The Alpha King's Series novel Chapter 48

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CHAPTER-FORTY-SEVEN

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BRINLEY.

ONE YEAR LATER...

I never waited to face any of this alone. I thought that Xander and I went through so much that nothing would ever break us apart. But, if it wasn't for Charles threatening Dominic's life, if I didn't give him what he wanted, I couldn't risk him hurting my baby or letting that amulet fall into Charles's hands.

Charles left me no choice; I had to run. I know Xander will never give up looking for me; I also know neither will Charles.

Knox destroyed my phone and gave me cash to not have to use my credit cards. No doubt Charles and Xander would be looking for that. I didn't tell Knox where I was going. He dropped me off at a bus station, and I took it from there.

Dominic is two now and is currently undergoing his heart surgery, and to say I was a nervous wreck would be an understatement. I can't stop pacing the halls chewing on my nails, and my heart stops every time I see a doctor in blue scrubs.

I want to have Xander hold me and tell me everything will be fine.

Nothing about this is satisfactory. I have been living with the constant pain of being away from my mate, and I thought so many times about calling him and telling him what has been going on with Dominic and that I didn't leave him willingly. It was to protect him and the Kingdom from his heartless uncle.

But I couldn't do that.

I've been writing everything down in journals for Xander about Dominic's growth, his heart giving out a few times, and I lost him for minutes until they brought him back.

I will send them to him after the journal is complete. I go a few towns over and send them so that Xander doesn't try and track the postage stamps.

Sage hardly speaks to me. She wanted me to stand my ground with Charles and show him we were not afraid. Of course, I'm not scared for myself, but I couldn't let him grow up without a mother for my child's sake.

I think about Xander a lot, like if he has moved on? Or is he hurting just like me?

I shake my head.

I can't get wrapped up in my thoughts right now. I've been unable to sleep since I brought Dominic here at 3:00 Am, and he has been in surgery for hours now.

It's hard to rest when I always have to look over my shoulder.

When I got to this small town a year ago, I was nervous and scared Charles would find me. I couldn't risk getting a big job, afraid they would advertise and mention my name. I found a job at dinner. It doesn't pay much money, but Dominic and I get by what I earn.

I don't have many friends, only the old lady that lives in the apartment beside me, and she also watches Dominic while I work.

"Ms. James?"

I freeze and slowly turn to face the Doctor wearing blue scrubs; my eyes fall on all the blood that covered most of the blue.

Oh, goddess, is that from my baby?

"You're son is in recovery now. We did run into some problems once we opened him up, the valve was coming apart into pieces, and his heart stopped three times during surgery. But we managed to bring him back. However, these next twenty-four hours are crucial, and I'm afraid this will not be his last surgery,"

I nod.

Unable to speak, I was crying so hard.

"You can see him in a few hours. Go home, get some food, and rest. I'll let the nurses know you're coming back later. There is nothing you can do now,"

************

XANDER.

"I traced the postage stamp to a town about ten hours away," Kyle says.

"Did you check to see if she's there?"

Kyle nods.

"I have men there now and traces of her," Kyle shakes his head.

"Son of bitch," I mutter punching another hole in the wall.

"If you don't stop doing that, you will run out of money fixing that one wall," Kyle shakes his head.

"I don't fucking care. I want her back now, and it's been a fucking year and damn trace of her anywhere,"

"If we can't find her, that means Charles can't either," Kyle reminds me.

"This isn't good enough," I say, shaking the journals in front of his face.

"I want to be there and watch him fucking grow. He is my son; how would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot?"

Kyle sighs.

"You're right. I'd be doing the same thing you are right now, but you have to calm down, Xander. Brinley is bound to fuck up, and when she does, we will be there,"

I shake my head.

"You don't know her. Brinley won't fuck up if know Charles is after her,"

Kyle shrugs.

"You never know. Maybe we should try to find out why Charles is after her, and if he is, why?"

"I could make a trip to new york," I tell him.

"That could work," Kyle says, standing up.

"You have to visit him to get your mind off your mate leaving you the way she did," Kyle says, wiggling his eyebrows.

"I'm not sure Charles will believe that,"

"You never know until you try," Kyle says.

"New york, new york, here I come,"

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BRINLEY.

Dominic woke up a few times crying in pain and trying to rip the tubes from his nose, and they had to restrain him. My heart breaks watching him suffer. Finally, the Doctor gave him a sedative to help relax him to get rest.

I lay down on the sofa that could make a bed if I needed it to, but this was fine, as I wouldn't get much sleep from watching Dominic and the door to make sure no one had found us.

The constant looking over my shoulder and at every vehicle that passes is tiring.

And I'm not sure how much longer my body can take running on energy drinks and coffee. My body will break down at some point.

******

ONE MONTH LATER.

"Betty, I have to pull a double tonight, so I won't be back to get Dominic until ten. Is that okay?"

"Of course," she nods.

"I have his nitro pills if he needs them. But he will be fine. I have toys, and I'll let him watch cartoons if he gets too rowdy,"

"Thanks, Betty."

I kneel and kiss Dominic's cheeks.

"Be a good boy for Betty, and this weekend I'll take you to buy a toy," I tell him, and he smiles and nods.

"Call me if you need anything," I tell Betty as I walk away.

The walk to work isn't far from where we live. It's been a month since Dominic's surgery, and the doctors say he is doing great. Though I still hate to leave him, we need the money for food and rent.

I wasn't able to work last month but two days. Dominic required a lot of help but my boss Cherry understood and gave me a loan to rent, which I have to pay back with my next two paychecks. So what I make on tips is what I will have to buy Dominic the food he needs.

Dominic's nitro pills coasted a small fortune. Unfortunately, I had to dip into the money Knox gave me before I left last year and there isn't much left now.

I try not to use it unless I have to if we have to run.

"Welcome back, B," Cherry says.

"Thanks,"

"I need to see you in the back before you get started," She says.

Oh, no. This doesn't sound good at all.

I follow Cherry to her office in the back of the diner. And shut the door before taking my seat.

"Now, B, I know you said you don't believe in handouts," Cherry starts.

"But getting welfare could help put food on the table and pay for Dominic's medicines,"

I shake my head.

"I can't. I have my reasons," I say, and she nods.

"I thought you would say that. So, I've decided the money I lent you to help with rent I don't want back,"

"I'm paying you back,"

She shook her head.

"I'm your friend and your boss. It wasn't much money anyways; keep it and buy what you need,"

Tears were already starting to swell up in my eyes.

I thought Cherry was going to fire me. I didn't expect this, and I couldn't be more thankful to her.

"Are you sure? I can pay you back. It's not a problem,"

"You just take care of that baby, okay?" She tells me.

I nod.

"Now get back to work. I ain't paying you to sit on your ass,"

I wipe the tears. The sound of laughter comes from my parted lips.

"Thanks, Cherry," I say and close the door to her office.

******

"Can I get you anything else?" I ask everyone at the last table of the night.

"Were good,"

I nod and smile, handing them the check.

"When you ready, I can check you out the cashier,"

I picked up the rag and started cleaning the other tables. Once I finished, I decided to sweep the floor since the last of my customers weren't ready.

When the young couple decided they were finished, I was done cleaning everything but that table and was working on the bar table.

"Forty-five dollars is your total."

The young man pulls out his wallet and hands me a hundred-dollar bill.

"Your change is fifty-five dollars. Have a great night,"

"Keep the change," He says, smiling down at his date.

"Are you sure? It's a big tip,"

He nods, and the girl laces her arm through his and leaves the building.

No one has given me a tip over twenty dollars before.

Once I finished the cleaning, I gathered up all my tips for the night and headed home.

"Good night Carol; see you tomorrow,"

"Later, B,"