Part 21
Uncontrollable giggling gripped the two as they made their way from the car to the front door. They had had a very pleasant evening with AJ’s mom, her boyfriend, and AJ’s grandfather and now, as they recounted the events, they couldn’t contain themselves.
"I LOVED the look on Mama’s face when you asked her to pass you the potatoes," cackled AJ.
"You know, that was mean of you to tell me not to talk for a while. It’s a good thing she doesn’t have heart trouble."
"YOU didn’t have to go along with me," shot AJ as he put the key in the door. "Now our families know everything and you’re safe. We can get on with our life TOGETHER."
AJ’s reference to family immediately sobered Stormy. As she followed him inside, she said softly, "Not everyone knows I’m safe."
It dawned on AJ that Ricky had no way of knowing that his sister was safe and seeing the look in her eyes, he knew she wouldn’t be able to go on if she didn’t talk to him. "Why don’t you call him?" he suggested as he put his hand on the side of her face letting his fingers tangle in her hair.
"You don’t mind?"
"Not at all. Tell you what, I’ll go up and change into my trunks, get us some towels, and get the hot tub ready while you call your brother."
Giving her a quick peck on the lips, AJ started up the steps but she called out to him. "Alex?"
Looking back, "Yeah, baby?"
"Thank you."
He gave her a wink, "No problem. See you in a few."
Picking up the phone, Stormy dialed the number and waited.
On the other end, an unfamiliar voice answered, "Troy residence."
Knowing that her brother had probably tightened security and brought in more men, Stormy wasn’t concerned by this unfamiliar voice. "May I speak to Mr. Troy please?"
"I’m sorry. Mr. Troy is unavailable?"
"Please…this is his sister."
"I’m sorry, ma’am, but I have my orders. Mr. Troy isn’t available to speak to ANYONE."
"Just TELL him that it’s his sister. I PROMISE you, he will want to talk to me," Stormy pleaded desperately.
There was a long pause before a tired, ragged voice said, "Danielle?"
It was weak and Stormy wasn’t sure as she asked, "Ricky?"
"Where are you ….no, don’t tell me!! They may have the phones bugged and I don’t want you to take any chances. Are you okay?"
Stormy was concerned. "I’m fine but what about you? You sound horrible."
"I was shot in an ambush."
In her year with her brother, Stormy had learned to cover her emotions so as fear made her heart beat faster and sweat formed in her palms, she asked calmly, "How bad is it?"
"I’ll live. I take it you got away?"
"Yeah, I did and I’ve talked to Mama and Daddy to let them know I’m okay."
"I bet hearing you talk threw them for a loop."
Stormy smiled remembering that morning, "Yeah, a little."
"You didn’t tell them anything, did you?"
"I promised you I wouldn’t. I told them that I had been with you for the last year and that you were married with a little girl. That’s it. Are Martina and Danielle okay?"
"We got them back and they’re okay. That’s when I got shot. Are you with Daddy?"
"No," answered Stormy. "Ricky, I met someone….someone really wonderful."
Ricky could hear the smile in her voice and he softened, "I take it by the tone of your voice that you like him."
"Yeah, I do…." And she told her brother all about how AJ had found her and they’d been together for the last week. She told him how he had seen the news report about her and had called their parents to let them know she was okay and she told him that they were now living together. She did it all without giving his name or their location and ended with, "Ricky, I told him everything."
That stunned Ricky. His sister had told this man all about her past and he knew that this was definitely someone special. “WHOA! This sounds serious, Danielle.”
“It is, Ricky! He’s you and Daddy wrapped up in one.”
“That’s terrific! I’m really happy for you.”
Stormy hesitated then started in a timid voice, “Ricky, I need your advice.”
“About what?”
“Well, you know I’ve never dated….except a couple times and I’m inexperienced and….”
Over the miles, Ricky could hear his sister’s doubt and hesitation. “Sis, listen to me. You obviously trust this guy so go with your heart. Trust yourself like you trust him.”
“Thanks, Ricky,” said Stormy as she let out the breath she had been holding. Hearing the door from the patio open, she looked around to see AJ coming in and she smiled. “When can I see you?”
“I don’t know, Danielle. Things down here are still kind of tense.”
“Meet me somewhere.”
“I can’t do it now. I’ll find you soon. Just be happy, sis…and be careful.”
As AJ neared her, she put her hand on his bare chest as he put his hands on her hips to pull her closer. “I will be. You do the same. I love you, Ricky.”
“I love you too, sis!”
Stormy cut the phone off and AJ asked, “How was he?”
“Hurt but okay. He got his wife and daughter back but he got shot in the process. He was glad to hear that I was okay.”
“Cool. Now….go change. I have the hot tub all ready and I’m gonna go in and get us some drinks. What would you like?”
“Whatever you’re having is fine, Alex. I’ll be back in a minute.”
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