Thin Ice 7 - Echoes of Reckoning (12 page)

Necie assured her there were no nuts in the cake, setting the slice in front of her. Brent had precut them earlier when everyone had refused saying they were too full for desert just yet. India smiled and captured a corner of the slice with the frosting, popping it into her mouth. She remarked how light and moist the cake was as well as the wonderful lime flavor it had. Almost half way through the slice she began to feel her throat start to swell. She cleared her throat several times the swelling beginning to grow worse.

“
India,” Necie screamed seeing her begin to gasp for air.

Ray raced into the dining room hearing Necie’s scream, Brent on his heels. “What happened,” he asked looking into India’s face contorted in agony as she tried to breathe.

“
Where is her purse,” Ray asked trying to stay calm.

The tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was gagging, the air almost completely cut off now. Necie hurriedly found the purse and Ray dumped the contents onto the floor searching for the EpiPen she carried just for emergencies like this. He wasn’t finding it and growing more and more frantic as India finally doubled over and slumped out of the chair.

“
Oh God, no, India,” Necie screamed as Brent laid the woman out onto the carpet.

“
Call 911,” Ray barked, finally finding the pen inside another compartment in the purse.

He opened it and gave her the injection, praying silently the entire time. It seemed to take forever until India heaved a gasping breath and began to cough softly, her breathing still raspy and shallow. Ray heard the sirens wailing, swallowing hard to keep the tears from coming. He’d come way too close to losing his precious India and the child she carried that they both loved so much.

“
What happened,” the paramedics asked entering the dining room after Brent let them in.

“
I don’t know, she was eating some cake, and then --,” Necie trailed still visibly upset.

“
Is she allergic to anything,” he asked as Ray told them she had a severe nut allergy.

“
Hmph, okay,” the paramedic said writing it on his chart. “Did the cake have nuts,” he asked looking at Necie again.

“
Yes,” Brent answered calmly.

Necie spun around. “What, where,” she demanded.

Brent lifted the frosting showing her the small, ground, walnut pieces.

“
That’s why her piece was free of the frosting,” he told her as Necie began to cry.

“
I didn’t even notice, oh my god, I’m so sorry Ray,” she apologized as Ray assured her he knew she would never intentionally hurt India.

The paramedics got India stabilized and told Ray they were ready to transport her.

“
I’m going to ride with her,” he told them as they advised he could, but up front with the driver.

Nodding his understanding Ray bid his son and his daughter-in-law goodnight heading out of the door.

“
Ray please call and let us know how she and the baby are,” Necie told him the care and concern still visible in her eyes.

Ray smiled and told her he would, turning and getting inside the cab and greeting the driver. He thought on the way to the hospital about the incident and everyone’s reaction. Even in his distress he hadn’t missed the cool nonchalance of his only son. He couldn’t prove it but Ray suspected the incident tonight was far less of an accident than everyone was being led to believe. The ambulance arrived at the hospital and Ray pushed the ponderings away, deciding to deal with them once his woman and his child were out of the woods.

*****

Nikki walked into the apartment after an extremely long and laborious day of class. They had a new project and she’d spent almost four hours in the library doing preliminary research on her topic. Granted she probably didn’t have to stay that long, the competitor in her wanted to get the best grade. In order to do that, she had to put in the time. The apartment was unusually dark and quiet. Normally Ryan would have the TV on and at least one light. Feeling her way around, she found the wall plate and flipped the switch to on.

“
What the hell,” Nikki mumbled noticing something off about the place.

Putting her books on the counter she made her way to Rayne’s room to give the little girl a goodnight kiss and tuck her back in. Rayne always managed to somehow kick her Dora the Explorer covers off every night. Smiling at the thought she quietly made her way to the room, gently pushing the door open. The room was illuminated with the soft glow of the matching nightlight and she could tell the bed was empty.

Bewildered, she turned and headed to the master bedroom expecting to find Rayne cuddled next to her father, or better yet, her leg thrown across his neck as she slept peacefully. Nikki chuckled silently at the visual in her mind, reaching the room and gently pushing the door open as she’d done previously. The findings were the same.

“
Where the hell are they at this time of night,” Nikki murmured glancing at the clock.

It was well after 1:00AM. There was no reason Ryan should have their daughter out this late. The note on the dresser caught her attention and she walked over to it, heart beginning to race, and the knot in her gut tightening. Nikki picked up the short note and read it, growing more scared and angry with each line.
‘I’ve decided to give you your space and the time you need to do you.’
It began. ’
Rayne is fine and she will be well taken care of until you and I decide what to do about this thing we’ve been living these last few months. I’ll contact you and we’ll work out your visitation.’
The note ended there and Ryan’s signature was beneath.

“
No this asshole did not take my damned daughter,” Nikki ranted.

She was angry yes, but she was terrified. Terrified that Ryan was gone from her life and she would only see her daughter on weekends and holidays. Nikki wasn’t stupid and even though she knew legally she could get full custody of Rayne, she wasn’t sure she would live to even hear the verdict.

If she knew nothing else, Nikki knew Ryan loved his daughter and no judge on this side of hell would keep him from her.

“
What am I going to do,” she mumbled the shock still settling in.

Nikki knew things were bad between them. She even admitted that she’d neglected Ryan way more than she should, but he should try to understand her point of view. Law School was something she’d wanted all her life.
Does he want me to give that up and stay at home with him,
she fumed angrily picking up her cell and calling him.

“
Yeah,” he answered calmly.

“
Ryan, what the fuck,” she threw out acidly. “Where is Rayne, what the hell is this crap you’re pulling,” Nikki continued to rant.

Ryan breathed into the phone but said nothing more.

“
Ryan, answer me, where is my baby,” Nikki screamed almost losing control until she willed herself to calm down.

“
I told you Rayne was fine,” Ryan told her once more the tone too calm for her taste.

“
That’s not telling me where she is,” Nikki returned.

“
I don’t plan to tell you where she is,” Ryan told her evenly, his irritation beginning to show.

Nikki knew he was pissed, but so was she.

“
You cannot keep my daughter from me,” she told him hotly.

“
Says who,” Ryan returned and she exploded again.

“
Relax,” Ryan barked and Nikki stopped mid sentence. “When I get back, I’ll get with you about seeing Rayne,” he told her adding nothing more as he disconnected.

Nikki called back immediately but the call went straight to voicemail.

“
Bastard,” she fumed still furious.

She scrolled through the cell phone she still held finding Cameron’s number. She needed someone to talk too; someone who understood her and what made her tick. Dialing the number she waited on the call to connect. Cameron answered on the third ring sounding sleepy. Nikki apologized for waking him, explaining that she was really keyed up and needed to talk. Cameron sweetly told her to come over and he would make them some coffee and allow her to unburden herself. Thanking him Nikki rose, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her hair was all over head and she looked wild. She reached out for the brush laying on the dresser and tamed her hair again, going into the bathroom and washing her face. Finally feeling she looked presentable, she grabbed her purse and began walking down the hallway, pausing at Rayne’s empty room. The tears came but Nikki stubbornly and willfully pushed them away, gaining her stride once more and making it out of the front door, closing and locking it behind her.

*****

Ray kissed India’s head softly as she rested. The doctor assured them everything was fine with both her and the baby. They’d gotten a chance to see the fetus on the ultrasound. It was of course far too early to determine the sex, but Ray was eternally grateful to see the rapid, strong and steady heartbeat of the child. India stirred slightly but didn’t wake. He continued to watch her as she slept again thinking how much he loved her.
What if the child is a girl,
his mind threw out.
Doesn’t matter, plans don’t change,
Ray immediately answered. He also planned to keep a closer eye on Brent. He knew his only son was a spoiled brat and he was sure that even though he was saying everything was fine and he had no quarrel with India having Ray’s child, there was a level of resentment there.
You should be prepared for a war with him,
his business instincts spoke now. Ray nodded thoughtfully his mind already spinning with the different scenarios that could and should be put in place.

India’s eyelids fluttered open and she panicked.

“
Shh, darling, relax,” Ray soothed her hurriedly. “It’s alright, you’re at the hospital,” he told her.

“
The baby,” India questioned the fear trapped in her eyes.

“
The baby is fine darling, relax,” he assured her as India visibly calmed.

Ray saw how vulnerable she was and knew he would need to protect her from whatever treacherous plans Brent may have had.
He doesn’t want the competition,
Ray’s mind again reported as India held his hand and sighed softly.

“
Did you let Necie and Brent know I was fine,” she asked breaking his thought once more.

Ray smiled, not betraying his true feelings at the moment, and again assured her he had.

“
OK,” India replied softly her eyes batting as she tried to stay awake.

“
Go to sleep,” Ray admonished as she smiled weakly.

“
Can I tell you something funny,” India asked eyes open again for the moment.

“
Yes, go ahead,” Ray told her regarding her as she chuckled slightly.

“
Would you believe after all this, all I can think about is how horny I am,” she told him as Ray burst into laughter.

“
Talk about inappropriate thoughts,” he threw out as they continued to laugh together.

Ray continued to hold her hand as they calmed down and India closed her eyes allowing the sedative to take hold once again. Ray kissed her cheek softly, rising and creeping from her room. Stopping at the small waiting room and finding it empty he pulled out his cell and dialed.

“
Hello,” Rahja greeted.

“
I want to meet with you tomorrow morning,” Ray told him. “I have a new assignment.”

Rahja assured him he would be punctually present tomorrow morning and bid him goodnight as Ray grunted his understanding and disconnected, returning to India’s room and making himself comfortable in the reclining chair, finding sleep quickly himself.

*****

Cameron invited her in as she headed to his den and had a seat. Nikki knew the place well, she’d been over a few times when they used to hang out on the regular.

“
I found this hazelnut creamer I think you’ll like,” he told her handing her the container.

Nikki smiled weakly. Cameron knew her so well. Hazelnut was one of her favorite flavors.

“
What’s wrong Nikki,” he asked softly, finally sitting beside her.

Taking a deep breath she told him what she’d found upon her arrival home.

“
Damn, are you kidding me,” Cameron asked as his mind called him a hypocrite.

He was rejoicing on the inside thinking it was finally over between her and Ryan and she would be back in his arms now. He did feel bad about her daughter and that whole situation, but he figured Ryan would get tired of playing Mr. Mom and give the child back to her mother soon enough.

“
Cameron, I know I’ve been putting in some hellish hours,” Nikki lamented. “But I swear I have tried all I could to be there for Ryan and certainly for my daughter,” she told him her own conscience questioning the statement.

“
Have you tried to talking, I mean really sitting down with each other and talking this thing out,” Cameron asked yet again.

Nikki shook her head slightly telling him Ryan wasn’t known for his communication skills. He heard the anger in her voice and left the subject alone for a moment.

“
You’re welcome to stay here tonight,” he told her as she gave him a look. “No strings Nikki, don’t act like we’re not cool like that,” Cameron reminded her as she apologized for her reaction.