New Beginnings

Knocked Out

I kissed him again then got in the car. I texted Cam.

“Make sure I’m being tracked the whole time. I’ll text you when I’m inside and if things go south, get the hell out of here. Make sure Tariq is okay.”

“I’m not leaving without you.”

“Cam this is an order. Do not let your feelings cloud your judgement.”

“You are my baby sister. None of us will leave without you and that’s that. If things go south we are going in and rescuing your little dumbass.”

“I love you Cam.”

“I love you too baby sis.”

I put my phone down and took a breath. I let it out shakily and the driver looked at me.

“Are you okay lassie?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a little nervous. I’ve never cooked for someone else’s family.”

He chuckled.

“You sound like me wife the first time she met me mother.”

“Oh no, we aren’t dating.”

“Aye, but it’s still the same feeling in your gut. You don’t want something to go wrong either way.”

“Very true.”

I chuckled.

“Your wife, what’s she like?”

“She was beautiful. Her eyes would sparkle every time we went to the loch or when we would see a castle. She lived here her whole life but it still amazed her every time.”

“Did she pass?”

“Aye, cancer. Five years ago.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Oh it’s alright. She’s waiting for me in heaven. God wanted one of his beautiful angels to come home early.”

He handed me a picture of him and his wife. She was beautiful.

“She is stunning.”

“She was. I had to fight off many men for her hand and boy did I get lucky.”

“What was her name?”

“Aileen.”

“That’s Gaelic right?”

“Aye. Ray of sunshine.”

“Ray of sunshine. She lived up to her name.”

“She did. You remind me of her.”

I smiled.

“You have a twinkle in your eyes that she had. One that made people drawn to her.”

“My boyfriend calls it the fire in my soul.”

We both laughed.

“Well, he’s a lucky lad.”

“We both are. I could never have made it this far without him. He saved me.”

“Seems like to me you saved him too. The way he held onto you before you got in me car.”

I smiled.

“I guess we did. Thank you.”

“For?”

“Calming my nerves.”

“Don’t think about it. It’s what I do.”

He smiled at me then he pulled up to a house.

“Here you are.”

“Thank you.”

I got out and walked up to the front door. I knocked then Leith opened the door.

“You look, wow.”

“Thanks.”

He let me in and shut the door.

“Right the way. I do have to warn you, she’s intimidating.”

I chuckled.

“I’m sure she’s great.”

We walked into the kitchen and she was standing there on her phone.

“Mom, this is Mariana. Mariana, this is my mom, Isla.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

She looked up at me then reached out for my hand.

“It’s nice to finally meet you. Leith tells me you’re making dinner?”

“A family recipe.”

“Well that’s kind of you.”

She looked at my wrist.

“Queen?”

“Oh, ‘Queen of Hearts’. I got matching tattoos with my boyfriend yesterday.”

She looked at Leith.

“Boyfriend? She has a boyfriend?”

He looked down.

“Yes.”

She chuckled.

“I’m so sorry. He’s just like his father.”

“It’s not a problem. My boyfriend on the other hand, well, he doesn’t really like Leith.”

“I understand that. So, what are we making?”

I chuckled.

“Well I’m from Illinois and not the best parts. I grew up with not a lot of money but something my brothers and I loved growing up was carnitas.”

She looked at me. 

“That sounds amazing.”

“It is. And while I make it, you can ask me whatever you would like to know.”

She chuckled.

“I already like you.”

“Well thank you.”

I opened the fridge and started grabbing what I needed. 

“So Mariana, what’s your last name?”

“Jones.”

“Mariana Jones? That’s beautiful.”

“Thank you. I love your name too, Isla Voss.”

She chuckled.

“So tell me more about growing up.”

“Well I have seven brothers and a sister in law. I am the middle child. Growing up my dad was a drunk and he would beat my older brothers untilI I was old enough for him to start beating.”

“Oh my Lord.”

“I know. He went to prison for a few years and in those years my mother left him and got with my step father and he was a change. He was calm and good to us. When my father got out, he convinced the court to give him split custody over all of us, two days there two days at our mothers and every other weekend.”

She shook her head.

“That must have been tough.”

“It was but we made it work. I eventually told him to kick rocks and just stopped going to his house after he kicked two of my brothers out then day they turned eighteen and my other brother out because he came out as gay.”

“That’s horrible.”

“It was. My freshman year I started dating this guy. I thought he was super sweet then he started hurting me. Throw me through walls, breaking tables, breaking a few of my bones too. Then he-”

I took a shaky breath.

“You don’t have to finish that.”

She got up and gave me a hug.

“You are strong and brave for telling me about this. A stranger, anyone.”

“Thank you.”

I looked up at Leith and he looked lost.

“I never knew.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“No one could really. My best friend saw him beat on me one day then he took me to the hospital and they scared him away. I haven’t heard from him since.”

Isla sat back down.

“After that I learned self defence. Muay thia boxing and kickboxing, jiu jitsu grappling, MMA, boxing, and street fighting. I grew up in a really bad area and it was rough but I made it through. Before I turned seventeen I moved out of my moms house and in with my closest friend. Then my ex and I bought an apartment together and were planning on finishing high school together and going to college.”

I chuckled.

“I got pregnant and we thought it was amazing. We invited out families over and told them all but my brothers wanted to kill him.”

I started laughing.

“They scared the soul out of him. A few days later I decided it was time to tell him about my past, that he deserved to know what he was getting himself into. He broke up with me and kicked me out.”

“While you were pregnant with his babe?”

“Yep. So I went with my brother and our friends to our hang out area then got jumped by a girls group of friends that hated me. I lost the baby. I lost both of them in the same hour.”

I finished making the meat and turned around. They were both sitting there in shock. I pulled out my phone and showed them the tests and everything then a picture of my stomach after I got jumped so they believed me.

“My current boyfriend took me to his house so I could get some sleep after I was jumped and made sure I felt safe. When I woke up, I was scared but he made me feel better. He helped me move out completely and offered to let me live with him, as roommates.”

I chuckled again.

“Well, that didn’t work out over well so now we are dating, moving into a new house, adopted a puppy, and I’m currently pregnant with his baby. When we get home he plans to propose and meet my whole family before my father passes away from cancer.”

“Your father is ill?”

“Yeah. I agreed to have a dinner with him and my brothers to help him pass peacefully. Although he deserves every single bit of pain and suffering he gets, he’s still my father.”

She shook her head.

“You have been tested time and time again by God and you haven’t given up.”

“I’ve attempted. Believe me I have. Everything in my life has ended in pain and I don’t want to live like that. So, when I get home I am marrying the man of my dreams, I’m going to get a degree in criminal law, raise a baby, and live my life to the fullest with no regrets.”

She smiled at me.

“You are a very strong young woman.”

She looked at Leith.

“You are a Goddamn idiot.”

“What?”

“You have put the poor woman through so much bullshit since the day she came here.”

“How could I have known?”

“It doesn’t matter. She didn’t deserve to be harassed all this time by you.”

I started laughing.

“It’s alright.”

She looked at me again.

“You said you’re currently pregnant?”

“I am.”

“How ready do you think you are?”

“Honestly, no clue. I’m terrified but I know that I am going to be a much better parent than what mine were.”

“I agree. Now, another question. What kind of music do you like?”

“Well I’m American so I like just about anything. But I love the nineties and early two thousand R&B music or classic rock.”

“R&B?”

I chuckled then opened my phone and started playing some music. I finished cooking and humming along with the song and they laughed at me. I made sure they weren’t looking and I put my part of the off on my plate then put the powder on their food and cooked it in. I put their food on their plates then handed it to them.

“This smells amazing Mariana, thank you.”

“Oh don’t worry about it. I love to cook.”

She chuckled then we started eating. She took a bite and her eyes lit up.

“This is amazing.”

I chuckled.

“My father is Native American, my stepmother is Mexican, my mother is German and Cacasian, and my stepfather is African American. I learned how to cook from them and both of my grandmothers.”

“Well I need to get the recipe from you because this is amazing.”

I chuckled and Leith wasn’t saying anything, he was just digging in. when he noticed that we were both waiting for him to say something he stopped moving. 

“I’m sorry, what were you talking about?”

I started laughing then Isla joined me.

“Is it that good?”

“It’s like heaven.”

I smiled. I started feeling bad but I pushed the thought out of my mind. I came here to do a job and I cannot let my feelings cloud my judgement. I just have to power through this then I can go home.

“What’s your puppy's name?”

I chuckled.

“Apollo, he’s a german shepherd.”

I showed them a picture of him on my lap.

“He’s adorable.”

“He is. Tariq is training him.”

“Tariq?”

“My boyfriend. This is the first dog that he has ever owned.”

“That’s funny.”

“It is. He called me one day freaking out because he didn’t know why the dog was freaking out until I asked him if he gave Apollo breakfast yet.”

We started laughing then Leith looked upset. I decided that I should tell the crew that it’s almost time.

“May I use the restroom?”

“Of course. Leith, can you show her?”

“Sure.”

He walked me down the hall.

“She loves you.”

“I like her. She’s nothing like you.”

“Ouch.”

“It’s true and you know it.”

“I’m sorry, for everything. I didn’t know that you went through all of that.”

“Well it’s formed me into the person I am today.”

We stopped at the bathroom.

“You can head back to the kitchen. I’ll only be a minute.”

“Alright.”

I walked into the bathroom and waited until I heard him leave. I pulled my phone out and called Tariq.

“Hello? Are you alright?”

“Planted. Fifteen minutes max.”

“Were outside waiting for your command.”

“Good, I love you.”

“I love you too baby.”

I hung up and used the bathroom. I walked out after washing my hands and fixing my hair then I went back to the kitchen. They were sitting there talking then they looked at me.

“Have you decided on any baby names?”

“No. But if it’s a girl her middle name will be Camilia. A tribute to one of my best friends who have done so much for me I could never repay her.”

“That’s sweet.”

I smiled.

“What about you. What were your name options?”

“Well Leith is my grandfather’s name. He took care of me my whole life and I wanted to name my son that and my female name option was Adreana.”

“That’s beautiful.”

“It is.”

Leith started getting a little lightheaded.

“I’m a little dizzy.”

Isla looked at him.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah. I probably moved too fast or something.”

“Well you do have very low iron.”

I looked at Isla and it started to hit her finally.

“Oh lord.”

She put her head in her hands then Leith looked at me.

“You.”

I chuckled.

“Please. You’ll be out before you can touch me.”

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

“Your father hired me to bring you two to him. I’m just doing my job and you fell right into my hands.”

“You knew who I was the whole time?”

“Of course. I knew all about you two and I knew that you love a challenge.”

Isla fell to the floor.

“Mom.”

“Relax, she’s asleep. And shortly, you will be too.”

I pulled out my phone and called Tariq.

“They're out. Move in.”

“Who are you really?”

“Sophia Jones. Or officially known as Angel de la Mort.”

He fell to the floor too then they came rushing in.

“Over here!”

Tariq and Cam came sprinting in with their guns out.

“Get them in the truck. We need to go, now.”

Tariq put his gun away and wrapped his arms around me.

“Thank God.”

“I told you I would be fine.”

He kissed me.

“Let’s go.”

Cam picked up Isla and carried her to the truck. Manny and Cole carried Leith and put him in the truck too. 

“Are we all packed up?”

“Camilia packed your things in your bag and case, all of our things are already on the plane, as soon as we get there we take off.”

“Good, let’s go.”

Tariq started driving and I called Mark.

“Hello?”

“The job is done. They are in my truck with me. We leave in twenty minutes and will be there tomorrow.”

“Thank you. Your men found the dealer and we have taken care of him. We are ready to move as soon as you land.”

“Pleasure doing business with you.”

“You too.”

“We’ll be there soon.”

I hung up and looked at Tariq.

“So, how’d it go?”

“She wanted to know about my childhood. I told her everything about me growing up besides the gang. I even told them about my assault.”

He looked at me.

“Are you okay?”

“I will be once we are in the air.”

He grabbed my hand and kept driving. As soon as we got to the plane we brought everything on and Cam carried Isla again then Tegan and Manny carried Leith onto the plane. They brought them into my office and tied them to chairs so that way they couldn't move. Once we were all aboard and settled, the pilot came to check on us.

“Are we all good?”

“Yes, now let’s go.”

“Alright.”

We buckled in and we started taking off. Tariq grabbed my hand and smiled.

“We’re good.”

Everyone on the plane started cheering. I looked at Tariq.

“Did you get the whiskey? And the ring for your mom?”

“Yes and yes. There is a crate of Scottish Whiskey with our luggage.”

“Good. I want there to be hourly surveillance on Leith and Isla. when they are awake tell me immediately.”

“Yes boss.”

“On it.”

Once we were in the air I unbuckled and laid down on Tariq’s lap.

“That was rough.”

“I bet. I can’t believe you told them.”

“Told them what?”

I sat up and looked at Cam.

“About James and Geo.”

He looked down.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t have done more. I should’ve stopped it sooner.”

“Cam that was not your fault. You couldn’t have known, no one could’ve.”

I got up and walked up to him.

“What happened to me was not your fault.”

“I suggested you two getting together.”

“I know.”

I made him stand up and I gave him a hug.

“Do not beat yourself up about it. Never once did I blame you.”

I pulled away and looked him in his eye.

“Do you understand? It was not your fault. No one blames you.”

“I blame me.”

“Well don’t. You were looking out for your lonely sister and friend. You couldn’t have known.”

He smiled.

“I’m not winning this argument am I?”

“Nope.”

We laughed then I laid back down on Tariq’s lap.

“Sophia, the knockout drug will make them sleep for the next ten hours.”

“Good. We have peace for the next ten hours.”