75

LINDEN

Months ago, I envied my best friends. And I was just dreaming of having a family on my own. I wasn’t religious, but I always prayed in my heart to give what was good for me and that His timing was right.

He blessed me with a good family. I got the chance to serve my country. I met my best friends. He gave me the best job. I found my second family in my brothers.

Then I met the woman who made my heart beat again. I was blessed with a child— my baby girl. I couldn’t ask for more than the safety of my family.

I called my father. He was the first person I could think of because it was a dream come true for both of us— me building a family of my own.

“Pops?”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Everything is perfect.” The moment Estelle and I found out our baby’s gender, I was smiling like a fool the whole time.

“That’s great news.”

“We just found out the sex of our baby, but Estelle wants to keep it a secret. I thought I wanna share the good news I have. For the past few days, things have been pretty crazy.”

“You’re going to be a good father, son. You have a good heart. That’s why God gave you a good wife and blessed you with a beautiful baby. I know they are going to be beautiful.”

“Because it’s in the genes?”

My father laughed. “That too. I’m happy for you, son. Truly. I hope Willa will find a good man and be happy as you are.”

“In time, Pops. Let her enjoy her single life. She’s happy right now.” My sister married her college boyfriend at twenty-one. I disagreed at first, but Willa was happy until that fucker cheated on her and broke my sister’s heart.

Watching your sister go through that pain and agony broke your heart, too, and you would learn something from it.

“I know, son. So you’re not going to tell me my grandchild’s gender?”

I laughed. Lynx stole a glance at me over the rare view.

“Not right now. I’m sure Estelle and I will arrange a small party for our families.”

“Yeah. Kids nowadays. Gender reveal has apparently become a thing.”

“Thank you, Pops.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

“I love you, son. I may not give you the world, but the world came to you.”

“I love you, Pops. I have to go. I’m going to see Sax.”

“Alright, Gabe. Keep me posted. I missed Estelle. I might drop by one of these days.”

“She’d be happy to hear that. Bye, Pops.” I hung up the call just the time Lynx parked the car in front of Sax’s house.

That dude had an American Craftsman house he inherited from his grandparents, and he lived there alone.

“Nice. I couldn’t see Sax living in this neighborhood. I thought of him as an apartment type of mate.”

“He got it from his grandparents, who raised him. He lost his mother at a young age. He took care of his father, who was in and out of the hospital until he died almost three years ago.”

“I see. I’m sorry for Sax.”

“He’s a tough guy.” I went to pick up the key under the pot. Of course, Sax was predictable. I unlocked his door and redialed his phone.

“He’s not picking up,” I informed Lynx.

“Could be busy with a beaut.”

“He just quit. It doesn’t sound like him. I’m worried, Lynx.” I entered the house and went to his kitchen.

“I’m sure he’s just pissed off, blows steam for a few days. He’ll eventually come back. That’s what brothers do sometimes.”

“He was here.” I looked at the sink. “His cup looked like a day old.”

“At least he doesn’t get drunk take himself to an underground fight.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He’d been looking up to you for years. You’re his hero, mate.” He went to check the fridge and then opened some cupboards.

“Do you realize he’s just two years younger than me?”

“Exactly. He looked at you as his big brother, his best friend, and would do anything for you. I know I’m the newbie, the rookie in the class, but I observed. Ryder and Wilder respect and admire you a lot. If you ask them to jump off the cliff, they won’t ask why. They will do it in a fucking heartbeat.”

“I don’t think so. Sax doesn’t take my call. He quit, and I’m worried about him. I don’t know where he is. Kye hasn’t seen him in two days.” I walked out of the kitchen.

“He’s just upset.”

The living room seemed untouched. I didn’t want to check his bedroom. It was invading his privacy, even for a best friend.

“Mate, Sax is coming.” Lynx peeked through the window. He was right. Sax just parked the car and got out. His face changed the moment he recognized our sedan.

I rushed out of his door. “Sax!”

“What the fuck are you doing in my house?” His jaw locked, narrowing his eyes at me when he noticed Lynx get out of his door. “With your new buddy. Great. I should call the cops and file for trespassing on my property.” He was still pissed off. Lynx was probably right, and I let Sax down.

“Can we talk?” I asked calmly.

“You had your chance, Linden, and I’m not working for you anymore, so you can’t boss me around. In fact, I’m selling my share.”

“Don’t act impulsively. I know you’re mad—” The car door opened and stopped me. The moment I recognized the man who jumped out of his car, I was already launching into him, but Sax caught me before my fist hit Jake Boyd’s face. “What the fuck, Sax? Get off of me.”

“Boss, calm down.” Lynx locked me off.

Jake stepped back away from me. He better be, or I would punch him in the eye as soon as I got a chance.

“Motherfucker!” I turned to Sax. “You’ve been dodging my calls because you’ve been with him all this time? You know how worried I was when I couldn’t find you, and you are just having tea with this rapist.”

“I am not a rapist,” Jake grunted. He gripped his fists tight, too.

“Oh, yeah. Let’s see. I’m calling the cops.” My rage still filled my chest. My body vibrated with anger, and I didn’t know what to do with it. I fished out my phone.

“Linden, stop!” Sax rushed to take my phone and held my arms.

“Why? Give me a reason why?” I was more pissed at Sax than Jake. Why would he go with him and defend a man who ruined my relationship? “I don’t understand you. What the fuck are you doing with this piece of shit who molested Skyla?”

“Do you trust me? Even just a tiny bit?” He held my arm. “Brother?”

I looked at Sax directly in his eyes. “You know I do.”

“Then let’s get in the house, and don’t try punching him. Just trust me. It’s not worth your strength. Save it because you’re gonna need it.”

I was still confused. My anger still shook my bones, boiling my blood, but I had to give him a chance.

I kept my eyes on that asshole as he waited for Sax to get something in the car. I didn’t move until they both walked towards the door.

“Boss, let’s get inside,” Lynx said.

I loudly exhaled my anger and fixed my suit. “You shouldn’t have stopped me.”

“Listen to what Sax is about to tell you. This is your chance to fix your relationship with him. Then you’re free to do whatever you want with that guy.”

I followed Lynx inside. Jake remained standing beside the window while Sax was already seated.

“Explain, Ryder.”

“Skyla has been lying to us the whole time. It was a part of her manipulative bitchy plan.”

“Are you hearing yourself right now, Sax? Is that what he told you? And you believed him?” I pointed at Jake with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Do you think I would just believe someone I don’t know telling me some shit? You know me better than that.”

“What are you trying to imply?”

“And since when did I let you down? Since when did I believe without proof? I’m the most cynical of all of us. You know that. I believe him because he showed me this evidence.” He slapped down the file on the coffee table.

Lynx sat down across from him and took the file. I could see from where I stood. That was birth certificates, medical bills, clippings, and bank statements.

“Sax went to my house. I almost shot him, but I also have an idea why he was there.”

“Did I ask you if you could talk?” I narrowed my eyes at Jake. “Why would she create such a story?” I grabbed the birth certificate from Lynx.

“Check that out,” Sax pressed.

I read the information. “Who’s this?” Then I realized the parents on the birth certificate and the year the boy was born.

“His name is Everette Silas Boyd. My son,” Jake confirmed it.

I swallowed hard. The certificate was legit. The registry date and all. “Why did Skyla tell us you molested her?”

“You better tell everyone to stay away from her.” Sax stood up and came to me.

“Fuck.” I quickly dialed Estelle. “Estelle is with her right now.” My call went to her voicemail. I groaned, shaking uncontrollably. My stomach twisted with dread. “Fuck.”

“Call Q, Lynx.”

“On it, boss.”

I looked at Jake. “What did she do?”

“I know what I did was wrong. I knew you two were dating, but it didn’t do her a lot of persuasion. And I’m sorry.”

“Get to the point.” My jaw clenched because I felt I was going to hate Skyla even more. She manipulated me, my wife, and everyone in my family. They believed in her story, and I let myself believe she was the victim. I should have allowed Kye to dig further into her criminal record. That way, there was no reason for her to lie.

“She got pregnant. She said she would handle her situation and her relationship with you. I let her. We lived together for three years. She was a good mom to Everette, then she just snapped. She saw you on TV with that kidnapping incident. Since then, she never stopped obsessing about you. We started fighting. She got physical.” Jake lifted his shirt, showing me a scar on his left abdomen.

“She did that?” I asked in shock, swallowing hard. Goosebumps erupted all over my skin. If she could do that to a man, what could she do to a fragile pregnant woman?

“Yeah, with a bread knife.”

“Jesus Christ.” I turned my head to Lynx. My heart kept hammering in my chest. I could barely breathe. I was scared for Estelle. She didn’t know anything about what Skyla was capable of. “Are you able to contact Q?”

“Yeah. He’s talking to your wife now. He has to lie to her to get away quickly. His son is with them.”

I quickly gestured to Jake to stop talking.

“They’re on the way.”

I briefly closed my eyes and let go of a shuddering breath. “Thank you, lord.”