Conrad
Maya had fallen asleep on the way home. I am not surprised. I know tonight has been a lot for her, and she is exhausted.
“Do you need a hand inside?” Chelsea asks.
“No. I will manage. Thanks, though. Make sure you see us before you leave.”
“I will. I still have a few days. We will get together again.” She smiles.
The driver opens the door for me. Chelsea holds Maya’s head up until I can get into a position to lift her into my arms. I scoop her up, and she snuggles into my chest, not waking up. I say goodbye to my sister and manage to carry Maya inside and to our bedroom. It takes a little time, but I carefully get her out of her dress and into one of my tees without waking her up.
I bring the covers over her and sit next to her on the bed. I stroke the hair away from her face and kiss her forehead, “Sweet dreams, beautiful. I love you.”
I will join her soon. As I strip down to change into some joggers, Maya’s cell starts to ring from her bag. Who is calling at this time? I found it in her bag and when I saw the unknown number I realised who it was. Callum!
I take a deep breath, leave the bedroom and answer the call.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Conrad. It has been a while since we have talked. How are you doing? Have you mended well?” he laughs.
“What the fuck do you want, Callum?” I hiss.
“Maya looked beautiful in her red dress tonight, didn’t she?”
How the fuck did he see her? Was he outside when we came home? Or hanging around outside of the hotel?
“Don’t you dare even speak her name, you piece of shit,” I growl, my fist clenching at my side.
“I will speak her name any time I please. Remember, she was mine first. Everything you have done to her, I was there before you.” He says slyly.
“You will never touch her again. I will make sure all memories of you are wiped from her mind and body, you pathetic excuse of a human being.”
He laughs loudly, “Good luck with that. I haven’t given up hope yet. I am sure if I threatened to end your life unless she came back to me, she would.”
“You will stay the fuck away from her, Callum,” I warn.
“Or what? What are you going to do?”
“You have no idea what I am capable of, Callum, especially when it comes to protecting Maya from a monster like you,” I state firmly.
“Is the supposed to scare me? You aren’t doing a very good job of protecting her. I am still around.” He chuckles.
“You are maybe still around, but you haven’t gotten near her, and you never will again. Yes, you should be scared. I have a breaking point and it will be reached soon. You better hope they find you before I do because if not, I won’t hesitate to make you disappear for good.” I threaten.
I don’t give him a chance to say another word. I hung up the call and blocked the number. How many damn burner phones does he have. I delete the call from the log. I don’t want Maya to be fearful again.
I check out of the window to see if he is outside. There is no sign of him. It is probably a good thing because if he were, I would have gone out and hurt him. If I started, I don’t think I would stop. It wouldn’t be the right thing to do, and I would end up in jail, leaving Maya alone again, but something would snap in me if I were close to him, and I would turn into someone I am not.
I make sure the door is locked, and the security system is on before returning to the bedroom. Maya stirs awake when I enter.
“Were you talking to someone?” she asks tiredly, noticing her cell in my hand.
I know I wasn’t going to tell her, but seeing me with her cell and the look on my face, she will work it out.
I sigh, “Yes. Callum called.”
“What did he want?” she whimpers.
“Just the same shit he always says. Don’t worry about it, not tonight, sweetheart.” I say softly.
If she thinks he could possibly be outside, then she won’t sleep. If I told her he threatened my life, it would scare her even more, and she would start to freak out again. She doesn’t need to know what was said, knowing he called is enough.
“I will try. Sorry, I fell asleep on you.” She laughs.
“You don’t need to be sorry, beautiful. You were tired.” I smile.
She finds some wipes to take her make-up off. I slip into bed next to her and once she is finished, she cuddles into my side.
“I don’t mind attending events with you, but I may only manage a few a year.” She whispers, kissing my bare chest.
“I am okay with that, sweetheart,” I reply, kissing the top of her head.
I wouldn’t force her to go to more, especially if my father were there. He was so damn rude tonight. I was ashamed and disappointed in him. There was no need for him to treat Maya like she didn’t exist. And until he realises he is in the wrong, he can stay the hell away from Maya and me.
“Thank you.” She smiles and nuzzles her face in my neck.
“Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow, you and I can disappear somewhere for the day.” I suggest.
“I would like that.” She replies and kisses me softly.
“I love you, Maya. I know I have said it already, but I really am so proud of you for tonight. I know it wasn’t easy for you.” I say and caress her face.
“That means a lot. No, it wasn’t, but I knew I would be okay because I had you. I love you too.”
“You will always be okay with me, angel. I promise.”
She nods, “I know.”
Maya doesn’t take long to fall back asleep with her head on my chest. It isn’t the most comfortable position for me, but I will push through it because I know she is comfortable.
I close my eyes and allow sleep to take over. I am tired, too. It has been a long night for everyone. Good, but long. I am glad Chelsea was there to have Maya’s back, too, especially with Bridget around when I wasn’t there.
I know in time Maya will become part of a family. She is already mine, and once we are married, she will have more family, which is something she has never had. And eventually, we will make our own family.