Page 52 of Carter

Paige is the tiny woman I’d first seen hiding behind Bronson’s back that night Sasha and I broke up. The girlfriend we’d helped with the identity theft victims at the old folks’ home. The one who’d curled Sasha’s hair and helped her serve dishes at Brett’s party. She’s got straight dark shoulder-length hair and big brown eyes. Olive skin that melts into a curvy, voluptuous figure.

She’s as sweet as sugar.

Her parents abandoned her on the curb of a New York City street on her eighteenth birthday. They were off to find their own adventures, finally ridding themselves of their ‘oops’ baby. Instead of breaking down and falling apart, Paige got help from a guidance counselor from her high school. She got her medical assistance license and works in a nursing home a few blocks from Bachman’s. She has a heart of gold.

And a criminal’s mind. She has a taste for expensive things. Unable to afford them, she’d taken to stealing them. Bronson, of course has cured her of that. With his firm hand and fat wallet, he’s turned her into a respectable young woman.

Except for the fact that she’s becoming a Bachman. She has no qualms whatsoever with our motto, steal from the rich to feed the poor. In fact, she’s done it herself, taking medicine to her patients who couldn’t afford it.

She’s perfect for Bronson.

Bronson’s changed since meeting Paige. For the good.

As the head of our family, he always seems to be the perfect man. Good-looking as the devil himself, a phrase I’d learned from Sasha’s mom, loosely translated, of course, and dressed like a stud, he turns every woman’s head as he strides down the city streets.

Beneath that fine head of hair, he’s got a brain. He’s highly intelligent. And street smart. He has a sixth sense adapted for this world, which has saved quite a few of our brothers’ lives. Years ago, when the position became available, there was no question Bronson was next in line.

He was born for it. And he’s one of the very few of us that is a bloodline Bachman.

Bronson was one of the few children who were raised in the Village.

His father began taking him on missions when he was still a child. I can’t imagine the things he saw, when my friends and I were out playing soccer in the streets. He was witnessing murders, theft, and larceny.

The day he became head, he outlawed children in the Village.

He dropped a couple billion acquiring land, and establishedthe Hamlet in Connecticut for families. And he stayed single.

Then, Paige.

Bronson was always the fearless leader. Never one to show weakness. But at times, it made him extremely isolated. I can count on one hand the number of times he’s come to me for support since moving up to head. Those times, those moments when he allows me to see he is still human like the rest of us, I call him Braun. A nickname from when we first met. When we were best friends. A time that seems like ages ago.

Before he became head.

But no one is perfect. Even Achilles had his heel.

In Bronson’s strength is his weakness. He’s created a lonely, isolated world for himself within our brotherhood.

Paige has ended that for him. They go out every night, drinking, dancing. He takes her to a new place every weeknight, excited to share his favorite haunts with her. On weekends, he cooks for her. Spoils her rotten and spends every second with her.

Sometimes he even invites me and Sasha over. A double date of sorts.

The brotherhood is more than happy to pick up the pace, to fill in the gaps while he has his honeymoon period. He’s had his hands tight on the reins, and we’re enjoying having a little room to breathe and do things our own ways.

After moving up the chain, I’ve been better able to see the intense amount of pressure he’s under. He needs this woman in his life.

He’s put his past behind him, and now, he’s engaged.

I’m so glad he’s found her.

Their wedding is coming up fast.

Sasha goes quiet when she hears the date.

Bronson and Paige will be married before us. At first I assume Sasha is angry about losing her place in line. The longer I watch her, the more I realize something else is under it.

We have a sit-down discussion. I want to be sure I understand her feelings.

I start gentle. “Sasha, what is this really about? You know as well as I do that it’s a miracle Bronson is getting married.”