One Night Only

Chapter 16

When I return from dress shopping, I search for Owen but don't find him. Dominic is coming out of the strip club when I see him. "Hey. Do you know where Owen is?" I ask.

He nods. "Yeah. Him and Bryant went to get fitted for their tuxedos. Why? Did you need something?"

"No, I was just wondering," I pause. "Actually there is something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

"Sure. What is it?" he asks, sitting on the barstool.

I sit beside him and stare down at my fingers. "Well, you said you guys were on good terms with the sheriff so I was wondering if they'd be able to help me find someone."

"Who?"

"My mom," I answer quietly. "I want to know about her first so I can consider possibly flying her out for the wedding. She's the only blood family that I know is still alive."

He nodd, looking at me sympathetically. "Of course. I'll look into it. What's her full name?"

He reaches over the bar to grab a napkin and pen. "Tonya Sinclair. She was born on February 10th, 1980."

He raises his eyebrows. "She had you young."

I nod. "She had me at fifteen. She didn't really have a family so no one was there to help her try to keep her priorities straight. My dad had just turned nineteen a month before I was born. My mom was his world but she was still so young and wasn't ready to settle down like he was. So him and his mother took care of me while she went out and partied."

He frowns. "I'm sorry."

I shrug. "It's alright. My dad and grandma were pretty great until they died."

"How did they die?" he asks, waving the bartender over for a drink.

"My grandma had some health issues and passed away earlier than any of us could have imagined. My dad got in a car accident. A drunk driver hit him head-on and killed him immediately."

He frowns. "That's horrible. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that alone."

"Thank you."

The bartender sets two much needed drinks in front of us. Especially after putting up with Owen's mother for the day. "So how was your day with you mother-in-law?" he asks, reading my mind.

I roll my eyes, shaking my head. "Miserable."

He laughs. "So what'd she do?"

"Besides being here a day early, she lectured me on the color white and what it means. She said obviously we were past that point but she was sure I wasn't pure before," I say, irritated. "It's not my fault she walked in on us. And then she basically asked me if I was pregnant. Like what the hell is her problem? I barely know the woman."

"She's just mad you're taking her only son," he says. "He's the last of her immediate family so she sees you as a threat."

I shake my head. "They should've took her out too." He looks at me from the corner of his eye and I feel a little guilty. "That was mean," I admit.

He chuckles. "It's okay. Sounds like she was pretty mean today too."

I nod in agreement, looking around the room. Just as I'm about to turn away, I spot Bryant holding a womn's hand. Upon further inspection, I realize it's the woman that was in Owen's office. They turn down the hallway, heading towards the daycare. "This bitch," I mumble to myself.

"What?" Dominic asks with a chuckle.

"That girl from Owen's office," I say, huffing in annoyance. "She just walked Bryant to the day care."

Pulling out my phone, I dial Owen's phone number. "What are you doing?"

"Calling him."

It rings a few times before he answers. "Hey, baby."

"Hey, we just got back and I was looking for you. Where are you?"

"Bryant and I just got fitted for our tuxedos. I'm getting ready to go over to the other house to see Michael. He wants to go over a few things before the wedding since we'll be away on our honeymoon."

"Oh, I was just wondering," I say quietly.

"I'll see you tonight, okay?"

"Alright," I say. "I love you."

I hear some shuffling in the background before he responds. "I love you too. Bye."

Hanging up, I look at Dominic. "He's going to Michael's. Are you doing anything right now?"

He shakes his head. "Business has been pretty dry lately, so no."

I hear a few loud bangs followed by the sound of the alarm, causing me to jump. "What was that?"

"Gunshots," he says, chugging his drink before standing up.

"Bryant," I say, turning.

He grabs my hand. "He'll be fine. You might not make it there."

"But-"

"Do you remember where my room is?" I nod. "Go into the security room next room and wait there. I'll let them know you're coming."

"Come with me," I insist.

He shakes his head. "I need to help."

"I want to help," I say. "You taught me well."

The adrenaline races through my veins. "Madison, this isn't the time for this. It's completely different."

"Owen will fucking kill me," he says, shaking his head.

"Fine, but be careful."

He smiles. "Always. I'll find you afterwards."

"Promise?" I call, walking away.

"Promise," he tells back.

I jog to the hallway where his room is and knock on the door. A short moment later it opens and I am pulled in. "Was there anyone behind you?" a guy close in age asks.

"No."

"Don't touch anything," he says sternly.

Looking around, I see a bunch of monitors, switches and lights. There is a board on the wall with small lights on it. Most are red but they flicker to green one by one. "What is that?" I ask, pointing to the board.

"The safe rooms. When they turn green, that means they're secure. Once they're all green I'll shut the alarm off. When this blows over, they'll search every room then I'll unlock all the safe rooms."

I nod, looking at the monitors. I see a group of men entering the back of the house on one screen and another group at the front of the house on a different screen. My eyes search the screens until I find Dominic. He is hiding around one of the corners from some of the intruders. Turning quickly, he shoots all three men within a few seconds.

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