Chapter 24: Damian
My cell wakes me. It's Monroe and it's very strange to hear from him so soon. I leave Lydia sleeping and head to my penthouse office so I won't wake her.
"Yeah," I answer with a little more heat than I probably should. Leaving Lydia alone in my bed was not how I planned this morning.
"I have an emergency."
My irritation disappears. "What's wrong?"
"I have two women who need transport. The circumstances are delicate or I wouldn't ask. I need you to handle this personally." I can hear in his tone that this is serious.
Three minutes later, I have details and it's not good. I'm out the door five minutes later. I call my emergency pilot so the plane is ready by the time I hit the airport. I also call Carl to handle Lydia for me. I didn't wake her because my explanation required time, which I didn't have. After learning the two women were in imminent danger, I made the decision to leave Lydia in my bed and explain later.
I would love to see her fiery eyes when she wakes up and I'm not there. That's where my enjoyment ends, though. I would much rather fuck her brains out until neither of us is capable of leaving the bed.
I arrive in Arizona two hours after takeoff. A driver picks me up and takes me to Monroe's location. It's a warehouse in downtown Phoenix. At least the inside is slightly cooler than the outside. Monroe is waiting with two other men.
"Damian, this is Moon. He will fill you in."
We shake hands and Moon provides further information. "They've been cleared to travel by my personal physician but they're in bad shape. They speak English and won't cause trouble. If the man who had them discovers their location, he'll kill them." His gaze intensifies. "Tell no one but Monroe their location. We should have the situation straightened out in the next forty-eight hours."
While Moon is speaking, I notice the other man's gaze on me. His hands are at his sides at the ready and his legs slightly parted in a stance that allows him to balance perfectly. He screams bodyguard and definitely not someone you mess with.
"I'll stay with them until the problem is eliminated," I say. There's no way I'll leave my mom and the other women she's caring for unprotected.
"Thank you," Moon says. I follow him to the back of the warehouse into another room. There's a sink and cabinet to the left. The cement floor dips slightly with a floor drain in the middle of the room. It's not difficult to figure out that I don't want to know what happens in here. A slight noise makes me turn to the right. There are two cots in the corner. Both women sit on the same cot with a single blanket around their shoulders. One has bandages covering her face with only her eyes and mouth showing. The other woman's face is a mass of scrapes and bruises with swollen features that make my hands tighten into fists at my sides. Someone beat the shit out of them. They're also drastically underweight.
Moon approaches the women and speaks to them in Spanish before making introductions. "You'll be safe with Mr. Collins," he assures them. The women rise with the help of Moon's man. They aren't afraid of him, which relieves me somewhat. Both women are wearing long gauzy skirts and loose tops. The skin at their throats and their arms is translucent. They're both shaking as they slowly make their way through the warehouse to the waiting car.
I shake hands with Moon while the other man loads them into the back of the car. I called my mother on my way here, so she's aware she's gaining two extra guests along with her son until the women leave. Moon has no idea where I'm taking them and he's okay with that. Again, I don't want to know the whys. These men navigate a different world than the one I live in.
The trip to the airport and then the flight back to Houston are relatively quiet. I can't help but let my mind wander to the previous evening after we're belted in and taking off.
Lydia.
There's so much I need to explain. She needs to know about this part of my life and why I would leave her after the night we shared. Seeing women in the condition of these two makes me realize how short life actually is. I need and want Lydia in my world and I'm tired of waiting. Going to my mom's will solve one of the problems I have because I'm bringing her on board with my plans. If I can't convince Lydia, my mom will. Never underestimate a mother's need for grandbabies. I smile at the thought of a precious little girl with Lydia's smile and stubborn streak.
"Se駉r?"
The heavily accented voice makes me open my eyes. The two women are seated across the aisle. "Please call me Damian. May I get you something?"
"We are thankful for your help." The words are slow and meticulous. Her face is so swollen, it's hard to decipher the slight smile she gives me. There are tears in her eyes. I look back and forth between them and I'm angry again.
I control the rising fury and answer gently. "I'm taking you to my mother. She has other women there who come from similar circumstances as you. She'll take care of you and I'll be there to keep you safe until Monroe collects you."
"Gracias, Se駉r."
"You're welcome." What will Lydia think when I tell her about this part of my life? She has an amazing heart and I expect she'll take the next trip with me. I welcome her help and having a woman along with me will make the transition for these women easier.
After Lydia forgives me for leaving her this morning, we'll have a long talk. She will be mine and I'll be hers. The truth is I'm bored with my life. Not this part where I feel I'm actually helping those in need but the business part. For years, I was driven to best my father. Now I have more money than any person has a right to. I have good managers to keep the business end of my empire turning and I find myself spending more time in the club and handling those business matters myself. The truth is, I enjoy the day-to-day workings of Club El Diablo. It's the only place that I can be myself.
Lydia is the perfect fit. She has so much to offer. I know she wants her own club, and hell, I'll sign Club El Diablo over to her if that's what it takes. I see the way she looks at me. The yearning in her eyes matches my own. Convincing her that she needs me as much as I need her is the problem. If I fail, she'll walk away. Now I know what it means to love a woman. The possibility of losing her is impossible to comprehend. I have my work cut out for me and Mom is my ace in the hole.
A car waits at the airport and I hustle the women inside when we arrive. My mom is waiting with her customary smile when we reach her home. It's an hour before the women are settled and I have a chance to talk to her in private. I make my pitch and end with, "I want you to go back to the club with me and speak to Lydia if I can't get through to her."
For the first time, my mom's gentle smile disappears. "If you can't convince her, you need to let her go, son."
We're in the sitting room, which in my opinion is the most uncomfortable room in her home. I stand and begin pacing. "I can't lose her," I finally say.
Mom pulls a small pillow into her lap and squeezes it into her chest. She hates when I'm unhappy and I have a feeling I won't like what she's about to say. "I know what it's like to be in love without the love reciprocated. Don't make the mistakes I made. Your Lydia sounds incredible, but she's a woman who knows her mind. You need to let her decide." Her smile returns. "I can't imagine that she doesn't love you and you need her stubbornness to counter yours. I'll help you, but if she truly wants to go back to California and her old life, I'll help her do that too. Love takes at least two people to make it work."
I run my hand across my head, stop pacing, and turn. The thought of losing Lydia is not one I want to think about even though I know my mother is right. "I'll let her go if needed, but it won't be easy."
Mom rises and crosses the room until her arms are tightly around me. Her head doesn't even come to my chin. I pull her tightly into my chest and take the comfort she provides. I've never questioned that a woman smaller than me can be dominant and that's due to the small woman I now hold in my arms. My biggest wish is for Lydia to find a place in my world by being exactly who she is. Our time alone and the games we'll play are more than enough for me. I need this to be everything for Lydia.
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