This isn't the longest chapter, it's just 5,831k words, but as I was writing what was supposed to be the 'next' chapter I started thinking about Ibrahim and Janine. We've never heard from Janine before and we haven't heard from Ibrahim since Rose's funeral and before I knew it I'd written this little chapter.
I will admit I'm a little surprised by certain events and I haven't yet decided where to take these two characters. It could go one of two ways so I'm looking forward to it.
Enjoy.
DON't Forget To Review!
No Mercy
Janine Hathaway
Chapter Four
My parent's names were Robert and Maggie Hathaway… My parents had five children; my oldest brothers were identical twins Atlas and Alistair and my only sister was named Gwyneth. The youngest of my parent's children was a redheaded chubby cheeked baby boy named Ramsey.
Atlas lived in London with his wife and son's… Atlas and his wife Norma are both instructors at the same British Elite Academy. Their son's Bryan 19, Jon 15, and Luke 10 are all students at the academy training to become Guardian's like their parents.
20 years ago my brother Alistair disappeared after the death of his wife, Iggy, and their 3 children Natalie, Quinn, and Reign. Iggy and the children had been visiting her parents when their car was run off the road and everybody inside was shot to death before the car was set ablaze.
If it weren't for Norma falling pregnant when she did I doubt Atlas would have stopped searching for our brother and the murderer who killed his family.
10-years-ago Gwyneth died in a freak car accident with her fiancé. Toby. It was never my sister's intent to become a Guardian so she returned home to Glasgow. Toby was an investment banker and Gwyneth was a restaurant owner and chef in the heart of Glasgow.
And finally there was Ramsey- my quiet, giggly, mischievous little brother- I often felt sorry for the way Ramsey grew up. Our mother had grown bitter, angry, and full of resentment and our father spent more time being our instructor then he did being our father.
Ramsey worked for an elite family and was a highly respected Guardian among his peers.
However… Not often spoken about was my father's bastard: Thomas Campbell. Thomas' mother died in childbirth and instead of sending the baby away to live with his mother's family my father brought Thomas home to live with us.
Thomas was always such a serious little boy and constantly sought knowledge and strength. Truthfully, Thomas was my favorite sibling. I loved him. At night when Thomas would cry and I'd sneak into the closet my father converted to a nursery because my mother refused to let any of her children share a room with our father's bastard.
The moment I lifted Thomas out of his cot he'd immediately stop crying. I wrapped my arms around his little body and hugged him tightly before tiptoeing back to my bedroom lying Thomas in the middle of the bed and snuggling up beside him.
"I'll always protect you, Little Brother." I'd whisper kissing his little forehead. I'd tell him bedtime stories that my mama had once told me when I was frightened or couldn't sleep.
It used to upset me how far the family had drifted apart. Most families drifted a part after they'd taken the mark of a Guardian but I didn't think my family would suffer the same fate- we'd always been incredibly close even after my father brought home Thomas- but as Guardian's our priorities change to suit the elite.
The elite come first.
After I graduated from the academy I was hired by one of the elite families. The Ivashkov Family. My charge was Tatiana Ivashkov. Tatiana was a spoilt little girl whose family sat at the top of the elite family tree. Tatiana was given everything and never had to lift a finger for any of it.
I left Scotland a week ahead of schedule and arrived in Turkey ahead of Tatiana. Hotel Ivashkov had already prepared my suite and I took the time to familiarize myself with my new home and my new colleagues. It was also during my first week in Turkey that I met Ibrahim Mazur.
Meeting Ibrahim changed the course of my life.
… Flashback …
A thin layer of sweat covered my body as I fell onto the bed next to the beautiful man beside me. It'd been a week since I met Ibrahim Mazur, and already I felt as if I was experiencing life for the first time. It wasn't just the sex either, though the SEX was incredible, and I was going to miss it.
Ibrahim rolled over kissing my stomach as his hands taught out mine pinning them above my head as his tongue slid along the center of my stomach, chest, breasts, and up along my neck until he reached my ear where he bit my earlobe. "Your body is taunting me."
I giggled tilting my neck as he continued his torture. "It's not my fault you have no self control."
"Self control went out the window the moment I saw you." Ibrahim confessed lifting his body above mine as he stared down at me his hair hanging in his ears. My fingers twitched wanting to brush it out of his eyes but his grip on my wrists wasn't budging, and I was having too much fun to break out of his hold and bruise his ego. "Run away with me."
"No."
Ibrahim growled kissing me roughly on the lips. "Your loyalty to the elite is annoying."
I wrapped my legs around his waist and flipped him onto his back. I leaned back rolling my hips against his earning a throaty moan as his hands tightened on my hips and he tried to sit up but I pinned him beneath me. "I'm a Guardian, Ibrahim. I have obligations to the elite. It's who I am."
Ibrahim's signature grin lit up his face as he stared at me. "Come work for me."
I laughed shaking my head as I leaned down; grabbing his face in two hands, and kissing him until oxygen became a necessary. "You know I can't do that."
"Why?!" Ibrahim whined like a little boy as his arms circled my waist. "I'll double your salary."
"It's not about the money." I whispered running my index finger along his jaw as I leaned in and kissed the scar on the corner of his lip. "Can't we just enjoy what time we have left before your fiancée struts back in here and I have to go back to being Guardian Hathaway?"
Ibrahim stared into my eyes and I felt oddly vulnerable. "Do you love me?"
"Don't ask me that." I begged him trying to pull away. "Ibrahim-" Ibrahim grabbed my waist and flipped me onto my back refusing to let me get away without answering his question. "Please."
The truth was I did love Ibrahim Mazur. I'd loved him since the first night. I didn't know that Ibrahim Mazur was Tatiana's rich, exotic prince, mob-boss 'Abe' and after I found out I tried to end it. I really did- but it was too late- I was hooked like an addict and I didn't want to give up on my drug.
He'd cornered me alone one day and refused to let me leave. It was a good thing he'd hired a hotel room for the discussion because by the time we'd finished the room was destroyed- vases were smashed, furniture was turned over, and our clothes were ripped beyond repair.
We'd screamed until our voices cracked, I'd punched, kicked, and slapped the shit out of him, and he'd broken me to the point where I was helpless to fend off his tender kisses across my busted lip. We tore each other's clothes off and made love in the middle of our chaos.
I'd never felt so disgusted and ashamed in my entire life – nor had I ever felt more alive.
"I love you, Janine." I stared at him in disbelief. "I love you both- I do- but if you give me the choice it'll be you. I love you. I want you. Please, say you love me too."
I couldn't fight the tears that escaped the corner of my eyes. "I love you, Ibrahim."
Ibrahim buried his hand in my hair and kissed me. I moaned wrapping my legs around his waist as his cock found it's way to the slit between my legs, inch by inch, Ibrahim's cock filled me before he pulled out and slammed back in each thrust was slow, deep, and felt as if it' had a purpose to it.
"I want to hear you say it. Again." Ibrahim grunted in my ear as he thrusted forward. "Say it."
My back arched off the mattress as my nails dug into his back. "I love you, Ibrahim. I l-love you."
"I love you too, Janine."
… End of Memory …
That was the night I fell pregnant with our daughter.
It's been 5 months since Ibrahim and I buried Rose and everyday that past I felt my heart break a little more. Ibrahim distracted himself with his mission to find Rose's murderer and spent everyday in the cell's torturing men he believed would lead him to the man responsible.
Ibrahim had began to call him 'A' because that was the only name that any of the 15 men he'd tortured would give up. But a little less then a week ago Ibrahim finally got his hands on somebody who knew more than just a letter. It didn't lead directly to 'A' but it was his 3rd in command.
Martin Franco aka Frankie… A's 3rd in command… Pavel and Mikhail had only brought him in this morning for questioning.
I'd visited the cells this afternoon and was surprised by how fast the integration had escalated. Ibrahim had removed his jacket and rolled up his sleeves swinging a bat in one hand as he circled Frankie like a shark circling hid prey.
I hadn't felt 100% lately and remained in Ibrahim's bedroom. It was dark and quiet. The staff didn't bother me except to bring me food- I'd told them it wasn't necessary but Ibrahim had given them orders and he was their boss.
I climbed into the middle of the bed and picked up a piece of dry toast. I rested my head back against the pillows and closed my eyes as I tried to will away the nausea- I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt this sick or exhausted.
I lifted myself up onto my elbows and looked at the picture next to Ibrahim's bed. It was a picture of Rose. It wasn't surprising since there were pictures of her throughout the house. However- this picture was special because it was taken the day Rose was born.
Rose had been so tiny that you'd swear she was born pre-mature instead. I'd been so afraid that Ibrahim would break her if he held her but the moment the nurses placed our tiny newborn baby in his overly large and rough hands I watched as Ibrahim held Rose like she was the most precious thing in the world to him.
It'd taken seconds for Ibrahim to fall in love with his daughter and it was- the single most beautiful moment that I'd ever witnessed.
Ibrahim Mazur was a good man, a loving man, and he loved with his whole heart. He loved his mother, he loved Tatiana, and he'd loved me but up until that point I don't think Ibrahim had truly fallen-in-love with anything or anybody.
His first love had always been his daughter.
I rested my head back against the pillows as my hand wondered to my stomach. I'll never forget the day I'd found out I was pregnant- and neither would Ibrahim- after all it was also the same day I'd taken my first bullet for an elite.
… Flashback …
It was a beautiful day and Ibrahim had asked Tatiana to lunch. This was it. Ibrahim was finally going to end their engagement. I felt horribly disgusted with myself yet- I was excited- I didn't want to hide our relationship anymore but I also knew what would happen once we went public.
My career was just beginning and this would follow me for the rest of my life! I'd be forever known as Guardian Janine Hathaway: the home wrecker.
I also felt incredibly selfish… I knew Ibrahim loved me, and I loved him, but he'd always come 2nd to my career and while he was fine with it now I had to question if he'd be okay with it later.
Tatiana might have been a spoilt brat who hadn't worked a day in her life but she was a good person… Deep down… I'd seen it. Tatiana loved Ibrahim- she truly did- Ibrahim was her prince but I'd given Ibrahim the choice and he'd chosen me.
Me! I still couldn't fully believe it because in all honesty Tatiana was the better choice. Ibrahim would never come 2nd and she'd worship the ground he walked and she'd never let the opinions of others affect her decisions because she was Tatiana Ivashkov.
I stepped out of the limo buttoning up my coat as I walked around to open Tatiana's door. Tatiana reached for her purse and stepped out the limo radiating beauty- I looked towards the window of the restaurant and spotted Ibrahim staring at Tatiana.
Ibrahim's eyes met mine as I shut the backdoor to the limo. I could see the conflict in his gorgeous brown eyes, and I felt my heart break a little more. It's not too late to choose her. I told him knowing he'd be able to tell what I was thinking.
Before I could see his reaction I heard a commotion coming from behind me. I turned around just as a man ran through the crowd with a gun held up in front of him pointed at Tatiana- No!- all my training had prepared me for this moment and without thinking I grabbed Tatiana and pulled her behind me as the gun fired.
Bang. Bang. I stared at the gunman in surprise as two of Ibrahim's men tackled him to the ground. I was still standing- I looked down at my jacket and found myself unbuttoning it to see find blood slowly beginning to soak the front of my blouse.
"JANINE!" Ibrahim's voice sounded so far away but as my knees gave out I felt him catch me. I stared up at him as he laid me on the sidewalk ripping open my shirt trying to stop the bleeding- I couldn't look away from his face. Ibrahim was crying. "You don't get to die! Don't die! Janine- don't leave me. Please. Baby- don't leave me."
My vision blurred with my tears as I stared up at him. "Ibrahim?"
"Yes?"
I could feel myself beginning to fade as I heard an ambulance in the distance. "Kiss me."
Ibrahim's hands remained at my chest as he lowered his lips to mine. "I forbid you to die."
… Hospital ICU …
Beep. Beep. Beep.
I blinked a few times trying to look away from the bright light being shined in my eyes. I slapped the offensive light away and turned my head staring at the heart monitor.
What the hell happened- Oh.
"Ms. Hathaway?" I focused on the doctor in front of me. "Do you know where you are?"
"The hospital." Duh.
"Do you remember what happened?" I nodded trying to swallow but my throat was dry, as if sensing my discomfort the doctor handed me a cup of water with a straw. "Slow sips."
"I was shot." I answered once I swallowed the water. "M-my boss? Tatiana? Is she alright?"
"Ms. Ivashkov is fine." The doctor assured me. "She's in shock but she'll be fine."
I breathed a sigh of relief and flinched at the pain in my chest. I looked down and lifted the hospital gown to find my chest covered with a bandage down the center of my chest. "How bad is it?"
"The bullets missed your heart by less an inch." The surgeon answered. "You're very lucky…"
"But…?" There sounded as if there was a but coming.
"However…" The smug doctor grinned at my eye roll. "The stress on your body has taken a toll on your pregnancy."
I'm sorry- what? "What pregnancy?"
The doctor regarded me carefully. "You're 9 weeks pregnant."
I stared at the doctor for the longest second before I started laughing. I was laughing so hard it was beginning to hurt- "You're insane! I'm not pregnant! I'm not pregnant."
"Ms. Hathaway…" The doctor moved to stand beside me. "…Calm down. Deep breathe, 1. 2. 3." It took me a moment to realize that my laughter had turned into a full-blown panic attack. "I take it this wasn't planned?"
"What gave it away?" I snapped sarcastically.
"Would you like to see your baby?" The doctor questioned pulling over a machine.
I sighed closing my eyes as I lifted my hospital gown until I could see my stomach. As I stared at my toned, creamy white skin, and my well-defined abs I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed it. There it was- the tiniest little bump- it just looked like bloating from my period.
"There's your baby." The doctor whispered bringing my attention to the ultrasound.
I stared at the screen not believing what I saw- it was a baby- it's face was scrunched up and it's tiny fists were balled up in front of it's face. A fighter. The hospital room door opened and Ibrahim stepped in smiling when he saw me- "You're awake-" Ibrahim froze in the doorway when his eyes landed on the ultrasound machine. "-Janine?"
"I'm pregnant." I blurted out staring at him as I felt tears begin to build. "I'm pregnant."
Ibrahim walked up to the bed his eyes glued on the screen. "It better be a girl."
"Actually- it's too soon to tell the sex."
"It's a girl." Ibrahim insisted ignoring the doctor. "She's going to be beautiful."
I shook my head looking back at the screen. "The world couldn't handle a Mini Mazur."
"Hey-" Ibrahim turned my face back to him. "-I'm glad you didn't die."
I smiled lifting my hand to his cheek as I brought his lips to mine. "I love you."
"I love you."
… End Flashback …
I yawned and stretched as I sat up in bed- I glanced around the darkened room confused- I'd fallen asleep. Again. I'd been woken up by the sound of running water- I need to pee- I climbed out of bed and walked towards the bathroom.
Ibrahim was in the shower with his head tilted back underneath the water. I took a moment to appreciate the way the water rippled over his body. I used the toilet before I stripping out of my clothes dropping them in the basket with Ibrahim's bloody suit.
I opened the glass door and stepped inside the large shower. The shower was filled with steam as the boiling hot water belted down on his skin- his caramel skin tone had a nasty redness to it- I reached around him ignoring the stinging in my arm as I turned on the cold water.
Ibrahim's head dropped as he placed his hands against the wall. "Why don't you hate me?"
I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my face against his back. "Because you're the only person in this world that understands."
"It's my fault."
"Maybe." It wouldn't help denying it. "But you couldn't have predicted this."
Ibrahim was silent for several minutes before he spoke. "It was two people."
"Pardon?"
"Frankie knows who killed Rose."
"Who?"
"I don't know- yet- I'll get it out of him." Ibrahim grabbed my wrists turning in my arms. Water ran down his shoulders and over his chest and stomach- I licked my lips as I watched the water run lower- Ibrahim lifted my chin and kissed me as he lifted me into his arms pressing my back into the shower. "I'm getting closer, Janine. I can feel it."
I wrapped my arms around his neck as I rested my forehead to his. "I believe in you."
No Mercy
Ibrahim Mazur
I leaned against the doorframe with a glass of scotch and just stared like a creeper at Janine's naked body beneath my bed sheets. God. She was beautiful. The years had aged her like fine wine and yet in the last 5 months since burying our daughter it felt like we'd both aged several decades.
The hole left in my heart since losing my little girl felt like an opened wound full of pus and infection. If it weren't for Janine and the promise I'd made to kill those responsible for killing our daughter I just might have ripped out my own heart.
I knelt beside the bed and reached out to place my hand over Janine's stomach. It felt as if the bump was getting bigger and bigger everyday- having just hit the 12th week mark it wasn't a surprise- the day I found out Janine was pregnant I'd walked into the bedroom to find Janine a fit of hysterical laughter as tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes as she held Rose's baby photo album in her lap.
"Janine?"
Janine lifted her eyes to meet mine and I felt my heart break by the look of total and complete disappear and anguish in them. "I'm pregnant." I stared at her unsure of what to say and my reaction or lack there of sent her into a new level of hysterical laughter. "I'm 38-years-old!"
I removed my shoes at the door and climbed into bed with her. "We'll make it work."
Janine laughed turning to look at me. "Are you serious?"
"What other choice do we have?"
Janine stared at me shaking her head as more tears fell. "I can't bury another child."
"You won't." I promised lifting her chin. "I promise."
"Like you promised to protect our daughter?"
Janine's words were like a slap in the face. "I failed our daughter."
I didn't need to be reminded.
"I'm sorry." Janine sniffled resting her head on my shoulder. "I'm hormonal."
I cracked a smile as I kissed her forehead. "Wonderful… Remind me to tell Sonya to replace the crystal vases with glass so when you throw them at my head you're not destroying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of antique family heirlooms."
Janine lifted her head glaring at me. "How many times do I have to apologies for that?! And in my defense you were being a major jerk."
"A jerk? Huh." I raised an eyebrow at the confident nod I received in return. "I might be a jerk but I'm a jerk with access to a chef- would you like a plate of bacon?"
"Yes." Janine huffed picking up the baby album and resting back into my side. "Ibrahim?"
"Yes?"
"I'm scared." Janine admitted quietly. "Actually- I'm fucking terrified. I don't know if I can do this, Ibrahim. You raised Rose all on your own- I left the first chance I got- I missed out on everything! The only time I bothered to show up was during her training! And half the time she didn't know I was even there. This baby is my second chance to be the mother I should have been to Rose."
I felt as if Allah was playing a sick joke to see how much I could take before I cracked. I'd be 44-years-old by the time this baby arrived and by the time he or she was 18 I'd be 62. That thought alone was enough to make my blood run cold.
I didn't like to be reminded that I was an old man.
Allah, please, help me to protect my child and give me the strength to do what I need to do. By the time he or she arrives may the scum responsible for killing my Little Girl be rotting in the ground- for until he is- I fear none of us will be safe.
"Ibrahim?" I looked up at the sound of Janine's voice. "You alright?"
I stood up and leaned down pressing my lips to hers. "I'm fine."
"Ibrahim?" Janine called out as I got to the bedroom door. "You're close? Right?"
I looked back at her my hand on the door handle. "I'm close."
"Good." Janine sighed laying her head on my pillow. "We need this to be over."
"It'll be over soon." I promised walking out the bedroom door.
"Sir…" Pavel walked towards me holding a tablet. "…Dimitri's in Paris."
"Is he alone?" My blood boiled as I thought of how my son had been passing the time.
"Yes- Sir." Pavel handed me to tablet. "And he's been busy."
The church doors opened and Dimitri stepped out with a cigarette in his mouth. The door swung shut behind him but before it could close Dimitri caught it with his foot and dropped his cigarette inside the door- flames lit up the inside of the church and within a few minutes the entire building was on fire and Dimitri walked away lighting another cigarette.
"Who'd he kill this time?"
"Father Travis."
"He killed a priest?"
"Yep." Pavel swiped across on the tablet. "I managed to find a connection between the victims. They're hired Guardian Assassins."
"Even the priest?"
"Yeah- Father Travis is also known Guardian Daniel Travis- however- a lot of his peers refer to him as Guardian Gabriel."
"The messenger." I whispered familiar with this particular assassin. "Like the Archangel Gabriel."
"Yeah."
"Why would Dimitri be hunting Guardian Assassins?" The answer came to me before I could even finish asking the question. "Rose."
"That'd be my guess."
"Look into it." I ordered stopping outside the cell doors with my hand on the handle. "And Pavel? Send in a clean up crew and destroy that footage."
"It's already been done." Pavel answered.
… 6 Hours Later …
"Frankie… Frankie… Frankie." I shook my head as I lifted his head staring into his one good eye. "Are you still in there, Frankie?"
"Fuck. You."
"Ladies and Gentleman-!" I shouted dropping his head as I spun around grabbing the bat before I swung around and hit him in the ribs. "-He's still alive!"
"ARHHH!" Frankie thrashed back and forth in the chains. "I'm not telling you shit."
"So you keep saying-" I chuckled swinging my bat around in my hand. "-Frankie- I think you and I got off on the wrong foot. I'm a reasonable guy- truly- ask any of my employees- Mikhail- tell Frankie how reasonable I am?"
Mikhail didn't stop sharpening his knife as he looked at Frankie. "The boss is a reasonable man."
"Thank you!" I pointed the bat at him still keeping my eyes on Frankie. "See! I'm a reasonable man, Frankie. This is your last chance to take advantage of just how reasonable I am."
"Go to hell."
I'm already there. "Mikhail!"
Frankie stared at me nostrils flaring. "I ain't telling you shit!"
"DADDY!" Frankie looked at his son and just like Frankie cracked.
"Did you really think you could hide the kid?" Mikhail grinned standing behind the 7' year old boy in his soccer uniform. "Seriously?"
"If you hurt him- ARHH!" I took the bat and swung it at his ribs. A sickening crack filled the cells along with Frankie's cries of agony.
"Dad! Leave him alone! Stop it!"
I grabbed Frankie by his throat forcing him to look at me. "Don't. Fucking. Test. Me. I will put a motherfucking bullet in the back of your kid's skull and make you watch- and if you still don't answer my motherfucking questions- I'll send Mikhail back there to get the next kid and the next and the next. You've got 4 kids with your wife plus the 2 with your girlfriend in Jersey?"
"You wouldn't hurt a kid-" I pulled the gun from the back of my belt and I shot the kid in the knee. The only reason he didn't fall to the floor was because Mikhail held onto the collar of his shirt as he screamed like a banshee. "FUCK! SAM! I'll fucking kill you-"
I punched him in the mouth still pointing the gun at his son. "The next bullet goes into his skull."
"Daddy!" Sam screamed tears rolling down his cheeks.
I refused to let myself feel guilty as I focused on Frankie. "Answers. Now."
Frankie stared at his son as his shoulders shook. "If I tell you- my family goes free- deal?"
"Deal… Let's start with the name of the man who killed my daughter."
"The man who pulled the trigger was Ivan Zeklos. I believe you know him? He carried your daughter's coffin through the church- ARH!" I punched him several times grabbing a fistful of his hair. "He didn't do it alone- Guardian Randall- was our inside man."
Randall was murdered 2 days after the funeral. Rose's best friend Vasilisa Dragomir had witnessed the murder from inside the hospital bathroom suite. The guy who'd pulled the trigger that day wasn't afraid of me but of what Dimitri would do if he ever found out.
"Who is A?"
Frankie chuckled lifting his head as he met my gaze. "A is your worst nightmare-"
"Frankie- I'm running out patience." I warned him my gun still pointed at his son. "I'm only going to ask once more before I put a bullet in little Sam's skull- Who the fuck is A?"
"ALISTAIR!" Frankie sneered. "His name is Alistair Hathaway."
Alistair Hathaway. "Alistair died 20 years ago."
"Alistair didn't die, you idiot, he disappeared." Frankie smiled as blood dripped from his mouth. "Alistair isn't going to stop until you and everyone you have ever loved is dead… Including his sister."
"Why?"
"Doyle O'Malley…"
… Flashback …
The car had flipped and rolled several times into the ditch before landing upright. Smoke was coming from the hood, and I could see the O'Malley family inside as I approached the wreckage. Doyle was seated in the drivers seat choking on his own blood as he stared at me with rage in his eyes.
"Hello Doyle." I leaned in the driver's side window. "I hope you enjoyed your weekend. It sure looked like the kids did." I waved at the semi-conscious woman in the back seat with her children. I could think of a million things I'd rather be doing right now- most of which entailed being naked and in bed with my hormonal girlfriend- but Doyle crossed a line by going after my fiancé Tatiana- only- the son of a bitch missed and shot my pregnant girlfriend instead!
How rude is that? Honestly.
"If you touch them-"
"Shhh, Doyle, you're in no position to threaten me. I'll make it quick." I promised pointing my gun at his sobbing wife as she reached for his hand. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. A bullet for every member of his family as Doyle was forced to sit there and watch screaming at their lifeless bodies in the rearview mirror. "You did this, Doyle. Remember that."
"Boss- it's going to blow."
"I'll see you in hell, my friend."
I walked back to the road turning back to look at him and our eyes locked seconds before the entire car was engulfed in flames- the sound of Doyle's screams echoed throughout the forest- before the car exploded and smoke and car parts flew into the air.
… End of Flashback …
This. Was. My. Fault.
Janine's family was a touché subject- as far as everybody knew Janine Hathaway was an only child- Rose didn't even know that her mother came from a large Scottish family. The Hathaway's had a falling out years before my time and the only sibling Janine kept in semi-regular contact with was her father's bastard: Thomas Campbell.
Thomas was a good guy and an extraordinary Guardian- I'd sent Rose to train with her Uncle when she was 10- it was just after A aka Alistair killed my mother and hunted down my 9-year-old daughter as if she was a prize buck.
Janine had been upset at first that I'd involve her family- however the fact that it was Thomas- was forgivable because as traditional as Janine was when it came to Guardian traditions her love for her little brother outweighed it.
And nobody could deny that Thomas' training technique was superior to most and would give our daughter an edge above the rest in her class and would no doubt save her life- if only it'd helped her on that day.
"ABE!" Sonya screamed from the top of the stairs. "It's Janine!"
No Mercy
Janine Hathaway
"How are you sleeping?" Sonya questioned sitting a cup of herbal tea next to me. I'd come downstairs and found myself sitting in the garden- Sonya had been gardening but had taken a break to sit with me for a cup of tea. "You look better."
"It's a little more every night." I admitted pulling my knees up to my chest. "It's easier when Ibrahim comes to bed."
"You two seem like you're in a good place." Sonya commented.
"We're holding onto each other." I looked across the table and met her gaze. "Is there something you want to say to me?"
"Yes."
"Spit it out."
"You ran." Sonya stated. "As soon as Rosie was old enough you bolted. It broke his heart, Janine. The Boss was in-love with you- he planned to marry you- but you ran away as fast as you could. If it weren't for you and this pregnancy the Boss would eat a bullet the moment he thought he'd avenged his daughter… I'm worried history will repeat itself and if it does I'd like to know now so I can prepare him because I don't think he'll be able to raise another child after Rose. Not alone."
I stared at Sonya a little surprised by her sudden boldness. "I don't think I've ever heard you say so much in one sitting."
"Don't be a smart ass."
"Touché." I chuckled shaking my head as I looked over the garden. I sighed running a hand through my hair as I flipped it over my shoulder. "I'm not running, Sonya. Not again. This baby is my 2nd chance and I'm going to do it right."
It was Sonya's turn to be surprised. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that."
I leaned back in the chair as I reached for my tea. "I'm afraid I'm going to forget her."
"You won't." Sonya insisted. "Rose isn't easily forgotten or replaced."
"This baby isn't her replacement." I insisted meeting Sonya's eyes. "My daughter is irreplaceable."
"I didn't mean it like that-"
Sonya was cut off by the sound of my phone ringing between us. I reached for it and viewed the name flashing across the screen. Thomas. I hadn't spoken to my little brother since Rose's funeral. Viktor Dashkov and his daughter Natalie had attended the funeral and Thomas had been among the Dashkov Guardians.
Thomas had pulled me aside before the attack and held me close. It had only lasted a minute or two but it was enough to give me the strength to pull myself together. "You'll get through this."
I swiped right on the screen placing the phone at my ear. "Tommy? How are you little brother?"
"Mom?"
... To Be Continued ...
Well, Ibrahim and Janine have certainly been busy.
I know some of you won't be thrilled about the unexpected pregnancy, I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it's a twist I didn't see coming nor do I yet know how it'll play out.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
What is your 1# question?
Let me know in the reviews or private message me.
Maybe I'll answer it directly through PM or the FB Page.
Cheers!
P.s. there is going to be a special reunion in the next chapter as well as a little time jump back, and a time jump forward. Can't wait to see your reactions. Xoxo.
