by Bry Ann
“They are a little...uh, aggressive,” Alex says leaning casually against the counter.
“It’s interesting to me that you stay in touch,” I say honestly. This has intrigued me given their background.
“I swear they have some crazy brother sister thing going on,” Rex says when he walks in the room, throwing his t-shirt on. “Anatoli is like super overprotective of Alex, no surprise there, and Tobias is well… Tobias.”
“I’m curious.” Dana looks super intrigued, but I am not surprised. Dana loves different human interactions and people watching. This is like a dream scenario for her. Im more interested in these guy’s morality. As in how evil are these guys? I don’t want their business getting caught up in my life or the lives of my friends. Alex is for sure gonna kill me, but Im gonna drill these guys.
There is a knock on the door and Alex leaps up. Rex laughs. “Relax babe.”
She turns to us with an annoyed look. “They’ve never been to my house before. It feels weird so Im a little jumpy. Sue me.”
She walks to the door, and before she opens it she nervously adjusts her ring. Dana and I smile and turn to Rex who has a soft look on his face. Alex and Rex got engaged a year ago and are in no rush to get married. It’s so cute that they are childhood friends who have been through hell together and made it out on the other side. They bring each other peace. It's really beautiful.
My swooning ends when two large men walk in the room. One is larger than the other. He has green eyes, and is literally giant. Not in the over muscled bodybuilder way, but just a huge strong dude. His presence would be super intimidating if I didn’t know he took a bullet for Alex. He seems like the kind of guy with a lot of darkness but a heart of gold somewhere in there. The other guy, on the other hand, looks like some kind of dark Greek devil. Holy (WORD) he is intimidating. I know that is Tobias. I doubt he has one good bone in his body. Yet for some reason he is furiously loyal to Anatoli. Alex and Anatoli give each other a friendly greeting, and then Alex and Tobias just glare at each other and walk back into the living room where the rest of us are seated. Wierd.
I stand up first. Dana started looking down at her feet the second they walked in. They made her nervous so I would be the one to break the ice.
“I’m Sam,” I say extending my arm and adding a bit of steel behind my voice. They have to know I don’t fully trust them.
“Anatoli,” the larger of the two says. I shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you officially.”
“You as well.” Then I turn to Tobias and stiffen even more. He makes no move to shake my hand or appear more friendly or approachable.
“Tobias,” he says with something that barely qualifies for a head jerk. I don’t like him already, but Anatoli on the other hand he seems actually like a cool guy.
When we are done with introductions he walks over to Dana who looks super comfortable. I feel sorry for her. Having anxiety must be awful. I know Dana is strong, heck she is dating Gunner, but when she feels in any way threatened her anxiety takes over. I know she hates it. I know she’s strong. So that is why Anatoli gets on my good side when he seeks Dana out. He takes a seat next to her and extends his hand with a kind smile. This man is a killer? Crazy. How did he get into that line of work.
“Hello, Im Anatoli. I know Alex. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Dana,” Dana says with a shy smile.
I ignore the rest of their conversation, but they get to talking. Tobias is shaking is head at Anatoli.
“You’d think he was a fucking kindergarten teacher,” I hear him mutter, and I know this is my chance. I move closer to the corner Tobias is now standing in.
“And what is it you do?”
He gives me an evil smirk, like he is amused by me in his own sick, twisted way. “You know already Im sure so skip to the chase. I don’t like dicking around.”
Fair.
“I don’t want your shit falling back on us, Alex specifically. We all need peace for a while.”
“Anatoli would never let that happen.” His face is dead serious.
“He really cares about Alex doesn’t he?” I glance over where Rex, Dana, Anatoli and Alex are talking. Alex isn’t paying attention though. She is watching me suspiciously. I turn back to Tobias.
“For some reason, yes. He does.”
I nod. “And that matters to you?”
His expression darkens a bit. “If you are asking if she is safe then yes, she is. I won’t her,” he snaps.
“You’re very loyal to Anatoli? You’d never cross him.”
“Watch it.” His eyes are glaring daggers into me. Alex comes up behind me.
“Okay, will you guys come join us please.” She kept her eyes on Tobias. Ah, she doesn’t trust him either. That makes me feel oddly better. I like when my friends have their guards up.
Wrong, I know.
Im as crazy as my life has turned out to be. I let my guard down and socialize with the group. It’s a fun evening, but honestly I just can’t wait to get married and see my kids. I love my friends. My friends are my life, but nothing can replace my little family. They are my life. After my mom died I never thought I’d have a family again. I lost my first family. Then gomt y mom and her unconditional love. After her death I became terrified of losing someone again. I really thought my life was over when my mom died. I wish I knew it was just beginning. The best part is I don’t feel bad anymore for living. Like I struggle and it’s not always easy but I know somewhere in the universe my mom is so proud of me right now. I touch her letter that I put in my pocket that day and smile.
Chapter 25 (Logan):
“Logan! Logan!” Dana runs in my room looking absolutely beautiful but a little discombobulated. Her red dress is crooked, one of her sleeves is falling down her shoulder and her hair is only half done. I love my sister.
“Yes,” I say straightening my tie. I can’t help the nerves in my body. I can’t remember the last time I felt this nervous, but Im getting married. I got a beautiful, private location in Missouri. It’s at this little garden. The only people coming to our wedding are our immediate crew, Tobias, Anatoli, a guy from Rex’s work and the kids he mentors. I have been down there quite a few times to give talks on dedication, success and hard work. They are good kids, and I admire the (WORD) out of the fact they want better for themselves despite their pasts.
“You need to go talk to Sam,” she says looking nervous. I think she’s worried Im going to be mad at Sam or something, but what she doesn’t know is I expected this. I know Sam well enough to know this is a hard day for her on so many levels.
“I got it Dana.” I pat her on the shoulder and take my jacket off before leaving the room.
“You sure?” she calls behind me. “Don’t be mad please. She loves you she’s just… freaked.”
I frown and turn back to her, mildly offended. “Dana, I would never be mad about this.”
She bites her lip and nods. “Okay, thank you Logan. I’ll go check in with the caterer.”
I nod and walk over to where Sam is changing. I smile to myself a little. Honestly this day wouldn’t be complete without Sam being, well, Sam. I love her, even the craziest, skewed parts of her.
I walk up the door and hear voices.
“Sam, dude, come on,” It’s Alex speaking, sounding totally out of her element. It takes everything in me not to laugh. “You are so excited about this.Talk to me. Quit just standing there and hyperventilating.” Sure enough in the background Sam is having a full blown panic attack. “You love Logan babe. What the hell is going on?”
“I do love Logan,” she barely gets out through her crying and strained breathing. It’s the first thing I’ve heard her say since I go to the door. On that note I knock.
“Sam. Sam, It’s Logan.”
“Go away!”
I try not to laugh. She sounds perfectly fine then, when she’s yelling at me. “You okay?”
“Did Dana send you? Go back where you came from!” Go back where you
came from? At that I do laugh. Are we twelve? I honestly think I am going to have to open the door, even though it is bad luck or whatever. I think it is worse luck to have my bride having a panic attack at the altar, which is the direction we are headed in.
“I just want to make sure you are okay,” I say as calmly as possible.
“Logan, Im fine.”
“No, Im coming in.”
“No! You can’t. Logan please! It’s bad luck or whatever,” Like she buys that. Sam is not in the slightest bit superstitious. Her voice sounds so panicked though. I hesitate opening the door, but Alex swings it open looking relieved as hell to see me. Alex looks really cool in the red bridesmaid dresses Sam picked out, but I can tell she feels uncomfortable in it. Sam tried her best to pick out dresses that people would feel comfortable in while still having a real wedding. That was important to her. Everything in her life has been abnormal, she wanted this big memory to be cliche (WORD). The dresses are red with short sleeves, mid thigh length with a tiny slit. They are beautiful, sexy and plain. Sam let them pick their own shoes and accessories so they could feel more like themselves.
I look over to the left side of the room. Sam is sitting there looking resigned with her white dress spread out all around her. Her eyes are red and swollen and her nose is runny from crying. I can tell she is still trying to regulate her breathing. She looks at me nervously, waiting to hear what I am going to say. Despite everything, for a moment I just stare at her. She looks so beautiful. I rarely see her all dressed up like this and that makes this moment all the more special. She is going to be my wife. That is nuts. I’ve done the craziest things in my lifetime. I’ve stood in front of millions of people, I’ve had my life publically poked and prodded at, I’ve dealt with serious family struggles, but nothing compares to this.
I shake my head so I can get back to this issue at hand. I’m not in the slightest bit worried. Alex pats my back and mumbles a good luck before walking out. I may not have been the closest to Alex or the most involved in what happened in her life, but it is genuinely good to see her happy. It’s good to see her find herself and find someone that gets her. I honestly didn’t think was possible for (WORD).
“Sam, babe, what’s wrong?” I take a seat next to her and rub her back. She pulls away from me, and continues to hide her face.
“I don’t want you to see me like this. Not today.”
“It’s just me. I’ve seen you a lot worse than this.” I get a small smile at that, and I nudge her side and smirk. She nudges me back ten times as hard. Now that she’s lightened up I turn to her again and grab her hand. “What’s wrong?”
She pauses for a second, as if assessing me. Wondering if I am going to judge her or if I am angry. “I just can’t believe Im getting married. What if Im bad at this? What if I ruin it? The kids. Oh my gosh!” Then she puts her face in her hands and the panic attack resumes.
“Woah Sam.” I run over and grab a glass of water from the table. I crouch down in front of Sam and place the water in her hands. “Sam look at me.” Her eyes flicker up.
“Everything is staying the exact same. Nothing is changing. It’s just a legal document and a cool party. That’s all. Don’t stress. We will take it a day at a time like we always do. Please enjoy today. This only happens once babe.”
“I wish my mom was here,” she mumbles. Ah, and there, that is the root of the problem. Sam is like an onion. Cliche, but you have to peel back the layers to get to the true problem.
“I wish she was too Sam.” I take a seat back on the bench. Sam pulls the letter of her dress and a tear falls onto it.
“She would be so proud of me. Can you imagine? Remember what you met me, and we had dinner at my mom’s. I yelled at you. I was so distant. Remember how much she hated it? She’d love the kids too. Im a mom. That is so crazy Logan. How can I do today without her?”
“Sam she’s here. She knows. She’s helped get you through everything. You are not doing this without her, okay? She’s just not here in physical form, and I’ll be right here. So will Dusty, Jazmine, Alex, Rex and Dana. We all are here. We all know this is hard for you, and confusing because you never thought it would happen. We get it.”
She smiles slightly and nudges me side. “I got pretty lucky meeting you. I don’t think any other man on earth could, one, tolerate me, and, two, be bullheaded enough to get me to marry him.”
That makes me smile. I stand up and kiss her forehead. “I ain’t gonna argue with you there, but you are worth it. Now finish getting ready. Try to stop giving your friends hell and I’ll see you at the altar.”
I walk out. All is as it should be. No cameras. My family is here, and Im going to marry Sam. The one person who saw me as an individual verses a product and made me earn every ounce of love I get from her.
Epilogue (Alex):
Dusty and Jazmine walked Sam down the aisle. It may not be traditional and all that crap, but it was perfect. Dusty was honestly the cutest thing ever. I mean Jazmine looked like a princess, and I adore that kid. Dusty, however, oh my God. He kept this stern expression on his face as he walked Sam down but I could tell he was so touched to be involved in their family in that way. It was also cute because he kept fixing Sam’s dress and giving her pats on the back. I swear if Sam hadn’t adopted him I would have.
When Sam walked down the aisle I almost cried. Like I almost lost it. Rex laughed at me.
“Are you crying?” he asked with a laugh when he heard me sniffle.
I glared at him and turned away, which made him laugh harder. If I opened my mouth, yeah, I would’ve cried. So many memories came to mind though as I watched my best friend in the world get married. I remembered the unorganized smartass that showed up on my doorstep when I was looking for a roommate. I remember her terror when she found out she was pregnant. I remember finding out she was involved with the celebrity Logan Prescott. I remember her in the hospital. I remember when she tried to kill herself. I remember when she got kidnapped for me. I remember all of that, and now here she was getting her much deserved happy ending. It was almost too much for my little heart to take.
Sam and Logan thought of the best honeymoon spot. They are flying back to Nashville and renting a house that overlooks their lake. Honestly, so (WORD) cute! It was Logan’s idea, which made it all the more cute. He could afford to take her anywhere, but he thought of the place that held the most meaning to them. He knows Sam could really care less about fancy things.
Jazmine and Dusty are staying with Ms. Arnette. I offered, but I am in Missouri. That wouldn’t work. Dana would have offered, but yeah, Gunner and kids. That’s a no.
Dana and I have become even better friends since we live relatively close to each other now. Rex is pretty busy with the boys, and I got a job at a rehab in town. I work the front desk. Im not going to lie. It’s hard for me to figure out what I want to do in my life. To be ambitious. I’ve been in fight or flight for so long I’ve never given a second thought to my future. Now that everything's calm Im a little lost but oh well. Dana figured her life out. I can figure mine out too one day. She is officially in school to become a therapist, which is perfect. Gunner was super supportive, which was really sweet. He’s not a shrink type of guy, but he believes in her and I like that.
That’s it really. Im just hoping for normality from here on out. No more stories. Sam visiting me. Dana and I visiting Sam. Stupid soccer games and dates and careers. That’s all I want now. That’s all any of us want.
Love.
Life.
Safety.
We all just want to be Safe. It was never just about the safety of our bodies. No. It was about the safety of our hearts and minds. We all finally have that. Finally.
We are all SAFE.
*Copyright
*Dedication (readers and their stories)
*Song: “Piece by Piece” by Kelly Clarkson...
*Acknowledgements
*Tobias/Preview Story Pre-Order Link
*Social Media Links
BLURB:
Gunner:
Im back in the game.
And damn have I missed it.
Im out for blood this time, and Im not alone.
Someone will die and it sure as fuck won’t be me. .
Alex:
The game is on.
And I’ll win this round.
He stole everything from me.
Maybe not my innocence because I was never innocent.
That’s a joke.
But he stole my very beating heart.
Now I get to have the revenge I always swore I would.
So why am I not happy?
Can the past and present actually mix into a beautiful future?
If this book shows you anything. It’s no.
It can’t.
I’ll never be SAFE.
Rex:
She’s more damaged this time.
She’s always held onto a smidgen of hope. Not anymore.
How can I ever show her she’s safe.
Especially with a certain Russian threatening the lives of everyone she loves.
This will kill her but I won’t let it. My purpose. My mission for her is still for her to know she’s SAFE.
Sam:
There’s nothing more dangerous than a mother.
Especially a new mom.
I have a son now too.
There’s nothing more dangerous than a woman scorned? Psh.
How about a mother scorned? He’s no match for me.
Im not even scared this time.
Alex will be SAFE.
Even if it means I won’t be.
