The Strength to Fall (McKinnon Brothers Book 1)

by Chisolm, D. M.

  “Happy birthday to you, too. The best one I’ve ever had. I love you,” Ozias said and kissed me a little too passionately for public, but I didn’t mind. It was the best birthday I’ve ever had, too.

  Wicked was more amazing than I ever dreamed. The music, costumes, and lightening were beyond my expectations. During intermission we took a picture together. Ozias was so sexy in his dark gray pants, fitted jacket, and dark green shirt. “Adira, you’re stunning. I feel like the luckiest man alive to be your date tonight.” He put his arm around my waist as we found our seats for the second act. I felt like I was in a dream. At this moment, nothing could take away my happiness.

  I took my heels off and stepped out of my dress, hanging it up before walking into my bedroom. We had decided to stay at my place tonight. I started to take my earrings off and hair down when Ozias stopped me. “Do you have heels that are higher than what you wore tonight?” Odd question I thought.

  “Yes, but I don’t wear them when we go out. Sorry. I don’t want to be that much taller than you.” I smiled to lessen the unintended insult to his height.

  “Go put them on, and keep your hair up, and your jewelry on.” He ordered. “I started to ask another question when he stopped me. “Just do it, Adira. Don’t overthink it.” His eyes were full of want. I quickly obeyed. He was beginning to be more demanding in the bedroom, in the best way, never cruelly or demeaning. I suddenly became very aroused and excited. I guess heels were in a fantasy of his.

  “Will these do?” I leaned in the doorframe of my closet wearing my black strapless bra, black thong panties, and black stilettos, they screamed fuck-me-pumps.

  Ozias moved to me slowly, his need for me showing through his pants. He kissed me and led me to the bed. “Bend over and wait for me,” he commanded. My lower belly clenched in anticipation. I leaned over my bed placing my hands on the mattress.

  I heard him undress and then felt him come up behind me. “Adira. You are so hot.”

  “Ozias,” I breathed. He moved painfully slow at first but he soon grabbed my hips and brought me to a place I’ve never felt. This man was my not only pleasuring me in ways I could only imagine, but everyday taking more of my heart. Wrapped in his arms after he exhausted me from many mind blowing orgasms, I felt a flicker of fear that I was falling so in love with him that if something ever happened to him, I wouldn’t be able to go on. I pushed the thought as far away as I could. I was finally healing after years of being broken. I can’t imagine the pain of losing Ozias, so I drifted asleep in his arms praying I’d never have to find out what that pain would do to me.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Ozias and I were on a love high. Getting to know each other emotionally and physically was amazing. Life was good. Soiree was picking up more business so we both had to be intentional about finding time to be together. Being busy was a good thing because Ozias had to travel the last two weeks and it was hard being away from him. How can someone so new to your life leave such emptiness when they’re gone? We had been texting and talking at night but I missed his touch, his smell, his voice everything about him. It was Wednesday and he was coming home the next day. I decided to prepare a romantic dinner that night. I even bought new lingerie for him. It was a see- through pink baby doll with matching panties. I knew he’d love it. I decided to get my hair cut and styled, a wax, and a pedicure. I felt great and sexy.

  Fall was all around me. The cooler weather was welcome. I loved wearing sweaters and heavier clothes than I had ever needed at home. The colors around the trees in the parks were stunning. I was loving being outside and exploring this new city I was making my home. I’ve always wanted to be the glass is half full kind of girl, but even the times I believed that, something happens to not only empty my glass but also knock it over and shatter it. I dug in my purse to get my vibrating phone as I walked towards the co-op. “Hello,” I said without looking at the number.

  “Adira,” I recognized the voice as my Uncle Jackson, Jack.

  “Hey, Jack. What’s up?”

  “Honey, I’ve got to tell you something. Where are you? Are you at home or somewhere private?” That made me stop walking.

  “Uh, no. I’m on my way home. What’s wrong? Is Gran ok?” A million bad thoughts entered my brain.

  He was talking to someone in the background. I heard shouts and crying. “Jack, tell me right now! Is it Gran?” I started to walk quickly and was about to enter the lobby of the co-op.

  “Get to your house and call me back, right away. I need to talk to you but you need to be at home.” Then he hung up. What the hell?

  I dug my earbuds out of my purse so my music could help me ascend the 40 floors in the elevator. As soon as I reached my floor, I flew into my unit not closing the door and instantly dialed my uncle.

  “Jack, what is going on?” I demanded.

  “Adira, now we don’t know what this means, but mom was just contacted by authorities in Male. It seems they’ve found some evidence that Elizabeth may have survived.”

  I sank down on my living room floor. “What? How? What did they find?”

  “Well, that’s hard to explain. I don’t know how to tell you this, but,” Jack hesitated.

  “Just say it!” I yelled.

  “Adira, the Male authorities found evidence supporting that she has been alive, and living with a local man, but they don’t know where she is now. It seems an American journalist spoke to her in town one day and thought her situation odd. There’s a lot of conflicting information. We received a call from local authorities who have spoken to authorities in Male.”

  I pulled my legs up to my chest and rocked back and forth. Was this some cruel joke? How could this even be possible? “That’s impossible. It’s been almost eleven years, she would have contacted us by now. She wouldn’t just be living with some man! She would have done anything to get back to us.”

  “I know, sweetie, I know. I didn’t want to even tell you this until we had more answers, but Gran was adamant. Seems Claire’s match making plans have upset you greatly, and Gran didn’t want to keep you in the dark about this.” Jack spoke to me like one would a wounded child.

  My phone beeped indicating another call. I glanced at the screen. It was Ozias. Without thinking I hung up on Jack and answered, “Ozias?”

  “Hey, baby, guess what? I got home early. I was calling to see if you were home. I’m about to get off the elevator now. Hey, why is you door open?”

  I heard him walking behind me and kneel down next to me. “Adira, baby, what’s wrong?” He embraced me and the tears came in waves. “Baby, talk to me.”

  My phone rang put I couldn’t answer it, couldn’t speak. Ozias took it from my hand and answered it. “Hello? Who is this?”

  I heard Ozias speaking to my uncle but their voices sounded muffled and distant, like I was on the other side of a glass room. I pushed myself off the ground and walked over to the window. It was a beautiful day here. What was it like where she was, if she even was somewhere? Ozias moved next to me, putting his arms around my waist.

  “Adira, my God, I don’t know what to say. That was your Uncle Jack, he told me about your mom. He wants me to book you a flight home for this weekend.” Ozias turned me to face him. “Speak to me, baby. I need to know you’re processing what I say. I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now, but I need to know you are ok.”

  I stared at him blankly. “Ok?’ I whispered.

  “Yes, are you ok enough to talk about this or do you need to lie down for a while?” He was rubbing circles on my upper arm, the way he does when he is trying to soothe me.

  “I need to sit down.” I walked to the couch, took my head in my hands and slightly shook it. “This can’t be. It’s been too long. She would never just live with another man. We would have known by now if she was alive. Someone is playing a cruel joke on us.”

  “Well, that’s what we need to find out. Let’s fly down tomorrow, or even this evening if I can book a flight that soon. We need t
o get you home so you can be with your family while you all decide the best course of action.” Ozias sat next to me wrapping me in an embrace.

  “We? You want to come with me?”

  “Of course. I love you, Adira. Whatever life hands us, we face together, as a team.” He pulled back to look in my eyes, then kissed me.

  I didn’t know what to say so I just kissed him back. For the short amount of time I’d known Ozias, he meant more to me than any person I’ve ever known, outside of family. Knowing he wanted to go with me meant more than he’ll ever know.

  “Then, let’s go home to Mississippi.” He nodded, got up and went to his office to purchase plane tickets.

  I went back to the window and stared out over the river. Time to go back home and discover the truth, and pray it doesn’t fracture the parts of me that Ozias has put back together.

  Thank you for reading The Strength to Fall. This is my first book and I would love to connect with fans. Please connect with me on Twitter @auth_dm_chisolm. I am currently working on creating a website so until then Twitter is the way of communication and updates about future books.

  I would love feedback, please be kind, from my readers. I am fulling a lifelong dream of writing and I want to engage and entertain the people who read my books. Look for the second book in the McKinnon Brothers Series to be out soon.