Sorry for not updating for a ridiculously long time! i have had some personal things that need my attention but hopefully am able to get back into the swing of writing and completing this story. Disclaimer still applies. Enjoy!

Chapter 14

Tank's POV

As soon as I saw Carlos in his fit of rage I knew I needed to remove him from the current situation. Although I had no idea what made Carlos release the beast I knew it had to be something big since this reaction was very rare.

I was able to drag his body kicking and struggling down the stairs to the gym and eventually had him restrained to a piece of equipment that could hold his amount of brute force.

I stood against the wall with my arms crossed and stared at him until I could see the rage and clouded judgment fade from his expression.

The moment Carlos looked me in the eyes I said in the most sarcastic tone, "Welcome back, boss."

Carlos' POV

The sarcastic tone in Tanks voice did nothing to calm my raw nerve endings and my ability to collect myself. I looked him right in the eyes and raised an eyebrow at my current situation. How the hell did I end up handcuffed to a pull up bar?

"Would you mind explaining to me why the fuck I was called out of bed at such and ungodly hour to wrestle your ass down multiple flights of stairs and restrain you from possibly hurting the only thing good to happen to you in your life time?" Tank asked kneeling in front of me with a look of concern and sternness.

It didn't take long for me to process that I must have let loose my rage in the middle of my apartment, where my fiancée was sitting right next to me trying to explain the reasoning behind my daughter's unexplained visit. I couldn't process what Stephanie might think of me right now due to my poor actions, after all she still doesn't know all of my secrets and the beast that resides inside of me.

I must have taken too long to answer Tank because he put his hand on my shoulder and gave me a look that made me want to tell him every deep dark secret I possess, even though he was there for every single one in my life.

All I could do was hang my head in shame, and against my masculinity, shed tears for the mental and physical scars my Julie must go through, just because of my decision to let another so called "man" raise her.

"I wish I could say out loud what caused me to slip into my rage but I can't betray my daughter's trust or cause her any more unwanted feelings." I sat up and detached myself from the handcuffs, rubbing the circulation back into them. "For tonight I just want to go check on my fiancée and daughter, call all core team members to meet in conference room A and set a video conference with the Miami office for early this morning." I stood up and walked towards the door leading out of the gym, turning to face Tank. "I want my lawyer here asap, if you could, please."

Tank knew how much effort it took me to ask I'm using the word please. I only saved such a word for persuading my babe to the dark side every now and again or when I am emotionally drained and in need of my right hand man.

Tank walked right behind me on our trip back up the stair well. "I didn't know Julie was here to visit and from what I can tell her appearance isn't a joy. Neither did I know that Stephanie has become your fiancée; there is one thing to be happy about in this mystery I have been dragged into. I hope, as a best friend to best friend, that you are able to at least open up to me and explain what the fuck happened tonight and why. You can trust me man. I was there when your baby girl was brought into this world and I made a vow to protect her too, now who the fuck are we going after this time?"

I knew Tank would do anything in his power to get me to open up and I knew I had to tell him. Next to my babe he is the only one I could trust to keep his mouth shut and knew the situation between Rachel, Ron, Julie and I better than anybody. I sighed and didn't speak until we reached the fifth floor.

I signaled for Tank to enter my office before me and brought out a box of very expensive Cuban cigars that always managed to hit a spot when my nerves were shot for the day. After lighting /tanks and then my own I sat back and took a long pull, contemplating what to say to him. I had no better option than to tell the truth.

"Today, before leaving Miami, Julie came to visit and was acting a bit strange. Steph was able to pick up on her unease but didn't mention a thing until Julie left with a comment that made us question a few things. Julie had said that Ron and Rachel hadn't wanted her to visit Steph and I while we were in town."

Tank sat back in his seat with a puzzled expression. "The agreement of custody, as I understand it, is that when Julie requests to see you she has the right to since it would be her own decision. Rachel would never, ever, keep the line of communication severed between you two unless Julie asked for it to be. This has to be Ron's fucking jealousy act again."

There you have it. My best friend able to dig right to the point before I even put the shovel to the earth. "As Steph and I were in bed about to fall asleep I hear a knock at the door, expecting it to be one of the guys dropping off unfinished paperwork, only to discover my only child crying her eyes out and begging for my help." I shifted in my seat unsure of how to continue my recount of the story. "Stephanie came to the rescue, thank god and was able to get her to open up about what the hell was happening in her house hold, calm down, and sleep in our bed. I have no idea the full extent of what happened but what I saw was evidence enough. I walked into the bedroom and turned on the light only to see bruises making an obvious trail towards inappropriate places. I asked Steph if what I was seeing was true and after her conformation I lost it."

I put out my cigar at the end of my explanation and looked into the eyes of my eldest friend to see the same rage that was in me just mere moments ago. I watched as he stood up, put out his cigar, and retreat towards my door. "That I bet more than anything that asshole waited until the coast was clear to do anything to Julie. If Rachel had any idea what was going on she would have gone ballistic. If I were Julie's biological father I would be up there holding her and telling her everything would be alright as the merry men assembled behind the scenes to deliver one special delivery to one Ron Martine. I hope you do everything according to the law in this situation because not only is Julie in danger of a repeat offence when she returns home but he may go after his own children."

The realization of this hit me and I knew I needed to get off my ass and stop thinking of what happened, and instead, what needs to happen. "Don't worry about anything Tank. I plan on bringing Ron moments away from his death, after I gather every shred of evidence I can to convict him to the full extent of the law, and possibly might not be able to stop the beast from having his turn. After so discreetly being rid of that piece of shit child molester I plan to come home to my fiancée and daughter and never let them go. I have wasted too much of my life ignoring the most important relationships I have needed to get by in life. I hope to one day have a little girl with my babe so I can relive what I missed with Julie and prove to myself that my life has not been a total waste. I know I was created to do something in this world other than let an innocent sixteen year old be raped by the one person who was there for them when their real father wasn't."

I knew I was going off on a subconscious tangent about where my life has been heading but I could think of no one better to vent to than Tank, or when the time is right, my babe.

"Carlos, your life has not been a total waste. If it had I highly doubt you would have Steph to hold in your arms at night or a daughter who would run to you over anybody else to protect her. You are the hero in those two women's lives. You are their personal batman and without you neither would be who they are today. Do not regret the choices you made, regret the choices others made." Tank smiled and got out of his chair with me close behind him leaving my dark office. "Now I want you to go upstairs and hold those two in your arms and thank god for having them while I make a few "arrangements" with the guys and some people in high places."

Tank and I did our customary bro handshake/hug and headed in separate directions. I got onto the elevator and was able to send a little prayer to the heavens for someone to watch over the two treasures in my life and give me wisdom on how to manage this situation without causing pain to an already dysfunctional family.

I entered the apartment quietly and headed towards the bedroom to find the most heart melting picture. My babe had her arms tight around my daughter and holding her to her chest like a mother comforting her hurt offspring. I changed into my pajamas and slid into bed right behind my babe and pulled her into my chest. I was rest assured, if only for tonight, that my two prized possessions were safe from harm.

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