Henry sighed, then downed His drink. "I think you should trust his judgment," Kyla suggested while rubbing the small bump on her stomach.
Henry stared at her stomach, pride glistening on his face, "I'm just worried," he paused," with all that has happened in the past, I'm worried he is going to get himself hurt." He pulled her closer on the sofa.
"Vince isn't one to make stupid mistakes. I'm confident in his judgment," she snuggled closer to him. "She's pretty, I like her already." Henry kissed her forehead.
"She seems perfect for him, just that he's falling quickly."
"I can't wait to meet her." She smiled
"Soon, love." He rubbed her stomach, earning a deep sigh.
His phone buzzed, turning their attention to its direction. They both groaned as he headed to answer the phone.
He answered the phone almost immediately. His face went dead as he listened to the caller speak, then a smirk danced on his lips as he clenched and unclenched his fist.
"You're messing with the wrong man." He warned before tapping on the screen to end the call.
His gaze focused on the phone for seconds, and he knew Vincent's wedding would be the straw that would expose the long-silent rivalry in the company. He sighed. He was sure it would result in him going back to things he had sworn not to do again. He turned his gaze to his wife. He had promised her she wouldn't have to worry about him or his safety, but in a world like theirs, it's a matter of time before something of this nature comes up, and someone had to get hurt.
His father had always told him to be ready for days like this, days where C.E.O. and firms were killed and forced to sign away their business. HIS father hadn't healed from it; he had watched his father spend years looking for his friend who had disappeared with his family and signed away his properties and company.
He had to protect his family. That was why he had studied law, that was why his father had gone back to school, studied law, and started a law firm. He watched his wife mutter words to her belly. It was time he had to visit his father.
"Honey, I've been thinking…" Kyla paused mid-sentence. "What's wrong, Honey?" she asked, walking.
Closer to him, her smile faded away.
He forced a smile, "Nothing, Babe."
She focused her gaze on him with a deep stare that had always frightened him.
His wife was a strict woman and was always a step ahead; it baffles him that what he finds most attractive about her also scares him to his bones. With that stare, she always had her way.
"It's work issues." He said as he drew closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, a trick he had discovered to avoid more pressing questions from her. "We'll talk about it later." He said, planting a kiss on her shoulder.
He got a glimpse of her rolling her eyes. "I need to peep." She replied, freeing herself from his hold.
"I can't wait to have his baby, I'm sick of having to go pee all the time," he smirked as she muttered.
"And don't think our conversation is over, Henry." Her tone was sterner this time. He gave her a boyish grin. His phone buzzed again.
*********************
Their lips lock together as he pulls her closer to him, she hooks her leg on his hip while digging her fingers into his hair. She moaned as his tongue slipped into her mouth. They fell onto the bed as they fought with their clothes, struggling to break free from them breathlessly. She wrapped her hand around his neck, pulling him closer to herself. She heard him moan, making her smile.
"Hello, beautiful." With those words, he disappeared. She stirred at the unwelcome interruption, reluctantly peeling her eyes open.
The sturdy legs came into view, then she raised her eyes to be blessed with the view of a man standing before her. He was drop-dead gorgeous, and she let out an inaudible gasp as her eyes settled on his face. "You're too pretty to be all by yourself," his voice deep yet velvety. She smiled, feeling nervous. Something about him made her uncomfortable. He stepped closer, his shadow hovering over her.
She tucked a loose strand of her hair, revealing her wedding ring. She didn't want to have them on when they got married, but seeing Vincent with his made her change her mind. She didn't want questions on why she didn't wear her ring often and had convinced herself that was enough reason for her them on.
He smirked as he held his left finger up to reveal a wedding band. "Sometimes you get bored and want to have a little fun." His eyes glinted with desire. "We could hook up some time when you're bored." He pulled out his card from his wallet.
Genesis looked around in stunned silence. Apparently, being married couldn't save you from freaks, which was contrary to what she had believed. She felt bile in her mouth as she ran her tongue through its corners. "I'm not interested." She replied, feeling sorry for the poor wife. She smiled as she caught a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
"How about I get you a drink?"
Genesis picked her phone from the table Vincent had set up for her before leaving to answer some work calls, still mad she had insisted on sitting by the beach instead of going on the boat ride he had suggested. She was scared of the sea, which was a truth she wasn't willing to admit to anyone. She checked the time; he should have been back 15 minutes ago.
"I said no." This time, the softness in her voice was gone.
"You're just being a tough cookie." He pressed on, still holding out his card.
"Get the fuck...…"
A loud bang interrupted her, and she let out a small scream, her hand gripping the sides of the lounger. She stared at the card that was now on the sand with a hole in it, her heart racing so hard she feared she would lose her breath.
"She said no." Vincent's voice was tight. Genesis turned her gaze to him. His eyes were narrowed into furious slits; she could see the rage burning in them. His veins bulged on his temples, throbbing with intensity as his breath came in ragged, guttural gasps, each exhale daring the man to make a silly move. And there was the gun. It was barrel-pressed with unwavering pressure on the man's temples. He looked different. He looked like the predators she had watched on the Animal Channel, watching their prey, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
This prey was visibly shaken, and his skin had gone pale. With every passing second, the threats were louder, and the power shift was oblivious. For a moment, she felt fear engulf her, but it was gone in seconds; it was replaced with the feeling of safety, and a small smile danced on her lips.
"Get out before I change my mind." He growled. The man scrambled away, making her hold back a laugh. She pursed her lips as Vincent turned his gaze.
His demeanor softened, "You okay?" he asked. She nodded in response. And then the switch again. "We're leaving now." His voice was stern as he began to gather her belongings.