What the Heart Desires

Chapter 2-1

Chapter 2

The pendulum on the grandfather clock swooshed back and forth. It taunted Heaven with each second it ticked away. Those seconds turned into minutes, and minutes brought about hours, like the last two she’d spent in Layne’s arms.

She tuned out the noise, focusing instead on his heartbeats. Each thump echoed in her ear, the powerful rhythm a welcome sound. It wasn’t but a few weeks ago that an arrow had pierced this heart, reducing the beats.

His energy had weakened too, the same energy that warmed her cheek. She concentrated on the pulsating vibes as he trailed his finger down her back and up again, repeating the path with each sweep.

Aside from the chattering in the living room, the den remained quiet. Neither she nor Layne needed words to communicate, not when they shared an affinity. She couldn’t ignore the fact that he’d picked up on more of her emotions since they came home. He hadn’t told her as much. He didn’t need to. His actions were proof enough. The only explanation was their affinity.

All the anxiety that had him keeping his distance had dissipated within the last hour. She hadn’t given him much choice, clinging to him the way she was. He was the only one who could take her mind off the ache in her heart, the ache her husband’s absence caused.

When the Westminster chime rang twice, a car door closed in the distance. Layne heard it too. He glanced at her when she pulled away from his embrace.

“Did you hear that?”

Once he nodded, she scooted to the edge of the bench. He gripped her shoulder before she stood and motioned for her to stay seated.

He didn’t. As soon as he stood, he glanced out the bay window. “I’ll be damned.”

“What is it?”

Before he answered, Hope rushed inside the room. She glanced at Layne and then at Heaven as her throat wobbled from swallowing.

“Hey, Hev.” She drew out each word and feigned a smile. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”

Something was wrong. Hope’s singsong voice was proof. Her sister never used that tone to show happiness. The vicious thump of her energy confirmed Heaven’s suspicions. Hope was hiding something.

“Is Dylan here?” Heaven demanded.

“I’ll answer your questions as soon as you sit down.”

Fat chance of that happening. Heaven stood from the bench as Layne flanked her side.

Hope retreated a few steps before blocking their path. “Hev, please wait. Don’t go in the other room. Not yet.”

“Then answer my question. Is my husband home?”

Scott stepped around the corner just as she attempted to pass Hope. He came within inches of colliding with her.

“Slow down, sister. Where are you going?” He joined his wife’s side, blocking Heaven from leaving the room.

“Let her pass, Scott,” Layne ordered him, but her brother-in-law didn’t listen.

“Oh my God!” Heaven pointed her finger toward Scott’s face, daring him to lie. “Don’t patronize me. What is going on? Is Dylan here? Is he okay?”

“Define okay,” Hope mumbled from behind her.

Heaven spun toward her sister. She wanted to ask what she meant, but the sound of many voices drifted up the hall. She noticed one that was deep like her father’s, but gruffer. It sent her heart into a faster rhythm. Then a face appeared.

Dylan was home.

When he wrapped his arms around her, all the pent-up fear burst from within. It released with every heave of her chest. The feel of his body next to hers seemed too good to be true. She worried this was all a dream, one that would fade once reality set in.

“I can’t believe…” Her heart hammered her chest, leaving her shaken.

Dylan’s arms tightened. His energy thrummed with guilt as much as it did relief. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s okay. You’re here now.”

She clung to his neck, resisting the urge to back away and look at him. Something still didn’t seem right, but she pushed away the thoughts. Nothing was more important than the man holding her in his arms.

He squeezed her one last time, then pulled her hands from his neck, but he didn’t step away. Instead, he laced his fingers with hers. It was the precise moment when something moist teased her fingertips.

Curiosity consumed her. She eased back and drew their joined hands into view. After closer examination, she gasped. Crimson scrapes covered his knuckles, along with bruises. His other hand was worse.

“Dylan?” When her eyes rose to his, her mouth fell open. The tears once blurring her vision cleared, and she saw it—the blood…

Tiny droplets had splattered across his bruised face. His swollen lip revealed a slight tear. More blood streaked the corner of his mouth, but it was his ripped, b****y shirt that paralyzed her with fear.

“Oh my God! You’re hurt!”

He flinched when she reached for him. “Some of it’s mine. Some of it belongs to my dad. I beat the hell out of him.”

“You did what?”

The question echoed from her mother’s mouth.

“I said I beat the hell out of him. I smashed my fist in his face, over and over.” Dylan shook his head and stared off. “I don’t remember stopping.”

His eyes grew glassy as he stared past Heaven’s shoulder toward the fireplace. No one spoke. Some exchanged glances. Some shook their heads. Their reactions had a common theme. Disbelief. Dylan had threatened his father more times than she remembered, but acting upon the threat changed the game. She cringed at the thought of the shitstorm headed their way.

“I don’t recall seeing him when I left.” Dylan continued. “Hell, I don’t remember leaving our meeting place. I just woke up in my car at the bottom of the driveway, five minutes ago. The engine was still warm, but I can’t remember driving.”

Delia’s hand brushed against Heaven’s back when she stepped closer. The other cupped Dylan’s cheek. “How did you find your father? Is he in Brightsville?”

Dylan eyed the floor. “No. He called me this morning, demanding I meet him. I refused, but he knew we were here and swore he’d show up if I didn’t cooperate. I didn’t want him anywhere near Heaven, so I left.”

The announcement caused a slew of questions and concerns. Everyone voiced them at once. Each debated on what Nate was doing and what they should do to ensure their safety.

It was Delia who cut through their questions with a shrill whistle. Once everyone grew quiet, she refocused on her son. “What did your father want?”

Darkness entered Dylan’s expression. It made his energy quake the longer he remained silent. The erratic pulse disturbed Heaven.

“Dad said he wanted to negotiate for Heaven’s life,” Dylan answered. “He said if I left her and followed him, she would be safe. I declined. He made threats. Then fighting ensued.”

“Where did you meet him?” Her father chimed in from the hall.

“At a warehouse in a town twenty minutes north of here. It’s called Ormanville. I saved the address in my GPS.”

“Good.” Her father tapped his fingers against the archway as he studied Dane and Spencer. “Dane and I will drive to Ormanville and investigate the warehouse. We’ll leave Spencer and Layne behind just in case someone shows up.” Both Dane and Spencer nodded at him. “In the meantime, you guys need to pack your things. I think it would be best if you went into hiding for two weeks. We have a safe house in Kentucky that would be perfect.”

The floor shifted beneath Heaven. She placed her hands on her sides, shaking her head at her father. “Do you realize I’m thirty-four weeks pregnant? I need to see a doctor. I haven’t found one since we left Jamaica.”

“Heaven, I can examine you,” Layla announced. “I’m a nurse in modern medicine, but a healer in mystical medicine. My exams are better than any doctor because I don’t need any machines to aid me.”

“Sure, thank you,” Heaven said. “I’d like to know something before we’re sent packing.”

“Heaven,” Delia chided, “no one is sending you packing. This isn’t permanent, but it will keep you safe until we find out what’s going on with Nate.”

“She’s right.” Her father nodded. “We still haven’t found Raphe or his men. If Nate’s here, I guarantee they are too. I’m sure they’re searching for you at this moment.”

“You’ll be safe in Kentucky,” Delia assured her. “Dylan and Layne will be with you. My son doesn’t need to be here, either.”

Her mother-in-law was right. She didn’t know what condition Nate was in, but if there was breath in his body, he’d be out for blood. Not just hers, but also Dylan’s.

“Fine. We’ll go, but answer this. What happens when my due date arrives and we’re no wiser to what Nate is up to?”

“You still have six weeks before the baby’s due.” Delia patted her belly. “We’ll have answers before then.”

It was pointless to argue when everything they said was true. Nate would look for them. Her family home would be the first place he searched. Raphe would be with him, which meant any confrontation wouldn’t end well. Not just for her, but also for everyone she loved. She, Dylan, and Layne needed to leave.

“I better go pack.”

“I can help if you’d like,” Hope volunteered. Worry churned within her. After six long months, they’d reunited a few days ago. Now they were separating again. Hope hated it as much as she did.

“Thanks, sis. I’d appreciate your help.” Heaven glanced at Dylan before she and Hope walked away. “Aren’t you coming?”

“Not yet.” He gazed at his mother. “I need to talk to Mom for a minute. I’ll be out soon.”

She waited for him to look her way. When he didn’t, she turned and followed her sister. It wasn’t Dylan’s response that troubled her. It was his energy. Something was off. The vibes she sensed spoke of secrets. What was her husband hiding?