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Marcus will accompany you on the flight, and I'll see you the day after tomorrow to go dress shopping. (You didn't think you would get out of attending my wedding, did you?)
Have a safe trip, and don't hesitate to let Marcus know of anything you may need.
Lilly
I readthe note four times while clutching the wedding invitation in my other hand. She sounded genuine. The same way Lilly appeared when she showed up at my doorstep. I wanted to trust her, but this was all too good to be true. Girls like me didn't get a happily ever after.
The next twenty-fourhours were a whirlwind. My boss didn't like me quitting very much. She immediately shouted about how I would dare leave her. We were on display for the entire diner to watch, and I swallowed hard. I didn't let people walk over me like that, but my current mental state was anything but clear. I had no clue what would await me tomorrow. When she began flailing her arms at me and coming closer, my mouth opened, yet still no words would form. The connection between my ability to form a coherent sentence—like, "Fuck you, bitch!"—and my verbal communication skills were severed. Suddenly, someone pulled me away from my boss, and a tall figure blocked my vision.
Marcus was in front of me while another guy in the same getup stood at my side with his hand on the small of my back. Lilly's bodyguard handed her a wad of cash, sneering, "This will compensate you for any potential loss you incur until you find a new slave."
Myformeremployer gripped the wall beside her, but before I could utter a word, I was ushered outside.
After that, Marcus and his associate, who introduced himself as Ethan, packed up my apartment as I watched everything from the sofa-bed like a movie. This didn't feel real. The more they carried down to the Jeep or packed in boxes, the deeper the pit in my stomach grew, and a black hole was swallowing me. The two men loaded whatever they could into the MOAB, and by evening, Ethan was on his way. That way, I would have my car back sooner than planned, he explained.
I didn't know what to say. Was I really going back? I had to call Kiwi or Mags. I needed to let them know I was coming. Where would I be staying? My pulse sped up as question after question assaulted me.
I spent the night in a hotel room next to Marcus's, and on the way to the private airport, I finally gathered my courage and sent a group message to my friends.
Me: Can I crash on one of your couches for a few nights?
I didn't want to elaborate on why or how I was coming back, let alone make them think I'd be staying. Because let's be honest, I had no clue what would happen beyond the airplane ride.
Their replies were instant:
Mags: FINALLY!!!!!!! It's about time. You're staying here. This is your home, bitch!!!!!!
I laughed out loud at my friend's overuse of exclamation marks.
Kiwi: Are you okay?
He was more hesitant. I had confided in him about Lilly's visit. While I kept in touch with both, my conversations with Mags were mostly pregnancy related—a fact I still hadn't divulged to Kiwi. I wouldn't be able to keep it a secret much longer, being five months pregnant and all, my belly was speaking for itself.
Avoiding a direct answer because I had no clue how I was, I typed:See you soon.
Mags: ?
I pocketed my phone without another response and concentrated on breathing in and out. My buzzing nerves and rapid heart rate could not be good for the baby. I gently placed my hands on my belly, rubbing small circles.
"Let's go home, little one."
My feet have barely madecontact with the sidewalk when both of my friends come running out of the house.
"Oh my God, oh my God, you're here! Whose car is this? How are you feeling?" Mags is talking so fast, I have to smirk. I've missed them more than I let myself admit while I was away, and I blink against the fog clouding my vision.
Marcus walks around the back of the car with my bag, and Kiwi's jaw drops. Of course he knows who Marcus Baxter is. He remains mute while Mags appraises him. "Who are you?"
Marcus ignores her and puts my bag next to me on the sidewalk. "You have my number, Monroe. Call if you need anything."
I nod, and he disappears to the other side of the SUV, gets in, and drives off. I watch the taillights disappear around the corner and turn to face my friends. Kiwi stares at me, his mouth hanging slack. No, notme—my belly.
Fuck!
"Roe-Roe?" His eyes slowly travel up to meet mine, and my cheeks heat.
"Can we take this inside?" I don't want to discuss my current state on the side of the road, plus my feet are killing me. It's true what they say about flying while pregnant.
Kiwi grabs my duffel, and Mags leads us inside the house. Stepping through the front door, I pause. "Where's Echo?" Why has my dog not come to greet me?
