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“Maya, do you know what lead up to Jonathan getting shot?” Joshua asks, and I dread him knowing how close it really came. How close I was to not being here.
Maya looks up and sees me standing there and the room quiets.
“He didn’t touch me like you think. He wanted me to…to…umm.”
Joshua jumps up and runs to me, pulling me into his arms.
“Shhh… Angel, never mind, I don’t need to know.”
“Did he survive?”
“No.”
We're seated in the living room with Patrice and Michael. Everyone has gone to their rooms to relax or prove they are alive, which is what Maya and Duncan are doing just down the hall from us. I rise to walk to our room to check on Isabella when Patrice walks up to me and pulls me into a hug.
“I'm so proud of you, Ana. You did something I never was able to do. You stood up to him, you took your pride and strength back. I've learned how to gain those back, but I never stood up to Nate and told him off. I also heard about what you said to Jonathan, you are the strongest woman I know.” I hug her back as the tears start to fall again.
The sobs become uncontrollable. Joshua and Michael walk over to us. Michael hugs Patrice while Joshua pulls me into his arms, careful of how he holds me. I want to prove I’m alive with him.
“Angel, I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you, but I'm proud of you. Please, tell me he didn't do anything more than this and your back. My feelings for you won’t change, ever.” His fingers slide down my cheeks, just below the welts.
“No, I had to look at his bloody penis again, but he didn't do more. I wouldn't have let him.” I hiccup out through the sobs.
“Michael, you got Mum?”
“Yes.”
“Wait, the letter, Joshua. It’s time.” I pat his pocket where he put the letter earlier.
“Read it out loud, son, this is our family now, they'll understand.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
Joshua
I skim the letter, knowing I don't want to read it but should. Mum needs this closure. Me, I don't need anything from this man, he took my family from me.
* * *
Patty & Ace,
First, I want to say I’m sorry for what I just did but I can’t be. You need to feel the pain I felt. You need to finally be punished for what you did. Ana needs to confront Jonathan and end him. If she won't, then Maya will. I'd never hurt my granddaughter, so I made sure she would be safe. She is exquisite, Ace, protect her with your life. I never did that with you. Now that we are even, please forgive me for what I did to you in the past.
Patty girl, I never meant to hurt you, my demons were stronger than me. I should have gotten help a long time ago. Forgive me for the pain I caused you when you tried to leave me. I have so many regrets in my life, but I hope that this will ease them.
Joshua, thank you for being such a strong man at such a young age and taking care of your momma, you make me proud. I know I didn't do that, you were born to protect those you love. Your grandfather raised you well and that man, Michael, did too.
Patty, I know from the way he looks at you and you him that you and Michael are in love. Follow your heart, I know I'm not going to survive the day. If Joshua doesn't kill me with his bare hands for what I did, his teammate will. One of my biggest regrets was making that threat all those years ago. I hope Michael can forgive you. You were only trying to protect him. I release you.
Don't mourn me. I wanted this. I wish I had been killed years ago. I wish Joshua had been a better shot when he was young and pointed that gun at me that night. Again, I'm so sorry, and I pray I didn't get Ana hurt more.
Joshua, your girl is much stronger than you think she is. I've watched her, and I know that getting Izzy away from her isn't going to be easy. Take care of them both.
I will always love you both,
Nathan
* * *
