“It will be fine,” Aleki told her. “Will you shut up before I shut you up myself!”
Her eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat before she realized he wasn’t talking to her. She’d never heard him sound so angry before.
“Baby girl. I’m not angry at you. Please stop making that noise. You’re killing me here. Damn it, baby. Fuck. Just let me get her secured. Call Caleb, baby girl. Call Daddy, for Papa.”
Call Daddy. For Papa. She could do that. She was vaguely aware of him pulling off his top. What was he doing? She didn’t have time to ponder it. She was too busy trying to remember how to work the phone.
Find Daddy’s name. Press on it. Calling.
“Aleki?” Caleb asked through the phone.
She held the phone up to her ear. “Daddy?”
“Vivi? Jelly bean, are you all right? Where’s Aleki?” Caleb asked, sounding alarmed.
“He’s sitting on Marilyn.” When things were too stressful, she seemed to find comfort in Little space.
“Sitting on Marilyn? What?” Caleb asked.
“He’s mad.”
“Mad? What do you mean, he’s mad? Never mind, it doesn’t matter right now. Where are you?”
“In an alley. Daddy?” she said.
“Yes, jelly bean?”
“She’s really mean.”
“It’s okay, jelly bean,” Caleb soothed. “Aleki has her secured, right?”
“He’s tying up her hands with his shirt. I think he wants to talk to you. Daddy, I want you to come here.”
“I’m on my way, jelly bean. Just stay with Aleki, all right?”
“All right.”
She handed the phone over to Aleki who kept hold of Marilyn. He said a few quick things before hanging up as people started rushing down the alleyway. Marilyn was fighting against him, even with her hands tied behind her body.
Aleki spoke to the new arrivals sharply in the same language she’d heard in the marketplace. Two of them came forward to help. Suddenly, Aleki was crouching in front of Vivi. He held out his hands. She reached out to him. He drew her up into his arms and she buried her face into his chest.
Everything else faded away. She was safe. In his arms, she was always safe.
36
“Sweet flower, what did I tell you? You don’t have to get injured to see me. Just say the magic phrase.” Obian shuffled into Vivi’s bedroom where Aleki sat on the bed with her on his lap.
Vivi di
dn’t even react to Obian’s words and worry shot through Aleki. She was so still, so silent. The only time she gave any indication that she was paying attention to what was going on was when they tried to move her from his arms.
It was flattering as fuck that she wanted to stay with him. But they were going to have problems soon when he needed to use the bathroom.
Leaning in, he kissed the top of her head. They’d checked her over as they drove her back home. Wolfe and Caleb hadn’t taken long to make their way to them. Wolfe was off dealing with Marilyn right now, but was keeping in constant contact with them. As in every two minutes he was texting Caleb for an update. Aleki knew it wouldn’t be long until he returned.
That bitch had attacked their woman. She was going to pay. Aleki didn’t give a shit how. The justice system worked much quicker here than in the states, so he knew they wouldn’t have to wait long before she went up in front of a judge.
Fuck. He couldn’t believe she’d nearly been hurt on his watch.