Protect Me: Oakville Series:Book Three (19 page)

Present

I’
M PARALYZED
by fear as I stand in the doorway, my mouth agape and my body shaking as I stare at my own version of the boogeyman. In my head, I’m screaming at myself to run, to get the hell away from the man who has caused me so much pain. I always feared he’d find me someday. Looks like today is that day.

“Holly, who is it?” Amber asks, walking up behind me and snapping me out of my frozen state. How do I explain him? More importantly, why is he here?

“Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

My throat is so dry, the only reply I can give is to nod my head. Paul is the only one who knows everything about Ray. Everyone else knows I was married and it ended badly, but that’s the only information I’ve shared.

Amber looks from me to Ray and back again, waiting for someone to speak. Ray being his usual charming self quickly extends his hand to an unsuspecting Amber. “Hi, I’m Ray.” Not knowing any better, she makes a move to shake his hand. The thought of him laying a finger on Amber makes my skin crawl. Luckily, my brain wakes up. I grab Amber’s arm and yank her behind me, yelling, “No!” This draws the attention of the four very protective men in the house. I feel Paul behind me before he grabs me by the waist and pulls me against him protectively. A sinister smile crosses Ray’s face.

“What’s going on, doll face? Who’s this?” Paul questions. My head is spinning from the fact that Paul and Ray are face to face. He said once, after he found out about Ray, if he ever saw him, he’d kill him. I don’t believe that was an empty threat. My pulse is racing and my lunch is dangerously close to reappearing. Paul’s grip gets tighter. He knows something is wrong. I need to tell him before Ray does.

“Paul, this is Ray.” He looks at me, his eyes questioning, wondering if this is
the
Ray. “My ex-husband,” I announce. Five distinct and very protective growls sound behind me along with a gasp from Amber. Paul’s arm is no longer around me. Instead, he has his hands around Ray’s neck and is pushing him out of the doorway and down the steps to the porch then into the yard. Kyle, Angel, Marcus, and Clark are following closely behind. For the first time ever, I’m no longer afraid of little Ray Marconi. No longer is it just me against him. This has to stop before Ray isn’t capable of speaking. I need to at least know why he’s here, then they can do anything they want with monster.

My feet finally catch up with my brain and I begin to move. When I reach Paul, the anger radiating from him is so strong, it practically slaps me in the face. Seeing him so filled with rage is frightening. To my surprise, I’m also finding it pretty damn hot. Knowing he’s doing this because he loves me and wants to keep me safe has me quite turned on. Shaking the inappropriate thoughts from my mind, I place my hand on his arm in hopes that my touch can calm him.

“As much as I want to see you rearrange his face, I need to know why he’s here,” I explain to a rather stunned Paul. I squeeze his arm gently and smile to let him know I’m okay. Paul tightens his grip on Ray and pulls him closer.

“You have five minutes to talk then I’m going to send you on your way via my fist. If you upset or hurt her in any way, you’re fucking gator food,” Paul threatens. The boys shake their heads slowly in agreement. If Ray has any brains, he’ll do as he’s told.

“I just want to apologize to her, to make my peace,” Ray says. I don’t buy it, though. Marconi men don’t apologize, no matter what. To them, it’s a sign of weakness. I know, without a doubt, he hasn’t changed. He’s the same mean and violent man he’s always been. It’s in his eyes. They’re still as cold and threatening as ever. This realization causes bile to rise in my throat.

“Well, get to it, man. You have five minutes and the clock is ticking,” Paul barks.

“Can I at least talk to her in private, over on the bench? You can stand here and watch me like a hawk. I give you my word that I’m not here to hurt her.”

Uneasiness washes over Paul’s handsome face. He doesn’t like Ray being out of his reach. I point to the bench, indicating that Ray should sit down. Taking Paul’s face in my hands, I kiss him softly on his lips.

“It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m not afraid of him anymore. You and our family give me courage I didn’t have in the past. Besides, we are only fifteen feet away and as menacing as you boys look, he wouldn’t dare try to hurt me,” I tell him with a wink, trying to remove some of his worry.

“Fine, doll face, but if he hurts you in any way, he disappears and not even you’ll be able to stop me,” Paul states. For the first time, I really see just how much he loves me and how far he’d go to protect me. It’s a reflection of how I feel. I love him more than anything. I would also do anything to protect him. Which is why I’m even hearing Ray out. I know he’s not here to make amends. Ray is ruthless and will do anything necessary to get what he wants and he wants something. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.

I take a seat on the bench as far away as it will allow from Ray. I can feel five pairs of watchful eyes on us both, just waiting for him to screw up so they can teach him a lesson. Not that I can blame them, especially Paul. If his parents were alive and just a few feet away, I’d feel the same way. We’re protective of those we love. That’s just the way it is.

I take a deep breath, hoping to calm my erratic heartbeat as I try not to notice the creepy way Ray is eyeing me up and down. Unfortunately, Paul has noticed and he looks like he’s only seconds from ripping Ray apart.

“Why are you really here, Ray? What do you want?” I ask, getting straight to the point. I don’t want to drag out this little reunion any longer than necessary. Being this close to him makes my skin crawl.

“Always so impatient. You don’t believe I’m here to apologize?” I shake my head no. The condescending tone in his voice has me on edge. Even if he was here to apologize, he’ll never find forgiveness from me. “Looks like you’ve smartened up some since you ran out on me. I’m surprised, however, that you returned to the slums. I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here, but I have no choice. I need you to do something and after walking out on me like you did, you owe me,” he sneers. Chills race down my spine. What the hell does he need from me? Better yet, where does he get off thinking I owe him any fucking thing? I knew him being here couldn’t be good.

“I don’t owe you a damn thing, but I’ll humor you long enough to tell me what you want.” I’m proud of myself for putting on a strong confident front even though, on the inside, I’m anything but.

“Looks like the old man is about to kick the bucket,” he says coldly. “There’s only one way he’ll leave me the inheritance I deserve and it involves you. He was under the impression that you are the perfect wife for me. The old man believes I’ve put in too much time and energy into molding you,” Ray explains.

This whole family is fucking insane.

“Would you just get to the point, already? What is it that you need me for?” Ray lets out a small chuckle and shakes his head. I find myself imagining his head exploding and it makes me smile to myself. My patience, along with that of the angry group of men, is wearing quite thin right now.

“I figured it was obvious,” he teases with a smirk. A smirk I’d like to wipe off his face via a Mack truck. “You’re going to come home and tell the old man I took you back. We’ll play the happily married couple until he kicks it, then you can return to your tattooed Neanderthal. Don’t worry, I only want my money, not you — especially now that you’ve been tainted by him,” he says, tipping his chin towards Paul. Sitting there with my mouth agape, I begin to laugh. Quickly, the laugh becomes uncontrollable. Tears are streaming down my face and my sides are beginning to hurt from laughing so hard.

Has he lost his ever loving mind? Does he honestly think I’d be alone with him, let alone go back and live with him? “That was funny. Really,” I say, getting my laughter under control. “Have you had a head injury recently? Have you forgotten why I left you? If you think I’m going anywhere with you then you’re a freaking loon.” He turns his face back to me; his lips are pressed tightly together and his eyes look angry and cold. I’ve seen that look before. My body trembles as the reality of the situation hits me full force. Obviously laughing at him wasn’t the right thing to do.

“I tried to ask you nicely. As nicely as I could anyway. But, you leave me no other choice,” he sneers, still keeping his composure. “You will come with me or else I’m going to make all of your newfound friends and boyfriend disappear. Forever. You know what I’m capable of, Holly.” Bile rises in my throat, causing it to burn. “In case that’s not incentive enough, there is one more thing that will change your mind.”

What else could he have that would be worse than threatening all of the people I love? There are no secrets between Paul and I he can try to hold over my head. The cocky look on his face tells me he has something he thinks he can use as leverage. Now, I’m curious.

“I’ve known where you were for a while. You’ve been so wrapped up in the bartender and all of his low-life friends, that you never noticed me watching you,” he confesses without any remorse.

“Just spit it out already. What is it you think you have that could possibly make me go back to a monster like you?” I bark out. I’m tired of his head games. Giving him a one way ticket home on the end of Paul’s size thirteen sounds really good right about now.

“Well, like I said, I’ve been watching you. I know things no one else knows yet.” My throat is dry and I’m finding it very difficult to swallow. There’s no possible way he can know. There’s only one secret I have. One I haven’t even shared with Amber yet. Hell, I’ve only known for two days. I planned on announcing it today, but Paul proposed and I got distracted. Then Ray showed up. He can’t be the one to tell Paul about this. It has to come from me. Noticing the panicked look in my eyes, his face lights up and an evil grin appears.

“Don’t worry you’re pretty little red head, Holly. I won’t tell your precious Paul about your pregnancy. I will, however, end it if you don’t do what I want and keep your mouth shut,” he snarls. Chills run up my spine and my stomach churns. I know he’s capable of making good on that threat. There’s no doubt in my mind. How do I do what he wants? I can’t just tell Paul I’m going back to my ex-husband. If he believes I did it on my own accord without being forced, he’ll be devastated. How do I destroy the man I love? But…do I really have a choice? I allowed Ray to take one child from me, I can’t allow him to do it again. I won’t allow it a second time. I have to protect my child. Paul’s child. I look over at the handsome man who just asked me to be his wife and wonder whether he’ll ever be able to forgive me when this is over. Will he understand I’m only doing this to protect him, our baby, and the ones we love?

I fight back the tears threatening to overtake me. I don’t trust Ray at all. What if this is all a ploy to get me back and he hurts me and the baby anyway? “Why should I trust you? How do I know when this is over my baby and I can leave unharmed?” I question, wishing I could think of a way out of this without anyone getting hurt.

“I give you my word. You’re yesterday’s news to me. I have someone else now. You were so far beneath me, I don’t know why I was with you in the first place. Just do as I say and as soon as I get what’s mine, you’re free to go,” he says with a look that says I’m not worth the dirt on his shoes.

“Fine. But if you lay so much as a finger on me or anyone I love, I’ll make you pay. I’m gonna need some time to figure out what to tell everyone.”

“You have twenty-four hours and not a minute more. Remember, everyone has to believe you’re coming back to me as my wife. My father will find out if even one person knows the truth. And if that happens, you won’t be breathing long enough to make me pay for anything. I’ll pick you up this time tomorrow.” With that, he stands up, leans over, places a kiss on my cheek, and walks away. It’s a gesture that makes me want to hurl as well as punch him in the fucking throat. I have twenty-four hours to decide how to break the love of my life, and just when he’s finally found a way to heal from his past.