Page 51 of Loving the Enemy
Chapter 21
Zaira
Michael lies beside me, and I snuggle against him in the crook of his arm. He wraps his arm around me, and I realize I have never felt better. I have never felt safer than when I am in his arms. This is so right, and I am so thankful I didn’t ruin everything for us. I fall into the deepest, most restful sleep I have had in ages.Life is good.
***
I wake to the sound of a phone ringing. Drowsily, I look around and see Michael sound asleep beside me. I know it’s not mine because the abductors took it. Shaking Michael, I say, “Baby, wake up. It’s your phone.”
He mumbles and rolls over on his side.Damn.
I get out of bed and ruffle through our clothes to find his jeans. When I pull the phone from his pocket, the ringing becomes louder and Michael begins to stir. Crawling back into bed with his phone in hand, I say, “Michael, wake up. Your phone is ringing.”
He jumps as if I told him the house was on fire and reaches for his phone.
“Yeah,” he says. I can’t hear what is being said on the other end, so I just hear his side of the conversation. “Oh, fuck man, I’m so sorry.”
Oh no, it must be Ice.
“No, I don’t want you to worry about anything. We’ll take care of getting you all and Hawk back to Edinboro.” He pauses and says, “There’s nothing more you can do now. Why don’t you come back to the compound, get some rest, and I will ensure Hawk’s body and the plane are ready to head back first thing in the morning.” He listens for a moment. “I know, man, and I’m so fucking sorry.” Then he disconnects the line.
“Oh, Michael, I’m so sorry,” I say. “I know he was a good friend, and I know how much the MC means to you.”
“Thanks, baby. I just feel it’s all my fault.”
“You shouldn’t feel that way. Those boys are programmed to protect each other, always putting their life on the line to save a brother. If it wasn’t Ice he was saving, it would have been another member. It’s unfortunate that it happened here, but you and I both know, it could have happened anywhere in any situation.”
“I know. I’ll be okay.” He looks at the clock and sighs. “As much as I would like to stay in bed with you all day, I have shit to do.”
“Me too,” I say.
“What do you have to do?”
I grin. “Move in.”
“Oh, fuck, I like the sound of that.”
I giggle. “I thought you might.”
While Michael showers, I remain in bed. I can’t help reveling in the fact that I am actually here, in his bed, with him. Once he is showered and ready to leave, he comes to me and kisses me. “See you later, love?” he asks.
“Definitely.” I nod, and my lips curve into a bright smile. “I’m gonna start having my things moved. Is there room for me?” I ask teasingly. “I mean, if not, I can have them moved to my old room.”
“Absolutely not,” he replies. “There’s plenty of room in the closet for your things. There are many empty drawers too. Just move what you need to and arrange it however you like.” Michael’s closet has built-in dressers, and there are so many of them, I’m sure there is room.
After he leaves, I decide to get myself out of bed. I shower and get dressed and then I call Vince. He answers on the first ring.
“Hey, Zaira, are you okay?” he asks.
“I’ve never been better, Vince.”
“Well, that was the last thing I expected to hear. You were kidnapped.”
“Well yeah, I was, but… Michael and I have reconciled. Can you stop the process for the divorce?” I’m so anxious and happy that I just blurt it out. I really wanted to tell him differently, but somehow these things have a way of taking a life of their own.
“Well that is the best news I have heard all day. Of course I can.”
“Good, and also, I’ll need to get my stuff moved. I assume you can arrange that for me?”
