Jason had noticed a certain car kept following him. When he left his apartment, when he got out of work, and now it was sitting down the street, no one ever getting off. He couldn't see who was inside, it was too far. He assumed it was an undercover cop, maybe the kid he had deliver Mia's note talked.
If he was being followed now, that meant he couldn't get near Mia without setting off alarms.
"Stupid bitch", he growled.
He grabbed his jacket and quickly put it on before stepping out. Jason angrily made his way towards the car.
"Why the fuck have you been following me? Huh?", he shouted.
He banged on the hood of the car.
"Do you know who I am?", he shouted.
Dwayne watched this kid explode. He could only imagine what he did to Mia when he was this angry around her.
"I'm giving you three seconds to leave or I'm calling my dad", Jason shouted.
Neighbors looked through their windows and stepped out onto their porch to see what was going on.
"This guy has been following me, harassing me.", Jason looked around at everyone.
Dwayne felt this was his moment to get off and calmly speak to Jason. He stepped out and Jason backed up a bit.
"I am detective Johnson.", Dwayne said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Holding up his badge.
"Mr. Jordan here, is under investigation for beating up a young woman, half his size I might add. Also leaving threatening notes on her car.", Dwayne said.
Jason could hear the neighbors whispering and sending him disgusted looks.
"You have no right to be here", Jason shouted.
"Actually, I have every right. See, Miss Rodriguez placed a restraining order against you. I'm here to hand it to you.", Dwayne said.
Jason balled up his fists. Dwayne handed him the paper with a smile.
"Have a nice rest of your night, Jason", Dwayne said, before getting back in his car and driving off.
The neighbors kept whispering.
"What the fuck are you looking at", he shouted on his way back to his place.
Jason crumpled up the paper.
"She is not going to get away with his", he mumbled to himself.
"Okay, so we will be back in two weeks. Mom has them from today to Wednesday, then Trish will take them till Sunday. Then you get them the whole week", Izzy reminded her for the fifth time this morning.
"I know, Iz.", Mia said.
"I know, I'm sorry.", Isabelle sighed.
"And before you say anything else, yes I have the number to the hotel and your room number if I need you for anything. Emergency numbers are on the fridge like you've always had them. Call Roman first because he's closer", Mia said.
Isabelle smiled.
"The kids will be fine. You and Dean have fun", Catrina said.
Isabelle nodded and they walked out of the house. Dean was waiting by the taxi.
"Are you ready now babe? We can't hold it off another minute", Dean said.
"Yes, I'm sorry", she said, kissing him.
"Have fun you two", Trish said.
"We will", Dean said.
Three days later, Alberto and Dwayne had gotten a call from their boss, telling them that they could no longer follow Jason. His father and his lawyer had called in a harassment complaint.
"Don't worry, we've still got eyes on your niece and her boyfriend. Jason isn't getting passed that, and he can't do anything about it either. Besides, if he gets anywhere near Mia, we can tackle his ass and arrest him. His daddy can't stop that", Dwayne said, taking a drink of his beer.
Alberto nodded.
"So lets try to relax. Anyway, how's your fine ass sister?", Dwayne said.
Alberto glared at him and Dwayne laughed.
"What? She's still single right?", Dwayne asked.
"Yes, but you didn't have to say that sentence", Alberto said, finishing his beer and ordering another one.
"Seriously though, put in a good word for me", Dwayne said.
Alberto chuckled.
"Why don't you ask her out, she's coming in right now", Alberto said, with a nod towards the bar doors.
Dwayne looked over and smiled at Catrina. Trish was with her. Alberto did have a thing for Trish, but he had a secret and he didn't know how to tell her or his family.
Trish kissed his cheek.
"Hey, you didn't wait for us?", she asked.
"Sorry, you two still take forever to get ready", Alberto said.
Catrina hit the back of his head and their friends laughed.
"Still the same old big brother", Catrina said.
Alberto smiled. He was grateful to have his little sister back.
"You know, Dwayne here is single. He was asking about you, Cat", Alberto said.
The smile on Dwayne's face disappeared and was replaced by a blush. Catrina looked at Dwayne and smiled.
"Oh really?", Catrina asked.
Dwayne shrugged.
"Aren't you the same one who called me an annoying runt whenever I wanted to hang out with you guys?", Catrina asked, arms crossed over her chest.
Dwayne smiled.
"I was a kid turning into a teenager. Can't blame me, besides, I do regret every word. You look good, Trina", he said.
Catrina grabbed a beer when it was set down.
"So then how about we go sit in that far booth and catch up. Leave these two to reconnect", Catrina said, making her way to the booth.
Dwayne stood and followed her. Trish looked at Alberto.
"So, we didn't get to talk much when you came to see me that morning you got into town", Trish said.
Alberto nodded. She had let him in to talk, but they ended up in bed. Only leaving because Dean had texted her that he would be dropping by if she was home.
"Yeah, but you can't complain. That was the best morning I've ever had.", he said.
She blushed.
"You know I like you, Trish. We had something good before Steve came into the picture and he knocked you up.", Alberto said.
"Yeah", she said softly.
"If I have learned anything from my mom and Jon Ambrose, its that its not too late. I want to give this a real go, if you want", Alberto said.
Trish smiled and placed her hand on top of his.
"But before you say yes, there's something I have to tell you.", he said.
"What?", she asked.
"About a year ago, I was seeing this woman. Off and on. A month after we broke up, she calls me up to tell me she's pregnant. I have a little boy, his name is Ricardo. I haven't told anyone because, honestly I don't even know how", he said.
"Have you seen him?", Trish asked.
He nodded.
"Yeah", he replied.
"Do you want to be with her?", Trish asked.
"No. I want to be with you, but I wanted to let you know what was going on in my life before I brought you into it", he said.
She leaned over and kissed him.
"Then you should know I have a son too. His name is Dean and, you having a son with someone else, doesn't bother me one bit. I'm excited for you", she said.
Alberto nodded.
"Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?", he asked.
She nodded.
"I would love too", she replied.
"Do you remember the time you and Alberto tried to pick up those older women at the movies. You both failed so hard", Catrina laughed.
Dwayne shook his head.
"I bet if they saw me now, they would regret saying no", Dwayne said.
"I wouldn't say no", Catrina said.
Dwayne smiled.
"I hated that Ricardo and Rey caught your eye back then. I hate that I didn't make my move when I could", Dwayne said.
"If I had my choices, it would have been between you and Ricardo. I regret falling for Rey's tricks. Ricardo was a good friend and father to my Isabelle", Catrina said.
"But you should be glad you did, or else you wouldn't have had Izzy. Maybe not even Mia if you would have picked me", Dwayne said.
Catrina nodded.
"Good point", she said.
She took a drink.
"Anyway, do you have any kids?", she asked.
He nodded.
"Two little girls, well, not so little. My oldest is sixteen and my youngest is ten. Both from different women. I hate to admit that I cheated on my wife and she did the same", he said.
"Would you cheat on me?", she asked, leaning more into him.
He met her eyes, closing the space between them, he kissed her.
"Never", he whispered against her lips.
"She cheated on you first, didn't she", Catrina said.
Dwayne nodded.
"Her reasons were that I was working too much. The cases I deal in take a lot of time and effort. She said I was lucky that she even lets me see the kids.", he said.
"I'm sorry", Catrina said, setting her hand on his arm.
"I see them every month. She gives me a full week.", he said.
"Have you tried to fight her on it? Get more time", Catrina asked.
"If I even try she's going to play my work against me.", Dwayne said.
"Ever thought about retiring?", she asked.
He met her eyes.
"With you? Yeah", he said.
"Smooth, Dwayne, still so smooth", she smiled.
"Have dinner with me, Trina. Alberto let me know you've got your grandkids and daughter at home, if you want we can do a bbq or something", he said.
He was willing to try anything to get her to say yes.
"Why not. A bbq sounds good", she said.
Dwayne nodded.
Mia was tucking in Malia for bed. Her mom and Trish had asked her and Chad to babysit. Staying at Dean and Isabelle's house since there was more room.
"Goodnight Mal", Mia whispered.
"Night aunt Mia", Malia replied.
Chad was downstairs checking all the doors and windows. He could see the cop car out front watching the house. Sending them a wave, they returned it.
Mia walked into Austin's room to make sure he was still asleep. She closed the door halfway once satisfied that he was fast asleep. Knocking on Abel's door before opening it. He was doing his homework.
"Hey, its bed time. Almost done?", she asked.
He nodded.
"Just need this page", he replied.
"Okay, don't stay up too late", she said.
He nodded. She closed his door when she heard the floorboard behind her crack. She jumped and turned, the hall was empty.
"Malia?", she called quietly.
When she got no answer, she shrugged it off and went downstairs. Chad was bringing over a bowl of popcorn.
"Everyone down?", he asked.
"Almost, Abel is finishing up his homework", she said.
He nodded. She felt a shiver run down her spine and turned to look at the top of the stairs. Why did she have the feeling she was being watched?