Unconditional Love (Journey of Love #1)(68)
Author: Kelly Elliott

Jessie walked up to me and said, “Okay, I’m going to have to ask. How in the hell do you have a multi-million dollar condo in Austin, a house in Belize and God knows what else, when you’re just in the Marines?”

I glanced over to Scott. He frowned. “I never told Jessie about your grandparents. Then again, I never really knew how rich you were, dude.”

I looked back at Jessie. “My grandparents were very wealthy. Oil wells in Texas. When they passed away, they left everything to my brother and me. My parents are also pretty well off, not like my grandparents by any means, but the house in Belize was their house.”

“Holy shit. This explains so much,” Jessie whispered.

“It definitely explains some things, that’s for sure,” Scott said.

My phone pinged and I pulled it out to see I had a text message from Jerry.

Jerry: Sorry it took me so long. Dodge isn’t the guy’s real name. Sent you all the info in an email.

Me: Thanks. Owe you.

“I mean, now I know how you were able to look up all that information so fast and the connections you have.”

I gave him a weak smile as I said, “I do have connections, but not all of them are military. Most are CIA.”

Jessie looked at Scott and then me, “Wait. You said the CIA is trying to bring you on with them, so does that mean your time in the Marines is almost up?”

I nodded my head.

“Why didn’t you just tell Azurdee all of this?”

“I can’t. You can’t either. Why I just spilled my guts out I have no idea, but you cannot repeat anything to anyone. The less Azurdee knows, the better. I need this crazy lunatic to think that Azurdee was just another girl and no one important to me. If they think she can be used to get to me they will take her, and God knows what they would do. You cannot tell her anything.”

Scott walked backwards and when he hit the steps he sat down. “Holy shit. Lark. This is some…this is…”

“Heavy shit?” I asked as I walked over and sat down next to him.

I looked at Jessie and said, “I wasn’t even thinking about Azurdee being here because I kept thinking I was going to miss it.”

She put her hands up to her mouth again and said, “She asked if you would be here. When Scott said you were out of town I told her no. She said…she said she was bringing someone.”

I stood up quickly and tried to settle down my instantly beating heart. “Who? Dodge?”

Jessie gave me a funny look. “Dodge? Who is Dodge?”

“You don’t know about Dodge? The guy she has gone out with a few times?”

She shook her head. “No. She hasn’t mentioned him at all, but she also didn’t say who was coming with her. Oh Lark! I’m so sorry.”

I grabbed onto the railing and slowly sat back down. I was so pissed off I wanted to hit something. I looked over at Scott and he jumped up.

“Yeah. I’ve seen that look before. Come on, before you want to take your anger out on me. Let’s go shoot.”

Jessie stood in front of Scott and said, “What? Azurdee is coming soon and possibly with a guy, and you want to give Lark, a trained killer, a gun? Are you insane, Scott?”

I couldn’t help it. I started laughing. “She does have a point. You know what a good shot I am.”

The door opened and Scott’s mom called out. “Azurdee is on her way down the drive!”

I looked at Scott and Jessie and we all said “Oh shit” at the same time.

Scott grabbed me to walk away but it was too late. She was already in sight and Jessie stood in front of me. “Whoever it is, you have to promise me, you will neither hurt nor kill anyone in the next 24 hours.”

I gritted my teeth and nodded my head. Jessie turned and began waving as Azurdee parked the car. When an older woman began getting out of the passenger seat, Jessie said, “Thank you God. It’s Azurdee’s mom.”

I leaned down and whispered, “I promise not to kill Azurdee’s mother.”

Jessie snapped her head around and glared at me. “Not funny, Lark Williams.”

Azurdee was smiling until she glanced up and saw me. Her smile faded and then was replaced by a fake smile.

“Mrs. Emerson! What a surprise! Azurdee said she was bringing someone, but didn’t say it was her mom.”

Azurdee smiled bigger and said, “Mom, this is Scott Reynolds.”

Scott walked up and shook her hand and then kissed the back of it, making her blush.

Azurdee looked at me and I smiled and mouthed hello.

Mrs. Emerson turned and looked at me and I smiled. We both stood there waiting for Azurdee to introduce us. I finally took the lead.

“Mrs. Emerson, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. I’m Lark Williams.”

Her mother’s smile faded for one quick second before returning. “Mr. Williams. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

“Lark is Lauren’s godfather,” Azurdee said. It was like she had to explain my reason for being there.

“Oh. Very lovely. Jessie, I’m parched. Tea?”

Jessie gave a nervous laugh and said, “Yes! My mother in law just made some. Let’s head on in.”

Azurdee and I managed to avoid each other for the rest of Friday and most of Saturday. I walked around Scott and Jessie’s backyard carrying Lauren in my arms. I hadn’t seen Azurdee since she went inside with her mother and a few other ladies. Lauren laughed and I looked down at her and smiled. She was nine months old now and the cutest damn thing ever. She was so happy all the time, and when I was around her it just made me realize the life I wanted with Azurdee. As we walked up to each person, I said, “My goddaughter, Lauren. Isn’t she going to be a heartbreaker?”

When Florida Georgia Line’s song “This is How We Roll” began playing, I walked to the dance floor and began dancing with Lauren. As I bounced her around, she began laughing out loud, which caused me to laugh out loud. It was the first time in two months I felt a moment of happiness. Scott walked up and tried to take my sweet angel out of my arms and I turned away from him. He walked around me and I spun away again. This time Lauren really started laughing so Scott and I made a game out of it.

I finally gave up my girl and handed her to Scott. As he began walking to the house with her, I glanced over and saw Azurdee standing there watching me. My heart dropped just as fast as my smile did when I saw the look on her face. She looked…sad. I smiled, and she returned my smile, but it didn’t touch her eyes. She turned and walked away.