“Hell no. Wyatt wouldn’t jeopardize what we were building. That’s why I married him.” She stood; head held high.
“Even though a part of me is dead inside, because my brother disowned me. I still love Wyatt Leonardo Oakley.”
My heart lurched in my chest. She lost her brother because of me. I never wanted that to happen. But I couldn’t live without this woman either.
“You tried to destroy him. Us. Why because you just had to have the best player in the National Football League. Look where that got you. An early death.”
“Damn, didn’t see that coming.” Nick snickered, rubbing his clean-shaven jaw.
“Oak, your wife’s a badass.”
Fosco and Donnie each cracked a smile.
Nostrils flaring, I towered over Johnny’s jerking body. “You got just what you deserved.”
I stepped back and pulled Lakelyn into my arms.
Nick sauntered over. “Fosco, Donnie, and me will handle the cleanup.”
His eyes darted to Lakelyn. “Are you all right?”
“For now, yes. If and when the nightmares hit, Wyatt will be there.”
“Oak said you two might visit us in New Jersey. I want you to know you are family and we’d be happy to have you.”
She released me and fell against his chest. “Thank you for looking out for Wyatt.”
He hugged her tight. “No, need to thank me. We look out for family.”
“I can’t wait to meet your wife.” She stepped back.
“Wife?” his green eyes widened.
“No wife. I enjoy a variety of ladies. It’s funny you mentioned settling down. My friends Dillon and Marco’s wives said I should consider dating one woman.”
She flashed a grin again. “Something tells me if the right woman came along you wouldn’t look back.”
“Hmm, maybe we can discuss further when you guys visit.”
She shook her head. “Oh, definitely.”
“You two get out of here. We’ll clean up this mess. Enjoy your night.”
I embraced my cousin before standing beside Lakelyn. “I’ll return to the field soon. You’ll make your money back.”
Nick chuckled. “I know I will.”
We drove most of the way home in silence. My phone buzzed. Sitting at a red light, I peeked at my messages.
Nancy: The four women made a statement.
Me: Thanks.
“Baby, check Messy Mandy’s Facebook page.”
Her brows lowered. “Why?”
“You’ll see.” I returned my attention to the road.
“The mouth piece Elizabeth said they felt you were an easy target. And thought it would be fun to watch a famous football star lose everything.”
She dropped her phone in her lap. Lakelyn’s head lightly thudded the black leather headrest. “It’s over.”
I smiled, caressing her thigh. “Good.”
Nick sent their statement to me on a burner cell earlier this week. I agreed it would work. We couldn’t let them say that Johnny ordered them to frame me. If we did after he disappeared, the police could drag me in for questioning. I didn’t want that. My wife, our child, and the game were my future.
“When they least expect it, I’ll pay their asses a visit,” she growled.
The Italian side of my family was rubbing off on her.
“Bella mia, don’t worry about them.” She placed my palm against her cheek.
“Yeah, I heard you, Mr. Oakley,” she laughed.
**P**
“Hey, baby. I’m on my way to the training center to work out.” I sauntered into her office.
Lakelyn peeked up from her cherry wood desk. “Ok, dinner will be ready for you when you get home.”
I kneeled before her, lifted her pink maternity blouse, and rubbed her belly. “Sounds good.” I grinned against her stretched skin.
Lakelyn was twenty-three weeks pregnant.
“Little man, daddy will be back before you know it.”
We found out at twenty weeks Lakelyn was having a boy. My son and I would one day toss the ball around in the backyard. The thought made my heart swell.
The doctor released me to return to the field. Hard to believe I’d gone from persistently pursuing Lakelyn to marrying her. I loved watching her belly grow. We’d welcome our son into the world in four months. Waking up and staring into her beautiful face made my day brighter. I loved her more than I loved the game of football. Honestly, I loved her more than anyone or anything in this world. With Lakelyn by my side, I was unstoppable. She’s the center of my universe.
Deacon still wouldn’t speak to either of us. If Lakelyn arrived at their parents and her brother was there, he’d leave.
I’ve caught Lakelyn staring out the window, deep in thought. I knew a part of her still felt empty not having her brother in her life. Fuck, if I could just get him to stop behaving like an asshole and talk to his sister.
I kissed her stomach, then her lips. “Work from the bed or sofa later. I’ll rub your feet while you type that paper.”
She pressed her lips against mine. “Can Cardi lay with us?”
My brows wrinkled. “What? No.”
I bought Lakelyn a Golddust Yorkshire Terrier for her birthday last month. And she wants that toy dog in the bed.
“Cardi needs to sleep in her bed.”
I glanced at her, lying at Lakelyn’s feet. Cardi flashed her puppy dog eyes at me. Wouldn’t work.
Lakelyn pouted. “Fine. See you later.”
**P**
Exiting the gym around five, I shot Lakelyn a text.
Me: See you in fifteen minutes.
The wind swept through me when I hit the second set of electric doors of the training facility. I left my jacket in the backseat of the Suburban. Figured, I’d hop in the truck and crank the heat.
“Hey, liar. Heard you’re returning to the field Sunday,” Deacon sneered from the hood of his military green Mercedes G-Wagon.
I peeked up at the gray sky. He picked the coldest day to fight.
I’ve waited for him to show his face.
He wore a gray jacket, white T-shirt, gray sweatpants, and gray sneakers. Surprised, he didn’t wear boxing trunks. Where was his girl Bee? Thought she’d be here carrying his towel and water bottle.
A wide-eyed trainer peeked at Deacon, then me as he walked into the building. I nodded in passing.
Sauntering closer, I tucked my phone in my duffel pocket, then dropped it next to the wheel of my truck. Cars were scattered about the large lot. And athletes trickled into the building.
“Deacon, let’s get this over with before the snowfalls.” I halted in the middle of the lot.
He jumped off the truck like he was Nino Brown from New Jack City. “Out of all the chicks you could have dated, you picked my little sister why?” His large palms slammed into my chest, knocking me off balance.
“I’m aware I told you I’d respect your wishes, but I couldn’t leave her alone.” I shoved him and he didn’t move. The motherfucker was a little buffer. He’d been working out.
“You should be happy I’m the man who wanted to be with her than some average ass dude who didn’t care about her, Deac.”
“Don’t Deac me. She said you two acted on your feelings when she was sixteen. What the fuck does that even mean?” His eyes narrowed. “Tell me you didn’t take my sister’s virginity,” he roared, pointing at me.