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“Settle in, baby. It's going to be a long night.”
Two months later…
“Boss, it's ready.”Caleb arrives in my office and hands me the iPad with the information I requested as well as the surveillance feed to the basement.
“Let's head down.”
When I left my uncle’s business and started New Image Media, I had two purposes: get Ocean back and keep Ocean forever. I was good at my job. I thrived on it. My clientele did well and I profited. When my office building was being built, Iknew it would serve a dual purpose. Money can do very great things. It can also be useful for very necessary but evil things.
I follow Caleb to the basement stairs where we each have our eyes scanned before entering the secret room. The smell of blood and sweat already fills it. Kyle and Lance stand off to the side, waiting for instructions on what to do with the man in the chair.
I step closer, my lip peeled back in a sneer. “Lift your fucking head.”
His shaved head lifts and he looks directly at me. This man is nothing like the smooth talking, carefree criminal who was brought in three days ago. This man is broken, bloody and on the verge of dying. Just like he deserves. Scooter Taylor. The man who made my wife’s life miserable, chasing after her and demanding things from her. He threatened her life and he has to pay for it.
“I’m sorry for whatever I did,” he pleads, and I shake my head.
“You touched what’s mine, Scooter. You plotted with Cliff Heart to hurt my wife and do unspeakable things to her for money.”
He shakes violently. “I didn’t know she was your fucking wife, man! Honest!”
“It's too late for you, I’m afraid. You made your bed and now you're going to die here.”
I pull a gun from behind my back and pull the trigger. I enjoy the way his eyes freeze in terror and a spot of red blooms on his forehead.
“How do you want to dispose of him?” Lance asks while I place my weapon behind my back once more, concealing it.
“Throw him in the gulf. I want his body found and reported in the news. Cliff needs to think a little harder while he’s in prison. Plus, Ocean can have the closure she needs.” My only regret is that I couldn’t give Cliff the same ending. Part of menever felt okay taking away Ocean’s last relative, even though he was a stain on humanity. I wanted her to see him taken to prison and that justice was served for her. Not that I couldn’t pay someone inside to take him out down the road. It is still an option.
“What about the other two lackeys we pushed for information?”
I shrug. “They can be shoved in a barrel or landfill for all I care. They’re pieces of shit.”
Lance nods while he and Kyle get to work. I take Caleb back upstairs and check the camera at the studio. Ocean is still writing. I watch her rub her belly and I wonder if the baby is moving.
“Mrs. Hamilton has no clue what goes on here, does she? That you’ve permanently removed every threat to her,” Caleb asks, and honestly, I’m surprised it took this long.
I shake my head no. “This is a legit company that assists clients with managing their image, their tours and brand. That is all Ocean needs to know. She is happy and loved.”
“Did it all start with the stalker?”
My mind dives into the past. I remember the man we found who was responsible for the hotel break-in the night she kissed me. The man who was set up by her uncle. Ocean was so surprised then because none of the threats had ever made it to her attention before. I kept it that way. Over the years, and even while I was away from her, she has never been touched or harmed. She’s my world and I’ll do whatever it takes to make life perfect for her. I love her beyond measure, beyond sanity or what is right. Ocean is my heart, my rhythm, my forbidden fantasy and my saving grace.
“No. It all started when an old colleague wanted to challenge my uncle’s decision to make me her handler.”
The Encore…
“I didn’t know babies this little could smile.” Ezra holds our daughter against his chest, completely mesmerized and already in love with her.
“It’s gas,” I tease him and rub my hand gently on her back.
“No, it because she’s ours,” he says in her defense. Yup, she already has him wound around her tiny finger.
“That too,” I agree and lean my body into his. His arm automatically wraps around my waist until he’s holding both of his girls.
Melody Hamilton made her appearance during a snow-filled night. Ever since then, our security has been doubled. The house is completely under surveillance. And we’re driven everywhere. Still, the days are filled with joy and business as we each juggle our work and life with a baby. Our nights are rarely peaceful, but there is something special about sitting and cuddling Melody to my chest while the world outside her window is blanketed in silence with the moon casting its glow.
I wish sometimes I could stop time here and now and keep it forever. While at the same time, I’m anxious to create, to sing, to share my love of what I do with my daughter. Mia and Ihad agreed before I gave birth that I was going to wait at least two years before the next big tour. Not that it has stopped her from planning it already. When I told Ezra, he was prepared and already has made plans for our family to go just as he promised.
