The fuck I can’t.
Instead of saying what I think, I say, “Get some rest. We’ll talk—”
A loud crashing sound comes from her end and then she screams. My blood runs cold and my heart feels like it’s going to come out of my chest.
“Carleen, Carleen,” I bellow into the phone. “Baby, answer me.”
A shot is fired and my world spins. I can’t breathe.
Carleen
I watch Jace walk to the bathroom and sigh. I’m so tired. I know Dario and I have a lot to talk about, especially concerning his family, but my eyes are ready to close.
As I tell Rio this, a tap comes at the front door. The doorman downstairs would have rung if someone were here for me. It must be one of the neighbors. Maybe Dr. Brown, he’s been checking in since he noticed my belly.
I turn and head for the front door, still talking to Rio.
“Get some rest. We’ll talk—”
I scream as the door is pushed in on me, dropping the phone to the floor. I’m in shock at first. It takes me a moment to realize three men have stormed the apartment on me.
Time slows and I’m no longer in the here and now. I’m about five years old. The memory is so clear.
“Focus, Carleen,” the woman in front of me says.
“You never let them get the drop on you. It’s like a dance, Car. They come for you, you take their heads off. I don’t care how big they are. Your body is a weapon, use it.”
I come back to the present with a gasp. Without thinking, I reach for the gun in the hand of the guy in front of me. I disarm him and disable the gun in seconds, dropping it to the ground.
Using my elbow, I rock his head back then headbutt him. Spinning out of his reach, I then grab the hair of the next guy and flip him onto his back. I surprise myself as this all comes so naturally and it’s not my usual kickboxing style. This comes from somewhere else.
I grab the gun from the third guy and put it to his chin before I blow his brains out. Not taking a chance, I turn the gun on the first guy to pump two in his chest and then turn to the second guy to blow his brains out and stop his groans.
“It’s done.” Jace’s voice draws my attention and I turn to find him on his phone. “Yes, she’s awake.”
Confused, I bend to pick up my phone. “Hello,” I breathe as my chest heaves.
“Baby, what the fuck just happened? Are you okay, the baby?”
“We’re fine. I think I know what my auntie gave me.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain.”
“Good, you can do it in person. You’re coming to stay with me. That’s final.”
Chapter 37
Get Things Settled
Carleen
I have so much to do before I board the plane to Italy. There are my clothes I need to pack, stopping by the house. Getting the staff prepared to be without me and Dario.
Apollo will be taking over. Gah, my head is spinning with all I have to do in just three days. Dario wouldn’t give me a single day more.
He has called almost every waking hour on the hour since the break-in. I need to get to him before he loses his mind. Our Valentine’s Day wasn’t what I thought it would be.
He’s been too high strung, trying to find out who was behind the break-in. Jace has been here since. I feel like a child with a babysitter. I mean, I proved I can handle myself. I don’t need to be guarded.
But where the hell did all that come from?
“Hey, cuz. What’s up?”
I turn for the bedroom door to find Toni with two frappés in her hands. I can’t help but smile, I’ve been craving one all day. I walk over and take the one she’s holding out.
“You didn’t tell me this fine-ass man was here with you. Got me in here looking basic.”
I laugh as I look over her sweat suit and sleek ponytail. There isn’t a single day where Antonia Thompson looks basic. We share the same color eyes, dark complexion, and thick, dark hair. Toni is a little thicker than I am, but it works on her frame.
I take a look behind her to see Jace with a suitcase at his side and his phone in his hand. He’s always on that thing. He’s shirtless. He was working out doing sit-ups the last time I was in the living room.
My gaze drops to his chest that’s exposed. The words Doll Curator are tatted across his skin in bold lettering. I’ve never seen the tat before. I blink a few times. Something about the tat is familiar and distracting.
“I have all the things you asked for. The place is coming along. Although, I don’t think you should go there. It’s still an active construction site,” Toni says, causing me to pull my gaze away from Jace’s chest.