Who’s the closest person in his life?” I ask.
” He’s got a son. He’s ten years old.”
” Good. We’ve got a bait then. What does he like his bitches to be?”
” Strippers. He likes strippers a lot and the club is a strip club too.”
” Then strippers we shall become. We’re going shopping. We need more guns and a good disguise…”