Fates' Destiny Page 18

  “Destiny, it’s a pleasure.” She said as she shook Destiny’s hand.

  “T-thank you Margo. It’s very nice to meet you too.”

  Margo’s smile grew as she released her hand and glanced up at Adam. “She’s polite. I like her already.”

  “Thank you Margo.” Adam gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I kind of like her too.”

  He failed at his attempt to make Destiny laugh. She couldn’t push her laughter pass her nerves. This was so awkward and Destiny didn’t like awkward. She didn’t like it one bit.

  “Ok everyone.” He addressed the room when he realized he didn’t get a response out of her. “We’re having dinner on the patio. Luke and Kenna should be here shortly.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait to meet Kenna.” Elaine clapped her hands together excitedly and turned her attention to Destiny. “She’s your best friend right?”

  Destiny could do no more than nod.

  “Must be one hell of a woman to tame Luke.” Margo joked.

  Destiny surprised herself when she said, “She is. She’s wonderful. I’m sure everyone’s going to love her.”

  “I’m sure we will too.” Elaine agreed and then shifted her attention back to Adam. “Adam, why don’t you and your father take the kids out back and get the grill fired up while Destiny, Margo, and I get us all something to drink.”

  Destiny’s body filled with panic when Adam agreed and turned to her.

  “It’ll be ok.” He mouthed. Then he lowered to her, whispered, “Be brave.” and kissed her cheek.

  She didn’t want to be brave. She wanted this dreaded night to be over with.

  She watched, trying not to throw up, as everyone left the living room, leaving her alone with his mother and his mother-in-law.

  “Come Destiny.”

  Elaine led the way, Margo followed, but Destiny lagged behind. She actually had to force herself to move.

  Why was she so freaked out? The psychologist in her was telling her that there was no reason. It’s not like they’re going to kill you or something. But the woman in her, the woman who was in love, wanted nothing more than to make them like her.

  Well, there was that and then there was the fact that she was in the presence of his wife’s mother. Oh god. She’d never felt this uncomfortable in her life.

  Upon entering the kitchen she heard Elaine.

  “Dela, you know you don’t work when I’m here.”

  Destiny saw Dela smile at the woman as she retrieved glasses out of one of the top cabinets.

  “I know Elaine. Just trying to help out.”

  Destiny followed the ladies around the island, twisting her hands together behind her.

  “Ok,” Elaine bent over and pulled out a blender from the far bottom cabinet. “I’m in the mood for margaritas. What about everyone else?”

  “Sounds good to me.” Margo agreed.

  “I do love your margaritas Elaine.” Dela agreed.

  When Destiny didn’t answer all eyes turned to her.

  “Destiny, would you like a drink?” Elaine asked her.

  Several. She answered to herself as she nodded. As a matter of fact just hand me the bottle of tequila.

  Elaine smiled and they went to work. Dela got some limes out of the pantry. Margo shoveled ice into a large bowl. And Elaine prepped the blender.

  “Destiny, can you get me the tequila and the mix out of the cabinet above the refrigerator?” Elaine asked and Destiny didn’t hesitate.

  As she sat the contents next to Elaine she asked Destiny another question… A question Destiny wasn’t prepared for.

  “So, how long have you been sleeping with my son?” Gone was her humor. Gone was her politeness. She was stern, serious.

  “I… I…” Oh god. How was she supposed to answer that?

  “Elaine!” Margo laughed. “Don’t do that to her. She’s as white as the fridge.”

  Destiny was rocked when laughter burst out of Elaine.

  “I’m sorry.” She caught her breath. “I couldn’t help it. The girl needs to relax a little.”

  It took a second to realize she was joking around with her and all she could do was let out a soft, shaky laugh.

  “Destiny,” Elaine turned to her and grabbed her forearms. “Loosen up.” She shook her playfully. “You have nothing to be nervous about. I approved of you and my son even before I met you. So calm down.” She shook her again.

  “I’m sorry Elaine.” Destiny smiled but the little joke didn’t ease her tension. “I can’t really help but feel a little… uncomfortable.”

  Her brow pinched, deepening the lines on her forehead. “Why?”

  Destiny shot a glance over to Margo.

  “Oh.” Both women echoed each other as understanding dawned on them.

  “Destiny, listen.” Margo’s humor faded to seriousness. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable. I’m happy for Adam. You have no clue how happy I am for him. Losing Elizabeth was devastating to the point where I honestly didn’t think I’d be able to move on one more day…” She paused and swallowed hard. “But watching Adam drown in his own misery was torture… For all of us.” She glanced at Elaine and then went back to her. “You saved my best friend’s son... The love of my daughter’s life... The father of my grandchildren…” A tear slid down her cheek. “And for that I will always be grateful to you.”

  Destiny felt the tears of relief and heart ache for this woman burn her eyes but she was able to blink them back and say, “Thank you Margo.”

  Margo dabbed the tears from her cheeks and smiled. “You’re welcome Destiny. Now how about we fix us a nice, strong drink and go join the guys.”

  Destiny agreed without hesitation, feeling a whole lot better.

  Chapter 35

  Destiny stood next to Adam on the front porch and watched as the lights of his mother’s car faded down the driveway.

  Dinner couldn’t have gone better. Destiny absolutely loved the Fates family. They were so entertaining. After the bonding time in the kitchen not another tear was shed. Andrew told stories of Adam and Luke when they were children. Elaine talked of family and was very curious about hers and Kenna’s.

  All in all it was a great night and Destiny was glad it was over. Not because she was tired of entertaining or nervous. It was because she and Adam had plans and she was really looking forward to getting him alone… And naked.

  “I told you everything would be fine.” He said with a gentle squeeze to her hand.

  She smiled as she laid her head against his thick bicep. “Yes you did.”

  “Now,” He turned to her and wrapped his other arm around her. “It’s time for me to have you all to myself.”

  Oh hell yeah!

  She led the way into the house and started for the stairs when she saw Anna coming down, her little face scrunched up.

  “Have you guys seen Ali?”

  Destiny and Adam exchanged a glance of confusion.

  “She went to her room to go to bed.” Adam answered.

  Ali had told them about an hour ago that she had a headache and was going to go on to bed.

  “I went to check on her but she’s not in her room.” Anna informed them. “She’s not in the bathroom either.”

  Again they looked at each other and then Adam started up the stairs. Destiny followed.

  When they walked into Ali’s room the first thing they both noticed was that her bed was made and didn’t look like anyone had even touched it. Destiny looked around in confusion and curiosity. Where in the world could she be?

  They searched all through the house, the pool area, the backyard, everywhere. But there was no sign of her.

  “I’m going to go check the surveillance cameras.” Adam announced as he made his way toward his office.

  Instantly panic flooded Destiny as the memory of her sneaking out escaped from the back of her mind.

  Oh god. Please no. Please. Destiny pleaded silently as she followed Adam into his office.

  She continued her sile
nt plea as he sat at his desk and pulled up the footage from each camera around the house. He rewound the footage and that’s when they both spotted her, scurrying across the yard a little over an hour ago.

  That little… Anger and panic flooded Destiny’s brain.

  “What is she doing?” Adam’s voice entered her ears.

  She took a deep breath and answered. “I think she snuck out.”

  “What?” His eyes rounded as he sprang out of his chair. “Snuck out? How? Where in the hell would she go?” He was a man in full panic.

  Destiny took a breath to steady herself, knowing this was bad for both her and Alli. “I think I may know.”

  She slid her phone out of her back pocket and dialed her brother.

  “Hey sis.” Ryan answered.

  “Hey. I need a favor.” Her eyes stayed on Adam as he stared at her in total confusion. “That truck you followed that night. Do you have the tag number?”

  “Yes, why?” His humor gone.

  “She took off again.”

  In that very instant Destiny watched Adam’s confusion melt away. His eyes lit up with fury. His jaw tightened. His rugged features darkened.

  “I need you to run it and get me an address.”

  “Do you want me to go get her?” He asked earnestly.

  “No. I will.” And then she was going to strangle her… Ok, maybe not that but she was for damn sure never going to trust her again.

  She jotted down the address on a sheet of paper on Adam’s desk, thanked him, and hung up.

  “Again Destiny?” He asked the moment she hung up.

  His tone sent a shiver of fear down her spine. “While you were in Miami. Ryan saw the truck parked aside the driveway and I saw her running from the side of the house. We followed them. She promised me she would never do it again.”

  His dark eyes blazed, his nostrils flared. “Give me the address.” He didn’t wait for her to hand it to him. Instead he snatched it out of her hand and stormed out the door. “I’ll deal with you later.” He said as she followed him.

  “Wait! I’m going with you.”

  He slammed on breaks just before he reached the door. “No you’re not.” Then he jerked the door open and headed out into the darkness.

  ~ ~ ~

  Adam was a tangled mess of worry, panic, and blinding anger as he sped down the road.

  How could she have done this? His sweet Ali. What the hell was wrong with her?

  He blamed himself. He should’ve paid more attention to her. He should’ve done something. Anything to have kept this from happening.

  Now she had snuck off with some boy that he was almost certain he was going to kill with his bare hands when he got to the address he was given.

  And then there was Destiny… He couldn’t even think about her right now. If he did he was liable to snap.

  No, right now he needed to focus on finding his baby. He’d deal with Destiny after Ali was safe.

  He flew through stop signs and red lights not caring if he had the entire police force on his ass by the time he reached his destination. If anything they’d keep him from going to jail for murder.

  As he closed in on the middle class neighborhood his cell phone went off. He picked it up to send whoever it was to voicemail but when he seen ‘Ali’ on the screen he quickly accepted the call and put the phone to his ear.

  “Ali, where are you?” He was unable to keep the panic out of his voice.

  “I’m at a gas station Daddy.” She was crying. “Will you come get me?”

  “Yes Baby.” Both relieved to hear her voice and disturbed by her tears. “Tell me which one.”

  She told him and when he realized he’d already passed it he spun around in the middle of the road.

  “I’ll be there in a second.” Thankfully he was only about a block from the station.

  “Ok. Daddy, I’m sorry.” She erupted into tears. “I’m so sorry.”

  “We’ll talk about it when I get there. Stay on the phone with me. Ok?” He just felt more comfortable knowing he could hear her.

  “Ok.”

  He was at the station within seconds. He slammed on breaks in the middle of the parking lot and jumped out of his car.

  “Ali,” He said into the phone, frantically scanning the well-lit area. “Where are you?”

  “I’m here Daddy.” He heard her yell not only in the phone but from somewhere behind him.

  He snapped around and that’s when he seen her running from the building. His knees almost buckled in relief as he dropped his phone from his ear and jogged around his car.

  “Ali.” He grabbed her and yanked her into him, willing himself not to cry. “Are you ok?” He pulled back, gripped her biceps a little firmer than he normally would have, and scanned her. Her face was red and blotchy from crying but other than that she looked fine. “Are you hurt?” He needed to make sure.

  She shook her head. “He tried to…” Her words trailed off. “But I told him no and left his house. I’m so sorry Daddy.” She broke into fresh tears as she fell into him.

  All Adam could think as he held his daughter for dear life was that by morning that boy’s life will be in complete shambles. He’d make some phone calls tonight and make sure that whatever his plans for the future were never happen. Little fucker will learn real fast that no one messes with Adam Fates’ daughter.

  But for now…

  “I want to go home Daddy.” She looked up at him through big brown watery eyes.

  “Ok Baby.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Destiny chewed her nails as she sat on the edge of the couch, waiting. He’d been gone a half hour already and she hadn’t heard a word. She wanted to call him but fear kept her from doing so. If he went to jail Ryan would call her.

  Anyway it really wasn’t him she was worried about. She was worried about Ali. She hoped the girl didn’t do what she thinks she did. She’d hate to see her go through what she went through at her age.

  Suddenly the front door cracked open. Destiny leapt off the couch and darted for Ali as she stepped in.

  “Ali,” She threw her arms around her. “Are you ok? Are you hurt?”

  “No.” She sniffled. “But you were right.”

  Destiny saw Adam walk pass them out the corner of her eye but stayed focused on Ali.

  “He was after one thing.” She cried. “I told him no and left. Daddy picked me up at a gas station down the street from his house.”

  “Oh thank god.” Destiny squeezed her.

  “I’m so sorry I lied to you.” She wept on Destiny’s shoulder. “I just thought that…”

  “I know Honey.”

  At the moment Destiny didn’t care that she lied to her. All she cared about was that she was safe.

  “Ali.” Adam’s deep, stern voice pulled them from their hug.

  “Go to your room.” He told her calmly. “We’ll discuss punishment tomorrow.”

  “Ok.” And with that she made her way up the stairs and Adam walked into the kitchen.

  Destiny needed to go talk to him. She needed to apologize for not telling him. She took a deep breath to build her courage and made her way into the kitchen.

  He was bent over the island, his forehead resting on his propped hand.

  “Adam.” Her voice barely more than a whisper.

  “You lied to me.” He said impassively without moving.

  Yes she did. She knew keeping Ali’s running away from him was a bad idea but…

  “I was just trying to protect her.”

  He shot up and slammed his hand down on the granite surface so hard she was amazed it didn’t break.

  “It’s not your fucking job to protect her!” He yelled, his voice booming all through the house. “It’s mine! It was your job to watch her Destiny! That’s it!”

  “I know.” Was all she could say as her eyes lowered to the ground. She was out of line this time. She’d done wrong and she knew she had.

  He turned back around as if he couldn’t look at
her anymore and gripped the ends of the island.

  After a moment he took in a deep breath and said calmly, “Destiny, I told you that if I ever felt that you have harmed my children you would be terminated. Tonight Ali could’ve gotten hurt or worse and your knowledge of her actions could’ve prevented this from happening. As of right now I would like you to collect your belongings and leave my home.” His voice cracked with the last.

  Oh god. She felt her chest tighten as all the air rushed from her lungs. Of all the things she’d expect to hear that wasn’t even on the list.

  “Adam.” She pushed through the tears that had formed in her throat. This couldn’t be happening.

  Suddenly he snapped around again, his face a tangled mess of anger and pain.

  “Get out!” He roared. “Now!”

  With tears flowing she turned, grabbed her keys and her cell phone off the coffee table, and did exactly as he asked.

  Chapter 36

  Two days had passed since Destiny’s world collapsed around her and she cried straight through them. The moment she thought her tears had ran dry more streamed down her face.

  This was awful. She felt like her life was completely over.

  The physiatrist in her kept telling her that this would pass and she would recover. But the woman in her didn’t think she would.

  Her world was dark and cold and empty.

  She sat on her couch with her knees pulled against her chest and her favorite robe wrapped around her. Kenna rounded the couch carrying two steamy cups of coffee.

  “Here Hun.” She handed Destiny one of the mugs.

  “Any liquor in it?” Destiny asked hopeful and Kenna shook her head as she lowered next to her.

  “You don’t need any of that.”

  Silence fell between them for a moment and Destiny didn’t like it. Silence and her tears had been her only companions these past two days and she was sick of them both.

  “Thank you for bringing me my stuff.”

  She was truly grateful that Kenna and Luke gathered her things for her.

  “It was no problem.” Kenna smiled over the rim of her cup.

  Destiny hated the next question that popped in her head but she needed to know the answer.