Hearing that Avery was carrying my child brought me a tremendous amount of joy. It's all I could think about, especially when her little belly started to swell with our child. I had already started the building of the nursery and she's was only a bit over three months along. Everyday new gifts arrived for the baby, Avery and Aden. For once I felt as if my life was complete, that I had a true family for once. Avery was amazing in everything she did and I'd never knew love could be this strong, this true. Waking up to her sleeping form every morning was more than I could every ask for. At night I pulled her back into my chest and placed a protective hand over her buldging stomach. Mine. All this was mine.
The next morning I woke to Avery stepping from the shower. She looked pale and dark circles bordered her eye's. "Sunshine are you well?" I asked walking over to her.
Avery gave me a weak smile. "Yes baby". She purred streaching up to swipe a peck across my lips.
"My stomach is having some issue's. Just a bout of morning sickness is all."
She began to dress for work. "Ave, why don't you just stay home and rest today. I'll feel better knowing I'm near in case you need anything".
Avery smiled and rolled her eye's playfully. "Don't be silly babe. This will wear off shortly and I'll feel human again. I can't just call into work just because I'm pregnant. Women work everyday while pregnant, come home, cook, clean and take care of other kid's they might have. I'm not some little weakling Severo".
Letting out a deep breath, I wrapped my arm's around her. "I never thought you was weak sunshine. I just worry about you and the baby. I want what's best for the both of you".
Avery kissed my cheek and whispered into my neck. "I know you do babe but I assure you that I'm fine. Everything I'm experiencing is perfectly normal. It's all apart of being prego".
Holding her a bit longer, I started nibbling her neck as she let go of a relaxing moan. "Just promise me that if it becomes too much you'll stop or at least work from home".
"Cross my heart". Avery giggled releasing me. "I've really got to go now. How about when I get home you, I and Aden go grab some Chinese and maybe a movie?"
Giving her a deep goodbye kiss I replied. "I'll be waiting for you".
Smiling at me with love in her eye's she said. "I know you will". Avery blew me a kiss and left the room.
After Avery's departure I hit the shower, ate breakfast and made my way to my home office. As usual, Tallon was waiting for me with all the important paper's I would need for the day. "How's the married life boss?"
Tallon half joked.
"Couldn't be better. You will find out soon enough if you ever warm your feet up and stop giving Lana the run around".
Tallon rolled his neck around slowly to relieve some stress. "I want to marry her it's just I have all these what if thoughts. What if we don't work out? What if something happens to her? I sometimes think she deserves better".
"Get your head out of your ass Tallon. Obviously Lana loves you. Honestly, what woman would stand by some asshole's side after he called their wedding off. You better shape up or Lana will ship out".
With a sarcastic tone Tallon hurled. "And I suppose you know all about love now do ya?"
"Why yes, I do". I agreed smartly.
We both have a chuckle then focused on the matter at hand. I was interested in expanding my business to New York but there was only one problem.... Harper Valor Enterprises. Seems they owned everything and I had to cut a deal with their boss, Demarco Harper in order to operate. The paper's Tallon readied for me was all the incriminating information I needed on this group. By no way was I trying to wage a war, especially with Avery's condition, however I was aiming to contact them for a meeting. I have faith that two powerful bosses can sit down and have a successful discussion. If their smart as I assume they are they'll take my offer. Not only will it fatten my pocket but theirs as well.
It was alittle after three that evening when my phone went off. Hearing Avery's special ringtone beep out I smiled. "Hello sunshine".
"Se-Severo he-help". Avery's voice broke through in panic. Immediately my chest clutched assuming it was the baby.
"Avery what's wrong?" I asked impatiently.
Suddenly I heard several screams and gunfire rang out. "Avery, Avery. Answer me damn it. What's going on?"
More gunfire echoed through the phone and I heard Avery sob. "Se-Severo come quick. Your building is under attack. There's many men with guns".
My adrenaline pumped as I issued Tallon to gather all my men and meet at my building. "Where are you Avery?"
"I-In my off-office".
"Good. Now listen baby, crawl under your desk and don't make a peep. No matter what don't come out until I get to you. Understand?"
"Y-yea. Pl-please hurry Severo. I'm so scared".
"I'm on my way with backup. Don't worry sunshine. I won't let anything happen to you".
"I love you so much Severo". Avery sobbed.
"And I love you more. Now calm down baby. I'll be there".
Gunfire and screams could still be heard and they sounded as if they were getting closer. My foot stomped on the gas pedal and for the first time in my life I prayed. "S-Severo someone's trying to get my door open. I'm so scared".
"Avery be quiet. No more talking. I'm right here with you on the line. Just don't make a sound or move".
I heard the door being beat down along with Avery's heavy breathing. "Calm your breathing baby. Look for anything you can use as a weapon. I'm about five minutes away".
The door gave way and I heard feet shuffling in along with accented male voices. Moment's later I heard my baby scream and the sound of her body being drug from underneath the desk. Glass shattered and I heard a loud smack then Avery cry out in pain. "Fucking bitch clubbed me with the God Damn lamp". A unfamiliar voice yelled.
Then I heard another man grunt out. "Damn dude, she nailed your nuts good". The same man sniggered.
Next Avery screamed out again then started begging for our child's life. "Pl-please don't. I'm pregnant".
The men laughed. "Well isn't this just alittle bonus. It is Meritta's child correct?"
"I-I don't know". Avery stuttered trying to lie to protect the baby.
I heard her being smacked again. "We'll find out soon enough Mrs. Marettia. If your husband love's you and this brat in your stomach he'll come through".
"No, no. Stop. Please don't take me" Avery cried. I could hear them struggling to pick her up. "Seeeverooo". My baby screamed then all went still.
I listened intently over the phone but it was obvious they had taken her. "Severo Marietta". I heard a man's deep accented voice come over the line.
"Yes". I growled angrily.
The bastard chuckled. "That's just a prelude to the thing's we will do to her".
"You better not fucking touch her" I screamed. "Who the fuck is this?"
He laughed again and said. "I'll be in touch soon. Good day Sir".
The line went dead and I screamed out "Fuck" as I threw my phone against my dash. Way too late I whirled in front of my building and raced inside. It was pure carnage. Bodies of the dead laid everywhere and moans of the injured echoed up to the celings. Immediately my men and I raced to the sixth floor where Avery's luxurious office was. Nothing.
Absolutely empty. Not a sign or trace anywhere other than the broken lamp and Avery's desk in disray. Other men joined me to announce that the building was clear. Whoever did this was gone and had taken my life with them. "Review the cameras immediately". I snapped out.
Tallon went to ask me a series of questions but I just couldn't think. All I could hear was Avery screaming my name so desperately but I couldn't save her. I was too late. Right then and there I made a vow to kill every bastard involved in this and if Avery or my unborn child was harmed in any fashion the devil wouldn't even be able to help them.
The ramblings of my men only worsened my nerves so I screamed. "Get the fuck out. Everyone of you. Get. The. Fuck. Out. Don't come back until you have valuable information for me".
I watched as they all filed out and then my eye's rested upon a picture of us that now laid broken across her desk. All I could do now was sit and wait for their phone call.