Not Your Baby ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance: The Billionaire Brothers Book 3: The Billionaire Brothers

By Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

~ A Flirty & Feisty Romance Novel: Love for Real ~

Zak Ross, notorious Rhode Island's Billionaire Brother #3 has one wish–to stay single in spite of the fact that women want him for keeps. One thing he's good at is gambling with female hearts…until he meets the bold, curvy woman who is bent on bursting his heart open because of the flames she starts inside him.

 

After waiting for years to meet the right guy, physical therapist, Kike Balogun-Hart meets a random guy on a stormy day when she looks her worst. But he's got a chip on his wide shoulders and wants a hookup. Even if he's not ready for a family, he stirs emotions inside her words can't describe.

As passion ignites between them like wildfire, will sworn-to-be-single, Zak swap bachelorhood for a wedding band?

 

Not Your Baby is the final book in the trilogy, The Billionaire Brothers, a set of irresistible romance series: Not a Fling, Not a Hookup.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
• Release date: Dec 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215492277

Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku is a fun loving mother of two teenagers, married to her gorgeous husband and best friend who indulges her romantic habits. Writing contemporary and historical romance novels is an exciting adventure for her. Out of curiosity and belief that love conquers all, she has written several Interracial & Multicultural Romance Novels. In 2010, Stella created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, a collection of toe-curling, intriguing, and skin-tingling romance with compelling characters who have heart and soul and jump off the pages of the book. All her stories are dotted with twists and turns and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe & enchanting America. To experience and enjoy an intense emotional ride, pick up a copy of any of her novels: TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance NAUGHTY PROMISE ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance CHRISTMAS Seduction ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance IRRESISTIBLE Passion ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance "Shocking Affair" ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance GUILTY of LOVE ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance Your Christmas Gift ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance All of Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance "You're Mine" ~ A Sweet & Sexy Christmas Romance Enticed Forever ~ A Bad boy Romance Naked Attraction ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance INDECENT ~ WWBW Steamy Romance His Ring ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance LUST ~ A Sexy Romance Love at Christmas ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance Husband to Rent ~ Sensual Romance Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Romance Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series Book 2) Stolen Kisses (Holiday Series - Complete Set) Tempting Desire ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance Seduced Hearts ~ A BWWM Steamy Christmas Romance Forbidden Dance (Forbidden Series Book 1) ~ A BWWM Steamy Romance Red Velvet Rose (Forbidden Series Book 2) ~ A BMWW Sexy Romance Wild Whispers ~ A BWWM Sweet Romance Royal Cowries (Cowries Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance His Choice (Cowries Series Book 2) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance Stella's first historical/suspense/mystery romance, Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1) will give you an insight into exotic Africa. A luxury home by the seaside is on Stella's wish list and in her spare time, she loves to swim on her back like a starfish, watch TV, go to the movies with her family and read romance novels.

Book preview

Copyright © July 2022

Not Your Baby

The Billionaire Brothers Book 3 of 3

Copyright © July 2022 Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

Paperback Edition.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the author and publisher–Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku–nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

This book is a work of fiction. All names, characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Praise

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Book #39 is published. Praise the Lord!

I will give thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. Psalm 7:17.

Be thou my vision O Lord, day and night because I will depend on you and love you as long as I have your breath in me. Thank you, my Father in Heaven. Thank you, my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Thank you, Holy Spirt, Amen.

Sincere Gratitude

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My Only Love, thank you for understanding when I leave on the lights at night while you’re sleeping. Thank you for your love, encouragement and prayers and for giving me feedback on my book cover. I love you.

My precious and blessed children, thank you for your love, support & prayers. I love you. May God protect us all in His love in Jesus Christ Holy name, Amen.

Khalilah & Tera, thank you for lending my characters your names.

Thank you, lovely readers for your loyalty, support and readership. I love you all.

Dear Reader, please share my books with your friends, colleagues, book club members, neighbours and family. God bless you.

Connect with Stella

Add my Books on Goodreads: Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

Facebook: Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels

TikTok: @authorstella

Instagram: @stellaajanaku

Blog: Flirty & Feisty Romance Blog

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Find my Dating/Relationship tips on TikTok: @dearstellatv

Instagram: @dearstellatv

YouTube: DearStellaTV

Find me & my hubby on YouTube: GLTVchat

For fun, find me & my hubby here: GunnersLoversTV

Add my Book Merch to your collection.

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Sign up for my Newsletter to join Stella’s Readers Island if you want to read my After-The-Altar stories, juicy character dairies, or get a sneak peek into my upcoming books.

Books by Stella

Flirty & Feisty Contemporary and Interracial Romance:

Pope: Heart of the Mafia – Brutal Cousins Book 1

By Christmas

Not Your Baby - The Billionaire Brothers Book 3

Maid For Christmas

Not a Hookup - The Billionaire Brothers Book 2

Not a Fling - The Billionaire Brothers Book 1

Mr. Stranger

Hot Chase

Choose Me

Longing for You

Irresistible Driver

Get Undressed

Christmas Desire

Tempted by the Princess – Book 1

Tempted by the Princess – Book 2

Hooked by one Curvy Girl – Book 1

Hooked by one Curvy Girl – Book 2

Naughty Promise

Christmas Seduction

Irresistible Passion

Shocking Affair

Guilty of Love

Your Christmas Gift

All of Me

You’re Mine

Enticed Forever

Naked Attraction

Indecent

His Ring

Forbidden Dance - Forbidden Series #1

Red Velvet Rose - Forbidden Series #2

Tempting Desire

Seduced Hearts

Lust

Stolen Kisses - Books 1 & 2 – Complete Holiday Series

Wild Whispers

Love at Christmas

Husband to Rent

Stolen Valentine Kiss - Holiday Series #1

Kiss My Lips - Holiday Series #2

Royal Cowries - Cowries Series #1

His Choice - Cowries Series #2

A Bit About Me

I’m Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku, born and raised in the historic Benin City of Edo State in South-South Nigeria, West Africa.

My birth city boasts a monarchy that is over 6000years old. But I now live in London, UK with my husband, and our two grown-ups.

To be honest, nothing thrills me more than to write sizzling romance novels that have intriguing and captivating plots which features compelling characters who have hearts and souls and jump off the pages.

All my stories are dotted with unexpected twists and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe and enchanting America & Canada. If you need a novel to knock off the stress of daily living, cure you of boredom, make you laugh, keep you drooling in suspense and draw you into an intensely emotional spin, pick up one of mine to read. They have a high entertainment value.

In 2010, I created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels.

To experience an intensely emotional ride with my characters, cuddle up, grab a copy of Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels and sail away to Pleasure Island. I will love to hear from you.

You can subscribe to my YouTube channel, DearStellaTV where I share dating tips & relationship tips. Also subscribe to me & my hubby’s GLTVchat on YouTube for marriage tips. For football/soccer fans and to watch Let’s Talk About It, subscribe to me and my hubby’s fun channel, GunnersLoversTV on YouTube.

Dear Reader

You would already have met arrogant Gavin Ross in Not a Fling: The Billionaire Brothers Book #1 and cocky Tucker Ross in Not a Hookup: The Billionaire Brothers Book #2.

In this story, you’ll meet boastful, serial dater Zak Ross, The Billionaire Brother #3 who forcefully fights his strong attraction to straight-talking, bold and sassy Physical Therapist, Kike Balogun-Hart.

From the start, Kike knows what she wants–a happy family with a nice small house complete with a white picket fence. When a hot, sexy guy rescues her mom from danger, she thinks it’s time to shout, Halleluyah. But she soon finds out that despite their chemistry, Zak has zero interest in having a baby, or settling into a happy married life.

When the storm blows over, will Kike and Zak’s emotional connection be broken? Or will the bond that binds their relationship be stronger than what divides their affair?

Read Not Your Baby if you want to know for sure whether or not Zak and Kike find love and joy in each other–forever.

The Billionaire Brothers series are standalone books.

Read Books 1 & 2 in Not a Fling & Not a Hookup.

If you haven’t read any of my 41 Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, I dare you to start now.

If you have any comments, please write to Stella at

[e-mail]

If you want to read, After-The-Altar stories of my books, read from my characters juicy dairies, or get a sneak peek into scenes from my upcoming books, sign up for my Newsletter to join Stella’s Readers Island.

Love & Blessings,

Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

Readers Reviews of Some of Stella’s Books

Pope: Heart of the Mafia: ...The passion between those two was off the scales. I look forward to the next book in the series. ~ Rated 5 stars by Jill Bryant on Goodreads.

By Christmas: "The best Christmas ever! Byron and Ranielle found each other by the grace of God and they connected as well as communicated with a friendship that turned into love and marriage." ~ Rated 5stars by Gloria.

Not a Hookup: "Get this book now!!!! I loved everything about this book! The storyline and character development was on point. I am excited to see what will come."

~ Rated 5stars by Kindle Customer.

Not a Fling: "Hold on to your seats because you're in for a wild ride... A beautiful story. I am excited to see what happens to the other members of the club."

~ Rated 5stars by Kindle Customer.

Mr. Stranger: "This book started off with a bang...I couldn't stop reading. Whenever, I was about to say enough is enough, the author would lure me back in. Twists and turns with tears, frustration, and the power of love!!! I can't wait to read..."

~ Rated 5stars by Kindle Customer.

HOT Chase: "...Loved it and the love of their extended family..." ~ Rated 4stars by Kindle Customer.

Choose Me: "Cute story. I primarily picked the book to know what the dirty little secret was..." ~ Rated 5stars by Jacqueline.

Longing for You: Fantastic story and supporting cast!! However, the epilogue will be the greatest!! Absolutely loved it!!! ~ Rated 5stars by mocha.

Irresistible Driver: A very good steamy read! ...In the end, love conquers all. This author’s...flirty romances are absolutely the best! ~ Rated 5stars by LadyTee89.

Get Undressed: Very different type of match making... Enjoyed this couples journey to their HEA.

~ Rated 4stars by Mae Dixon.

Irresistible Passion: I totally loved this story from the beginning to the end. What an exceptional read ....

~ Rated 5 stars by Gloria J Hill.

Hooked by one Curvy Girl: This hot romance read series ended on an excellent note... A lovely story...a happily ever after! ~ Rated 5 stars by LadyTee89.

Christmas Desire: Such a lovely tale! That element of surprise really got me. I loved the characters...

~ Rated 5stars by LadyTee89.

Content

Copyright © July 2022

Praise

Sincere Gratitude

Connect with Stella

Books by Stella

A Bit About Me

Dear Reader

Readers Reviews of Some of Stella’s Books

Chapter 1 – Coming For You

Chapter 2 – Wake Up

Chapter 3 – Turn Up The Heat

Chapter 4 – Don’t Ever

Chapter 5 – Out of Luck

Chapter 6 – Deal With It

Chapter 7 – Naked Booty

Chapter 8 – Still Jealous

Chapter 9 – Not So Much

Chapter 10 – Say Nothing

Chapter 11 – Until You Do

Chapter 12 – Pounding Hard

Chapter 13 – Nothing Less

Chapter 14 – Without A Doubt

Chapter 15 – With My Heart

Chapter 16 – Pure Mush

Chapter 17 – Hurt Like Hell

Chapter 18 – One More Thing

Chapter 19 – No Other

Chapter 20 – Just Your Balls

Chapter 21 – Keep It Coming

Chapter 22 – Regret

After The Altar 1 – Best Screw

After The Altar 2 – Wait...What

After The Altar 3 – I Promise

Names & Meanings

The End

More Books from Stella

Stella’s Social Media Links

Chapter 1 – Coming For You

Zak

Living life on the edge was one thing, Zak muttered through gritted teeth. Dying young is another.

The heavy weight of the gale-force wind jerked the four-wheel drive from side to side. At that dark moment, he failed to see the historic charm of the village the residents of Beaulieu Village set in the Hills had boasted about.

Stabbing the radio button to mute, Zak made another right turn, and instinctively stepped on the brakes–hard. The tyres screeched on mud as he pulled the handbrake.

Across from him, on the left side of the road, a blue sedan car was completely buried under an uprooted gigantic Oak tree devoid of leaves.

What the heck!

Terror gripped his insides and his heart rate pumped twice as fast.

From the driving seat, he struggled to scan the accidented car with his eyes. Though his stomach churned with dread, he cut off the engine of the new 2022 Land Rover Discovery HSE-R Dynamic and peered through the rear-view mirror. There was no other car in sight. The rain came down stronger, determined to flood the country.

As the white sky morphed into charcoal at three in the afternoon, he could not see anything beyond the trapped car. At that moment, flying back home to Rhode Island with his tail between his legs made good sense. Yet quitting was not something he was good at.

He reached for his private cell phone, dialled 999 but there was no signal, so he did the next best thing and slammed his fist against the steering wheel.

Damn!

A distant white ribbon bolt lashed through the bleak sky lighting it up for a brief moment. Loud cracking noises followed shaking the SUV to its robust tyres.

Zak’s pulse jumped. He ran his fingers through his hair.

While I’m wasting precious moments sitting here, the accident victim could be bleeding to death!

Gritting his teeth, he gripped the steering wheel harder and watched his knuckles turn white as sheet. He darted his tongue along his bottom lip and slanted his head left and right to ease the stiffness in his neck.

Driving off and leaving whoever was trapped in the sedan out there crossed his mind.

What if the person is already dead? What do I do?

Weeks ago, he had decided he needed a break. Fair enough. Exiting his mansion on Rhode Island in the US had sounded simple enough at the time. But his decision to fly out to Beaulieu Village in South East England all by himself in the third week of February was not the best move, especially after the first Storm Dudley had hit parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Northern England days earlier.

His brothers had always told him, being impulsive was his strength. Now, Zak realized they had lied to him all his life. His impulsive nature, now his biggest weakness could lead to his end when he still had so much to live for.

Licking his lips, he jerked his head right and then left as his stomach muscles tensed with apprehension. Feeling under pressure, he wiped the foggy driver’s window glass with his palm instead of tapping the demister button.

Damn the consequences!

Ignoring the severe weather warning from the radio presenter to put his own safety first, and to get the hell out of Storm Eunice’s way, he unfastened his seat belt with a twist of his fingers. For several seconds, his chest thundered louder than the harrowing wind. With only thoughts of saving anyone stuck inside the car on his mind, he launched out of the safety of the SUV and set his boot-covered feet on the muddy ground.

The icy air knocked off his hat, battered his dark brown, medium-length hair out of shape, and whipped cold air through his eyes. His eyes watered, so he pulled down the hood of his dark winter jacket to cover his head but it flapped back against his neck.

Swallowing, he pushed against the wind, taking measured steps forward. The hissing windstorm hauled him back against his car, not once but twice. Grinding his teeth together, he dashed toward the smashed blue sedan once the wind let up slightly.

Working speedily, he pulled out bulky pieces of tree trunks from the damaged rear windshield, careful not to cut himself with the jagged edges.

Anyone in there? Zak called out over and over as he battled to dump the fallen branches on the ground.

Only the incessant whistling of the angry wind and battering rain responded to his pulsing heart rate. Rain pelted his head, soaked through his shirt, jumper and pants as if he had forgotten to wear a water-resistant winter coat.

All he thought about while rummaging through the debris was not to become anyone’s hero, only that if he was ever trapped, someone would stop to help him. No one deserved to die in the freezing, heartless storm.

Climbing inside the car through the clearing he made at the rear windshield, he stopped short. Pain pebbles hit his throat. Just as he feared, somebody was caught under the strap of the seat belt. A woman’s dark hair spilled from one side of the driver’s seat.

Hey! I’m gonna get you out, he called out, pushing forward determined to keep his word.

Although she did not respond, he hoped she was not dead. If she was not breathing, putting his life at risk would have been in vain. Eager to end her suffering, he shoved and pulled aside more tree stumps before he reached her side.

The woman’s brown skin with an orange-red undertone was now mottled with dried blood along her neck. He touched her chin, her head lolled to the left and he saw blood trickling down the right side of her face.

Hey! Can you hear me? My name’s Zak.

Mmm... the accident victim, a woman, probably in her sixties moaned weakly but her dark eyelashes did not spring open.

Good. You’re alive! he mumbled, gasping with relief. Thank God. Can you feel your legs?

Mm...m...m...

Is that a yeah? I want to be sure you’ve got no broken bones before I move you out of here.

Mm...

OK. I’m going to reach forward to find the lever under your seat, so I can push your chair back.

The woman did not respond.

Tapping her shoulder lightly, he murmured to her.

I’m going to get you out of here. Stay with me please. You’ll be fine, I promise.

He hoped she was not slipping in and out of consciousness. Though he did not have much experience in situations such as this, letting the woman die on him was out of the question.

M-m-m-m-m... she grunted as if in a lot of pain.

Where does it hurt?

Hm...m...m...

Got you.

Please Lord, I know I’ve been a bad guy for a long time, he prayed silently. I need you now. Don’t let this woman die on me. Don’t do it for me. Do it for her.

After he pushed her seat back, he unclasped her seat belt. Moving around the confined space with care, he opened the back door behind the front passenger seat. Once he lifted her out of the driver’s seat, he carried her through the narrow space between the two front seats on to the back seat. Tried as he did, hard branches scratched her puffer jacket and ripped the shoulder of his coat.

Anyhow, relieved she was alive more than anything else, he thrashed against the wind to carry her the short distance to the SUV. Once there, he pulled the back door open after a few tries. With his fingers numb from the cold, he wished for a shot of whiskey to warm up as he strained to settle the woman on her side along the back seat. Her skin felt icy cold to the touch, there was no way to confirm how long she had been stuck beneath the tree trunk, or whether she was the driver he had sighted a half hour ago?

He had so many questions he wanted to ask her. Like what on earth was she doing out here, alone in the middle of the storm? Ask yourself the same question, his clear-thinking conscience sneered.

With many roads already closed, he felt boxed in, so wherever he could find help for the injured woman would have to do under the circumstance. Zak drove for another quarter of an hour in the rough terrain before he spotted an illuminated cabin at the top of the hill.

Clenching his fists around the steering wheel, he gasped, relishing the respite. He flexed his muscled shoulders and tapped his fingers against the padded wheel before glancing over his left shoulder at the woman he just rescued. Her eyes stayed closed. If she passed away inside his car, he would look guilty as hell. No one would believe he did not take her life.

Ma’am, stay awake, please! he yelled, hoping to keep her from slipping away.

His fingers, tightening around the wheel started to tremble as reality stared him in the face. He had never taken a life before and he was not about to be drawn into a complicated case of manslaughter. The headlines would be brutal–Reckless Billionaire, Zak Ends A Woman’s Life!

Stay with me please. I found a cabin up the hill. I’ll get you there in no time. I’m convinced we’ll get help there.

Getting to his own destination was now out of the question. The woman lying in the backseat had become his priority. As he steered the SUV up the hill, he chatted continuously hoping to keep the woman conscious. The moment he silenced the engine in front of the white cabin capped with thatched roofs, surrounded by grassland and maple trees, he raced up the front stairs and knocked on the glass door panelled with black wood.

Battered by fear and rain, he banged on the door with his whitewashed knuckles.

Anyone home? Help! Please help!

After a few minutes, the door inched open a little.

The occupant was clearly scared of getting invaded, or robbed. If that had been all, his pulse rate would not have soared sky high. Instead of a wrinkly, old guy staring up at him like he imagined, a woman with a lustrous yellowish brown-skin colour enriched by the sun glanced up at him with wary, hard-to-ignore light-brown eyes. About five-six in height with curly black hair gliding around her back, she checked him out from head to toe. Her cute nose flared at him as she pulled her oversized cream jumper around her neck to brush off the cold.

The storm is raging, how can I help you, sir?

A quick swallow and a half later, he recalled the reason he had been frantic a moment ago.

Sorry, ma’am. My name’s Zachary Ross. Zak for short.

"Ma’am? I’m not older than you, sir, she put him in his place firmly but in a kind tone. Call me, Kike."

Hey, Kike. There’s a woman in my car. She’s injured. I don’t know how bad it is but she needs urgent help. Open the door, I need to bring her inside, please. There’s nowhere else I can take her in this worsening weather.

Kike squinted just before she drew her pretty curved brows together.

I should believe you found a woman you don’t know lying around, you rescued her and you want me to open my door? Are you Police? Firefighter? An Angel, maybe?

No. I know this sounds suspicious–

"It’s suspicious, sir. Go home."

I’m not from around here. Feeling alarmed, he glanced back at the parked car. "I was in search of a cabin but my battery is out. With the road closures, my Sat Nav is of no help. The woman is bleeding and almost unconscious–"

Why didn’t you lead with that? Scowling, Kike twisted her left wrist, opening her palm to him. Do you have any ID on you, sir? I’m expecting my mom. She doesn’t take kindly to strangers dropping in.

Shuffling through his jacket with one hand, he got out his Driver’s License from the inside pocket and held it up to her face. After a quick scan of his ID, she shifted her suspicious eyes from his wet hair to his boots again. Only then did she nod.

Bring her inside. I pray I don’t regret this. I’ll go boil some water and get clean towels ready. We’ve got First Aid kit on hand.

Thank you, Kike.

With zero care for the torrential rain, he raced back to the Land Rover. With his pulse pumping many times faster now, he carried the older woman out of the SUV, kicked the door shut and headed toward the porch stairs for the second time. Elbowing his way through the slightly ajar door, he followed his host inside.

One look at Kike’s curved booty in her matching shorts, his ab muscles twitched with interest. Her thighs were fuller than he was used to, smooth-skinned and still super attractive. Although he took note of her big curves, he immediately discarded the thought of exploring her body.

From the outside, the cabin lacked character but inside was a different story. Exposed timber beams panelled the white walls and arched ceilings. Flames from the crackling wood in the open fireplace warmed the cosy room and the heat soothed his nerves and nursed his numb limbs. As the warmth of the soft music playing in the background embraced him, his whole body and senses, alert and tensed from the rough drive relaxed slowly. Even though his duffel bag was still inside the SUV, he was not in a rush to go back outside.

Bring her this way, Kike instructed in a tender tone without glancing back. Were you travelling together?

No. I told you, I’ve no idea who she is at all. He followed Kike’s lead into a bedroom on the second floor. I tried talking to her, so she stayed conscious while I drove her here.

My mom is out. I hope she’s safe. The news has been all about the rivers bursting their banks and people getting injured.

If your mom is out, you should be worried. It’s chaotic and gloomy out there. I switched off the car radio at one point. This is a lovely cabin by the way.

Thank you. It’s called a cottage over here.

I stand corrected, ma’am.

It’s Kike.

Yeah, Kike.

It’s not a common name, I get it.

Remember her name, Zak, he urged himself. Don’t be a douche. Kike, he repeated silently.

As they entered the bedroom, he took a quick look around. It had a similar character to the living room downstairs except this one had a vaulted ceiling. Again, the soft music from downstairs circulated around this room easing his highly-strung nerves further. When Kike stood aside to give him access, he laid the injured lady on the bed carefully. It was only then Kike moved around the bed to see the woman’s bloodied face and neck.

Standing motionless, Kike’s breath came out in loud gasps. Her eyes shone like a deer caught in the headlights followed by her jaw plunging downward as her plum lips formed into a huge, ‘O’.

Do you know her?

Staring bewildered, Kike covered her mouth with both hands before tears splashed out of her eyes and strolled along her cheeks.

Why are you crying? Is she dead?

Shaking her head, she touched the woman’s bloodied temple with trembling fingers. Kike remained tongue-tied. But her oval face contorted as she hugged the unmoving injured woman and kissed her forehead.

Kike squealed as anxiety darkened her accusing eyes.

Did you do this?

No! I found her trapped.

Where? Where did you find her?

Out there somewhere. I don’t know. There are no street names still standing out there.

I don’t believe you.

You think I did this?

I see guilt in your eyes.

Before he could say another word, she turned aside to the First Aid kit and rapidly set out what she needed. Working deftly, she checked the woman’s wrist for her pulse and then got out the blood pressure monitor. Crying as she worked, Kike impatiently packed her hair up into a loose bun with a cream brown elastic scrunch he had not noticed around her wrist.

If you did this, you’re going to pay–

I swear, I didn’t d–

Don’t swear.

Then believe me.

After Kike gave him a dirty look, she wrapped the cuff just above the woman’s left elbow. Working with her fingers, she pumped it with air until it was so tight, she read the blood pressure figures. Stretching his neck, he tried to peek at the blood pressure reading. At that moment, Kike moved the monitor out of his sight.

Is her blood pressure all right?

It’s low at the moment. But that’s not totally unexpected considering the accident.

Does she have blood pressure issues?

I can’t discuss her health status with you.

With her face drawn taut, Kike immediately set up an intravenous drip on the woman’s limp left hand.

Effectively put in his place, he nodded and observed.

Is she your neighbour, or what?

From her accent, he presumed Kike was at least part American. Watching her swift movement around the patient, he also assumed she was a medical expert.

She’s, my mom. Kike’s lips wobbled as she wiped her teary eyes with jerky fingers. My mom!

What the heck? Your mom?

He felt two blows slam against his jugular. Grimacing, he bit down on his lower lip.

Tears cluttered her eyes and streamed down her sweet cheeks but she sniffed and rubbed her eyes with the inside of her arm.

Can I help in any way?

"No. I