“What could we possibly have left to talk about?” I responded, making my dad laugh.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate me on my wedding? Do you know how embarrassing it was for me to have your future in-laws there and ask where you had gone? Heaven was very upset..”
“What the fuck are you even talking about? Do you not get it? I am married to Johnnie now..I love her and nothing is going to break us apart.” I started to yell but was quickly aware of my surroundings as I lowered my voice and walked towards the other side of the apartment, not wanting to wake Johnnie.
“I don’t know what that girl has done to you..You know how important the King legacy is..I did my part to keep it going..and you will be doing yours. I told you this would happen if you opened your fucking mouth..I told you that you would ruin our family. Your own brothers want nothing to do with me now because of what you said..” He began to berate me, making me scoff.
“You did that all on your own…and I want nothing to do with the King legacy. You have ruined this family and if you think I will marry Heaven, you are fucking delusional.” I rushed out, ready to hang up the phone when he suddenly spoke again.
“Caspian..you know I have ways to get what I want..money can do a lot of things in this world..it can even provide protection..or, do the exact opposite..there are some sick people in this world.” He began, making me freeze.
“Car accidents, house fires, robberies gone bad…even kidnapping..things happen..people go missing all the time Caspian…” He whispered, making my stomach twist as my heart stopped.
“What..what did you just say?” I breathed..was he alluding to what I think he was?
“I’m just saying life happens Caspian..and if you want to protect that girl..it would be better if she weren’t in yours..in fact, I will even protect her myself.” He stated.
“We can send her to a nice school, give her everything she ever wanted..she would be taken care of… Wouldn’t you rather the girl live a long life before some type of accident happens? I mean..who knows, there could be someone outside that building, looking up at your bedroom window right now.” He added, making my eyes dart toward the living room window.
“Or..maybe they have been waiting in your closet since the moment you got home..perhaps your wife is sleeping in bed right now..completely unaware that the man with a knife is approaching..”
I dropped my phone, my eyes widening in fear as I ran to the bedroom before shoving the door open and flicking on the lights.
“Baby? What..what’s going on?” Johnnie jolted awake, her eyes blinking rapidly from the harsh light as I ran to the closet and began searching through the hanging clothes.
Nothing..there was no one there.
I walked back out, feeling my heart hammering in my chest as I looked over at my wife. Her eyes were filled with confusion as I rushed to her.
“I love you..nothing, it’s nothing.” I whispered while pressing her to my chest and hugging her tight.
Then my eyes were drawn to the window, making my stomach drop as I stepped closer.
I know we are on the third floor so no one was going to get through it..but when I looked down into the parking lot..that’s when I saw the figure of a man standing out there, staring straight up at me.
The cigarette he was smoking illuminated his face, revealing a wide smile before he threw it on the ground and stomped it out..then he walked away.
“Baby, what is it?” Johnnie whispered while stepping behind me and wrapping her arms around my waist. Her mouth pressed a soft kiss against my back as her touch brought me warmth.
“I was just looking for something, it’s nothing to worry about.”
“Come on, let’s get you back in bed..I just have to make a call really quick.” I said while turning and guiding Johnnie to our bed before pulling the covers back and letting her slip in.
“Come to bed soon, please.” She whispered worriedly. I gave her the best smile I could muster before kissing her on the lips and gazing down at my wife.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” She responded before snuggling into the bed and closing her eyes.
I couldn’t help but watch her for a few moments..the words my dad said playing through my mind over and over again..and that’s when I knew I couldn’t do this on my own.
After leaving Johnnie in the room, I went to find my phone and picked it back up, seeing I had a random text from an unknown number.
Opening it, I saw something that made my stomach drop. It was a picture of our apartment..but this one wasn’t outside where I saw that man..it was of our room during the day…someone had been in the fucking apartment.
Then there was a text beneath it.
“It’s your choice..I would think carefully about it.”
I knew what the text meant..I knew my dad was threatening to hurt Johnnie if I didn’t leave her..and it made me sick to my stomach.
I quickly exited the text as I went through my contacts and made the call.
I paced back and forth as I heard it ring..then she finally answered.
“Mom..I..I need your help, I don’t know what to do..” I choked out, knowing I couldn’t keep this from her..I promised to tell her the truth and I wasn’t going to hide this..not like I did in the past.
“It’s okay sweetheart..everything will be okay…you, Johnnie and Moose can come and stay here for the time being..I’m not going to let him get away with this Caspian..I won’t let him hurt you or Johnnie, I promise son. I promise I will protect you.” She rushed out, making me nod my head as I glanced back toward our room.
I hated this feeling…I hated not being strong enough to protect her on my own..and I hated the fact that it was my own father who was the one she needed protection from.
But I won’t give in..nothing will make me leave Johnnie..and I refuse to be his pawn any longer.
Fuck you Dave King..you are dead to me.
(Neal Turner)
I watched as Johnnie slid into the car..my sweet girl looked so beautiful and I couldn’t believe it’s been four years since I held her in my arms.
After everything that happened..I couldn’t stay away..I know that it’s risky..and if he finds out, it could end badly..but it is the only way to protect them.
Dave King is a fucking monster..and my wife isn’t much better..he thought he really got away with it all of those years ago.
But I wasn’t an idiot..I knew it was coming. Especially after confronting him and showing him the proof that Ben wasn’t my son.
But I didn’t give a shit about blood..that’s my boy..he is mine and Dave can’t do anything to change that.
It wasn’t easy to come back here..I needed to change everything, I needed them to think I was dead..even my sweet little girl and son.
I thought that she would be able to get out of this and live a happy life..but of course she fell for him..Viva and I both knew it might happen even back then. Capsian seemed to stay away from her for a few years..but I can’t blame him, my Jojo is one of a kind..and I’m glad to see Caspian didn’t end up like his father.
It happened the week before I was supposed to leave for my next job. Working in a crabbing boat wasn’t the easiest shit, considering I had kids..Sometimes I would be gone for weeks at a time but the pay was worth it.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.