Chapter Ten

Stephen

“What’s up, buddy?” I ask.

“I was at Capulet in the office when one of the staff came up and said there was a guy at the bar asking for Chad,” Dave explains.

“I went out and he was asking if Chad was around, said he’d been trying to reach him for two days. I asked who he was and that’s when things got weird, he said he was his brother.”

“I didn't know Chad had a brother,” I say, surprised.

“He doesn't, just two sisters and his mom. That's all the family he has.”

“Okay, so what did you tell him?”

“I told him if he was his brother then he would know where he was. He gave me some sketchy story about them not being close, and said his mom is urgently trying to reach him.”

“Then he asked if you were around, said you might know where he was. I told him you've been out of town for a few days, celebrating your new engagement.”

“Good thinking, thanks, buddy,” I say. “So, what did you end up telling him?”

“I told him the truth; Chad and his friend Mike went out of town on a trip. Didn't say where they were going but he could reach him on his cell, he had it with him.”

“Thanks, Dave, keep me updated. If he comes back again, call me right away.”

“Will do, boss,” he says. “Good night.”

I hang up and lean against the counter, thinking it over while sipping some water. So the cops are already sniffing around…

I decide to let Clint know tomorrow. Right now, I don't want to bring this upstairs and worry Trinity after she looked so relaxed when I came down.

I head back upstairs and see my girl still soaking in the bath.

“Baby,” I knock gently on the doorframe, “you ready to get out and get in bed?”

Trinity stretches, smiling. “Mm, yes my love, I'm ready for sleep. I’m pleasantly worn out right now.”

I smile at her lovingly and help her out of the bath, wrapping a towel around her and drying her off.

I guide her into the freshly made bed and tell her to lay on her stomach. I gently apply some cream to her beautiful butt cheeks, massaging it into her red skin.

“How's that feel, my love?”

“Much better,” she hums.

I kiss her shoulder softly and put the cream up next to the bed. I turn off the bedroom light and make my way over, climbing in next to her, pulling her body into mine, fitting together perfectly.

“Sweet dreams baby, I love you,” I whisper.

“I love you, too.”

I listen as she falls asleep quickly and I love the sound of her peaceful breathing and tiny little purrs. It's when I know she is her safest, resting and safe in my arms.

I lay there holding her for a while before I finally drift off.

***

I wake up the next morning and reach out to cuddle Trinity but find her side of the bed empty. I sit up, looking around the room and find her not there.

“Babe?” I call out, needing to know she’s still here and she’s still safe.

“I’m fine, sweetheart,” she responds. “I'll be back in a second, I'm just making some coffee.”

I lay back and let out a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding.

I'm laying in bed with my arm across my eyes when I hear her come back in and smell the delicious scent of coffee filling the room.

“That coffee smells good, where have you been all my life?” I joke. “I could get used to waking up like this.”

“As you should, my king. Only the best for you.”

She comes over, placing a coffee on the nightstand for me then leans over and softly kisses my lips. Being the cheeky guy I am, I can't help but grab a handful of her butt as she does.

“How's this feeling this morning, my love?” I ask.

“Much better than last night. I don't mind the little bit of soreness though, it's a nice reminder.”

She walks around and puts her coffee down on the bedside table and then crawls across the bed straddling me.

We make out for a few minutes before we settle in bed enjoying our coffees. I’m checking the news online on my phone while she's laying in my arms, stroking my chest tenderly.

“Baby, can I ask a promise of you please?”

“Of course,” she responds.

“Can we promise to spend at least half an hour every morning just doing this?”

“Laying together with our coffees and waking up properly,” I explain. “I love this more than anything, just being here in our own little bubble.”

Trinity smiles warmly. “You're adorable, babe. And I'd love to, there's no one else I would want to do it with.”

We lay there for as long as possible just enjoying each other's company, chatting and cuddling. My phone goes off and I look over and see it's Clint.

Clint

You up?

Stephen

Fuck off, it’s too early lol

Clint

Fuck you too, mate lmao

Stephen

What’s up?

Clint

Food?

Clint

You guys wanna come for breakfast?

I look over at Trinity. “Babe, you want some food this morning?”

“Definitely, I’m starving.”

I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she rolls her eyes, laughing.

“Pervert. I meant some real food.”

Stephen

Yeah, count us in.

Stephen

Give us half an hour and head over.

Clint

That's quick for someone who claimed not to be a one pump wonder haha

Stephen

Fuck off haha

Stephen

See you shortly bro

Clint

See you then, bro

We get up and get dressed and are heading downstairs when we hear the door. We greet Mia and Clint and head over to the restaurant to eat.

***

While having breakfast we decide to hit the slopes for a bit today. As Clint and I go to pay for breakfast, I tell him we’re going for a jog this afternoon when we get back from the slopes.

“You’re joking, right?” he asks. “I haven't run in this kind of weather for years.”

“We need to talk, Dave called last night.”

Clint nods. “Say no more.”

***

We make our way to the slopes and gear up. After a few hours, we retreat indoors for some hot drinks.

“Buddy, I don’t want to get too comfortable now that I’m hitched. How about a jog this afternoon?” Clint suggests.

“Sure, I’m always up for leaving you in the dust,” I reply.

“I get enough exercise at work, so I’ll stay in where it’s cozy,” Mia chimes in. “What about you, Trin?”

“I’m with Mia on this one,” Trinity says, chuckling.

Clint and I head back to change. I hear him return to our chalet with Mia, who’s carrying a bottle of wine.

“Ready to hit the road, old man?” Clint teases.

“You jerk,” I laugh. “We’re the same age!”

“Maybe, but I look better.”

I roll my eyes, walk over to Trinity, and plant a kiss on her cheek. “See you later, babe.”

“Stay safe, love,” she replies.

***

Clint and I jog for about forty-five minutes. Once we’re far enough away from the girls, we slow down to a walk. I start to fill Clint in on the call from Dave.

“So, what’s your game plan?” Clint asks.

“If they show up when we’re back, I’ll call them out on their lie.”

“How?”

“I’ll ask how they think they could be his brother when we’ve known him for over six years and know he doesn’t have one.”

“Good point, but I’m sure they’ll have some sort of rebuttal,” Clint says.

“We know enough to counter any of their excuses,” I reply.

“Like what?”

“Well, they would obviously know it's just him, his sisters, and mother. So if they try to say his father remarried and had kids with his new wife, I’ll call their bluff and say he died before Chad's younger sister was born.”

“Harsh, but effective. Are you going to call him?”

“I thought I might remind him that I did him a favor by getting him out of the country before they tried arresting him over the botched operation,” I explain.

“And get him to call in saying he's traveling and looking at different business ventures. I asked the boys to move out now that I’m getting married. I don’t want a bachelor pad, I want a home for my future family.”

“Smart move, buddy,” Clint says. “Turn the tables on them.”

“That’s the plan,” I say. I stretch and look back down the road. “Let’s head back before the girls finish off all the wine. Any plans for tonight?”

“Other than trying to get my wife pregnant—or at least practicing—not much. You?”

“We finally set a date for the wedding, so we might talk about that. But I was thinking dinner with all of us at your place or ours, some drinks, a smoke, something laid-back.”

“Sounds good, buddy.”

“Let’s get moving, then,” I say.

We start jogging back, and I finally start to feel better.

I have a strategy to counter whatever they might be planning.