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“Can you help me find someone?” His face contorts with confusion but he nods.
“Who you looking for?” I take a deep breath and say the name I haven’t said aloud in a long time.
“Christine Vaughn?” He nods and motions for me to follow him. I grab my keys and kick the door closed as I run after him. I pull my shirt out making sure it’s covering the gun in the back of my waistband. We walk for a few minutes until a small pokey office comes into view. I wait outside as he heads in—there isn’t enough room in there for the both of us, it reminds me of a toll booth. He pokes his head out the door and narrows his eyes at me.
“You family?” A whoosh of air escapes me as I answer his question.
“I’m her… kid’s father.” Hearing those words come from my own mouth has something inside me constricting. I have a fucking kid! I shake my head and decide to reflect on that bit of information later on, right now I need to deal with this before going after my little girl. He nods and comes out motioning for me to follow him. I do. We pass by so many graves. Most people would be feeling some type of way about being here but death doesn’t scare me. It’s inevitable. We all die—it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. He leads me toward a massive tree where there are many headstones and motions to the one on the end of the six that are nestled in the shade of the tree. I nod my thanks as he turns and leaves me. I stand here stock still, just staring.
Just fucking get it over with, King!I berate myself as I move slowly toward her grave… toward the woman I loved.
Christine and I were toxic together, there is no denying that, but as much as we fought, we fucked harder. I still loved her regardless. My family hated her. They can try to say otherwise but the looks in their eyes told me all I needed to know. She would never be accepted in my family as one of us, like Kiara. I rest my hand atop her stone and feel a lump form in my throat at the sight of her name.
Christine Vaughn
Beloved, mother, daughter, sister and friend.
May the angels rejoice in her presence.
Igrind my teeth together in anger, I don’t even fucking know how she died!
A deep churning in my gut tells me my family had something to do with her death. I crouch down and run my fingers over her name.
“I promise I will find our daughter. I’ll raise her like you would have wanted and love her with everything that I am. I’m so sorry… I wasn’t there. I vow to you that I’ll never rest until I avenge you, Christine.” With that said I stand and leave. I have every intention of going after my daughter and bringing her home with me but first, I need to change and sort shit with Bishop because that bastard owes me an explanation. It better be a good one or he’ll be buried beside Tony in an unmarked grave!
Chapter2
Allison
“Wake up!” I smile and haul the blankets over my head keeping my eyes closed.
“Five more minutes!” I beg. I have no idea how this kid has so much damn energy at this early hour.
“I neeeed pancakes!” I smile and open my eyes as I lower the blankets and stare at the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen in my life. Her pout has me laughing and reaching out to tickle her. She squeals and tries to escape my reach but I hold firm. “Sowiii.”
“Do you give up?”
“Yessss,” she squeals out through her laughter.
“What’s the word?” I laugh.
“Mercy.” I stop tickling her. She launches forward and wraps her arms around my neck as she tackles me back down. I hold her close and breath in her strawberry conditioner. Just the feeling of her hug has a pang of sadness thrumming through me. Christine should be here, this should be her moment with Mela, not mine.
“Come on then, let’s get you some pancakes, then we have to get you ready for school.” She pulls back and frowns at me.
“I don’t like it.” I deflate as I reach out and tuck her brown hair that hints of blonde through it behind her ear. I look into her green eyes and I know they are her father’s. Christine had blue eyes like me. I’ve only ever seen one picture of King—Amelia looks exactly like her father.
“I know, baby girl. I wish you didn’t have to go but Ally has to go to work or we can’t get more pancakes.” A sad look clouds her features as she nods. I hate that I can’t give her everything that she wants—being a single mom is fucking hard. I make sure all her needs are met though. She may not have everything she wants but I make sure as hell that she has everything she needs.
* * *
I’m just finishing cleaning up our dishes when Mela walks into the kitchen, changed and ready for her day at kindergarten. I smile down at her.
“Did you brush your teeth?” She nods eagerly.
“Yep.”
“Okay, let’s go.” I wipe my hands on the cloth, grab my purse and Mela’s bag as we head for the door. Every morning when we leave I always feel like I’m being watched. I shiver at the thought as we make our way down the stairs of our apartment building and push open the main door. The sun is beaming down and a warm breeze wraps around me like a blanket. Amelia grips my hand and I smile down at her as we walk the short distance to her school. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being followed. I keep looking over my shoulder and darting my gaze side to side.
