32-The Spark

**Zuri's POV**

Daveed picks up Sav and carries her to bed. After tucking her in, he closes the bedroom door and sits on the couch with me.
"Don't call it quits just yet, Zuri. Give us a chance to prove that you are just as important in this relationship. You and I just need more private time to connect." There's no question that Daveed has love for me, but I feel like it's the same love I have for him. The sexual attraction is there, the good memories are there and there is a very strong bond as well. I just feel like there is supposed to be more between us. Some kind of spark that is supposed to come naturally when we touch and see each other. That's what is missing. Or am I finding any excuse to not make it work because of my fear of what others will think and if things don't work out and Sav is left to choose him over me? If I'm the one leaving, I'm the one in control.
"The spark between us isn't there. You know what I mean? The spark that you feel when you touch Sav and the way your heart throbs when you see each other after being apart, even if it was only a short time. The sex was great and you know how to make a woman feel beautiful, but the spark is what seals the deal. I found someone that gives me the spark without even touching me. I'm not willing to sacrifice my spark before I even get a chance to explore it. Sav and I are soulmates, without a doubt, but this is real life. This isn't some love story where the high school sweethearts get married and have kids. This is where we learn, adjust and accept."
"Does Rory give you that spark?" He asked. He isn't able to hide the hurt in his eyes and for a second it makes me want to take it all back, but I have to try to move on.
"Yeah. I felt it the moment I first saw him. I think now that Sav knows I'm not going anywhere, she can really focus on you without feeling guilty. I know her enough to know that she hasn't been loving you one hundred percent. You'll know what I mean when the hurt is gone."
He stays quiet for a few seconds and sighs. "You're probably right. We'll take this one day at a time. You really are an amazing woman and if you ever change your mind, we will always welcome you back with us."
We stand up and embrace each other in a hug. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for bringing a stranger to my apartment to take my virginity."
That makes him laugh and I kiss his cheek. "I'm staying here tonight though. I think Sav still needs me here and I can't abandon my best friend in her time of need."
Daveed mutters "thank God" under his breath.

**Saviera's POV**

The arms around me don't feel like the strong arms that have been around me the last few nights. I turn onto my other side to see Zuri sleeping like an angel next to me and my heart is full. She stayed. Where the hell is Daveed though?
I get out of bed and see him asleep on the futon and a big smile spreads across my face. It's only five o'clock in the morning, so I'm going to lay back down with Zuri. I kiss her forehead and end up not falling asleep. I think about what she said and realize that she might be right. I can't make her stay in a relationship that she isn't sure about. And maybe the love we feel isn't completely romantic, but it's just all we've known so we just assumed we were supposed to be together forever. I hate that I'm second guessing everything we are, but something is telling me she is wrong and she knows she is wrong.
My stomach starts growling and I have a huge craving for mini cinnamon rolls that the cafe down the street sell during breakfast time. I really can't resist those. I throw on some jeans and slide on my slippers. I leave a note on the dinning room table to let them know where I'm going just in case they wake up before I get back. A quick and short trip will be fine and I'll have my gun.
I get to my car and lock it as soon as I get in and head to the cafe. It's still pretty dark out, so I will admit this has my adrenaline going crazy. After getting my order, I go back to my car and quickly lock the doors when I get in. I start the car and next thing I know, my head is covered and I start to drift off. I didn't check the back fucking seat. Rookie mistake.
I don't know what time it is or where I am. It looks like a warehouse of some sort and I'm tied to a chair.
"You're awake. Finally." A man's voice gets my attention. The person I see standing in front of me is not who I would ever expect.
"Douche Ethan? Is that really you? I've missed you, friend. What brings you here?" Maybe I'm not in the position to talk shit. It just comes so naturally, but I need to be careful. I'm really fucking scared. Do I mention that I'm pregnant? Maybe it would change things.
"I would watch your mouth if I were you. I'm nice compared to my uncle." he warned.
"Who's your uncle? And what does he want?" I ask.
"He'll be here soon. Just sit there and shut up." Douche Ethan really is a douche.
"I'm pregnant, Ethan. If I get killed, an innocent baby will die too. Do you want that on your conscience?" For a second, I think he actually cares.
"I don't believe you." he said.
"I just found out recently, so I'm not showing yet. I swear." He gets up and walks out. I wiggle back and forth to see how secure the rope and chair is. Thankfully it's a wooden chair and I'm almost positive I can get out of this. I'm sure Zuri and Daveed have contacted my dad and the cops by now.
The door swings open and Ethan isn't alone.
"Coach Rhett is your uncle?" I think I'm going to puke. Ethan wasn't lying when he said his uncle is worse.
"Hello, Saviera. I'm surprised you were stupid enough to leave alone. I thought I was going to get Zuri instead, but she's always around that biker. Looks like there's trouble in paradise." The thought of him ever getting his hands on Zuri makes me see red. I'm going to kill this sick fucker.
"Cut the shit Rhett. Why are you doing all of this?" Surely he knows better than to hurt me.
"You tried to ruin my career! At first I was just trying to scare you guys and get you paranoid. But then you got your claws into Daveed and he got me fired and my wife left me. I wasn't even harming anyone." He seriously believes he hasn't harmed anyone? Or make all these women uncomfortable and unsafe?
"You didn't have to take things this far, Rhett. Those athletes should not have to worry about their coach harassing them and making them feel unsafe. I'm sorry your wife left you, but if something happens to my baby, you will pay for it. The police will solve what happened and you'll lose all the freedom you have." He's a mad man.
"Your baby? What baby? Don't start playing stupid games with my head!"
"Look in my phone! Look through mine and Daveed's messages I swear we're having a baby. I have my first appointment on Wednesday." I hope he has an ounce of decency. If he doesn't care about babies then he's the devil.
"Just shut up!" He screamed in my face. I can tell the baby is making him think twice, but I doubt he will let me go just because of the baby.
I notice Ethan is going through my phone and he instantly pales. I can't stop the tears that fall from my eyes, no matter how strong I want to be. "Please don't let him hurt my baby." I whisper to Ethan.
"She's telling the truth. She really is pregnant." Rhett starts breaking things and screaming. He threw a box and it hit me in the face, causing my nose to bleed. I'm trying to remain calm because there's no telling what he will do next. I just keep my head down and my eyes closed tight.
I look up for a split second to see Rhett pick up my gun from a rusty metal table and point it right at me. I close my eyes again and I know the scream that fills the air is my own, but I feel the world stop.
The next thing I know, the gun goes off. My eyes are still closed tight and my body is shaking. Minutes later, I feel hands untying my wrists, but leaving my ankles tied.
"I'm so sorry. He was going to kill you. Please don't tell the cops I was here." I opened my eyes and saw Rhett dead on the floor in a puddle of blood. Ethan ran out the door for a quick getaway.
With trembling hands, I free myself and grab my phone from the table to call 9-1-1.
"9-1-1 what's your emergency?"
Everything happens in a blur. The police show up and shortly after, so does Zuri, Daveed and Rory. The EMTs examine me and recommend going to the hospital to check on the baby, which I would have done anyway. Zuri and Daveed hold me tight and close as I gave a statement to the police.
Daveed drives me to the hospital and Zuri follows us, riding on the back of Rory's bike. I had no idea he was a biker, but I'm still too numb to even think more about it.
We get to the hospital and the doctor gets me a room immediately.
"Let's take a look at the baby and make sure he or she is okay." The doctor is a middle aged man with salt and pepper hair and a clean shaved face.
Zuri and Rory come into the room with us and Zuri holds my right hand while Daveed holds my left. The doctor squirts a gel on my stomach and it's freezing cold. He moves the wand over my belly, trying to find the baby.
"There's the baby right here." He points at a little bean shaped baby, "and let's listen to the heart."
He turns a little knob and the room fills with a swishing sound. My eyes fill with tears because it's the most beautiful noise. My baby is safe. Everything is going to be just fine.