Chapter 4: His Old, ‘Old Lady’

Rebel

Killer looks at me and I just shrug. “Cookie is always a woman of her word,” he says and starts laughing. I really need to get some legal advice. I don’t want Dani raising my baby. She is nothing but venom, and I won’t allow her to infect my baby.

“She likes to piss Dani off. But she is the last thing on my mind right now. We can’t allow these people to run their trafficking ring here, or anywhere for that matter,” I say and he nods. A knock at the door stops him from answering.

He gets up and opens the door, and it’s Mad Dog. “Sorry for interrupting. But we have a situation downstairs. Cookie just got back, and Dani is making a scene,” he says, and I sigh. I got up and followed him downstairs. I could hear the screaming all the way from outside my office. 

But the scene that greets me had my blood boiling. Dani has Trish by her hair and I see fresh blood in the corner of her mouth. Why did no one stop her? I know they feel they can’t touch Dani because she is pregnant, but they could at least try to free Trish.

“Let her go now!” I yelled as I ran over. Dani looks back at me and smirks. “So this is the new w***e you are keeping around? She isn't much. Quite a mousy little thing, actually,” she says as she lets go of Trish's hair. “You have no idea what you are talking about, or what this woman has been through. Get out, before I let one of these women beat your ratchet ass,” I said as I helped Trish up and back onto the couch. 

Trish looks at me with those beautiful innocent eyes, and I am caught in her spell again. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I didn’t harm her or the baby, I promise.” she whispers as I put her down. “None of this is your fault. We can talk later,” I say, and she nods.

I got up and turned back to Dani. “Still here?” I asked, and she folded her arms and glared at me. “What’s yours is mine,” she answered with a smirk. “That stopped a long time ago.” I said and nodded at Killer. He takes her by her arm and shows her to the door. 

She frees her arm from his grip and looks at me. “You had better come home tonight. If you don’t, I am out,” she says and stomps away. “What she is doing is not good for her or the baby.” Cookie says, walking over to me. “Yeah, and maxing out her card is?” I ask and she laughs. 

“I did warn you. And it's your money, not hers. She needs to be brought down a peg. If it wasn't for the baby, I would have beat her ass a long time ago,” Cookie says and walks away. She helps Trish to stand up, but I rush over before I can even stop myself. 

“I will take her to her room,” I say, and pick her up into my arms. I see the look Cookie gives me, but I ignore her and carry Trish upstairs. “You don’t have to carry me. I can walk, though I am a bit slow right now,” she says, looking up at me. And there it is again. 

The minute I look into her eyes, I feel drawn in. What is it about this woman that gets to me? “It’s fine, you are my responsibility now. I won’t let anyone harm you,” I say, and she smiles at me. I look away before I say or do something I shouldn't. 

I didn't even realize that I took her to my room. I put her gently down on the bed and walked to the bathroom. I run her a bath and when it’s ready, I walk back into the room. “A bath will help you relax a bit. Cookie will be up in a bit with your clothes. Get some rest, I will see you in the morning,” I say, and head to the door. 

“Thank you Rebel. Once again, I am sorry for causing you so much trouble,” she says, looking at me with those mesmerizing blue eyes. “It’s no trouble. You have been through a lot. You deserve a break and some help. Rest well Trish,” I say, and walk away before I change my mind. All I really want to do right now is kiss her, and whatever else she will allow me to.

I have to keep my distance and minimize my interactions with her. I can’t have Dani going after her every time when she is innocent in all of this. I pass Cookie in the hallway and she stops me. “What room is she in?” she asks. “Mine, I will sleep in my office.” I say, and she looks at me with one eyebrow raised, but doesn't say anything. 

“What?” I ask and she smiles. “Nothing,” she says and I frown. She clearly wants to say something, but I am glad she didn't. I don't need anyone else pointing out my weird behavior. I walked away and back to my office and pour myself a drink. 

I downed it in one go and went to lie down on my couch. What is it about this woman? I don’t need any more complications or distractions now. I need peace and time to sort out business. I close my eyes and fall asleep rather quickly. I haven't had much sleep in a while. This whole situation with Dani is f*****g me up.

She was the perfect old lady, or at least she pretended to be. I loved her with all my heart. All the while she was just using me for my money. If Killer hadn't seen her with his own eyes, I wouldn't have known that she was cheating on me. And even with some of my rivals. When I kicked her out, she turned the tables and told me she was pregnant.

I am no fool, so I immediately asked for a paternity test. It turns out it was my baby. And in roughly three months, I will be a father. I am happy about the baby, but I can’t have that woman raising my child. I have to find a way to get custody.

Trish

I am currently relaxing in the bath Rebel drew for me. He is so sweet and attentive. How did he end up with that horrid woman? She just attacked me out of nowhere when Cookie was showing me some of the things she got me.

She can be glad she is pregnant. I didn't have the heart to fight back. I was too scared to hurt the baby. But having Rebel take my side and be so gentle with me felt so good. I don’t know what this thing is between us, but I think he feels something too.

It could be my imagination, but the way he looks at me tells me that he feels as drawn to me as I do to him. I told myself I would never trust a man again. But something about him makes me want to let my guard down. I am probably crazy to feel like this.

Maybe it’s a side effect of the trauma. Maybe I am seeing things that aren't really there. Maybe, just maybe, Gary finally succeeded in driving me to madness. “Babe, can I come in?” Cookie yells through the bathroom door. “Sure, it’s open.” I yell. 

She comes in with pajamas and underwear for me and sits down on the edge of the bath. “I was surprised to find you in this room,” she says with a smirk. “This is the same room I was in earlier. Rebel brought me here and ran me a bath,” I said, and her smirk turned to a big smile. “What?” I asked.

“No nothing. Don’t mind me. I was just surprised, that’s all.” “About what?” “Well, this is Rebel’s room. He has been staying here since his epic showdown with Dani,” she says, and I frown. “I can use another room. It doesn't matter. I will sleep on the couch. I don’t want to inconvenience him,” I say, but she shakes her head.

“You stay put. If this is where he wants you, this is where you will stay,” she answers. She helps me get up, and looks at my body. “Who did this to you? Your ex?” she asks, frowning. “Yes, and some of these are thanks to Jennifer and Henry.” I say as I put the towel around my body.

“Even the older scars?” she asks and I nod. “Mother fuckers. I am glad they are dead and Gary is next if Rebel and Killer have anything to do with it. They don’t allow abuse in any form,” she says as she helps me get dry. She put some cream on my wounds and then helped me get dressed. 

I did note that the underwear she bought me was very sexy. I didn't comment because most of the clothes were perfect. She did throw in a few revealing dresses and evening wear. Where would I wear it to anyway? It’s not like I can go anywhere right now.

Even the pajamas I am wearing are sexy. It’s a black silk and lace cami and shorts. “I am sorry about Dani,” Cookie says as she helps me into bed. “It’s okay. "I would also have been pissed if my man bought another woman clothing with my money,” I say and she laughs. 

“Firstly, it’s not her money, it’s Rebels. That skank just used him for his money, and she still is. And secondly, you aren't just any woman. You are Trish, my new bestie,” she says, making me laugh. “I like that title. I will claim it.” I say, and she laughs with me.

“So what is Rebel going to do about her?” I ask and she shrugs. “I don’t know. But he would never turn his back on a child, especially if it’s his own,” “It’s a tough situation. But the baby should come first. He or she didn’t ask to be here,” I answer and she smiles. True, and that baby will be loved, regardless of the mother.

Get some rest, I will come help you in the morning,” she says as she tucks me in. “Thanks mom,” I say and we both laugh. “Sleep well, Trish,” she says as she leaves the room and closes the door. I close my eyes and fall asleep immediately. I am so tired and my body aches all over. 

But even in my dreams, I can’t escape Rebel. They were filled with images of him. I even woke up with the feeling he was here, with me in the room. What is wrong with me? I really am losing my mind.