Fates' Destiny Page 12

  The little girl giggled but her tears still flowed. She pulled back and looked into his handsome face.

  “Will you bring me back a present?”

  He clearly forced his smile. “Of course I will Baby.”

  After another hug Adam rose to his full height and looked at his other two children.

  “You guys be good for Destiny.”

  “Ok Dad.” Jason smiled.

  “Um.” Was the response he received from Ali as she tapped away on her phone.

  His eyes turned to her and she felt her heart leap. It quickly fell when he said, “Destiny.” With a polite nod and walked out the open front door.

  Ok… Destiny followed him out and stopped at the steps of the porch.

  Richard was waiting next to Adam’s midnight blue sports car. He’d offered to take him to the airport so Adam wouldn’t have to leave his favorite toy in a parking garage.

  “Um, Adam?” She called to him as he made his way across the stone drive.

  He stopped as he reached the car and turned to her, his dark sunglasses blocking her view of his beautiful dark eyes.

  “What is it Destiny?”

  Damn! Did she do something wrong? Was she the reason he was so grumpy?

  “I was just wondering,” She stepped down the steps and vigilantly took a step toward him. “if you would call me when you land so I’ll know you arrived safely.”

  He stared at her for a moment and she wished like hell those glasses didn’t block her view of his eyes. She couldn’t tell if he was mad or what.

  “I’ll try.” And with that he rounded the car, slid into the driver’s seat, and headed down the driveway.

  She sighed as she watched the car until it was out of view. She should’ve asked him last night if there was something wrong. She should’ve asked him right then. But she didn’t and now she’d be curious while he’s gone.

  Damn it! She cursed herself as she made her way back into the house. What could she have possibly done? She played the time since she noticed his change through her mind but she couldn’t pin point anything. They were getting along just fine. No arguing. No yelling. Nothing. They had been enjoying each other’s company. Or at least that’s what she thought…

  Chapter 25

  After all the children left Destiny sat her cup of coffee on the island bar and slid up on a barstool. The movement caused a sudden pain to shoot through her ribs. She winced with a hiss.

  “You ok?” Dela asked as she finished wiping down the counter by the stove.

  “Oh yeah.” Destiny eased onto the stool. “It’s not as bad as it was. Now it only hurts if I move a certain way.”

  “I still can’t believe you did that.” Dela said on a soft laugh as she focused on her chore.

  “Yeah, well,” Destiny wrapped her hand around the white mug. “I helped Jason and that’s all that matters.”

  “I guess you did. What else happened while we were gone?”

  Destiny told her all about the girls’ competition and the nightmare that was dinner with her parents.

  “Other than that, not too much.”

  “And you and Adam are getting along well?”

  Destiny let out a sigh as she looked down at her cup. “We were but something’s not right. I think he’s mad at me.”

  Dela tossed her paper towel in the trash and turned to her, the lines on her forehead deepened by curiosity.

  “Why would he be mad at you?”

  Destiny shrugged, her fingers warming around the cup. “Saturday everything was fine but yesterday he barely spoke to me. And this morning he was very…” She paused searching for the right word. “…curt with me.” Yeah, that’s a good way to describe the way he spoke to her outside.

  “Destiny,” Dela leaned over the bar, propped up on her elbows, and laced her fingers together in front of her. “Adam has a lot on his mind. It probably has nothing to do with you.”

  “Yeah.” Destiny agreed on a sigh but she wasn’t so sure. Something was telling her that whatever it was that was bothering him had everything to do with her.

  Maybe unpacking wasn’t such a good idea. She thought as the worst case scenario ran through her mind.

  Just then her cell phone vibrated on the granite counter. Instantly hope it was him sparked within her even though she knew there was no way in hell he was already in Miami.

  It quickly diminished when she saw Kenna smiling at her on the screen. She tamped down her worry with a deep breath and put on her best ‘happy’ expression.

  “Hey girl.” She answered seeming cheerful.

  “Hey.” Kenna returned the cheerful greeting. “I don’t have to be at work till 10. You want to meet for breakfast?”

  “Yes.” She answered without hesitation. She didn’t want to be here, alone, thinking.

  “Cool. Meet me at Shell’s Diner.”

  “K.”

  ~ ~ ~

  10 minutes later Destiny was sitting on a red booth seat across from her best friend. The waitress came as soon as they sat down. They both ordered coffee and the woman who had to have been in her late 50’s was back in no time. The two ordered and once she was gone Kenna had a question.

  “How you holding up?”

  Destiny’s brow drew together. “Holding up?” What is she talking about?

  “Don’t play dumb Destiny.” Kenna laughed as she poured sugar into her steamy cup. “I know you miss him.”

  “No I don’t.” Destiny argued. “I barely know him.”

  Again Kenna laughed. “Don’t lie. I can tell.”

  “Ok.” Destiny let out a sigh. “Maybe I miss him a little.” She propped her elbow on the table, dropped her head into her hand, and used her free hand to stir her coffee… again.

  “I think he’s mad at me.”

  “Really?” Kenna gasped. “Why? Luke told me that Adam said you two were getting along pretty good now.”

  Destiny shrugged without lifting her head. “Don’t know.”

  “Well, what did he say?”

  Destiny lifted her head and dropped her arm on the table in frustration. “That’s the problem. He didn’t say anything. He barely spoke to me yesterday and this morning he was short with me. It’s bugging the hell out of me that I can’t figure out what I did.”

  Just then their waitress showed up with their breakfast. After she made sure they didn’t need anything else she scurried away.

  “You probably didn’t do anything.” Kenna continued with the conversation as she seasoned her eggs. “It’s no secret that he has issues. He’s probably just going through something.”

  “Yeah probably.”

  The sound of her cell phone vibrating across the table pulled Destiny’s attention from her pancakes. The moment she spotted ‘Mr. Fates’ on the screen her heart jumped into her throat.

  “It’s him.” She couldn’t keep the excitement out of her voice.

  “Hey. You made it?” She answered and was surprised (and disappointed) when she heard Luke’s voice.

  “And good morning to you too Destiny.” He said cheerfully. “Yeah. He’s here.”

  Destiny looked at her friend in confusion as she asked Luke,

  “Well, where is he?”

  “Getting his luggage. He asked me to call you. Why? You don’t like talking to me?”

  She could hear the pout in his voice and it made her laugh.

  “No Luke. I love talking to you. I was just curious.”

  She saw Kenna’s face light up.

  “Tell him I said ‘Hi’.” She mouthed.

  “Kenna says ‘Hi’ by the way.” She did as asked.

  “Really?” He said slyly. “Is my Kenna with you right now?”

  His Kenna? His phrasing surprised her a little but she didn’t comment on it. Instead she said, “Yep. We’re having breakfast.”

  “That sounds nice. Tell her to call me when you guys get done. I’ll let you two get back to gossiping about me now.”

  “Ok Luke.” She laughed. “A
sk Adam to call me if he gets a chance today.”

  “I will. You ladies have fun.”

  “We will.”

  She told him ‘goodbye’, hung up, and dropped her phone on the table. The moment she ended the call her cheerfulness died. It was very obvious he didn’t want to talk to her.

  “He had Luke call.” She announced to her friend as she jabbed the stack of pancakes with her fork.

  “Yeah,” Kenna snorted a laugh as she loaded her fork with hash browns. “I kind of figured that out.”

  “I don’t know what I did Kenna.” Destiny couldn’t remember the last time she was this frustrated.

  “Destiny,” Kenna looked her in the eyes. “Just ask him. If he calls you today ask him. If he doesn’t then when he gets back corner him in his office. But don’t beat yourself up over it. I’m sure it’s nothing you guys can’t work out.”

  “Yeah.” Destiny agreed on a sigh and now determined to find out what the hell his problem is.

  ~ ~ ~

  Adam sat in the passenger seat of the car Luke had rented when he first arrived, eyes on his hand that rested on his thigh. Actually, not his hand but the gold wedding band circling his ring finger.

  He could hear her voice faintly as Luke talked to her and damn it, the sound made his blood run hot. Now even the sound of her voice excited him. Oh god. What was he going to do?

  “So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?” Luke asked as he handed him back his phone.

  “Nothing.” Adam mumbled as he took the phone from him.

  “Nothing?” Luke snorted. “You asked me to call Destiny to let her know you made it safely when you’re perfectly capable of doing it yourself. And you didn’t want me to tell her you were sitting right next to me. Something’s going on. You two didn’t get into another argument did you?”

  “No.” God help him if they did.

  “Ok then. Tell me what’s up. You know I’m not going to shut up until you do.”

  Damn it. He had him there. Luke would hound him for eternity. So he gave in before it even started.

  “I’m attracted to her.” His voice was barely audible to his own ears.

  “I’m sorry.” Luke leaned closer to him but kept his eyes on the road. “What was that?”

  “I’m attracted to her, damn it!” All his frustration came bubbling out of him. “It’s so fucked up. The times that we’ve argued I wanted to strangle her but yesterday when I was thinking of those moments all I wanted to do was rip her clothes off, pin her to a wall, and have my way with her until she begged for mercy. Then when I thought about the moments we were getting along and she looked at me with those pretty green eyes I wanted to make love to her over and over until neither one of us could go anymore. I don’t know what to do.” He ran his hands into his hair and fisted two handfuls. This was a nightmare come to life.

  “Do about what Adam? So what. You’ve got the hots for her. Act on it.”

  Adam tugged at his hair in frustration. “I can’t.”

  “Why not?” Luke glanced over at him. “And don’t give me that ‘she’s my employee’ bullshit.”

  “I’m married Luke.” He released his hair and held up his hand to show his brother his ring. “Married!”

  “Adam,” Luke went serious. “you’re not married anymore. Liz is gone and she wanted you to move on with your life. You’ve got to let go.”

  “I can’t.” The guilt damn near choked him. “I feel so guilty. I feel like I’m betraying her.”

  “You’re not betraying her. She wanted you to move on. She’s gone and there’s nothing you can do to change it. You can’t sit here and waste away. She wanted you to be happy.”

  Happy. He wanted to be happy again. Destiny made him happy. She made him feel things he’s never felt before. She lit a passionate fire in him he didn’t think he possessed.

  But he just couldn’t push himself to act on his impulsions. He thought about it yesterday and the moment he’d convinced himself to talk to her Liz entered his mind and shattered his plan… Shattered him.

  This was torture. The battle was pulling him apart… Slowly, painfully.

  “What am I going to do?” He didn’t mean to ask that aloud.

  “You’ll figure it out.” Luke answered. “But for now,” He slowed the car and turned into a dark parking garage next to the building that housed the law firm he’d hired. “you need to put it all aside because we’re here.”

  Adam nodded and took a deep breath, regaining control of himself.

  “I’m solid.” He told his brother as he pulled the car into a parking place.

  “Good. Now let’s go to work.”

  Chapter 26

  Destiny hated to say it but she’d spent the entire day paying close attention to her phone. Every time it would ring excitement would spark in her but it would quickly dissipate when it wasn’t him.

  This is so sad. She kept telling herself but she couldn’t help it. All she wanted was to hear his voice. All she wanted was to know what she’d done wrong so she could fix it. She was… pathetic.

  The day went on slowly. Destiny spent the time the children were at school helping Richard and Dela tidy up. Once the children were home they went through their normal routine of homework and dinner.

  After dinner Ali and Jason went to their rooms and Anna stayed with her. Destiny decided to give Dela a hand with clean up. They were just finishing loading the dishwasher when she heard the doorbell.

  A moment later Richard walked into the kitchen followed by Ryan. His tall, lean form was dressed in his black police uniform. His dark hair was disheveled as usual.

  “Hey Sis.” He said with his lady-killer smile.

  “Hey Ry.” She gave her brother a hug. “What are you doing here?”

  “Well, I’m working this area tonight and thought I’d stop by and see you since I hadn’t seen you in a week.”

  “Destiny, is this your brother?”

  Destiny glanced down to see Anna next to her, her blue eyes studying Ryan curiously.

  “Yes Anna. This is my big brother Ryan. Ryan,” She rested her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This is Anna Fates.”

  Ryan hiked up his pants and squatted in front of her.

  “Hi Anna.” He held out his hand to her.

  “Hi.” She giggled as she shook his hand. “You’re very handsome.”

  His smile grew, his green eyes danced with humor. “Why thank you Anna. You’re not too bad looking either.”

  She giggled again and Destiny couldn’t help but think Ryan had himself a little admirer.

  “So you’re a police office?” She asked him and he nodded.

  “You put bad guys in jail?”

  Again he nodded. “Sure do.”

  “Wow! That’s so cool.” She was just fascinated by him. “Do you drive a police car?”

  Ryan laughed at her obvious questions. “Yep. It’s out front.”

  “Cool! Can I go turn on the sirens?”

  “Sure.” He answered but Destiny reminded her, “Anna, its bed time. You’ll have to play in Ry’s car another day.”

  “Awe.” She whined.

  “Don’t worry Anna. I’ll come by again and you can play with the sirens then.”

  “Promise?” She asked with a pout.

  He held up his fist and stretched his pinky. “I pinky promise.”

  The little girl giggled again as she locked her pinky with his.

  “K.”

  She made her way to the archway but stopped before she was out of sight and turned back to Ryan who was now standing.

  “It was nice to meet you Ryan.”

  “You too Anna.” Then he winked at her.

  The little angel’s giggle could be heard as she walked out of the kitchen.

  “I think she may have a little crush on you.” Destiny told him the moment she was gone.

  “Yeah, I know.” He said as he puffed up arrogantly. “I’m just that lovable.”

  Then his eyes l
ooked past Destiny toward the kitchen area. She turned and spotted Dela watching them with a smile.

  “Oh Dela. I’m so sorry.” She said sheepishly. “This is my brother Ryan. Ryan,” She motioned to Dela with a wave of her hand. “This is Mr. Fates’ chef, Dela Brewton.”

  “Ryan,” She walked around the island and extended her hand to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “You too Dela.” Ry gave her his best smile.

  “Richard,” She looked around the room and spotted Richard straightening the linen on the dining table. “is Dela’s husband. He’s also Mr. Fates’ butler.”

  Richard gave him a pleasant smile and continued with his task. Once he was done he straightened and made his way to the group.

  “Destiny,” He looked at her. “If everything’s ok we’re going to go ahead and retire for the night.”

  Destiny nodded her approval. “You guys have a good night.”

  “You too.” Dela told her and then the two were gone out the back door.

  “A butler and a chef? Moving up in the world aren’t you Des?” Ryan teasingly nudged her with his elbow.

  “Hey.” She held up her hands in defense. “I get paid to live here.”

  She motioned for him to have a seat on one of the barstools. After she claimed the other she told him about all that she’d encountered over the days she’s worked for Adam. He damn near choked on his own laughter when she told him about the baseball incident.

  “What in the hell were you thinking?” He asked between laughs.

  “I was thinking I could help him like you did me when we were kids.” She explained thinking he of all people would understand.

  “Destiny,” He shook his head. “I did that because I knew you couldn’t throw a ball hard enough to hurt me.”

  “Well,” She shrugged. “I didn’t think a 13 year old boy could throw a ball hard enough to hurt me.”

  “And you learned the hard way he could.” Ryan broke into laughter again and she couldn’t help but join in and laugh at her own stupid choice.

  “Ok,” Her laughter sobered. “Enough about me and my stupidity. How are you and…” Destiny searched her memory for the name of Ryan’s newest girlfriend.