Tragic Empire: Chapter 34

It’s officially been two and a half months since my wedding day, and a month since receiving my first message from Mr. Unknown Number. A lot has happened since, but his contact has dwindled quite a bit. The messages are few and far between, each of them bothering me less than the last.

I easily brushed off things like…

Unknown number

If you continue to test my patience, you’ll regret it, Ana.

And:

Unknown number

Leave him, and I might let him live.

Unknown number

Actually, no I won’t. I want to rip him away from you properly. You clearly didn’t learn from Cole. I’ll be more obvious about your lesson this time around.

The only correspondence that was truly chilling came two days ago, and I’ve been a little bummed out ever since.

Unknown number

I’ve been counting, you know? Every time you let him touch you, I add a tally. Do you want to know what I’m going to do with that number when the time comes?

Unknown number

I’m going to carve it into his fucking heart.

I don’t understand who could possibly be behind these threats or why they’re so focused on me. Cassio says they feel possessive of me, and he thinks that killing Cole was meant to be a punishment for acting out. By being with him physically, I signed his death warrant—though Cassio continuously reminds me that I’m not responsible for someone else’s delusions.

It still doesn’t add up to me. Why weren’t there warnings before? There were no threatening texts, or any connection to this anonymous sender at all before. Why did Cole get immediately targeted after being with me? And were Bron and Killian meant to be collateral damage, or were they targeted for being compliant in my relationship with Cole?

Is this bigger than some crazed obsession with me? And why me?

It gives me a headache, trying to think about it too much.

I try to live in the moment instead, reminding myself how grateful I am for the people surrounding me. Cassio, Armani, and Colton make every day feel easier. Even my daily texts with Jade, and our occasional video chats make me feel lighter.

Napping also helps, and I’ve just gotten up from quite a pleasant one. If only waking up was as satisfying. Narrowing my eyes at my bedroom door, I slip my hand into my bedside table, seeking out the handgun Armani gave me a few weeks back. It’s meant to be for emergencies, in case there’s a break in of some kind, but something is telling me to keep it close now.

I hear voices coming from downstairs. Some I recognize, some I definitely do not. Suspicion has my hackles rising as the sound of a feminine voice registers. It’s too far away to make out any of the words being said, but I know it’s not Agnes, and it’s certainly not Jade.

Creeping down the stairs, gun in hand and Sirius padding behind me, the sight I stumble upon in the kitchen makes my blood boil.

Red hair, slim build with curves, and a smile curling her lips.

Manicured fingers brushing against a masculine wrist.

My eye twitches, and I react without thinking, making myself known.

“Who the fuck are you and why are your hands on my husband?” I demand, pistol pointed firmly at her center mass.

“Ana—” Cassio starts, only to be interrupted by the mystery woman’s soft laugh.

My finger itches to move to the trigger and my teeth gnash. “Laugh at me again, and I swear to God⁠—”

“Ana,” Cassio says more firmly. “This is Winona. She’s showing me a forearm strap for tactical knives, and she’s not a threat.”

“Winona,” I mock, tasting her name like it’s sour. “Is your name supposed to mean something to me?”

“Winona Wyatt, darling,” she clarifies, a southern twang in her sweet tone. “I believe my son calls you ‘doll’, but you’re not a doll at all, are you? You sound more like a viper to me.”

Slowly lowering my aim to the floor, I assess the beautiful redhead with narrowed eyes. “You’re Colton’s mum?”

“His very married, very not flirting with me, mom,” Cassio confirms.

“I heard New Yorkers weren’t very friendly but I did expect a warmer welcome,” Winona pipes up teasingly.

“Yeah?” I challenge arching a brow. “Do I sound like a New Yorker to you? And would you be welcoming to a pretty stranger you find feeling up your husband in your house without your knowledge?”

“She most certainly wouldn’t be,” my favorite cowboy answers, sauntering into the room. “Did you pull a gun on my mother, doll?” His voice is full of amusement and it makes me want to smack the smug little grin right off his handsome face.

“I wouldn’t have killed her,” I tell him with a tight smile in return. “At first.”

“You’re the most possessive woman in an arranged marriage I’ve ever met,” Colton says through a chuckle. “Holster your weapon and play nice, will you? I can’t have my two favorite ladies fighting.”

His mother laughs happily. “Who says we’re fighting? I already like the girl.”

“Of course you’d imprint on her after she held you at gunpoint,” Armani chimes, shaking his head while smiling. Looking her up and down and whistling appreciatively, he adds, “Looking fine as hell as always, Mama Wyatt.”

“And you wonder why my father despises you,” Colton says disapprovingly.

Armani flashes his playboy smile. “Oh, Daddy Levi can get it too. Talk about a dream three-way⁠—”

“Disgusting,” Colton grimaces, cutting Armani off.

“And people think you two are dating,” I scoff, finally putting my weapon in a holster at the small of my back.

Cassio approaches, ignoring the banter around us and cups my face on both sides. We share a soft and intimate kiss before he asks, “You okay, baby?”

“Better now,” I say, releasing a sigh. “A heads up when we’re having guests would be appreciated next time.”

“I didn’t want to wake you,” he explains but brings my hands to his mouth to kiss in apology. “It won’t happen again, my love.”

“See that it doesn’t, Husband.”

“She’s here for you anyway, doll,” Colton chimes. “She brought gifts.”

“Gifts?” I ask doubtfully, allowing my husband to guide me into the group. Why would a woman I’ve never met before have gifts for me?

But I suppose she must since Colton’s mom waves a small black box, holding it out excitedly.

“Winona makes self-defense jewelry for women,” Cassio explains, taking the box from her. “I reached out a little while ago to have her make you a few things.”

That makes more sense. Winona didn’t go out of her way to give me a present from herself, she’s simply the maker of the gift and Cassio is the giver. I imagine she only decided to deliver them herself to see her son.

“You did?” I ask, softening up immediately.

My husband is spoiling me with weapons instead of diamonds… God, why is that so sweet?

When Cassio opens the little black box, my eyes light up as he starts to show me the various contents within. A belt that hides a knife in the center clasp that I can wear with jeans, a stick of deodorant that opens to a taser, rather than antiperspirant, and more. The lipstick tube that twists up a triangle knife instead of makeup gets the biggest reaction.

“That one’s great because it may look small, but the shape makes it very strong. And triangle wounds are more difficult to stitch, which can mean the fucker you stick with it bleeds for longer,” Colton tells me enthusiastically.

“You can fuck someone up real bad with that thing,” Armani agrees, grinning. “Imagine the dent it would put in the jugular, ouch.”

“I like them all,” I say, grinning at my new possessions.

“We haven’t even gotten to the best one,” Cassio tells me, kissing my temple before nodding to Colton’s mother. “Show her.”

The weapon Winona pulls out of her purse is… confusing. It looks like a scrunchie with a covered knife dangling upside down from the loop. My face must betray my bewilderment, because she chuckles lightly.

“This one is great for you because you have this gorgeous thick hair,” Winona says, gesturing for me to spin around.

“Thank you,” I reply, accepting the compliment and turning on my heels. I can’t stay mad at one of my good friend’s mothers, after all.

I know I take a while to warm up, and Winona and I definitely didn’t start on the right foot. But she seems willing to brush the confrontation under the rug, and I need to attempt to do the same. For Colton.

Using my existing ponytail as an example, she wraps the scrunchie around it twice, tucking the hanging knife seamlessly into my hair.

“Perfect,” she comments happily. “You can’t see it at all. If you need it while you’re wearing it. Simply pull on the handle, and the sheath will stay attached to the base, that way you can tug it out easily.”

Colton chuckles. “This way the blade stays covered while in your hair, and doesn’t give you a choppy ass cut while swaying around in there.”

“I’m going to wear this one all the time,” I declare, chin lifting high. “It’s genius, Winona. Thank you.”

“Thank your husband,” she tells me with a smirk. “He’s the one who rush-ordered all of this. I just stopped by to see my boy, and that beautiful pup of yours if you’ll let me.”

Remembering that she’s the woman who saved and trained him, I don’t have to contemplate my answer.

“Sirius, come,” I command softly. He trots right up to my side, tail slowly wagging. Pointing to his former trainer, I add, “Sirius, play.”

Hearing the word that assures him he’s off duty, he yips gleefully and lunges for Winona. Tail wagging fast and jaw dropped open to pant, letting his tongue flop around, he weaves around her legs in an excited huff.

“Who’s a good boy?” she coos, petting him in return.

“The dog gets a warmer greeting than I do,” Colton sulks.

“The dog didn’t put me through twenty-eight hours of labor,” his mum quips, smirking up at him.

“Point taken.”

After Winona leaves, I whip up a quick lunch for all of us. It’s Agnes’ day off, and if I didn’t cook, we’d be eating leftovers or takeout. Cooking was apparently the right choice, because my wife loves it.

“Ohhhh my goddd, Cassio,” Ana moans. Her eyes flutter shut like she’s just been transported to heaven.

Armani snorts, leaning down to take a bite of his own sandwich. “I do not need to hear your fuck noises at the table, love.”

Ana ignores him, swallowing her next bite. “I would fuck this tuna melt.”

“You could fuck the man who made it for you instead,” Colton suggests, giving me a wink.

“Right after I brush my teeth,” my wife agrees, nodding.

“God, I need to get laid,” Armani groans. “I’m in a responsible brother dry spell, hanging out around here all the time.”

“A sex detox was totally in order,” Colton tells him, patting his back. “Now you know you can go weeks and weeks without it. I’m so proud.”

“Fuck off.” My brother huffs. “Not all of us want to wait around for it.”

Colton shrugs. “You just need to meet the right person.”

“Your right person won’t even text you back, let alone fuck you.”

“I’m playing the long game.”

“I hope your dick shrivels up from prolonged neglect.”

“I hope your community cock gets an infection,” Colton retorts.

Ana almost chokes on her sandwich laughing.

“I do not understand your friendship,” I say, eyeing the two men. I’ve never wished an STD on Killian, and certainly never wished Leon’s dick would shrivel up. I’m pretty sure they’re joking and don’t actually wish undo harm on each other’s pricks, but who knows with them.

Just as I’m about to take another bite of my lunch, a knock sounds against the front door, and I immediately stiffen. Armani and I reach for our guns at the same time, Colton quickly following in suit. Our bodies shift in unison, blocking Ana from the view of the door as we stand up from the kitchen counter.

“Oh, would you relax?” Ana huffs, getting up and maneuvering around us before I can stop her. “I ordered something, it’s just Gerard bringing it up. He made sure the package wasn’t tampered with.”

Sure enough, when she swings open the door, Gerard is standing there. They exchange a few quick words before he hands her a blue gift bag and excuses himself.

“What’d you get?” Armani asks, eyeing the delivery as Ana returns to the counter.

“Something for Cassio,” she answers cryptically. Sliding back into her seat, she starts to eat again, ignoring the elephant in the room.

Colton snorts. “Way to leave us in suspense, doll.”

“I’ll give it to him as soon as you both leave.”

“Umm, rude,” Armani gripes.

Dramatically holding a hand over his heart, Colton pouts. “We were here for your gifts! Why can’t we see his? Why don’t we have any? What kind of backwards Christmas is this!?”

“It’s March,” Ana replies blandly, not allowing their antics to make her crack. “And Cassio can show you after, if he’d like to.”

“It’s a sex gift, isn’t it?”

“Oooo, is it a butt plug? There’s no shame in the anal game, Cass. The prostate is the male g-spot, you know?”

Give me strength.

“It’s not a butt plug, and if it were, it would be for me,” Ana tells them matter-of-factly.

The goofy grins my wife’s over-share causes end my patience with these two little shits.

“All right, time for you two to go,” I gripe, nodding toward the stairs. “Take your lunch and fuck off.”

Huffing, they both do as they’re told, grumbling about my bitchy attitude the whole way. Ana finds it quite amusing, giggling as she watches them go. If they didn’t bring her so much joy, they would probably drive me nuts.

Raising a brow in her direction, I nod to the bag. “You got me something on the same day I had your gifts delivered?”

Smiling wistfully, she nods. “I didn’t even plan the delivery date, I had it delivered to Gerard’s place so it would be a secret and he just texted me after my nap. Funny how fate works.”

“Yeah,” I agree softly. “Fate.”

Fate is exactly the right word to use concerning Ana. It’s like she was dropped down straight from the sky, destined to land in my lap.

“Now finish your lunch, I want to give you this.”

Chuckling, I do just that. After we wash up, Ana corrals me to the couch, pushing the baby blue bag into my hands.

“Open it,” she insists.

Riffling through the tissue paper, my fingers clasp around a thick, square box. It has some weight to it, and as I pull it out, I notice hinges on the side for an easy to open top.

I can feel my wife’s eyes on me as my thumbs push open the lid. Seeing what’s inside, I freeze before lifting my gaze to her.

“It’s like three months early,” Ana says, biting her lip. “But I wanted to get you something for Father’s Day, and I couldn’t wait to give it to you once I saw pictures of the final product.”

I swallow hard, looking back down to stare at the gift in awe. It’s a custom white gold Cartier watch, with glacial blue gemstones framing the circular clock, and the minute and hour hands in a matching shade of blue.

“The aquamarine stones,” she continues, sounding nervous. “They’re your son’s birthstone. I asked Dad what month he was born before I designed the watch. I know talking about him is hard, but even if he isn’t here with us, you’ll always be Angel’s father. I’d like to celebrate that every year… if you’ll let me.”

If I’ll let her?

Cristo, she is too lovely for words.

Shedding my current watch, I quickly replace it with the new one. Ana beams at me, emotion dancing around her caramel eyes.

“Come here.”

The following kiss I plant on her makes my fucking head spin.