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“You know if we ever find her, you have my blessing to be with Mara-Lee. I simply want my sister back in my life.”
I bring myself to the present . . . that conversation was merely weeks before my brothers and I took our positions in the family. Now that I’ve found Mara-Lee, I need these two to trust me in order to get to Mara-Lee.
“If that’s the case, I have something in store for my Stellina.” I clear my throat and shove my hands in my pockets.
“What are you thinking?” Cedric asks, quirking a brow.
“I’m planning on taking Mara-Lee away for Christmas . . . no matter whether she wants to go or not. She won’t talk to me in public and avoids all conversation with me. I need to take her somewhere private where I can get her to open up to me.” I think for a few moments and the perfect plan comes to mind. “We own a lodge and cabins in the mountains. I have a cabin that’s only for family, and I can take her there. She’ll be safe and it’s very private.”
“How will you get her there?” Finley questions me cocking her head to the side.
“I’m thinking Christmas Eve. I’ll come to the Fort and all but kidnap her if I have to.”
“She’s not going to go with you willingly, I can tell you that now.” Finley shakes her head as she smiles. “She won’t be expecting you . . . she could be in her pajamas for all you know.” She laughs.
“Doesn’t matter. I’ll give her until Christmas Eve, and then the gloves are coming off .” I shrug.
“What if this doesn’t work like you are hoping it will?” Finley asks me.
“I’ll bring her back home, but I have a feeling once the walls she has built up around her fall down, it will go as planned.” I smile. “I know a thing or two about my Stellina that I’m sure you all don’t. It’s just a matter of breaking through her defenses.”
Finley and Cedric look at each other and nod. “Okay, Amer, we’ll help with your plan. But if you hurt her, you’re dead,” Cedric states. I know that he wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet in my head. Same as I would do to him if he were to hurt my little sister, Arwen.
“I completely understand.”
Leaving Night’s Bliss, I pull my phone out of my pocket. I dial Danti’s number and wait for him to answer. Normally at Christmas we try to do something as a family, well as much as we can. This year I’m changing those plans.
“Amer,” Danti answers.
“Just want to let you know I’m making plans for one of the cabins for Christmas.”
“You finally making a move?” he asks, knowing me all too well.
“I am. I need to get everything in order beforehand cause once I get her there, I’m barring the door from anyone until I know what happened to my woman, and I have her back where she’s been meant to be all along.”
CHAPTERTWO
FINLEY
Iwatch as Amer leaves my office and turn back to face Cedric with a knowing look.
“Well?” He cocks a brow and shoves his hands in his pockets.
“This will be best for Mara-Lee in healing the wounds that were ripped open after years of healing.” I nod. When I first found Mara-Lee on the streets, I kept her from being raped, only to find out the true nightmare she’s lived. Out of anyone else in my life besides Ainslee and our kids, she means something to me. Mara-Lee and Cedric are my family, and I’ll do anything to protect them. Even when it’s protecting them from themselves.
“I agree with you. She’s been through a lot,” Cedric agrees. “But are we doing the right thing?”
“Yeah, I think it is. Mara-Lee’s been through hell and back. You saw the way he looked at her when he first saw her again. She’s it for him, I feel it.”
“I remember her telling us about her past,” Cedric states, nodding in agreement. He knows what I know when it comes to Mara-Lee and what she’s been through.
“I was locked in the little room, and when I heard the doorknob turn, I knew I had to kneel, or I would get the belt across my thighs. I wished I was dead so many nights because I had lost everything that was near and dear to me. Everything, even the guy I cared about so much. That was all taken away from me. Then to have it happen to me again. I can’t . . . I don’t understand life sometimes . . .” A tear falls on Mara-Lee's face as she breaks down in front of Cedric and me.
“Please don’t tell anyone else. I can’t . . . I don’t want them to feel sorry for me or anything like that. I got through this. I just need a moment.”
“Take all the time you need. We are here for you, Mara,” I say as I pull her into a hug.
“Thank you.” She smiles, and I hope we really do have her back.
