Page 28 of Finding You
Dorian lifted her hands. “I don’t know that for sure, but she’s been getting phone calls. Calls she’s been ignoring.”
“I think she’s right,” Nyla added. “I witnessed her getting a call earlier today. She looked at the phone screen frowning and then ended the call without answering. She’s avoiding someone. That doesn’t mean she’s being harassed, but maybe you can figure out a way to ask if everything is okay.”
Zion nodded. Oh yeah, he was definitely getting to the bottom of whatever was going on with her ex. If she was reallydone with the guy, Zion planned on shooting his shot. The twins would no doubt be in his life, but he wanted their mother too.
Chapter Thirteen
Following the GPS directions that were quietly coming through her speakers, Raven made a left at the intersection. Supposedly she’d arrive at Zion’s house in twenty minutes. That gave her twenty minutes to get her nerves under control.
Her heart had been beating a little faster since hearing from him earlier in the day. Like her, yesterday he had gotten the results of the paternity test, and she knew he’d reach out at some point.What she hadn’t expected was for him to invite her and the babies over to his place for a sleepover.
Yeah, that had knocked her sideways, especially considering how rocky things had been for them when she first arrived in town. In Zion’s defense, she completely understood his shock and insistence on having the paternity test done. She just hadn’t been sure what to expect after that, and she still didn’t really know for sure.
During the phone call, when he suggested she bring an overnight bag, her mind immediately went to the night they’d spent together in Las Vegas. She had formed her lips to say “no,” but before she uttered the word, he jumped in, assuring her that this visit would be nothing like that night. He wanted them totalk privately, while also giving him a chance to begin bonding with the babies.
No way could she say no to that, especially when he told her she and the twins would have their own space at the house. All she needed to bring for all of them were clothes. So she’d said yes. Besides, she was curious to see where and how he lived.
As per the directions to his home, she made a right at the next street, passing an elementary school. Raven thought Zion would live downtown somewhere in a luxury bachelor pad. Sure, he might live on a police salary, but she had a feeling he was doing well for himself financially. She wasn’t sure why, but there was an air about him she couldn’t quite explain.
Now that she was nearing his neighborhood, she was starting to think maybe he was different from what she imagined. She wouldn’t have pegged him for someone who would live in what looked like a family-friendly neighborhood. The tree-lined streets and manicured yards complemented the one and two-story homes.
Thankfully, she still had a little daylight left. It was almost eight at night, and if she didn’t get there soon, it would be hard to see the addresses on the homes. According to GPS, Raven was ten minutes out. That gave her a little more time to brace herself to see Zion again. Even though she’d gotten mad at him during dinner the other night, it hadn’t squashed her attraction to him. Nor did it stop her from dreaming about him.
As a single mother with two infants, the last thing she should be fantasizing about is a man. Even if he was her kids’ father. It didn’t matter if she’d told herself that her only interest in Zion was because he was a daddy to their babies. She needed to be honest with herself. She would love to get to know him on a more personal level, a more intimate level. If that made her come across as a little hussy, oh well.
But just because she wanted to experience him again didn’t mean she’d act on those feelings. Tonight, will be a perfect time for her to ask the questions that she should’ve asked when they met. Like was he involved with anyone. Or what he did for fun. Or even if he ever wanted kids. No more surface level conversations for them.
Raven’s phone rang through the speakers, and a number popped up on the dashboard that she didn’t recognize. Her first thought was to let the call go to voicemail, but she was expecting a call from her apartment manager. She wanted to see what it would take to break the lease a month early.
She pressed the talk button. “Hi, this is Raven.”
“Hey, sweetheart. It’s good to hear your voice,” Maximus said, his voice a little too loud through the SUV’s speakers.
Raven wanted to kick herself. She should’ve let the call go to voicemail. He had left her a message earlier, saying he was looking forward to seeing her when he returned to the States. There was something he wanted to talk to her about, and something he had to show her. Whatever it was, she was sure she wasn’t interested.
What the heck would it take for him to finally get the message that she was done with him? Maybe when she left and moved to Chicago it would sink in.
Hopefully.
“Maximus, I can’t talk right now,” she said, just as the GPS told her to make another left.
“Where are you going where you need your GPS to get to in Houston?” he asked as if he had every right to.
“That’s none of your business,” she snapped.
“You’re my woman! It damn well is my business. I have every right to know where you are and that you and the kids are alright,” he growled through the speakers. “What the hell isgoing on with you? You haven’t been returning my calls, and when I call you, you’re in a hurry to get off the phone.”
Shock and anger warred within Raven. How had she not seen his controlling nature when they’d first started dating? It had taken months into their relationship before she’d realized it. By that time, she had also noticed he was jealous, possessive, and did everything he could to keep her away from her friends. In hindsight, she had dated him a year too long.
“Maximus, I don’t know what you’re up to, but you don’t have a say in any part of my life. We are no longer together, and you know that. So whatever game you’re playing, give it up. We’re done. So stop calling me.”
Andrew whimpered, and Raven glanced in the review mirror. She was able to see the babies in their backward facing car seats thanks to mirrors on the backseat headrests. Thankfully, her son was still asleep.
“Is Andrew okay?” Maximus asked, his voice calmer.
Raven didn’t know how he did it, but whenever he called and heard one of the babies in the background, he knew which one it was. It was probably a lucky guess, but it was still a bit unnerving.
“Maximus, if you don’t leave me alone and stop calling, I’m going to the authorities,” she said, anger causing her hands to grip the steering wheel tighter. “I’m done with you harassing me.”
