Kynedi Chapter 11

The rest of our trip to Ocala passed without being ruined by assholes like Christopher Brynes. After we got back to the hotel that night and got Cass tucked in for the night, Tiernan explained to me why Chris acted the way he did and who he was. Some I got from the comments made. The rest had been a surprise. Although I didn’t let Christopher see it, his remarks about me had bothered me. When I heard he accused the others of slumming, if he’d been in front of me, I would’ve hit him. It illustrated, though, that there would be those who looked down on me because I wasn’t of the same social class as Tiernan. When I mentioned it, Tiernan got upset.

“Kynedi, I don’t give a damn what anyone says. You’re not beneath anyone. The amount of money you have or the job you do doesn’t define you. How many of them would work three jobs to take care of themselves and their child? Not very fucking many.

“Chris has spent his life having it all handed to him and being told he’s the golden boy. I might’ve dated a lot of women, but I never made any of them believe they had a chance with me, and neither did my brothers or cousins. Chris uses and discards women left and right. When we heard Aisling was going out with him, we almost flipped out. We had to tell Alisatir to get off his ass if he wanted her.”

This led me to find out about the years the two of them had loved each other but never admitted it and why. It made the fact that they were finally together and expecting a baby even sweeter, in my opinion. The rest of the night was spent way more pleasantly than talking about Chris Brynes. We’d headed home the following day after spending part of the morning at the stables. Cassius insisted on saying goodbye to the horses. It was so cute watching him talk to all of them and promising he’d come back to see them.

That had been not quite a week ago. In the intervening days, I’d worked two days at the spa and my cleaning job. Tiernan was asking me to consider giving up the cleaning job. A part of me wanted to do it. I didn’t like it, but it was money. When I explained that, he brought up my reliance on him. I couldn’t do that. Maybe someday soon, I’d be able to let go and maybe quit that one. He was urging me to figure out if either of the other jobs were my dream one. If so, just work that one. If not, then figure out what I wanted to do, and we’d make it happen.

I didn’t tell him that I’d always wanted to work with kids. After having Cassius and facing the challenges we had, I wanted to work with kids like him and others. My desire to be an advocate for children like them was highlighted today when I got a call from the school.

The school was still out for a few more weeks, but teachers and staff were back in, working on getting everything set for the new school year. When I got the call, I didn’t know what it was about at first. I soon found out. At the end of the last school year, everything had been settled, and a plan was set for Cass’s next year. The big thing was getting the school to work with me and to set up an IEP, an individualized education program, for him.

He was able to handle most classes and do the things required in them. The IEP wasn’t to put him in special education classes. However, he did need some modifications. Those mostly centered around giving him breaks during testing or class to help maintain his concentration and regroup if needed. If the subject was one he loved, that wasn’t required. Another was providing him with visual aids to help him learn and retain what he was taught. Things like photos and graphic organizers accomplished that. He and I made them at home, but if the school would help, that would be great. A final one was providing him with an electronic device, such as an iPad, to complete his assignments and take his tests. He seemed to do better on those than with paper and pencil.

My meeting with the principal, teacher, and guidance counselor had ended with them assuring me all that could be done. Well, the call today was from the counselor informing me that they couldn’t provide those for him. If I wanted special treatment, then he needed to be in the special education classes for all his subjects. They didn’t have the time or funding to do it in the regular ones. When I reminded her that wasn’t their answer two months ago, I was told that things change and that if I didn’t want him in those classes, then I could either deal or move him to a different school. Their callousness angered me, and my disappointment made me want to cry. It was all I could do to get through the rest of my day at the spa.

Cass was at the compound today. He was persuaded to hang out with Tiernan’s parents. I had no idea what they planned to do, but he’d been overjoyed with the idea. I’d convinced Tiernan not to drive me to work this morning. I felt there was no need. The guy who broke into the apartment wasn’t getting out of jail. They were holding him until he could be sentenced, and he wouldn’t be getting a slap on the wrist, which relieved me. Plus, there had been no repeat attempts to break in by anyone else who might’ve been casing it.

Tiernan reluctantly agreed. I did it since I wasn’t sure if I’d work late or not. There was a chance a client might want a late appointment. She was a regular who came in every few months, but she had to do it after five. She’d called to say she might be able to get away Monday. I was happy when she didn’t after that call with the counselor.

Getting in my car, I started it up and began driving. It must’ve known not to act up on me today because it started right away. Thinking that made me remember how Tiernan was adamant that my car would be replaced. I’d told him it would do until it died, then I’d find something. I had the feeling I’d be getting a new one soon. His expression had told me that much. That idea was swiftly forgotten as I went back to Cass and the school.

I was so preoccupied with thoughts of what to do about Cass that I didn’t know I’d driven to our apartment rather than the compound. However, when I did, I decided it was a good time to get us more clothing. Plus, I’d grab the paperwork the school gave me in our last meeting. Maybe if I took it to them, they’d see it was promised in writing and do it.

Walking into our place, I noted how hot it was. I kept the air conditioning not set as low due to us not being here, but this was ridiculous. I went to the thermostat. It said it was eighty-five in here. How? The air was set on seventy-five. I checked to be sure the button was in the correct position. It was. Flipping it to heat and then back to cool, I hoped that would fix it. While I gave it time to work, I went to find the paperwork and pack more clothes.

I’d mentioned coming back here to live, and Tiernan had been persistent in his excuse that he couldn’t live without us. He was trying to get me to give up the apartment and make the move permanent. As much as I loved being with him and adored the house, his family, and the estate, there was this whisper that warned me not to give up my home. What if he decided he no longer wanted us? I knew this whisper was due to my past and the shit that Bram put me through, but it was hard to imagine someone like Tiernan being satisfied with me. I was nothing like the women he was used to. I kept that to myself since I knew it would upset him.

Finding the papers, I went to Cassius’s room and grabbed more outfits and another pair of shoes. When I had those packed, I went to mine to gather a few things. It was as hot as ever when I went back to the thermostat. Standing under one of the vents, I didn’t feel an ounce of air moving, hot or otherwise. Damn it, that meant I had to call the landlord so he could get someone out to check it. And it was anyone’s guess when that might happen. He wasn’t always the fastest to fix issues.

Rummaging in my purse for my cell phone, I took it out and hunted up his name in my contacts. Pressing call, I waited. No surprise, he didn’t answer. I left him a detailed message of who was calling and what the issue was. I asked him to please call me back ASAP. Ending my message, I locked up and hurried to my car. At least it had air conditioning.

As soon as I started my car, I turned the air up to high, hoping it would help it blow out the hot air faster and bring in the cool air. I felt like a wet washcloth. Humidity and heat in Florida in late July were no joke.

Driving through the parking lot to get to the road, movement caught my eye. It was across the street from my place. As I glanced over, I saw the figure of a man. He was tucked close to a palm tree. I turned my head back to the road and then whipped it back after a couple of seconds when what I saw registered. Someone standing outside or under a tree wasn’t anything unusual. What was weird was the man’s face. He looked like the pushy massage customer from a while back—the one who kept asking personal questions and wanted my phone number. By the time I looked back, he was gone.

The entire drive to Tiernan’s, I kept trying to convince myself that I had imagined it. However, I was positive I hadn’t. What would be the odds that he lived in the same complex or even general area as me? Or did he, and he was out walking his dog, and I didn’t see it? There would be no way he could know where I lived, and if he did, he hadn’t approached me. When I pulled through the gates of the commune, I was startled when another car followed me inside. Since the guards didn’t stop it or come out with their guns, I assumed it belonged there. I didn’t know all the people here or their cars. I went straight to Tiernan’s house. He was waiting in the driveway when I got there. He didn’t appear happy. Cassius was nowhere in sight.

I parked in the nearest garage. By the time I turned off the car, he was at my door, opening it and holding out his hand. I was nervous as I undid my belt and got out. He didn’t say a word, but he did open the back door and take out the bags I packed. I didn’t say anything as he escorted me inside. As soon as we got into the family room, he dropped the bags on the floor and turned to face me.

“What the hell were you doing at your apartment? You know you shouldn’t be there alone. Is that why you wanted to drive yourself? So you could go back there? If so, why? What was such a secret?” he fired at me.

“Whoa, what? Hold on. First, how do you know I stopped at the apartment? Two, there’s no reason I shouldn’t go there alone or otherwise. There’s been no further break-ins, and that man is still in jail. Three, I didn’t lie about why I wanted to drive myself. My client didn’t come after all. And lastly, you don’t get to come at me firing off accusations, Tiernan. I can go and do whatever I want. If you don’t like it, then go to hell. In fact, I know how to fix this,” I snapped as I reached down and snagged my bags. I tried to move past him, but he blocked my way.

“Kynedi, stop and talk to me.”

“No, if you wanted to talk, you would’ve asked me calmly why I went. Instead, you made it an accusation. Where’s my son?”

“He’s with Cara.”

“Get him here.”

“Not until we finish talking.”

“No, now. We’re done talking. Move. I have stuff to do.”

“Like what?”

“Like pack the rest of our things. We’re going home.”

This time, when I tried to get around him, he latched onto my arm. I tried to shake his grip loose, but he hung on. It wasn’t tight enough to hurt or bruise me, but he wasn’t letting go. I was fighting not to cry. Everything piled on top of me, and then this. I’d been looking forward to him comforting me when I got here and told him everything. I needed him to tell me not to worry about the school and what I thought I saw.

“ Leanbh , don’t. Let’s calm down and sit. We can talk through this. There’s no reason to get upset and leave. I’m sorry that I got angry. You worried me.”

“Oh, you’re all calm now. Well, I’m not. I don’t need or want a man who demands to know every move I make, accuses me of being a liar, and controls me. Next, you’ll be accusing me of cheating on you. I know this song and dance. Then you’ll want me to get rid of Cassius and beat me for protecting him!” I shouted.

His expression became alarmed. “ Chíost , no, that’s not what I meant at all. This is getting out of hand. Sit with me. Let’s clear this up.”

I tried to get away, but he tugged me with him until we were at the couch. The bags had dropped to the floor. He sat down, bringing me down with him. He tried to sit me right against him, but when he let go of my arm, I scooted back, putting space between us. His mouth tightened, but he didn’t say anything.

“Tell me why you stopped at the apartment. If you needed something, I could’ve gone or sent one of the guys to pick it up for you.”

“Why do that when I could just as easily do it? Tell me how you knew that was where I was?”

He didn’t answer me right away. “I see. You ask all the questions, and I answer them, but you don’t have to. Forget it,” I said a little acidly.

I went to stand, but he put his hand on my leg. “Kyn, I don’t want to fight. I know something else is going on. Tell me. I can’t help if I don’t know.”

“Tell me how you knew I went there.”

He sighed. “I had one of our guys following you. I couldn’t just let you out there alone. You’re mine, and people have seen us together. It’s only a matter of time before they start trailing after you. I know you wanted to drive yourself, and I agreed, but I would never let you be out there unprotected. When you ended up at your place, Reggie called and asked me what I wanted him to do. I said to stay and make sure you were alright. I wanted to tell him to bring you home, but I didn’t. I’ve been here pacing and waiting for you to get here to find out why all the mystery.”

“So that was Reggie who came in behind me in the other car?”

“Yes. Once you entered, he texted to say you were on your way to the house.”

“Wow, and you didn’t think I deserved to know that you had someone watching me?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it mattered. All the women here know that they have bodyguards, whether visible or not.”

“Well, they might, but I don’t. I haven’t been a part of this kind of life. One where you can never have a private moment unless you’re locked in your commune. Or do we have eyes on us here, too? Is someone sitting in a room watching me on a screen,” I demanded. On one level, I knew I was taking my frustration with the school and the worry over what I thought I saw out on him. On another, these were legitimate questions.

“No one is watching you on a screen. Are there cameras inside the compound? Yes. Within our homes, there is private security, but not something anyone is watching. I thought you’d just know that you’d be protected. I’m sorry. I should’ve explained it. Tell me why you didn’t ask me to get your things if you needed them.”

“Because I didn’t even know I wanted them! Christ, I was upset, and I drove on autopilot. The next thing I knew, I was at the apartment. I decided to pick up some things. That’s the end of the big mystery. God, I just need a break. I need time to think. I need you to get Cassius.” I rambled.

“You’re not running. Keep talking to me. Why were you upset and driving on autopilot? That’s dangerous. What happened at work?”

“I’ll leave if I want!”

“At the risk of you accusing me of being like that motherfucker, Farr, again, you’re not going anywhere. And I want it clear that I’m not demanding to know every move you make. I didn’t accuse you of lying, and I’m not trying to control you. And I would never accuse you of cheating on me. But I sure as fuck wouldn’t want to get rid of Cassius or beat you!” he almost shouted.

I knew he wouldn’t, but when he practically shouted, I automatically flinched. His hand left my leg, and he moved back. He wore a look of pain.

“Please, muirnín , don’t. Surely, you know that I’d cut out my own heart before I’d harm either of you. You’re the other half of my soul. I want to protect and support you. I’m not like that sucker coileach , cocksucker. I don’t beat my woman or try to sell my own child.”

As his words registered, I gasped. How did he know about that last part?

He shook his head. “I might as well confess it all since you think I’m a monster anyway. I know what Farr did. After we met, I asked Cody, our main computer guy, to check and make sure there wasn’t a threat from your ex. Before you accuse me of invading your privacy, all I told him to tell me was if there was still a danger to you and Cass, nothing else. I wanted to discover the rest on my own and from you.

“And yes, doing background checks is standard for anyone working for us or becoming a part of our family. It sounds terrible, but when you live like we do, it becomes a necessity. Cody found out about the abuse and then that Farr was in prison and why. I can’t imagine the pain, terror, and heartache you went through to have to protect not only yourself but your son from his own father. What kind of monster wants to sell his child? You may not believe me, but I would never do any of those things to you or him.

“I’m trying to figure out how to weigh what I feel against what you want and need. I’m sorry that my feelings are causing this to be a problem. I swear, I’ll work on it. Just please, don’t leave. I can’t stand the thought of you and Cass being anywhere other than here with me.”

As I listened to him, his sincerity was hard to miss, and I didn’t think he was a good enough actor to fake it. It helped to lower my agitation a little. As it did, I latched onto one part of what he said.

“I don’t know how I feel about you investigating me. We’ll come back to that. You said that you’re trying to weigh what you feel against what I want and need. What exact feeling is that? Do you mean your need to control?”

“No, not that. I love you. I told you that. It’s growing by the day, and I’m trying not to rush you into fully committing to me. I want you to move in here for good. I want you to marry me and let me adopt Cassius. And I want us to have more kids if you’re willing. I was waiting to hit you with this a little at a time because I know how commitment scares you after what Farr did. I don’t blame you, either.”

I sat there with my mouth hanging open and a sense of disbelief. Did he really say all those things? Yes, he’d admitted he loved me, and I did the same. It was crazy enough to say on our short acquaintance, but to add the rest. I had to be insane not to run for the door, but even more loco for wanting to say yes to it all.

“Say something,” he pleaded.

“I-I don’t know what to say, Tiernan. To think all that possibly sounds crazy, but no more than us saying I love you. A huge part of me wants to believe you’re what you appear to be and say yes to it all. But after what happened before, I have to be careful. It’s not just me I have to worry about. Cassius is and will always come first.”

“I don’t blame you for that. You’re a wonderful mom, and that’s the way it should be. Riza was the same with Khloe when she and Aidan met. All I want is for you not to tell me we’re through because I’m overprotective and try to do things for you. I need you to share what’s bothering you. You said you were distracted, and that’s why you ended up at the apartment. What caused that?”

All the fight seemed to leak out of me. He reached over and took my hand. I scooted closer. I needed his arms around me. He must’ve read my mind because he brought me against his chest.

“It started after I got a call from the school. The counselor called to inform me that they wouldn’t be putting into place the individualized educational program for Cassius that we agreed upon at the end of last year. It was to make some accommodations for him that would allow him to take all mainstream classes. The principal, counselor, and his teacher all agreed on it but now say they can’t. I can either put him in special education classes across the board, deal with it, or move him to another school.”

I felt him stiffen, but before he could say anything, I continued, “So, when I got off work, I was thinking about that. The next thing I knew, I was at our place, so I decided to grab more clothes and look for the paperwork the school gave me when we agreed on the plan. I was hoping if I showed it to them in writing, they’d change their minds. While I was there, I found out the air conditioning wasn’t working, so I had to call and leave a message for the landlord. As I was leaving, I thought—” I stopped there.

“Thought what?”

“It’s silly, really. I thought I saw a man standing under a tree across the lot. By the time it registered who he looked like, I glanced back and saw that he was gone. There’s no way it was him.”

“Who?” he growled.

“A customer I had a while back at the spa. He was an overly flirty guy who wanted to ask me personal questions and tried to get my phone number afterward so he could book his sessions directly with me. I told him that wasn’t how we did it and left him for my boss to handle. He hasn’t been scheduled with me since. I don’t know if he’s even a customer anymore. Honestly, I think I was just imagining things with all the crap going on. There’s no way he’d know where I lived.”

“Kynedi, if you think you saw him, it’s likely you did. And while it could be pure coincidence, I’d rather be sure. I want you to give me the man’s name and information. Can you get that from your work?”

I tried to argue it wasn’t necessary, but in the end, I gave in. He was right. Better to be safe than sorry. I promised I’d get it tomorrow.

“Now, as for the school, I presume they’re at the school preparing for the new school year.”

“Yes, they’re getting their classrooms and stuff set up.”

“Good. Tomorrow, do you have a break in your schedule at the spa?”

“I should.”

“Then we’ll take those papers and go together to see the principal and counselor. They made a promise, and they need to keep it. If they won’t, we’ll make sure they don’t screw anyone else over. Kids like Cass deserve the best education they can get. Telling someone to deal with it or move isn’t the answer. And before you say you’ll handle it, I need to help. You said you want to say yes to all those things I want. Which means Cass is mine, too. We go to battle for him together. There’s no more you against the world. We’re a family.”

His words and tone made me melt, which led to me kissing him. We spent several long minutes kissing before finally breaking apart and going to find our son. What a rollercoaster of a day! There were so many downs and now incredible ups. Our anger was forgotten as we spent the evening as a family. I even understood why he had me investigated. With a family like his, you couldn’t blindly trust people and take them at face value, which was a shame.