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Her reaction bothers me. She’s shutting down and freezing me out. “You think it’s safe to go back alone.”

“I wish he would come back.” Her eyes light with fire, and I release her.
She’s jumpy and paranoid. If I hold on too tightly, I’ll lose her for good.

“Anything you need I’m here.”

“I know that.” She cups my face. “I’ll call you tomorrow?”

“As soon as you wake up.”

“Yes, sir.” She salutes me, and I swat her ass, grateful for the moment of normalcy in the chaos that’s broken out.  I walk her to her car and see her safely pull out of the driveway before reality pimp slaps me. Thoughts of lawyer and court crash invade my brain. I never wanted my children to go through this. I don’t know if Anthony was correct or not, but losing full custody is not an option. I return to the house where my children are dressing for bed and close the door behind me. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop this. Tonight after I set them down, I’ll make a call to my lawyer John, and get him to recommend the best family lawyer money can buy.

**

I slap at my night stand searching for the phone that jarred me from sleep. I pull it to my face.

“Hello?”

““Hous, everything is gone.” Tears distort Liv's voice.

I sit up, fully awake. “What’s wrong? What’s gone?”

“Everything.” Her voice cracks.

“Calm down, Kitten." I ignore the knot in my throat and the tightness in my chest.  “I’m here to help. What happened?”

“There was a fire at the condo.”

“Are you okay?”

“Y-yes. I got out in time. The fire alarm woke me. There was already smoke creeping under the doorway, so I grabbed my purse and ran for it. I- I watched the entire building go up before the Fire Department could put it out. I- I don’t know what to do.”

“Where are you?”

“In my car, down the street from the compound. What am I going to do? I don’t even have a change of clothes.” Her sobs shred my heart.

“Hey. I’m on my way. You stay there. I’m not letting you drive anywhere like this, okay?”

“What about the kids?”

“They’ll be coming with me. They can skip a day of school if necessary. You just hold tight for me okay?” 

She hiccups. “Okay.” She whispers.

A sense of urgency slams into me as I stumble from bed, throw on a pair of sweatpants, and a white t-shirt. I slip my feet into the slippers I keep by my bed to ward off the chill that sets into the hardwood flooring. I rush to the door, grab the keys off the rack, and hit the automatic start. I busy myself with buckling sleepy children into their seats and covering them with their favorite blankets. It helps keep my mind from wandering to dark places. Tony threatens her and then her condo burns down. It’s too coincidental. I force myself to close the back door gently as I move to the driver’s side of the SUV and burn rubber out of the driveway. The clock on my dash reads Three-thirty. I blink to moisten my dry eyes as I steer the car through the silent streets.

Tendrils of smoke wind their way up into the dark sky as we near her complex. Flashing red and blue lights lit up the sky. The massive red beast can be seen from yards back.  Police cars and caution tape block off the area immediately surrounding the fire.

I scan the open areas and spot Liv’s car in the drugstore parking lot. People are standing on their lawns in bathrobes talking to one another. I make a left and pull up beside her. She turns to me, a zombie with empty eyes, a tear streaked face. A multicolored silk bonnet on her head. It hits me that I’m lucky she escaped and didn’t succumb to smoke inhalation. I slam the gear into park, hop out, rush to her car, and open the door. I kneel down and cup her face turning it this way or that way.

“Are you okay, Kitten?”

She turns her vacant gaze to me and shakes her head. “I don’t know what I am.”

“Let’s get you in the car. We can come back for yours tomorrow, okay?”  I reach across her seat, unbuckle her belt and guide her from the car. She leans heavily on me. Her body quakes and her steps are shuffles. My heart aches for her. She’s starting from the ground up.

“Work.” She croaks. 

“I’ll call them. I don’t want you to worry about anything right now. Let me take care of you.”  I help her into the passenger seat, strap her in and close the door. The sheer devastation done to the building makes me sick to my stomach. She could’ve been trapped in there. I ball my fists as I kill her car engine and gather the few personal she’d taken with her.  I lock up the car and return to my own. As I pull away from the curb, my mind is on Anthony and Rain. Their arrival has heralded great misfortune. I won’t forget or forgive. No one comes in and harms what’s mine, and Liv Cole belongs to me.

I reach across the seat and twine our fingers, lending silent support. She’s shell-shocked and exhausted. I want to get her in the shower, put her in warm pajamas and tuck her into bed before I start making my calls. We’re in the middle of a war. We lost this battle, so I need to gain ground. They came in with the element of surprise because I foolishly dismissed the letter. I never make the same mistake twice.

Once everyone’s asleep I place an emergency call to my lawyer who I pay a pricey fee to be available twenty-four hours a day and wait. In the back of my mind, I’ve always feared this day. He returns my call thirty minutes later as the sun is rising.

“You have a nine one one situation, Houston?”

“Yes, Brian. My ex-fiancée is back, and she wants the kids.”

“Christ on a cracker,” he twangs.

“Yeah. What are the odds of that happening.”

“Court like mothers. But after three years with no communication, you have on her abandonment. What can you tell me about her new status.”

“She’s married with a new baby on the way. I think they have a home in Austin.”

He clucks his tongue. “Jobs?”

“No clue.”

“Well, we need to find out. Any new changes in your life I should know about?”

“I’m dating Liv Cole.”

“The Godmother  listed as their guardian should anything happen to you?” Brain asks.

“Yes.”

“Is it serious?”

“Very, why?”

“A girlfriend doesn’t have the same sway as a wife, and you as a single dad is a compelling vision. You might want to cool your jets or take the plunge.”

“Are you talking about getting married?” I stared down at the phone, disgusted by the suggestion.

“It would strengthen your case.”

“No. When we tie the knot, it’s going to be because we’re both ready not for some courtroom advantage, and I’m not giving her up. It took too long to get us to this point.”

“It might hurt you in the long run,” Brian cautions.

My mouth goes dry. Do I need to choose between my children and the woman I love?

“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” I say.

“Your call. Give me the names.  If she’s married, she’d be Rain Rothman unless she didn’t change her name. Then she’s Rain Marshall. He’s Anthony Rothman.”

“And you say they’re in Austin?”

“Yes. At least that’s where letter she sent came from.”

“Wait, she tried to contact you? Why didn’t you call me immediately?”

“A few months back. I didn’t think it was a big deal. She’s always been a flake.”

“Shit. What did the letter say? She was married, had a kid on the way and sorry that she left me at the altar, blah, blah, blah  I want the kids to know each other.”

“You don’t make things easy on yourself, Houston.”

“I’m not losing my kids, Brian.”

“Listen I’m going to get to work gathering information today.  Just think on what I mentioned, okay? 

“Aint’ going to happen. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”

“You could lose the kids because of me.”

The whispered words make me jump.

I turn to see a forlorn Liv in the middle of the room. Her flannel shorts and white wife beater accents her curves.

“No one said that.”

“But it might hurt your chances.”

“Whatever you’re thinking, stop,” I command.

“I can’t be responsible for that.” Her voice is shrill, and her eyes are as round as quarters.

“You’re not going to," I assure her. 

“Your lawyer thinks otherwise.”

Her chest heaves and I worry she’s going to hyperventilate. I cup her face and force her to meet my gaze.

“Hey, you’ve had a lot happen tonight. Don’t take this on. Nothing’s happened. I’m getting ready, so we have the advantage. We’ll get her on abandonment charges. Hell, we had a church full of witnesses we could call into court. Now, please take a deep breath and calm down. I need you here with me to get through this, Liv.”

She places her trembling hands over mine and inhales slowly.

“That’s it, Kitten. Everything is going to be okay as long as we stick together. There’s nothing we can’t do, right?” It’s been our mantra since we were left outside the tiny white church to face a crowd of stunned guests. I pull her to my chest and wrap my arms around her, wishing I could shelter her from the ugliness I know's to come. “Don’t leave me. I don’t think I could take it.”

“We can’t lose the kids,” her voice cracks. The love she holds for them humbles me.

“We won’t. No way I’m letting that happen.”

“I can’t stay if it means losing them, maybe… maybe we should think about getting married.”

“No. No one is rushing us into anything. When we take that step, 'cause face it lady it's going to happen. It’ll be because we’re ready.”

She jerks back. “You- you think we will be someday?”

“Kitten, I don’t think I know.” I press a kiss to her parted lips and chuckle. “Now let’s get you back to bed. I’m not going anywhere today. Ollie can handle the shop.” I wrap my arm around her waist and walk back to our bed. Our bed.  The thought pleases me. If I have my way, she’ll never move out of the house. Something positive can come from this tragedy.

Chapter Six

Liv

I’m in a fog as I make the necessary calls to family and friends before they hear about the fire on the news and think the worse. I’m homeless and nearly possessionless less. In the blink of an eye, I’ve lost all the things that were important to me. Old pictures, books, and mementos. My mouth salivates, and my head spins. I close my eyes and inhale  through my nose and will my stomach to settle.

I went to the doctor earlier to get checked out at Houston’s insistence. He’s been my rock through all this, holding my hand, caring for me, and making decisions I’m too dazed to make. I’m currently snuggled into his side and trying not to think too hard on the shambles my life has become.

“You doing okay?” he asks.

I shrug. It’s noon. I’m wearing pajamas and haven’t made another move to do anything since we returned from my doctor. “There’s so much to do. I feel trapped under the weight of it all,” I admit.

“Well let’s start with a small list. Top three things you need to do,” he says, massaging my scalp.

I moan and slump into him. “Put in an insurance claim, get more clothing, and decide when I’m going back to work and where I’m going to live.”

“Last one’s easy. Not for at least another week and here. You’re welcome here as long as you’d like.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

“Here in my bed and my home are where I want you, Liv. You must know that.”

His eyes darken with desire, and I lick my lips. The intensity and honesty in his words are impossible to miss or ignore.

“Houston?"

“No.” he covers my lips with a finger. “Don’t say anything. I won’t add to the pressure. I wanted you to understand, you don’t have to go anywhere, okay?”

I nod my head. “Good, now how about we call your insurance company?”

I didn’t think I could love this man more, but the past twelve hours have proved me wrong.

“For a moment, can we just forget everything that’s happened?” I whisper.

He trails his knuckles down the side of my face. “What are you asking me for, Kitten? You know I’ll give it to you.”

“You inside me thick and hard. Fuck me until the only thing that matters is the way we make each other feel.”

His nostrils flare. “Are you sure you’re up for that?”

“Please, Hous.”

“You don’t ever have to beg me, Kitten.”  He eases open my legs and tugs down my shorts and buries his face between my thighs. A few gentle flicks of his tongue on my clit have my pussy flowing. “So sweet.” He sucks my clit into his mouth. I buck off the couch and push his head closer as I ride his face. I need to be shattered, spent, and floating bliss, so my mind shuts off.

His tongue dips inside my core, stiff, and long.

"More, baby."

He slips two thick fingers into my center, stretching me as he circles my walls and rubs my clit with his thumb. I feel the pressure building inside me.

"Yes, like that."

He pumps his digits faster, and crooks them, hitting a spot that makes my entire frame jerk.

"Houston," his name is stuck on repeat as I fuck his hand and mouth completion. I coast over the edge and into the place where time and space are irrelevant.

“That was one,” Houston says huskily.

I glance down, breathing hard and meet his darkened gaze. He's kneeling in front of me, pumping his swollen cock in his fist. His pants are halfway down as if he couldn't wait to have me. The slit on his tip is wet. I lick my lips. Suddenly I'm thirsty.

“One?” I whisper.

He nods and moves to sit beside me on the couch. “I think I can get at least two more.” My pussy walls clench in in anticipation. “Come and sit on my cock, Kitten."

He lifts me up, and I rub my wet pussy up and down his dick.

"That it. Get it nice and wet for me." His gravelly purr. I grip his base and climb on top slowly easing down on his thick length. He shoves my shirt up and frees my breast, sucking them into his hot mouth. I arch my back, grip his shoulders, and pause to enjoy the fullness.

"You feel so good inside me."

"I'll feel even better once you move." He slaps my ass, and I lift and drop down, riding him like I have a destination, and I'm an hour late.  I trail my nails down his back as he grips my hips tight, and pounds inside me. I can’t think. The only thing that matters is the feel of him moving inside me.  I let my hips work together with his. The slap of his balls against my ass and his tip tapping my G-spot splinter me into tiny fragments.

“Two, give me one more, beautiful.” He reaches between us and rubs my clit, stirring the coals of desire and relighting the flame between us.

“I- I.” My body is one giant stimulated nerve ending. I explode onto his cock, squeezing him tight as my walls flex. My eyes roll back in my head, and the fireworks explode behind my lids and throughout my body.

“You okay, Kitten?” he asks as I lift my heavy lids. I blink back tears.

“As long as I have you I am.”

“Always, baby.”  He places a gentle kiss on my lips, and I bask in the safety and security his arms provide. Soon, I’ll get up and start the ball rolling on damage control. Right now, I’m exactly where I need to be.

“Where do we stand with things?” Houston asks as we settle the kids at the table with an after school snack. I love the way my problems are his automatically.

“They’re waiting on the cause of the fire before reimbursement of anything. All my family and friends know I’m fine and bunking with you. My mother is ecstatic, she got it out of me that we’re almost at the half year point of dating and is probably planning out wedding as we speak.”

“I don’t mind that.” He gives me a shy smile that turns my insides into goo.

“Why are you so damn irresistible?” I whisper.

“Just lucky like that, I guess,” he drawls.

I roll my eyes and peck his lips. “Did the lawyer call you back yet?”

“No, he’s gathering information at the moment. Said he’ll get back to me when he has more and a tentative game plan.”

I bite my bottom lip. They wouldn’t give custody to a mother who’s a proven flight risk, would they?

“Any news on what caused the fire?” Houston asks.

“Not yet, why?”

He shakes his head. “Hous, don’t lie to me.”

“He threatened you.”

“Who? Tony?” I wrinkle my nose. Saying his name leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

“Yes. Then your house burned down less than six hours later.”

“I don’t think he’s capable of this?” I grow uncertain as I remember his anger.

“If he was it’ll be the last fucking thing he ever does in his lifetime.”

“Houston.”

His eyes are blue flames alight with anger. “Don’t ask me to not protect you.”

His voice is quiet and full of bass. It's a deadly combination that hints of violence.

“I won’t," he says.

“Thank you.”

I know after all that happened with Rain, he strives to have control. I won’t begrudge him his coping mechanism. “I will ask you to be careful, because Phoenix, Echo, Deja and I are all counting on you. If you’re gone, we’re alone.”

He presses a kiss to my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

***

Anthony’s landed a job doing graphics for video games, and Rain is the doting stay at home mother she couldn’t be to her firstborn. It makes absolutely no sense. Their house is disgustingly cute, and apparently, their neighbors adore them.  Houston’s lawyer has done his job. The feelers he sent out have come back and brought an unsettling update.

“Why can’t they have people chained up in their basement who escape and make this a moot point?” I ask.

“That was dark, and I kind of liked it,” Houston says as he stirs the pot of homemade marina we’ve made to go with the lasagna about to go into the oven.

“I’m serious.”

“I know. We’ve filled for Child Abandonment. We would’ve done it sooner, but we had no clue where she was. Given her very public exit, I think we have a good shot at winning.”

“What’ll happen if the judge rules for Child Abandonment?”

“She could be faced with criminal charges, varying in severity. More importantly, her parental rights can be terminated. That’s our goal. Brian is getting me into contact with a family lawyer he trusts. He laid the ground work encase she moved fast. We want to hit her first.” His voice is calm and steady, but I know he’s frightened. We haven’t heard anything else from Anthony or Rain, but they’re always on the mind, a storm cloud waiting to blow in.

“The insurance approved everything. I still can’t believe a faulty outlet set the whole place up.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” he says.

“Me too.” There’s been no talk of me finding a new place. We both know I’m going to stay.

A knock sounds at the door, and I frown. “Are you expecting someone?”

“No. Stay here with them?”

“Yeah.”

I look at the children who are nearly finished with their sliced apples, graham crackers, and milk. “Let’ s get things cleaned up, so we can start on our homework, okay?”

Phoenix and Deja move to throw away their napkins and place their bowls in the sink while Echo doddles. It’s a typical school day. It’s not that Echo doesn’t follow rules. She simply exists in her own time zone. The challenge we have is getting her attuned to the one the rest of us live on.

“Come on, Ms. Echo. We still have homework to get done today.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I cherish her little voice. They grow so quickly. Soon she won’t sound or look like this. Her little legs swing and I walk over and place a kiss on her forehead. My phone plays. Why the hell is Houston texting me?  I pull it out and gasp.

Call the cops. Rain is here.  I dial nine-one –one.

“This is Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”

“Yes, I’m in my home with three small children, and I have a trespasser outside who refuses to leave.”

“I see ma’am. Are you safe?”

“Yes, at the moment I am. I’m inside, but I don’t want the children to be frightened.”

“That’s completely understandable. I want you to stay in that safe location away from the windows and doors. Can you tell me the address?”

I rattle it off to her. “What about the intruder? What do they look like?”

I creep over to the window and peer out of the blinds. “She’s about five feet six inches, with shoulder length brown hair,  blue jeans, and a white –t-shirt with flowers on it. She appears to be pregnant. My boyfriend is out there speaking with her now. He’s about 6’2 with dark hair and a beard. He's wearing blue jeans, and a white t-shirt.”

“I have units coming to you now, ma’am. They should reach your destination in the next five minutes.”

“Thank you.”

I get the kids started on their homework. Flashes of crimson and indigo pull me to the curtain. “They’re here.”

“Excellent. I’ll disconnect now.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome.”

The line goes dead. I crack the window and press my ear to the opening to hear what’s being said.

“Ma’am we’re going to have to ask you leave his property.”

“The sidewalk is public domain,” she protests.

“This woman is being filed with child abandonment charges to the three children in this house who have no clue who she is. I don’t want my six-year-olds upset.”

“Ma’am, you can leave voluntarily, or we can escort you. You don’t want to add more trouble to the legalities already in motion.”

“Those are my babies! Mine. That uppity bitch cant' have them.” Rain screams.

“We understand that you’re upset, but I think we can all agree this isn’t going to help anyone, and it’s not healthy for the baby you have on the way.”

Rain points at Houston. “This is all his fault. He won’t let me see him. He’s mad because I called off the wedding.”

“No, calling off the wedding would have been decent. You left me at the altar, and then stayed gone for three years. That’s on you, not me. You should listen to Officer Stanford, get back on your car and not come back here.”

“You can’t keep me from them. You or that bitch.”

“Okay ma’am, let’s go,” Officer Stanford genty grabs her elbow and guides her toward the forest green minivan. She’s off her fucking gourd. I’ve heard that pregnancy hormones mess with women, but that was off the charts. Of course, Rain never took the blame for her wrongdoings. It was always the stars misaligning, the universe talking, or fortune frowning on her. It was never about her poor choices and inability to deal with things like an adult. I hoped she might have changed for everyone’s sake.

As my mother would say, some people never really leave high school. Given the way she was raised, I’m not stunned. There were no rules, structure, guidance, or reality checks. It made her optimistic until the end, which was great when we were young and the worst thing we had to worry about was makeup and boys.  I knew she was struggling rear three kids, but I thought it was normal.