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“It’s over?” She looks at me, shock trying to control her body.
“Yes, I told you I would kill anyone who has hurt you . . . even my own family.”
“Do you believe what he told you . . . the parts about me—”
“No, I don’t believe any of that. He took advantage of you and he paid the price.”
“Thank you.”
“No . . . don’t thank me. I need to thank you for trusting me that I would keep you safe.”
I hold her in my arms as she cries. As her body trembles, I wish there was more I could do to comfort her. I hold her close to my chest and rub her back. After a while, she calms down, and her tears dry up.
“Will you take me home, please?”
“Yeah, I will. You need to be around all those people who love and care for you.”
“Thank you.” She attempts to smile but it falls flat.
* * *
At the Fort, Mara-Lee went straight to her room, not wanting to discuss what had happened yet. Thankfully everyone gave her the space she needed for the time being, but I could tell they were worried about her. Mara-Lee told me that only Finley and Cedric know about what happened to her in the past, and she will tell them how that chapter of her life is closed for good with Emilio’s death.
Finally, after Mara-Lee showers and changes once again, does she let me pull her out of the room so she can be with the rest of those who love her.
“Mara-Lee! Welcome back. Did you have fun? How was your Christmas?” Finley asks. We step into the room I found Mara-Lee in that first time and again Christmas Eve.
“I did, thank you.” She grins, and this time it’s genuine.
“Good, you deserve happiness, Mara-Lee,” Finley states, taking in the embrace I have around Mara-Lee.
She smiles and nods as she realizes that she truly does, no matter what has happened to her in the past.
We sit down on the couch in the living room. I don’t leave her side, and she doesn’t leave mine. I’m hoping that I can spend the night with her . . . I’m not about to ask her to come back to my place. As much as I love my place, I realize that I’m going to have to find another house to live in if I want Mara-Lee to live with me. She’ll never be able to forget what she saw today. I wish I could. I force myself to focus on the now, focus on Mara-Lee.
I stay with her and see how she relaxes with her family as they talk and spend time catching up on what went on while she was away. This is her family, even though they aren’t blood relatives, they treat her as such, and they saved her. They saved her when I couldn’t. They’ve been here for her when I didn’t even know she was alive. Now, she has all these people in her life that love her and care for her.
Mara-Lee might be mad at me once again, but I’m going to work on a plan to reunite her with her brother. Even though she already has a lot of people in her life, a big brother is someone that you need in your corner sometimes. Eventually, she should have everyone where they belong in her life again.
Losing Mara-Lee taught me that life can’t always be full of bright, sunny days, but this year has shown me that a lot can change in a blink of an eye. I hope this upswing continues into the new year. An idea comes to mind.
I know how I’m going to get Mallik back into Mara-Lee’s life.
EPILOGUE
MARA-LEE
I’m so excited for tonight. There’s a party at Night’s Bliss and Amer is going with me. Ringing in the new year with my favorite people sounds like a great start to the new year. I’ve been helping to make sure that everything is taken care of for the big party. The club is decorated, and there is plenty of food and drinks for everyone that is going to be there.
I get ready to head back to the Fort to get ready for the party. Amer will be picking me up, and after the party, we’re spending the night at a hotel to make sure we bring in the new year the right way.
I stop by Finley’s office before I leave the club.
“Hey, I’m headed to the Fort. Need anything?”
“I don’t right now, thank you. I wanted to let you know an agreement has been struck between Danti and me,” she states.
“I’m glad that it is finally taken care of.”
