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I wrap my arm around her, careful of her injury.
“Before we go upstairs, we need to adjust our current population,” the man she referred to as Commander says.
“Gambit, you and Striker take the little bit out of here. Protect her for Rogue. Find out why she didn’t tell Rogue about the calls.”
“No,” Vladimir barks. “My family stays together.”
“No, Morosov, there is going to be a war here, and we don’t want her to be a part of it. She’ll be safe with Gambit.”
“No, she won’t. He wants her, and he’s too old for her.”
“She’s just as old as Andrei’s mom was when you married her,” Ley barks at him. “Besides, she’s my daughter, and I say where she goes.”
“She’s my woman, and she’s going with us. My men will protect her with their lives.”
“Stop, all of you.” Franci steps around Gambit’s body. He wraps his arm across her upper body, holding her to him. “I want to go with him. He and I need to talk. As for Crank, I didn’t know that was his name. He’s been calling me and telling me he would kill you.” She points to Ley. “He didn’t know you were Angeline until November. I mostly ignored him. Every time I’d lose my phone and you’d get me a new one, he’d get the number and call me again. He told me he was coming for me soon and was going to rape me like he should have all those years ago.” She shivers, and Ley moves to her.
“We’ll take care of them this time. I swore I’d make you safe, and I will.”
They hug and then Gambit loads her back into the truck, and they take off. I hear all of the vehicles outside to help escort them back to their clubhouse.
Thirteen
RIDLEY
I look around my garage and can’t believe who all is here. The fact that Andrei is on his way shocks me too. I decide that Commander is right, I have to take them upstairs and get everyone settled. There is no way I’ll be able to have them all stay here, but it’s time to get some things addressed.
An hour later, it’s just after midnight and I’m all stitched up. Since Striker left with Gambit, another one of my former team members, Rio, did the stitches and dressed the wound for me. He also checked over Leif and said he had a concussion.
I was sure I lost him when I saw his body fly through the air. He must feel the same way after I was shot because he’s kept me close to his side since we’ve gotten back. I’m confused as to why my father is here. I knew that Commander would show up as soon as I sent him the message earlier.
My door alarm goes off, and I buzz in Andrei and his men. My father’s men are down in the garage and setting up a perimeter around the building for protection. I’ve been stalling because I knew I could only go over this one time. But before I do, I have one more thing to tell Leif.
“Come with me for a moment.” I pull him toward my home office.
“Don’t go far. It’s time for the truth, Rogue,” Commander says, and I nod.
“Give us a moment. I have to tell him something first.”
“What’s up, love?” He pulls me into his body, but I hold him back.
“I need you to know a few things before we go out there and I tell them everything. Stuff which you might not want to be with me anymore once you find out.” I look down because I worry about this. I want him forever, but will he still want me.
He pulls me hard into his chest and tips up my chin. “I’ll always want you. I don’t care if your name is really Angeline. I don’t care that based on the scars you’ve had a facelift.”
“It’s worse than that. My name really is Ridley. I used my middle name while in the military. Yes, I had to have reconstructive surgery on my face after the attack. They altered some of it to help hide me. The attack didn’t just take my identity away. It took my ability to have children too.” I look up at him, and his arms tighten around me.
“Then I guess we adopt more kids. As long as I have you and Franci, I’ll be a happy man,” he says as he leans down. Just before his lips touch mine, I hold a hand up to stop him.
“There is more.” I look around his body as he stands in the doorway to the room where everyone is waiting. “They will know soon, but I’m sure Black already figured it out because Gambit knows. I killed two men. Not in war but to keep them from coming after Franci. It was still murder though.”
He scoffs. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you. You thought that was the only way to get out of this situation. To save Franci, you resorted to what they made you. I still love you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
This time when he leans down to kiss me, I let him, and my heart feels free for the first time in a long time.
“Let’s get on with this, Ley,” Gray barks from the kitchen, and we separate.
I step around Leif and move into the next room. I give Andrei a hug, something I haven’t been able to do in a very long time. I then hug his two main guards and then Alek, Gray’s partner, in the casino. All four of these men grew up protecting me, and I need them again.
