Now that I have her close and in my care, I feel somewhat whole, but it still doesn’t negate the need to bind her to me and keep her where she belongs.
And I need to do it before its time to go home and introduce her to the family, because I know that as soon as she finds out who I am, she’ll be spitting fury my way.
And then she’ll run.
I can’t have that, and not just because she’s mine. She’d also be in too much danger. See, there are those who would see her pay for a crime she didn’t commit, a crime that I am responsible for, and I won’t have her suffering another minute. Especially not because of me.
Those actions had been necessary, and they all know it even if they won’t agree. I’d only done what was right and put down a rabid dog.
All they see is that I killed him. They don’t acknowledge his crimes or the fact that he was crazier than a feral mutt.
“Oh, baby girl, you just have no idea.”
The things I will do for this girl scare me, and that was before I got a good look at her and learned about everything she was. If I killed then, I can only imagine the lengths I’d go to to protect her now.
Protecting her from myself and others is a man’s job but how do I protect my broke little bird from herself and the stubbornness she’s displayed these last years?
The answer is simple, I do whatever is necessary even if I have to drag her back into life by her hair.
My phone chirps silently in my pocket, and I dig it out to see one of the terrible twos calling.
“Miah.”
“We got something, bro, and you aren’t going to like it one bit. Seems Jerry’s been putting out feelers for your girl, and we caught him meeting with a shady character, handing over a fat envelope. Two guesses what he’s doing,” Jeremiah growls.
My brothers, Jeremiah and Jared, are twins and crazy as a hopping toad. Being only twenty-eight to my thirty-three, I’ve had the privilege of being the ringleader for most of our exploits, but I know that they only follow as far as they want me to lead and will go nasty on anyone if they deem it necessary to make a go for Ellie.
“Hit?” I ask, feeling my muscles tense.
It’s the only explanation for a fat wad of cash and a secret meeting, and considering the stiffy these freaks have for my baby, it’s the only answer I can come up with.
If it’s true, then my timeline has shrunk considerably. This place is great and has good security, but good isn’t enough. Ellie deserves the best, and for us, that’s home, a huge plantation house in the middle of a few hundred acres in New Orleans.
With all the heat Dad has going to protect Ma and any woman who comes into the family, it’s the only place I want her to be. But only when she’s ready for that, and right now that isn’t possible.
“Yup. Jared is going to take care of the brawn, no worries, but I’m not convinced they won’t bring someone else in and soon, so you’re going to have to step things up. How’s little sis doing?”
That’s the thing about my family; they already consider Ellie one of ours and would go to bat for her in a heartbeat. Miah and Jared already consider her to be their sister, so chances are if things get worse, they’ll leave a blood trail to the next victim.
That’s their way of protecting Ellie. Ma and I can’t blame them. I’m feeling that primal urge, myself, only stronger because she’s mine.
“Okay, so far. She’s been cussing me out all afternoon till I finally just put us to bed early. At least she’s not crying yet.”
He snorts and sighs loudly.
“Tell her everything, man. Once she knows she’ll be easier to handle.”
“No. I won’t risk that, Miah, I already told you. If she finds out, I run the risk of losing her forever, and I can’t have that. Maybe if she loves me, she’ll understand and forgive me for my lies, but…”
“I hear ya, brother, just don’t mess this up. I got her some of those bags Ma likes so much for Christmas, and I can’t wait to see her face.”
At this rate, she’ll be spoiled rotten. Why not? She deserves all the happiness we can give her.
“Okay. Keep me posted, and, Miah, for God’s sake, do not mess this up and get your fool asses thrown in prison. Ma would skin us all alive,” I warn, turning my head down to look at Ellie.
She’s got her head on my chest, one arm lying over my torso, and a leg snuggled between mine. So gorgeous and mine. All mine from now till the day I draw my last breath.
“No guarantees. Get your old ass back to sleep, then, and give my sis a kiss for me.”
We say good-bye and I shove my phone under the mattress just in case she lays eyes on it. A little shuffling so she’s lying on her side and pressing her ass against my crotch and I finally settle down enough to close my eyes.