Bane (35 page)

Moments like that, I would treasure for the rest of my life. A smile emerged on my face as I thought about our first date. It wasn’t something we’d be explaining anytime soon to the kids.

Hope made a sound that I knew was about to turn into a blood-curdling scream. They were nearly forty-five minutes past their breakfast time. I tip-toed farther into the room.

“Okay, my sweet babies, let’s go get Mommy. I know you guys are hungry.”

Bane stood and turned my way. A sexy grin directed at me created that butterfly-like feeling in the pit of my stomach. Hope and Aaryan made excited baby noises now that breakfast had arrive. They were starving. “There’s Mommy.” He kissed both of their heads and then spoke to me. “We wanted to let you sleep.”

I gave the kids each a kiss on the cheek and then lingered my lips on Bane’s. “You’re amazing. Thank you. I love you.”

“I love you too, angel.”

Sitting quickly, Bane handed the children to me who latched on. He knelt in front of me and watched his children. The quiet suckling noise filled the air. “Are you happy?”

Without hesitation, I responded, “More than I ever dreamed I could be. Are you?” I looked into Bane’s eyes and saw true happiness emanating from them.

“Yes. This, right here, is my dream come true.”

As we treasured another morning together, I thought about all the two of us had been through.

Meeting at Discrete Encounters.

Running from the Black Division.

Falling in love.

Becoming pregnant.

Committing ourselves to each other.

Finding our happily ever after.

Bane had emerged, from the depths of the fiery darkness that had nearly consumed him, and embraced the light… with me. I had found the strength to claim my life … with him.

We were the real deal—for better or worse, our love would last forever.

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Meet Damien and Allison Wales from BANE

I’m rushing around my apartment, trying to do some last-minute packing before my trip, when my phone rings. It’s my best friend, Sam. We’ve been best friends since we were in diapers, and our parents had been friends since they were in school. Neither of us has any siblings, so Sam and I have basically been sisters all these years.

We live in Waleska, Georgia. It has that wonderful Mayberry aura about it. I think the population sign says around six-hundred people reside here. Sam and I will both be seniors this fall at Reinhardt University. My true love is photography, but I’ve always been scared that I wouldn’t succeed at it.

Holding the phone between my ear and shoulder, I answer, “Hey, Sam. Are you on your way?”

“Yes. Are you sure you want to do this? Alone? For a week? I’m just not sure if that’s the best idea.”

Since my parents died, Sam’s been my rock. She’s afraid I’m using this trip to withdraw from life again.

I zip up my bag. With as much sincerity in my voice as possible, I respond, “I need to do this. I have to do this. It’s long overdue. It’s been planned since spring break. I know you don’t want me to go off the radar for an entire week, but it will be fine.”

“I know. It’s just that I worry about you. If I didn’t have my presentation this week for the sorority, I’d insist on going with you. Just promise me that you will call if it gets to be too much for you to handle. I’m here for you. I know you’re strong, but this is going to be a tough week.”

Smiling to myself, I can picture her animatedly talking with one of her hands while she’s driving. “I know, and I appreciate it. You just have to trust me on this. Everything will be okay.”

“Okay, Allison. I don’t like it, but I support you.”

“You’re the best. I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out. I’ll be there in five, girl.”

And that’s why she will be my best friend for life.
“Okay, honk when you pull up, and I’ll be right down.”

I dash over to the kitchen island to make sure all my camera gear is safe and secure in my bag. I breathe out a calming sigh as I prepare myself for this journey. Over this last year since my parents’ accident, my small two-bedroom apartment has been my sanctuary. Just like at my parents’ place, it has that cozy-home feeling that makes me want to curl underneath a blanket while drinking hot chocolate.

Before I can think too much about the past, I go through my mental checklist again to ensure I have everything for my weeklong hiatus from the real world. Nothing but room service, sandy beaches, pools, and sleep are in my near future.

A honk sounds from outside, and I dart down the stairs. A beautiful May day welcomes me as I walk out of my building to Sam’s black Toyota Camry.

Sam is one of those people who just instantly attracts friends. Her personality makes anyone she meets want to adopt her and take her everywhere they go. She is a sports fan through and through, which is the exact opposite of me. She’s that person who screams at the TV, encouraging the players or telling them how to play. She’s naturally gorgeous with green eyes, a curvy figure, and long nearly black hair that has a natural sheen to it. Sam is currently single, and it is not for the lack of trying from the opposite sex. She just doesn’t do relationships.

“Hey, Sam. Got a hot date after you drop me off at the airport?”

She’s wearing cutoffs and a cute little green halter top that sets off her emerald eyes surrounded by smoky makeup, and her hair is flowing freely around her face.

“Um, yeah, Carmen asked me to lunch. Since I’m going to be in Atlanta, I figured, why the hell not?” Her voice goes a tad tense.

“Whoa. You mean Greg’s sister, Carmen? That Carmen? Doesn’t Greg play football for the University of Georgia now?”

Sam and Greg had been secretly hot and heavy at the beginning of her senior year in high school, but it abruptly ended after New Year’s Eve of the same year. Sam gave some stupid excuse and refused to talk about it to anyone. She just kept saying it was time to move on. After several attempts, I stopped asking for the full story, knowing she would tell me when she was ready.

I’ve never been the type of person to force information out of someone. Sam has to be ready to tell me, regardless of what it is, and she just isn’t there yet.

My Carmen inquiry has earned me one of those don’t-go-there looks. Giving her a moment to calm down, I focus on watching the cars pass by on our way to the Atlanta Airport.

“Yes, she wants to catch up. And, no, there’s no chance that Greg and I will end up together. There’s nothing between us anymore. Please drop it.”

Whatever happened between them hurt Sam deeply. The tone in her voice tells me I might receive bodily harm if I continue down this road.

“Okay. I’m just surprised is all.”
It’s definitely time for a subject change.
“How’s living in the house with the girls going? I haven’t heard about the latest fiasco.”

Sam and a few other juniors are trying to start the first sorority at our college. I think she’s crazy for taking this on, but Sam loves a challenge.

“Allison, I swear that if I wasn’t so involved with this project, I just don’t know if I would keep forging ahead. I hope we were never this incorrigible to live with when we were back home. We have fifteen girls living in a house right off campus, and sharing the space seems to be a foreign concept. Last night, we discussed labeling food in the refrigerator and the amount of time each person should be allotted in the bathroom. I mean, come on, give me a break. Can’t we just be a little more grown-up? Why did I ever think it would be a good idea to move out of your cozy apartment?”

The fake irritation in her voice says otherwise. Deep down, she loves those girls.

I laugh. “Oh, Sam, you know you love it. Hopefully, your charter gets approved, so you guys can become the first official sorority of the university.”

We pull up to the terminal, and Sam puts the car in park.

“Damn straight. It better happen before the end of our senior year.” She’s recovered from the earlier mention of Greg.

After grabbing my luggage from the back, Sam meets me at the curb to give me a hug.

“I promise to email you the moment I get checked in at the hotel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” I reassure her.

“You better.”

I can tell she’s still not pleased with the idea. She worries about me too much.

As I am heading inside the airport, Sam yells, “Hey, Allison!”

I turn back to face her.

“Don’t forget to find some cute-ass guy while you are there.”

I smile wryly and shake my head at her as she winks and blows a kiss. I watch as she hops into her car and drives away.

I board the plane, and I’m ready to go. Excitement is beyond me. A change of scenery is just what I need, and I am practically bouncing in my chair in anticipation of heading to the beautiful beaches of Miami, Florida. It’s just a state away from Georgia, but it feels like I am traveling across the ocean to a secluded place where I can sit and process all my thoughts.

As I hear the flight attendant go over safety instructions in the blandest voice possible, I lay my head back and think about how my life has changed so drastically in just a year’s time. In three days, it will be a year since I received the worst news of my entire life.

Sam and I just finished our sophomore year of college.

There was an art show in town, and Sam had talked me into showcasing some of my photographs that I had taken through the years. My parents had bought my first camera for me at the age of six, and from that day forward, photography became my passion. I’d devoured any book about photography I could get my hands on, so I could learn about all aspects of it. I’d even won a few contests during my high school years. At the end of the show, a writer from a local magazine approached me to tell me he was impressed with my natural talent.

Heading home to our town of Homerville, I say to Sam for the hundredth time, “Can you believe it? They actually liked my photographs.”

“Yes, and they want to offer you an internship. I told you.” She gives my shoulder a nudge as I drive.

“I know. I know. Tell your parents that I’m sorry I can’t stay and chat. I’ll come by tomorrow. I’m too excited to tell Mom and Dad my news.” I’m bouncing in my seat with excitement.

“Will do. Mama’s gonna want to have you guys over to celebrate at some point.”

We start screaming in delight as we pull into Sam’s driveway. Looking disheveled, her parents, Dean and Chandra, run up to the car. As I roll down the passenger window, I notice the smell of freshly mowed lawns.

With Dean standing solemnly beside her, Chandra says, “Hey, girls. Can you come inside? It’s important.”

Her tone alone makes me automatically obey her request.

After we walk inside, Sam and I head straight for the couch and take a seat next to one another. Chandra sits on the other side of me. Dean sits in a chair across from me on the other side of the coffee table. Seeing Sam’s parents’ sad faces, I immediately have that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.