ChapterFourteen
WALSH
“I’m so sorry.” My sister finishes packing the last of Kyle’s things, and I take the bag from her.
“I’m sorry too, but he’s gotta grow up at some point. Maybe this is what it’s going to take.”
I called my sister this morning after dropping off Nadia, and she got on the first plane out. It started because I went to buy Nadia flowers, and when I checked my wallet my credit card was missing. I had to call and report it stolen and then they went through the list of recent charges. Turns out Kyle was using it to buy all kinds of shit without my permission. Deciding it was time to end his stay, my sister's here to take him home.
“The school said he’s finished with his exams, so there’s no reason for him to stay any longer.” She glances around at the empty space and shrugs. “I guess now I wait to break the news to him.”
“He was supposed to be home a while ago.” I check my phone and see he’s late. I also see there aren’t any missed calls or messages from Nadia. As soon as I’m finished with this, I’ll figure out what’s going on with her.
“I left him a message with my hotel information if he comes here first.” She touches my arm, and I see the sadness in her eyes. “Thank you again for not pressing charges.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to stay in one of the guest rooms?” I’d offered several times when I called her earlier.
“Walsh, you’ve done more than enough. His father is meeting us at the hotel tomorrow so we can figure out what Kyle wants to do next. I appreciate all that you’ve done, but I’m going to take it from here.”
When we’ve finished saying goodbye, I wait until her car is out of the driveway before I dial Nadia’s number again. It keeps going straight to voicemail, so she must have turned it off. Or she’s looking at her screen and purposely ignoring me.
Deciding that she’s had long enough to think things over, I grab my keys and set off in the direction of her house. Her family might be home, but eventually we’re going to have to see this through because I have zero intention of letting her go. Ever. If I’m going to meet them, it might as well be now.
As soon as I turn down her road, I get a funny feeling in my stomach. The closer I get to her house, the worse it feels, and suddenly I have this pressing need to get to Nadia as soon as possible.
Her text and our phone call put me on edge. I told her I’d give her some time but only because I was dealing with my sister. She’d just landed, and I wanted Kyle squared away. Then I was going over to her house to see what the hell was going on.
Parked outside of her house is Kyle’s car, and when I put my car into park I see red. He has absolutely no business being here, and if he's in that house it’s only to hurt my Nadia. Rushing up to the front door, I see it’s partly ajar. I push it the rest of the way and then chills go down my back when I hear Nadia scream.
“Nadia!” I shout as I rush through the house and try to figure out where the noise is coming from. The sound of something breaking comes from the left, and I run in that direction. “Nadia!” I call again just before I burst through a set of wood doors.
Before me, I see Kyle doubled over and gripping his crotch as he lets out a string of expletives. Nadia’s head pops up, and when her eyes lock with mine, she comes barreling straight at me. As soon as she leaps into my arms, I catch her and hold her safely in my arms. “It’s okay, little flower. I’ve got you.”
“Thank god you’re here,” she says, burying her face in my neck.
“You bitch, I warned you. I’m going to tell everyone you two are fucking,” Kyle groans, and he still can’t stand up straight.
“Did you knee him in the balls?” Nadia looks up at me and bites her bottom lip, nodding. “Good girl.” I kiss the top of her head as I slowly put her on her feet and then move her behind me.
“I think she broke my dick!” Kyle cries out.
“Then she did humanity a favor,” I say as I walk over to him and reach down to grab his face and dig my fingers in his cheeks. “If you ever lay a hand on her again, I’ll tear it off your body. Do you understand me?”
“I’m going to tell,” he whines like a little five-year-old brat.
“Go ahead. I don’t give a flying fuck who knows that Nadia is mine and I love her. She’s carrying my baby as we speak, so the sooner everyone knows she’s taken, the better.” Kyle’s eyes widen, and I release his face. He stumbles back a step and finally straightens. “Your parents are here, both of them. Your mom wants you to meet them at her hotel unless Nadia wants to call the cops.”
When I glance back, I see a shocked expression on her face before she quickly shakes her head. “No, no cops. I just want to go.”
“You heard her, now get the fuck out.”
Kyle mumbles something that sounds like “asshole” before he pushes past me and runs outside. I follow after him to make sure he gets in his car and leaves, and when he’s gone, I go in search of Nadia. She’s still in the room I found her in, which must be some kind of study.
“Where’s your family? Are they not home?”
“You love me?” she says with a note of hope in her voice.
“What?” I’m confused as I brush the leftover tears away from her cheeks. “Of course I love you, Nadia. Why else would I want you to be my wife?”