Learning to Forgive (The Learning Series) (41 page)

“We cannot start over, but we can begin now,

And make a new ending.”

~Zig Ziglar

Blaire

That night seems like forever ago even though it’s only been four weeks. I still see the fire and flames lap over to engulf the place that held all my happy memories of my brother.

I watched it all turn to ash from a safe distance. I smelled the wood and flesh burn until I gagged and broke down in Lyric’s arms. I felt so many different emotions that night. Fear, relief, disgust, and then sadness. Lyric eventually carried me to where Hyde picked us up and took us to the apartment. My brain was in such shock that I couldn’t comprehend what was going on, and before I knew it, we were headed to the airport with our packed bags and loaded up on a private jet with the Knight family. I didn’t argue or move. I didn’t even notice Sissy with us. I just followed Lyric not saying a word while Hyde carried Savannah everywhere.

Once we landed, I finally gained my voice and asked where we were. The only answer I received was a safe place. Our first stop wasn’t our final stop, our supposed safe place, because we were quickly routed to another plane for another long flight. But the closer we got to safety, the further we ran from what we were. What and who we once knew.

I didn’t know we would lose all contact with friends still in Mobile. I never expected to be cut off from the life I once understood. Plus, I didn’t know how long we’d be gone.

However, it all made sense after a few days lying on a beach on Taveuni Island in
Fiji. Lyric explained that if they wanted out, they had to be dead. The Reform would come looking once no word from Massey was received. They’d interrogate and watch everyone, looking for any sign of them. As far as everyone knows, we’re dead. Except for Jax and Trudy. They knew we were at the hotel with Savannah until we left. And I have no clue what happened to them after that.

Lyric made sure Lou stayed in charge of the shipments in Mobile and assigned Javier to New Orleans. He doesn’t want it anymore. I was terrified that, once people found out he was in with the government, they’d want him dead, as well. However, it was never about the drugs. Lyric said the government makes too much money off the shit. Too many dirty pockets in the White House. Polesky and his trading were the real reason for the mission. And now that he’s dead, we were unsure what would happen. We knew he was trafficking more than just drugs and weapons. And the only clue we had to what it actually was, disappeared the night of the fire. Or so we thought.

The file that Anya promised to Lyric for his part in bringing down her father somehow magically appeared this last week. We sat at the table while they read it. I knew it would be bad, but I never imagined just how evil.

It’s records of all Polesky’s trafficking partners, from not only Russia, but also other countries. Mobs and gangs, as well as some administration officials, are involved. It also shows what he was trafficking. Criminals. Not robbers or thieves, but some of the world’s deadliest and craziest. The worst part is, he not only traded drugs or money for these felons, he traded young boys and girls to some sick sons-of-bitches. Now these monsters are in our country as citizens and part of his team. No word on what exactly he plans to do with these men, but whatever it is, it can’t be good.

Now we need to get this file into the right hands to bring them down. As far as the young girls or boys already traded, we might never get them back, I fear. And how we deliver the file, and whom to give it to is another question, but one we will face once we land back in the states.

Even with this new worry, I can’t help but reflect on this last month, and how beneficial for us it’s been. We’ve formed a family bond and built trust in one another. We’ve lived on a beautiful, white sand island away from people, and a few miles from the small market where we get the essentials we need to survive.

Lyric and I have become something unbreakable over the past weeks. After everything we’ve faced in life, we’ve molded into one another, breathed as one, and loved as one. We’ve learned to relax and have fun, how to smile, and most importantly, how to let go of our pasts and forgive. By no means am I cured, but I’m no longer blaming myself for what my father did to Benji or me. I no longer blame myself for my brother’s addiction. And I no longer hold a grudge over life itself. I love my life and how it’s turned out. I hate the road it took for me to get here, but I have Lyric and Savannah now and wouldn’t change it. I’m truly happy for the first time in my life.

Now it’s time to take that happiness back to Mobile and start a new life there. Rebuild old friendships while keeping a low profile the best we can. Lyric thinks that, since his mission is technically over because of Polesky’s death, they won’t pursue us anymore. I hope not. I just want to take what I have and keep it forever. No more deaths and heartache. No more worry. No more lies.

Throughout the entire plane ride, I think of last night.

The bonfire. The food. Lyric singing to me on the beach. The breeze blowing my blonde hair out of my face. The smell of salty air filling my nose. The way the orange flames reflect on his relaxed face as he strums his acoustic guitar. And the dominating, feral look he gives me before he stops singing.

He stands and walks over to me then picks me up and carries me to the outside shower that’s covered with beautiful bamboo and greenery. He tells me he loves me with his mouth. Not only with words, but the kisses he places on every inch of my body, the thrust of him inside of me, and with his hands running across my skin. He loves me and will never let me down or lie to me again. He’ll never leave me and make me feel small. He builds me up and makes me stronger. He’s not my crutch. He’s my best friend, and lover. My home.

When I wake from the impact of the plane landing, his sweet words run through my head. Feeling warm, I stretch out my stiff muscles and look at him sitting beside me. He’s mine. Grabbing my things before taking Lyric’s hand, I brace myself to face reality again. This time I’m not alone.

After we all load up in the limo Lou arranged for us, my nerves kick in and my hands start shaking. Lyric automatically reaches over and grabs them, calming me immediately. “What’s wrong, Red?”

It’s still funny he calls me that, even though I’m no longer a redhead. “Just thinking.” I shrug. “What do you think people will think of us showing back up?”

“I’m sure they’ll be a little pissed at first, but honestly, how many friends did any of us truly have?”

“You had Ryan. I was getting close to Cory. And Hyde,” I stop and think about it, “Hyde didn’t have anyone, I don’t think.” I look at him from across the limo. He’s asleep with Vannah snuggled close. He is now her
Uncle Hyde
. And he spoils her rotten.

“No. He doesn’t get close to anyone. Well, except Vannah.” He kisses my head. “So you see, baby, us reappearing won’t matter to many people. And I’m sure the three or four that it actually does mean shit to, won’t care. We’ll tell them we had family business and had to get your sister back. You didn’t have a way to contact them.”

My eyes take him in, and I sigh. Even without his guitar, he’s the same sexy guy he was on that stage the first night I saw him. His hair is still dark, and his lip still pierced. His eyes are still a stormy gray that reminds me of thunderclouds, and his stare is just as unbreakable. But he loves me in everything he does. I know that, not only from the words that he tells me every day, but also from the sacrifices he’s made. For us.

“What about Ryan? Your band? I know you miss it.”

“Ryan might be a little pissed, but he always knew I had a fucked up job. He just didn’t know what.” He kisses me and bites down gently on my lower lip. “I’ll worry about the band after we get settled. Might open a new bar. I don’t know. The insurance money should have gone to you. But let’s worry about that later. Right now, I just want to get you home and have you make me some more disgusting bacon.”

His tongue invades my mouth, caressing every inch of its warmth. But I can’t help but smile from his words even as heat pools in between my legs. “You like my bacon. I’ve gotten better at cooking it.”

“No.”
Kiss.
“I eat it because you make it. Even Sissy turns her nose at it.”

We pull into the three-bedroom house outside the city and I’m immediately in love. The one-story red brick home has a seating area on the small front porch with brick columns, as well as a cute sidewalk that leads to the driveway. Oak trees shadow the front yard to block the view from the road. A privacy fence hides the backyard that accommodates a guesthouse behind the pool. The open floor plan and furnishings make it feel more like an actual home. Our large bedroom has slate gray walls, and navy blue and red bedding. Vannah’s room is every little girl’s dream with a princess canopy bed and an overflowing wooden toy box. I don’t know how Lou did this, but it’s perfect. Every detail is taken care of from floor to ceiling.

Walking back into the kitchen, I see three new cell phones sitting on the russet-colored, granite counter, with new numbers for each of us. All that’s missing now are our friends.

Lyric calls Ryan repeatedly with no luck. I decide to call Cory, and when she doesn’t answer, I leave a message. When after an hour passes and no one returns our call, we decide to head to Mobile and show up in person. Opening the two-car garage, I see a white Chevy Tahoe, a blue Audi, and to my surprise, Benji’s bike parked in the back. My fingers glide over its polished metal before Lyric wraps his arms around me. I don’t know how it got here, but I’m so relieved that it’s okay.

“You know I’m going to teach you how to ride that thing now, don’t you?” he whispers in my ear. Chills surface and I shiver.

I turn and kiss his lips. “Yes, but first, I need to practice. We also need to break in that big new bed, too,” I say seductively.

“We will. Hyde’s checking the place for bugs, and then we can do it everywhere you want.” He grabs my butt to lift me before placing me on Foxy. “Now let’s go find where the fuck everyone is.” He passes me a helmet as his new phone rings. At that exact moment, Vannah runs out, begging to go with us. I tell her not this time, and she needs to play with Uncle Hyde until we get back. She shows pure attitude for a four-year-old, but after a minute of pouting, she finally stomps her foot and heads inside.

I’m soooooo dreading the teen years.

I finish adjusting the chinstrap of my helmet when Lyric walks back out. “You ready?” I ask, but his eyes immediately tell me something’s wrong. His facial features and body language are stiff and angry. “Baby, what’s going on?”

“That was Ryan’s uncle. Turns out Ryan was found a few nights ago brutally beaten, and he’s in a coma.”

Want to hear the Music mentioned in Learning to Forgive as well as Inspired this crazy love story? Then here’s the link.

http://open.spotify.com/user/1293710976/playlist/0OYWRCNxTKjeMiLex19hqc

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you’s

And

You Rock

Can I just say that I love and hate this part of writing a book. I have so many people to thank for inspiring me. Believing in me, and pushing me. This year we had a lot of family isssues that cam up, but through it all I never lost my support group.

First, I have to thank the Lord for giving me this imagination and letting me take this journey to meet all these wonderful people. It’s a dream come true that I can do this and meet all the readers. Either on FB or in person. You all Rock.

Then my wonderful hubby, Jordan. Thank you for dealing with a dirty house, no dinner, and my emotions throughout this story. I hope you didn’t take any of it personally. I love you with all my heart. You’ve taken on a lot to allow me to write full time. You’ve supported and encouraged me. Thank you.

Bethani, my miracle. I know you can’t see this but I love you. And when I write about the love between child and parent, I think of you and hope I justify how much I love you. Without you coming into my life, I wouldn’t be what I am. I wouldn’t be period. I love you Princess. Always.