Chapter

Morningside, Georgia – Zoie’s Home

Zoie

2 weeks old

L

ittle Z and Trevor walk into the room just as I am working to get myself together. This has been a day from hell and it has only gotten worse as time has crept on. Hearing Max and Cherry’s voices helped me out a lot. Listening to the recording of my babies then seeing them on the screen did wonders for my spirit. I hate that they are away from me. I feel like I’m some form of drug mule this isn’t how I wanted things to go. It’s not what I expected when I thought about how things would go when I had a baby.

“All right. Whose ass are we kicking, baby?”

“Give us a name. We’ll do the rest.”

Just like that, my mood shifts. I’m no longer sad. I’m thrilled to know I have two men in my life who take my happiness this seriously. I know my other brother, Lucian, would be right along with them if he were here with them

I’m desperately trying to control my reaction to seeing my man. The last time we were physically in this man has my back and is doing all he can in order to secure my safety is mind-blowing. It suddenly hits me. the last thing he said to me when we were standing before one another.

He’d told me the next time I saw him he’d done what was necessary to make me safe again. Trevor said, “You’ll be able to have your freedom back once and for all. We can take a walk, stroll in the park, and bring our baby into this world without having to look over our shoulders.”

I’d been about to stand up before the realization hit me. I am free. I am safe. We can all go to our respective homes.

I’m finally standing in the shop again. I’m in my booth. Some things have been shifted around. That’s because I’ve been given a bigger booth down here. Max started her expansion which means the main floor is the tattooing area and the upstairs has begun to become the “extras” area. Treasure Cove 2.0 is up and running upstairs. I haven’t been up there yet, but Max did a virtual tour once things started to look like she wanted. She’d wanted my input on things. I thought nothing of it then because it isn’t the first time she’s asked me for my opinion.

As I stand staring at papers with Maxie’s signature on them, I realize I probably should’ve paid closer attention to things. She’s named me as co-owner. Deck’s name is there, but the note says his name is just a formality since they are married. She wants me to be part of this dream of hers in a much larger capacity and I hate her. I hate her for not being here to do this in person. She’s on some stupid second honeymoon, so I won’t get the chance to properly thank her for another three weeks.

Trev’s Lady: I freakin’ hate you so hard right now. I know you did this on purpose. You didn’t want to have to deal with my response.

Maxie: You know this. There’s a reason you were perfect for this position. You know me better than I know myself. Now, dry your face and sign the papers. Your keys to the office are at my station. There’s a file in the supply cabinet with everything you need. See you in four weeks.

Trev’s Lady: What the fuck?

Maxie: Caught that, did ya?

Trev’s Lady: Hell yes. When did plans changed?

Maxie:  As soon as we arrived. I knew I wasn’t going to want to leave immediately. Plus, I have my 2^nd in Command Bitch taking names and kicking ass.

Trev’s Lady: Damn! That was fast. How do you ... Yaz?

Maxie: You know it. She called me the second you started walking her way. Got to see the whole thing with my own eyes.

Trev’s Lady: Lol. Wow! Sorry. I couldn’t take it anymore. I might’ve broken her.

Maxie: Then out she goes. Be gone with her. I’m not running a day care. This is our business. You were right to confront her.

Trev’s Lady: Thx. Still, I feel bad.

Maxie: She still in the bathroom?

Trev’s Lady: Damn! Is she giving you a play by play?

Maxie: Yep. Sure is.

Trev’s Lady: She hasn’t come back passed my station. Maybe she slipped out the back.

Maxie: Bye. If getting checked by your boss has that effect on her then good riddance. Too much shit happens in that shop for us to have to deal with soft, pansy asses. No, that’s not a reference to Sam.

Trev’s Lady: Crap! I had a good come back for that one. Party pooper. All right. Enjoy the rest of your month away.

Maxie: That’s the plan. Love in three ways.

I smile because I can’t help but feel joy when I think of my little family.

Trev’s Lady: Love to infinity because I know you’re not done.  

Maxie: That’s his plan. Lol. See you soon. Pics expected.

Trev’s Lady: You too. Be safe.

Maxie: Always <3

My smile instantly vanishes when I look up and the expression on Demi’s face. She looks absolutely crushed. My hope is that she isn’t feeling this way because of what I said to her. In my heart of hearts, I know it’s all me. I feel bad for behaving the way I did.

I don’t know what came over me. I’m lying to myself. Yes, I do. I know exactly what came over me. After everything Trevor and I have been through, I have laid claim to him. We haven’t made anything official, but I feel like I have the right to feel like he’s mine since I just gave birth to his firstborn. He did tell me I was at the center of his joy. The regular professions of love and his animal-esque actions if a guy even smiles at me tells me he feels crazy protective of me. That whole possessive thing is strong with that one as well.

Anyway, I saw red. I thought that was just an expression. I never believed anyone would visually see the color when they had their moment of anger, but I did. I actually saw a visual haze of red when I saw her pressing up on my Trevor. That knight is mine. My black knight is the best thing to ever happen to me. He stepped back into a life he vowed he’d never venture into again. His willingness to face a demon he thought he’d buried in the name of avenging his woman and keeping his family safe tells me he’s a keeper.

Trevor is a sweetheart and tries to be nice to the women in the shop who openly express an interest. He doesn’t want to offend a customer. He was chewed out once by Max for tearing the one female a new asshole.

“Uh oh! Nicole is out,” I hear Neal say.

Cherry quickly corrects him, “It’s not Nicole, Bean. It’s Nikita. Nikki is technically short for Nikita femme fatale. She’s about to fatally wound that poor girl for being stupid enough to try to snag Trevor.”

Their conversation is background noise because I’m locked onto my target. My sights are set on the blonde who won’t stop shamelessly flirting with my man. As soon as I am within arm’s length, I lightly tap her shoulder. She holds up her hand, asking me to wait. I physically react like she’s just slapped me or something. Trevor’s eyes move to my face and I can tell he’s enjoying whatever expression is on it.

I tap her shoulder a second time while clearing my throat. She tries to throw the finger up again while giving me an exasperated over-the-shoulder look. When she turns back to face Trevor, I lean forward and calmly whisper in her ear.

“Listen, I’m trying not to cause a scene, Bitch, but you don’t seem to want to take a hint. You’re new here, so you don’t understand how things work. I’m number two in this shop and one of the best friends of the owner. I’m also the woman who just gave birth to the firstborn child of the man you’re trying desperately to push up on right now. Understand something here and now, I’m not normally the easily aggravated or possessive type. Unfortunately for you, today I am. If you don’t get your fucking fake ass tits out of my man’s face and get back to fucking work, I will deflate those pom poms and send your ass packing. Look at my face and tell me I’m lying.” Her head slowly turns, and I school my features, so she clearly sees I’m not one to be messed with. I also see the tears that begin to form in her eyes. “Now, go take a moment to pull yourself together. Afterwards, you can work at showing me what a good listener you are.”

I watch as she quickly scurries away without another backward glance. Trevor moves behind me, takes a deep breath that tells me his smelling my neck, then places a kiss to my shoulder.

“Tress, that was one of the hottest fucking things I’ve ever witness. Lay claim to me any time you want. My dick is pressing hard against my fly and I ready for action.”

I smile before I suddenly get a crazy idea. Turning, I look up at him and wrap my arms around his neck.

“Good. Glad to hear it. You’re marrying me in one month’s time. As soon as Max and Deck get back, you’re becoming my husband. Tonight, Cherry or Neal will be tattooing this finger ...” I tap the finger I’m referring to as I speak. “Tonight. I’m thinking our initials with the infinity symbol between the first and last letters with a heart above or below it.”

“Who am I to question the woman I love? I will say this. The tattoos should go on the opposite hand. Shockingly enough, I want a traditional wedding ring on your finger and a band on mine.”

“Really? I wouldn’t have pegged you as a traditionalist.”

“Usually, I’m not, but being with you makes me want those things. I want to see you wearing the matching band to this ring.” From his pocket, he produces a jewelry box then opens