Sinner’s Redemption by Rebecca Joyce

Chapter Eleven

Tessa

“I’m in so much trouble, Tessa,” Tia said, pacing her apartment with a cigarette in one hand and a vodka tonic in the other. When she called earlier and asked if I would come over, I jumped at the chance. I needed some fresh air myself. There was only so much of Montana Stone I could handle at a time and at the moment he was suffocating.

In my best soothing voice, I said, “Tia, sit down and talk to me.”

“I can’t!” she yelled, waving her hand, spilling her drink everywhere. “Jesus.”

Hopping to my feet, I took the glass from her and set it on the coffee table. Removing the cigarette from her, I put it out in the ashtray on the table. “Sweetie, I can’t help you figure this out until you tell me what’s wrong?”

Tia was a lovely woman. The best friend I could have ever asked for, but sometimes, she over dramatized shit and could easily work herself into a frenzy. Loved her to death, but I was already dealing with one drama queen. I didn’t have the energy for two.

Forcing her to sit, I sat next to her and clamped her hands in mine. The best way to get Tia to talk was to lock her down. Don’t give her any room to flee. “Spill.”

“You know I was in California for school before that famous director found me and put me in his new movie. I wasn’t sure about it. I mean, I love acting, but I never thought I was pretty enough.”

Internally, I sighed. I wanted to strangle my best friend. I didn’t need to hear the play-by-play since she arrived in California. Tia had the uncanny ability to take a two-minute story and make it into a full-blown mini-series, made for TV and all. That’s probably why she hit it big in Hollywood. My best friend was just made for movies. Any other day and I wouldn’t mind listening to her rattle on about everything, but not today. I just wasn’t in the mood. “Yeah, yeah. You hit it big. Got it. Fast forward, Tia. Get to the important stuff.”

“Jailbreak was an enormous success. My agent wanted my face everywhere to help promote the movie. He was telling everyone that I was the next big thing. Everywhere I went, people were vying for my attention.”

“Move faster, Tia. You’re burning daylight.”

“One of the movie investors, a man named Boris Petrovitch, invited me to his house party to celebrate the movie. I didn’t want to go, but my agent said a lot of other directors and producers would be there. Said it would be great publicity for me. So, I went. I didn’t want to go alone, so I asked my college roommate, Ava Romano, to go with me. We were tight and partied together a lot. The second we walked into the house, I knew it wasn’t just another movie party. I knew trouble when I saw it, like that time we were out camping when we were fourteen and those boys showed up. My gut was screaming at me to leave.”

“Then why didn’t you?” I asked.

“Because my agent talked me into staying. He said everything was fine. What I was feeling was just nerves. Ava had already found a hot guy to talk to and was enjoying herself. But not me. My spidey senses were pinging off the roof. Anyway, I stayed glued to my agent as he introduced me to man after man. Then I met Boris, and I knew I was in big trouble.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know how Momma and I would stay up most nights watching those CSI crime movies. We loved that shit, remember?”

I nodded my head.

“Well, one thing I learned in all the times sitting with Momma was to follow my gut. If it didn’t feel right, it probably wasn’t. That and how to dispose of a body without getting caught. Anyway, when I met Boris, my whole body went on alert. Like a red-flag warning, get the fuck out of dodge fast and don’t look back. But because I was with my agent, I ignored the warning signs.”

“What happened, Tia?”

“Later that night, I was ready to go home. I was tired. My agent wanted me to stay longer, saying the party was just getting started, but I didn’t care. I wanted to go home. Leaving him to his fun, I went in search of Ava. Only she wasn’t anywhere. So, I started searching room after room. We were on the buddy system. I couldn’t leave without her, but no matter how many doors I opened, she wasn’t anywhere. Frustrated and tired, I checked one more room, then was going to leave. I should have followed my gut, Tess. I should have left in the beginning.”

“Why? What was behind that last door?”

“When I opened the door, I found two men fucking Ava. Only Ava wasn’t Ava. She was just lying there, kinda whacked out, loopy. She was slurring her words, barely making any sense. It was odd because Ava doesn’t drink. Makes her sick.”

“They drugged her.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured, too. Anyway, I didn’t think. Whoever these fucks were, they were raping my friend. So, I did what Momma told me to do.”

“You didn’t,” I grinned, shaking my head.

“Yep,” Tia smiled. “I picked up the nearest heavy object and started wailing on those bastards as if I was swatting a fly. It was pure luck and stupidity on their part because the room they were raping Ava in was a sports room. I saw a Louisville Slugger hanging on the wall and did some batting practice.”

“Oh. My. God.” I shook my head. “What happened next?”

“Well,” Tia murmured. “Remember the prom scene in Carrie?”

Sitting up straight, I whispered, “You didn’t.”

“I did.” Tia shrugged. “By the time I was done with them, that room would be the perfect movie set for the next new horror flick. Anyway, I went to get Ava, but she wouldn’t wake up. That’s when Boris walked in with my agent. The next thing I knew, I was screaming and pointing the bat at them, telling them if they didn’t let us leave, I would go to the police. Both men backed up and let me leave with Ava. Fuck, she was dead weight and difficult to carry while holding a bat. I eventually got her back to my apartment. We were only there for maybe ten minutes when someone broke down my door. I was in the backroom. Ava was on the couch. When I heard a gunshot, I didn’t think. I jumped out my bedroom window and ran.”

“Fuck.”

“You can say that again. I ran to an old boyfriend’s house, and he let me in. I told him what happened and the next thing I knew, I’m on a flight home. The rest, you know.”

“You think they killed Ava?”

“I heard a gunshot, Tessa. What else was I supposed to think? I had a bat. They had a gun. But sorry guns trump bats.”

“And the other day. When Mercy took you to see Romano, what was that about?”

“Renaldo Romano is Ava’s older brother. Tessa, he’s the head of the Romano Family. He’s mafia. He told me that Boris Petrovitch is Bratva. Head of the west coast Russian mafia. I killed two of Boris’s men. Two Russian mafia men and was the last person to see Ava.”

“Holy shit, Tia.”

“Exactly. I told you I’m in trouble.”

“Girl, you are not in trouble. You are up shit’s creek without a paddle!”

“I know!”

“What did Romano say? Is he mad at you?”

“No,” Tia shook her head. “In fact, he was rather understanding. He listened, allowing me to tell him everything I knew. I gave him my keys to my old place and address to my apartment and the address to the house party I went to. I answered every question he asked and when it was all done, he drove me back here. He even gave me his card, asking if I remembered anything else, to call him immediately.”

Leaning back against the couch, I looked at my best friend in shock. Holy fuck. Tia never did shit by half-measures. When my girl did something, she did so with flare. “Are you safe here? Cause if you’re not, I can talk to Montana and see if you can stay with us.”

“Speaking of Montana. What the hell, girl!” Tia grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. “Holy fuck girl. That man is a walking, talking fuck stick. How the hell did you ever get hooked up with him?”

I laughed. “That is a long story. Short story is I met him while doing my residency at St. John’s Presbyterian. We dated for close to four years before I left to be with mom. He’s also York’s father.”

“Girl, a blind man could see that. York is the spitting image of him. Gotta say, Tess, he doesn’t look like the typical pussy boy you’ve dated. That man is all man if you catch my drift.”

Boy, she wasn’t wrong about that.

Walking back into Stone House, I found Mrs. Alice sitting at the kitchen table feeding York. Taking a seat, I rested my head on my hand and watched my son, smiling.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Tessa. How was your visit?”

“Good, and what have you and York been up to while I was gone?”

“Oh, master York and I had fun. The little master took a bath. Tried to capture a butterfly. Played with some blocks and now we are having lunch.”

“Sounds like he had a busy day.”

“He’s such a good boy, Ms. Tessa, just like his father was.”

“You’ve worked for the Stone Family for a long time, haven’t you, Mrs. Alice?”

“Yes. I was eighteen when I started working for the family. Mrs. Virginia had just given birth to Montana.”

“What was Montana like as a baby?”

Mrs. Alice smiled. “He was such a happy baby, just like master York. Montana always had a smile on his face. He loved everything. A curious boy, he also found mischief.”

“Montana has three brothers, if I remember correctly.”

Her smile faded. “Yes. Dakota, Arizona and Kansas.”

“Do they live in the city?”

“No.”

Curious, I was about to ask another question when we heard the front door slam open. Jumping to my feet, I muttered, “What the hell?”

“Alice! Where’s my grandson?” a loud, boisterous voice shouted, as thunderous feet headed our way.

Alice shook her head. “That would be Mr. Stone.”

The man himself walked in and I stood in front of my son.

Holy shit. I was looking at the future Montana. The man walking toward me was a mountain of a man. Standing over six-foot six with bulging muscles, there wasn’t an ounce of fat on the man. The spitting image of Montana, the man’s steel-gray eyes while hard, hid a glint of mischief and laughter. His hair was black as night and streaked with silver gray strands, giving him the sexy silver -fox look. And fuck me, did that man pull that look off beautifully.

“Damn it, George. Montana doesn’t have…” a beautiful woman with blonde hair walked in behind him, stopping in her tracks as she spotted York. Dressed impeccably in a dark navy Chanel suit with a buttercream silk shirt, the stunning woman looked ready for New York fashion week. “Oh my God.”

“Told ya, woman,” the big man named George said, eyes glued to my son. Picking York up out of his highchair, I held him protectively. Though I knew these people were Montana’s parents, I didn’t know them, never met them and I wasn’t going to let anyone near my son.

The back door opened and in walked Montana.

“Fuck,” he groaned. “What are you two doing here?”

“Montana, is it true?” the beautiful woman asked, her eyes glued my son.

“Jesus, dad. You couldn’t keep your trap shut for one minute?”

“I tried, son. Woman caught me sneaking this out of the house,” George said, holding up a teddy bear damn near as big as him, with a big blue bow. “I told you she would find out.”

“Because you told her!”

“Yo, George!” another loud voice rattled the house, as several more feet thundered towards the kitchen. “Where ya at, Boyo!”

“Jesus fuck, dad,” Montana groaned, walking over to me, taking York, wrapping his arm around me. “Did you tell everyone?”

Holding onto Montana, I tried to keep up with the conversation, but I couldn’t stop looking at the woman as her eyes flicked from York, to Montana, to me.

“Where’s the kid?”

“Is it true?”

“I want to hold my godson.”

“Fuck, dad. You told the Retirement Home Rejects!”

“If all of you would shut up,” the pretty woman said, then pinned Montana with a stare that would frighten Satan. “My son is about to explain why he didn’t tell his mother that she had a grandson and new daughter. Isn’t that right, Montana Ethan Stone?”

The four men behind her snickered.

“Damn boy, she full named you.”

“You’re in for it now, boy.”

“Give her the kid. Save yourself.”

“Told ya, son. You’re on your own.”

I chuckled.

They were funny. I heard Montana gulp and sigh. Taking the bull by the horns, I stepped forward. “My name is Tessa Jackson. I’m York’s mother. It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” I said, extending my hand. When the beautiful woman didn’t take it, a trickle of fear surrounded me before I found myself engulfed in her arms.

“Oh, bless you, my darling girl. Thank you.”

Looking at Montana, I didn’t know what to do, so I hugged the woman back. Releasing me, she held my hands and smiled. “I’m Virginia Stone. That idiot’s mother.”

“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”

Virginia waved her hand. “Oh, none of that crap. Call me Virginia or mom. Now, would someone please introduce me to my grandson?”

York chose at that moment to clap his hands and say, “Dada!”

Spinning towards him, I smiled.

Montana beamed brightly, lifting York above his head. “You heard it. He said my name first!”

I rolled my eyes, reaching up for York. “Give me our son before you make him sick. And just so you know, 99.9% of all babies’ first words are Dada. That doesn’t make you special.”

The room laughed.

We had all moved to the living room where Virginia was currently holding my sleeping son. After being passed around and held by everyone, York finally had enough and went to sleep.

“Baby hog,” George huffed, looking menacingly at his wife, who ignored him entirely. Sitting in Montana’s lap, I leaned back against him, as Virginia said, “But it doesn’t make sense, son. Why would someone blacklist Tessa?”

“Mercy thinks it might be someone from my past.”

“You mean one of your many flings,” I muttered. Montana growled, gripping my hip firmly, but said nothing.

“Well, I’m not going to have my future daughter-in-law blacklisted. Fix it or I will,” Virginia stated firmly.

“Already on it, mom.”

“Virginia, Montana and I have no plans to get married. Right now, whatever we have is tentative at best. We are learning to co-parent York. Because I can’t find a job at any hospital in the city, I may have to commute or worse, move. I’ve heard from Philadelphia Regional, and they’ve offered me a position. I’m considering it, but I would rather stay in the city. If I can find a hospital to give me a chance, I will look for a suitable place for myself and York to live.”

Four eyes stared in shock at me.

Montana stiffened.

Virginia’s eyes narrowed. “Let me guess. You didn’t tell her?”

“No. Not yet,” he barely said.

Virginia stood with York in her arms. “George, boys, it’s time we leave and let Montana tell Tessa the truth. Because if he doesn’t, and my daughter leaves with my grandson, I’m going with her, and all of you will be looking for a new President.”

Watching as the older men gulped, Montana said nothing as he sat quietly, holding me firm against him. However, when Virginia and the Retirement Rejects started walking for the front door, Montana snarled lowly, “Drop the kid,woman.”

Virginia stopped dead in her tracks and turned sheepishly. “But he needs his Nana.”

Sliding out from under me, Montana got to his feet before walking over to his mother. “Love you, mom, but the kid stays.”

“Fine,” Virginia huffed before kissing York on his forehead, handing him to his father. Hiding my smile, I chuckled when Virginia added “But I get weekends and two weeks in the summer.”

Later that night, as I lay in bed next to Montana, curled around him, I asked, “What did your mother mean when she said, ‘you didn’t tell me?’ Tell me what?”

“It’s nothing babe. Go to sleep.”

He was evading the question. Which meant he didn’t want or wasn’t ready to have this conversation with me. I’d been with the man long enough to know his tells. The man could be straightforward and direct when the mood suited him, but put him in a position that he wasn’t ready for, and the man clammed up tighter than a virgin’s ass during Sunday mass

Sitting up, I leaned over and turned on the side table lamp.

Moaning, he rolled over, covering his eyes.

“Tell me what?”

“One night. Can I have one night where we don’t fight?”

“There won’t be a fight if you just tell me what it is your mother thinks I need to know.”

“It’s nothing. Just club shit.”

“What club shit?”

“You are the mother of my son. That means something. So, I’m claiming you, okay,” he said, as if he just didn’t drop a bomb in my lap. Claiming me? What the hell did that mean?

“Explain.”

“Tess, I’m tired. Can we please go to sleep?”

“No,” I huffed, throwing back the covers, and climbed out of the bed. Standing my ground, I waited for him to say something, anything. When he stayed quiet, I walked over to his dresser and grabbed a t-shirt.

Fine.

If he wanted to keep secrets, then that was his prerogative, but that didn’t mean I had to stay. I had enough on my plate as it was. I didn’t have time for his club shit or whatever it was his mother thought I needed to know.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed. What does it look like? Then I’m getting York and we are going back to Tia’s.”

“You are not leaving, Tess. Take that shirt off and come back to bed.”

“No.” I said, reaching for my jeans and pulling them on.

“Fuck, you are a pain in the ass.”

“Back at you, asshole.”

“I get out of this bed we’re gonna fight.”

“You can do whatever you want. We’re not together anymore, remember? You don’t recycle and the contract I signed became null and void the second I walked out. So, bite me, dickhead!”

“We’re getting married, okay!” he shouted.

That stopped me short.

Married?

Was he fucking crazy?

There was no way in hell I was marrying him.