Avenging (The Rising Series Book 3) (3 page)

“Oh, okay. Thank you.” She gave a hesitant smile.

Triton stepped out into the fading twilight. The various scents of humans, car exhaust, and briny sea carried on the wind, which blew warm over his skin. The sea lay five miles away. Close, but not close enough. Humans surrounded him, their eyes glancing at him. It would be difficult to transport to the shore unnoticed. If only there was a phone booth close by. He cracked a smile when he thought of the
Superman
movie Nicole had forced him to watch years ago after he took care of some fools who dared to put a hand on her. She didn’t even realize he held back while he fought them—an incredible feat in and of itself. What he’d wanted to do was tear their limbs off. But he couldn’t possibly do that in front of a nineteen-year-old woman. Instead, he simply broke a few noses—and perhaps a few other bones. And left them unconscious and bleeding on the ground.

For the next week, Nicole had called him her superman. When she realized he had no idea who this Superman character was, she forced him to watch the movie. She’d be surprised to know that his powers surpassed Superman’s—ignoring the fact the movie character wasn’t real. He doubted she called him her superman now—not after he’d abandoned her, leaving her pregnant and alone. If only he’d known she was pregnant…

Triton strode toward the sea, basking in its welcoming presence. The closer he got, the more his body craved the ocean, and the power it would restore. In minutes, he stepped into the surf. He closed his eyes and greedily sucked the power of the sea into his body—his strength restored. As he dove under the surface, his clothes dissolved and his legs stretched and morphed into a fin.

The sea-god was back in his domain, and for a moment, he considered returning home. But he couldn’t.

He had unfinished business with a human woman.

"Are you for real?” The behemoth stepped forward, his snarling lips curled in disgust. Nicole could see him shaking in anger beneath the crisp Armani suit.

She straightened her spine and narrowed her eyes. “Yes. I want you to leave immediately.”

“You do know who I am, don’t you?”

“Yes, you’re the idiot who thinks because you have a few coins to rub together, you can treat my staff like your own personal slaves.”

“Your staff?”

“Yes, my staff. I’m Nicole Lamont.”

“Oh really? I’ve been asking for you. I have a complaint to lodge. I think a person of my—”

“Out.”

“But…”

“I said out!” she shouted.

“You aren’t the only wedding planner in Hawaii. You’re making a big mistake. I can make life very difficult for you.”

Nicole pulled out her cell phone and dialed.

“Who are you calling?”

“The police. You are now officially trespassing.”

“But I haven’t changed out of the tux yet.”

“I’ll bill you for it.”

“Oh no, you won’t,” he said and stripped out of his clothes, obviously not bothered by the wide window at his back.

She raised an eyebrow.

“Nine-one-one, what’s the nature and location of your emergency?”

“Yes, I’d like to report a crime. A monster of a man is not leaving my store, even though I asked him politely, twice. I——oh! Oh, please no, don’t hurt me! Send someone quickly. I’m at 6514 Kinikilani Street. Hurry, he’s taking off his clothes!” She held back a smile as the man’s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She should have been an actress. Why she chose to become a wedding designer, she’d never know. Although, being married six times practically made her an expert.

“Are you in fear of your life?”

“Yes, I’m in fear for my life. Please, please send someone, and make sure they’re armed.” Her voice quaked, sounding as if she were on the verge of tears.

The rich boy practically ripped his pants as he yanked them off, mumbling profanity. Clothed only in his boxers, he took off toward his Bentley, parked illegally just outside. Seconds later, his tires squealed as he drove away.

Nicole had a smile on her face when she picked up the discarded suit. She felt a hand on her shoulder. The scent of peppermint and lemon accompanied a warm voice in her ear. “If you didn’t have the chief of police wrapped around your finger, you’d be in big trouble for what you just did.”

“I didn’t lie.”

“You feared for your life?” Lea raised an eyebrow.

Nicole shrugged. “You never know when you’re going to die. That is a constant, albeit small, concern of mine.”

Lea chuckled. “You know I love you like a daughter, but your tongue is going to get you into trouble one of these days.”

Nicole smiled. “So you keep saying.”

Lights flashed outside the window. “They get faster each time you call,” Lea said. “I swear, you defy the laws of natural order.”

“This is the police!” a voice from a megaphone called out. “Drop any weapons you might have and put your hands up.”

Lea frowned and raised her hands in the air.

“Oh, put your hands down.” Nicole said. “They aren’t talking to you.”

“I don’t want any misunderstandings. I’ve still got a kid at home that needs me to microwave his meals and wash his underwear. I can’t die on him.”

“Josh is nearly thirty years old,” Nicole said, scrunching up her nose. “He should be washing his own underwear.”

Nicole could see a young, nervous cop approach the front door. His eyes shifted, searching for danger while his gun shook in his hand.
Where’s the chief?

He pushed open the door. “Down on the floor!” he shouted, looking at her.

“Are you insane?” Nicole asked. “You can’t come in here waving around a gun and tell me to get on the floor. Did you come to help, or are you going to rob me yourself? I’m the one who called you, you idiot!”

He jerked his arm up, and Nicole found herself looking down the barrel of a firearm that looked far too enormous to be a handgun. She shook, enraged.

“Nicole,” Lea whispered from the floor, “please, just do as he says.”

“Get down, or so help me, I’ll shoot,” the officer shouted.

She hesitated.

“Nicole!” Lea whispered harshly.

“This suit is a Gucci,” Nicole answered. “Do you have any idea how much it cost me?” She glared at the cop as she sank to the floor. “If this dress is ruined, I’m billing you for it.”

“Shut up.”

The police officer searched the shop as they lay on the floor.

“Are you wearing the necklace I gave you?” Lea whispered to Nicole.

“Necklace? Oh good grief, no, I’m not wearing it. It didn’t match my outfit.”

Lea swore. “I told you to never take it off. How do expect it to protect you when it’s lying in your jewelry box at home?”

“Lea, a carving of a god is not going to protect anyone.”

“It’s not just any god, Nicole. It’s Kane, king of the Hawaiian gods.”

Nicole shook her head. “For an intelligent woman, you sure believe some strange things, Lea.”

“Yeah, don’t believe me, but I’ve seen things that can turn the hardest skeptic into a believer.”

Nicole had seen some pretty strange things herself.

The officer returned and looked down on them. Sweat trailed down his neck, soaking his collar. Nicole glared at him.

“You.” He gestured to her. “Get up slowly and keep your hands where I can see them.”

Nicole’s hands were clenched in fists above her head as she struggled to get to her feet in a pencil skirt.

Outside, another police car stopped beside the first, the driver’s door opened, and the chief hit the pavement on a run. At the sound of the door chime, the young cop turned to see who was coming in. A loud pop snapped in Nicole’s ears as a crystal goblet shattered behind her.

“Officer Quail, put down your weapon,” the chief said, his face red from either anger or overexertion. No, it had to be anger; exertion wouldn’t make him flushed. Chief Kennedy was no stranger to the gym. And Nicole heard that since his divorce, he’d doubled his workouts. The results were admired by women, but he was still a far cry from Ty’s physique. Nicole felt the familiar clamp around her heart as she thought of him. Why did she have to compare every man to her post-high school fling? Of course, Ty was also the father of her daughter, Sara, and had a muscle build that was rarely seen off the silver screen.

“I… I’m sorry, sir,” the officer said. “This woman,” he gestured to Nicole, “wouldn’t do what I asked.”

“He ordered me to get on the floor,” Nicole said as she finally staggered to her feet. “In my new Gucci suit!”

Kennedy turned to her. His red face paled as his eyes dropped. He swore under his breath. “Quail, you shot her!”

Nicole looked down. Her beautiful white skirt had a splatter of red across her hip. At the sight, her hip burned and her stomach took a lurch. “Blood? You shot me? I…I’m definitely billing you for this dress,” she gasped just before everything went dark.

Nicole? Are you awake?” Kennedy spoke in her ear. The smell of antiseptic and lemony floor cleaner caused her stomach to tighten—bad things accompanied this smell. “Honey, you weren’t seriously injured. The bullet just grazed you, but the doctor has some concerns about your condition.”

At hearing the word doctor, her eyes flew open and she bolted upright. “Keep them away from me.” The sudden movement made her dizzy. She grasped the mattress and willed the room to stop spinning. Her warm breath filled the mask on her face. She reached up to pull it off, and Kennedy grabbed her hand to stop her.

“Why am I wearing a mask?” she asked.

“Nicole baby, the doctors are worried about your condition.”

“Stop calling me baby.” When everything in her vision stayed put, she looked around. On a shelf at her side sat a monitor displaying a bouncing green line, along with a bunch of wires and other medical stuff. This was a waking nightmare. She pulled the blankets back and got up. Her hip flared in pain as she stumbled toward the door—only to be stopped by wires. “What did they do to me?” She looked down to find colored cords connected to her chest. Pulling off the mask, she started yanking away the wires. Flashes of pain came as she pulled skin away with them. Her hip was bandaged—she gladly left that in place.

“Stop that, you need to get back into bed,” Kennedy said.

“I need to get out of here. They have no right to keep me.”

She got most of the wires off, all except the IV in her hand. When she tried to peel the tape away, he grabbed her hand. “Nicole please, just hold on for a minute.”

She yanked her arm away. “Don’t touch me. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”

“Yes, I can. I’m the chief of police.”

She narrowed her eyes and hissed, “If you try, so help me—”

“Be reasonable,” he interrupted. “They have your best interest at heart.”

“Yeah right.” She continued to pull away the tape until the tube that was shoved into her vein was showing. She wasted no time yanking the tube out, blood dripping down her arm.

“Nicole, I—”

“Shut up.”

“Is there a problem?” a grey-haired nurse in pink scrubs asked as she shuffled through the doorway.

“There’s no problem, I’m leaving,” Nicole answered as she looked around.

“Um, miss,” the nurse said. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. And you need to keep your mask on.”

“Why? Am I contagious?”

“Well, no, but—”

“Then it’s staying off. And I’m leaving now.”

“You can’t. The doctors need to discuss something serious with you.”

Nicole ignored her. “Where are my clothes?”

“Your clothes got pretty messed up,” Kennedy said. “I can bring you more from home when they release you. But, Nicole, baby, you need to get back in bed.”

“Stop calling me baby!” She gave one last look for her clothes and didn’t see them. “Fine, I’m leaving in this gown.” Shoving past the nurse, she walked into the hallway.

As she neared the nurse’s station, all eyes rose—fear mixed with pity written on all their faces. Didn’t anyone around here know about doctor-patient confidentiality? An older gentleman stood at her approach. “Ms. Lamont, you are just the person I needed to talk to. Why don’t we go back to your room, where we can discuss the results of your tests?”

“I never asked for tests, and I’m not interested in any results you have!” She looked down one side of the hall and then the other; neither gave any indication of the exit’s location. “How do I get out of this place?”

“Listen,” the doctor said smoothly, “I understand your apprehension. But I really need to talk to you. If there’s anyone you’d like to call to be with you, I’d completely understand, but I simply have to talk to you.”

“Yes, there is someone I’d like to call,” she said. “A cab!” She picked the hall on her right and started walking.

The doctor jogged up on one side, and Kennedy came up on the other.

“Alright, we can talk while I walk with you,” the doctor said.

“I don’t want to hear anything you have to say,” she said.

“Your tests have revealed several anomalies that are quite concerning.”

She stopped in her tracks and turned on the doctor. “I said I don’t want to hear it,” she said in a clipped, angry tone.

“Ms. Lamont, if we don’t figure out what is going on with you, you could be in real trouble. There’s an abnormality in your blood that I’ve never seen before. I know you’re afraid, I understand you don’t like hospitals or doctors, but your life could be in danger.”

Nicole’s anger burned at his words. She slapped him, stinging her own hand. The chief stepped forward, grabbed her arms, and pulled her up against his body. “You’re not the first doctor to tell me that, you’re not even the second, and yet here I am. You idiots don’t know what you’re talking about!”

The doctor’s eyes were wide in shock. In moments, he relaxed. “You’ve been lucky, Ms. Lamont, and eventually, luck runs out. Listen, I know I can’t stop you from leaving, but think about what I said. We’ll be here to help when you’ve come to terms with things.” He turned on his heels and walked away.

“Nicole…” Kennedy said softly.

“Just don’t. Don’t say another word.”

“Okay, but let me take you home. Please.”

Tears burned in her eyes as she nodded.

She rode in silence, watching the palm trees fly by her window. Her stomach still felt queasy, and Kennedy’s leather-scented air freshener hanging on the cigarette lighter wasn’t helping. Finally, her yellow house came into view at the end of her long driveway. She could smell the familiar briny sea breezing from her backyard. It settled her stomach and made her heart ache. For the first time in her thirty-nine years of life, she felt her age.

The chief pulled the cruiser in front of her house and stopped. “If you need anything,” he said, “give me a call.”

Nodding, she stepped out onto the drive. She didn’t watch Kennedy leave, but heard the car drive away. Tears flowed as she made her way through the house. Ripping off the accursed hospital gown, she stuffed it in the trash. She then pulled on an old pair of jeans and a white tank top and headed out the back door. Stepping barefoot across her manicured lawn, she took in the view of the ocean. Sinking into the cool grass, she wept.

***

Nicole’s yellow house looked cheerful, inviting. Palm trees lined the drive and flowers of all colors bloomed in the lush foliage framing a wide, green lawn. It looked like a Hallmark card and smelled of sweet flowers. So then, why did Triton feel so sick inside?

Who was he fooling? It was because of what he so heartlessly tossed aside. This could have been his life. A life of joy, family, and happiness with the woman he loved. It would serve him right if she slammed the door in his face. After all, he left her; he left not knowing she carried his child.

He’d known her situation was dire. She had a rocky relationship with her father, and she fought for every dollar she made. Triton could have made sure she never wanted for anything. He could have provided everything for both her and their daughter, Sara.

Sara avoided talking about her childhood. Triton suspected she was trying to shield him from guilt. She shouldn’t have bothered. His guilt was well deserved. He was to blame for every hunger pang, every worry, and every heartache she and Nicole experienced.

Now that he was back, what kind of welcome would Nicole give him? A loving one would be too much to ask. An angry reception would be what he deserved. A dispassionately civil one would be too much to bear. By the gods, he was overanalyzing this. With his heart pulsing under his ribs and his chest trembling with nervousness, he raised his fist and rapped on the door.

He waited for several moments. She didn’t answer. He tried the bell.

Closing his eyes, he felt for her. She was near. Why wasn’t she answering?

He stepped off the porch and followed a flagstone path around the side of the house. The foliage opened up into a splendid view of the ocean. And there she was, sitting in the grass—her back to him. Triton’s heart pounded in his chest. Her arms were wrapped around her legs and her head rested on her knees. She looked so small; her beautiful, raven hair flowed like a waterfall down her back.

Her body shook and a soft, moaning cry escaped her lips. His heart broke when he realized she was weeping.

Fearing that he might startle her, he approached quietly. He didn’t dare touch her. Instead, he whispered. “Don’t cry, my sweet.”

Nicole raised her head, opened her teary eyes, looked into his face, and screamed.

Her shrill cry rent the air and stung his ears.

“Nikki, it’s okay. It’s me, Ty,” he gasped, holding his hands up as he took a step back.

“Get away from me,” she shrieked. “Oh no, I finally did it. I snapped. I’m so crazy that I’m hallucinating.” She stood and backed away from him. He frowned at how precariously close she was to the thirty-foot drop off at her back.

“I’ve obsessed so much about you over the years that it’s driven me mad,” she said.

“You’re not crazy, Nicole.”

“Oh really?” she said, taking yet another step back. “Then why is it that you show up out of the blue after twenty years? And why do you look exactly the same? You haven’t aged a day in the last two decades?”

“I was about to say the same about you,” he answered with a tentative smile.

“Oh very funny…I shouldn’t even be talking to you, you’re not real. Maybe, maybe…I’m dreaming.” Nicole slapped her own face, hard.

“Don’t do that,” he said, reaching out to grab her.

As she stepped back yet again and dodged him, getting dangerously closer to the edge, he gathered the waves from below to guard her in case she fell. “Be careful—” he began.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” she said and slapped him, stinging his cheek. “You have no right! You left me… you left me.” It was then she crumbled, tears coming in a torrential rain.

Triton stepped toward her and pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, don’t cry. I’m here now. I’m so sorry I left. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry you had to raise our daughter all by yourself. I’m so sorry for everything.”

Nicole’s head came up. “What? You know about Sara?” She looked him in the eye. Her breath hitched, water droplets clinging to her eyelashes. “Is that why you’re back? You’re here for Sara? You didn’t come back for me?”

“No… no, it was you I came back for. I’ve already settled things with Sara. It’s you I needed to see. I need to tell you…” He sighed, gathering the courage to speak the words from his heart. “I never should have left. I was confused and afraid. I was afraid to admit that I loved you. I still love you, Nikki.”

“But why did you stay away so long?” She sniffled.

“I haven’t been thinking right. I’ve only now begun to admit how much I love you and how much I’ve suffered staying away from you. I know it’s probably too late to ask, but I have to know. Could you ever begin to forgive me? I know I’ve hurt you too much to expect you to love me in return. But I would like to have your forgiveness.”

Nicole sobbed all over again.

Triton pulled away, his heart breaking at the pain he was causing her.

“No,” she shouted, pulling him back. “Please don’t go.” She hiccupped, threw her arms around his neck, and buried her face in his shoulder. “Please, don’t leave me; promise you’ll never leave me again.” She sobbed.