Entwined Souls (Soul Sister Book 1)

by C. M. Youngren

  As the day went on and I watched him play with all the kids, another realization hit. Braxton was going to make a wonderful father someday, so right then and there, I vowed somehow to be the one to make those memories with him. I would try to find a way to have the family I’d always known I wanted, no matter how scared I was of getting hurt, being let down, or failing.

  We were meant to try.

  Our time came to an end and we said our goodbyes to everyone. And as much as the kids loved me, I think Braxton won quite a few hearts and they were sad to see him go even more than myself.

  Nurses too, I’m sure.

  Wow, No Surrender, their business was really extensive and so damn cool. I had only been in the office area when I took the guys lunch one day, but other than that. things had been so busy I hadn’t gotten around to getting the grand tour. But now that I had, I was impressed.

  The offices were in a building all by themselves and then the other building housed multiple rooms. There was an indoor firing range, but there was also an outdoor one too. On top of that, they had a state-of-the-art gym because they liked to maintain their physical fitness, but also help others who wanted that too. Some of the rooms were set up for different classes, such as self-defense and martial arts. They all could do any of this stuff, but each of them also had something they excelled in or liked to focus on. They were glad to bring Kace into the clan because I guess he was one badass sniper and a gem with any gun imaginable. I may not love guns, but the way Braxton talked about him was quite impressive.

  I was shocked to hear that not only was Gyth your go-to for your fitness training—because let’s face it, the man is built like the Hulk—but he was also a wiz on the computer and seriously smart.

  He and Braxton both would deal with the self-defense classes, but Brax was skilled in the Martial Arts area. I’d learned during this time that as a young boy he’d begged to take classes, but his parents always said they didn’t have the money for it. So, he followed that dream through on his own later in life. I felt for that little boy whom I knew had always been told no.

  They not only did all this but also were advising on security for homes and business for people. Eventually, they planned on hiring more guys that could handle the vast services they offered, so they could keep up with the demand and needs of anyone wanting their help.

  .

  “Braxton, you guys have done a seriously amazing job, and I’m so happy for you. This place is awesome.” As we walked and he showed me around, he had never let go of my hand. I seriously loved that he didn’t care if the guys were around, or where we were at, but that he always touched me. Now pulling me into him, I was against his chest and the warmth that radiated off my man’s body was hot. Hot in a totally I am turned on way, we’re not just talking body temperature here.

  “Thanks. Want to show me later just how happy you are for me?”

  Boy did I want to, but tonight I had to focus on talking to my best friends and praying it all went well.

  “Remember, I have the big talk with Alley and Summer tonight and I’m really nervous.”

  Braxton used his free hand to run the backside down the side of my face and around my neck, where he kept it there. It was soothing, which I seriously needed right now. “They love you, Jurnee, and want you to be happy. I know my sister, and Summer is great. I have no doubt they will understand. There may be some worry on their parts, but they will just threaten me with bodily harm if I hurt you. And Dimples, that’s not gonna happen”

  Damn… the man is so sweet, he may give me cavities.

  “I sure hope so, because I can’t wait to do this with you. I might be scared to death, but I want it to work so bad.”

  “Trust me, it will. Love you Dimples.”

  Omg, could he be any more perfect?

  “Love you too, Brax.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Braxton

  I needed this woman in my life, my home, and embedded in my soul. She was like the gift I dreamt of as a child but never got. Jurnee was the key to my heart—she had opened it, and then made it whole.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Jurnee

  Tonight, walking in the door after work felt a whole lot different. One, I knew I would only be doing it a few more times if Braxton had his say as to how fast I moved in, which a big part of me was secretly excited about. But at the same time, I felt sad, because so many things wouldn’t be as they had been for so long, which was scary. I get it, we all knew we would have to move on someday, but it had been us three forever, and even though nothing would take away our friendship, things were about to change.

  “Who’s ready to eat?” I yelled as I shut the front door and headed toward the kitchen. As I walked in, Alley was sitting there alone, her face pensive with thought. Setting the grub I’d bought onto the table, and the dessert on the counter, I took in her expression, trying to get a read on her. Never one to do anything but lay it all out there, she spoke up.

  “You're leaving, aren’t you?”

  Her words took me by surprise. “Why do you say that?”

  “Jurnee, I’ve known you a long time, just as I’ve known my brother my whole life. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how quickly things have escalated between the two of you.” I’d bit my bottom lip and waited for what came next. “My brother is a good man, but I won’t hesitate to cut off his nuts and feed them to the lions at the zoo if he does anything to make you sad...and the same goes for you. Although, since you don’t have nuts, I will just have to find a different punishment,” she said tapping a finger against her lips thoughtfully, and we both chuckled. “You're my family too,” Alley paused, and diverted her gaze for a moment. When she’d looked back up, her face filled with emotion had caught me off guard. Alley didn’t allow that to show often. “When you said you needed to talk after having been at his place last night, I figured we didn’t have much time.” We both were silent for a minute after that.

  Wow, I guess I didn’t have to spill the beans to Alley after all. But I was still nervous to know what she actually thought about it. Then there was still Summer to talk to. Where is she? I figured we would do this all at one time and that would make it a little easier.

  “Where is Summer?” I asked, speaking my thoughts aloud.

  As if on cue, the front door opened and then shut seconds before Summer bounced into the room. Even after a busy day at work, she was always the breath of fresh air everyone around her needed.

  “Hey ladies, what did I miss?” she asked, looking from me to Alley, with a question dancing in her eyes. Then she focused back solely on me. “You said you wanted to talk, so talk.”

  “Can we sit down and eat while we chat?” Deep down I knew that the girls would support any decision I made and be there for me, but I didn’t doubt that the news would bring some worry and that they, just as I was, would be sad about the change in our lives. Everyone sat and I unpacked the food I grabbed off the taco truck on the way home. It was the same one I went to with Braxton for our first lunch, which made me smile.

  “So sit and explain that goofy smile you have on your face while we eat this awesome food. Then you can tell us what’s happening.” Summer’s tone was carefree and happy. I wanted it to stay that way. Obviously Alley hadn’t shared her thoughts about why I wanted this little meeting. The time to just get it out there and move forward had officially come.

  Not able to sit yet, I stayed where I still stood and cut to the chase. “I’m moving in with Braxton and would like to move next weekend.” I paused and took a steadying breath. “But I told him I had to talk to the both of you because I couldn’t just up and leave since before discussing rent, and after how long it’s been just the three of us.” I watched them closely, gauging their reactions. What I wasn’t expecting was Summer to jump up and throw herself at me.

  “Oh my God, Jurnee! This is everything you always wanted, even if you were a child when you first dreamt up your life with him. I can’t believe
it’s happening, I’m so happy for you,” she said squeezing me tight. She must have realized how quiet Alley was because she released me and turned toward her.

  “Alley Cat, what’s wrong? Are you upset about this?” I just waited to see what she would say. When she did speak, I was so damned relieved at the words that left her mouth.

  “No, I’m not upset at anyone, I am excited for you too. I just don’t want anyone hurt, and I’m sad it won’t be just the three of us anymore.”

  That’s when I knew I needed to make my voice heard. Things changing between us wasn’t something I wanted them to worry over. “You guys, it’s always going to be us three against the world, and I’m not moving far away and will always be right here if you need me. You're my girls, my besties, and that’s not going to change. Where I live doesn’t take away what we have, ever.” Tears formed in my eyes, then I saw there were some in Summer and Alleys too. The next thing I knew Alley was up out of her seat also and we were all hugging and crying.

  After we got out all the tears, we sat down and started plowing through the food. We talked long and hard about the situation. Neither girl was worried about the rent money, they just wanted to make sure I really wanted to move that fast. As we talked about it, I realized if it was tomorrow I would do it that soon, because Braxton was everything I had ever wanted, but truly didn’t believe I deserved or could have. With our work schedules and having to pack stuff up, it would have to be on the weekend.

  I wasn’t taking anything but clothes and personal items, Braxton had everything at his place and that would leave me a bed to sleep on if I wanted a girls night down the road. I told the girls how Brax said he wouldn’t ever want to come between us, and anytime I wanted a girls night, then that’s what we would have. He truly was the sweetest guy I had ever met—the sexiest too.

  “I’m scared.” We had talked about all the good things and how they were okay with it all, but I hadn’t really voiced all of my concerns to them yet. “What if we are rushing into things and when I get there we find out we aren’t compatible? It’s like we are jumping in head first, then seeing how deep the water is, and if we sink or swim. If he doesn’t like me, or we have bad habits we can’t stand, or drive each other crazy… what then?” I rambled out all my fears in a panic.

  It was Alley to speak up first. “I know my brother, Jurnee. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. He doesn’t do things he is unsure of. All I can say is he fell hard and fast, but you're it for him. My brother doesn’t fail, and he won’t fail you. Trust him, trust yourself, and know Summer and I are always here for you.”

  “She’s right,” Summer said. “I saw his face when we walked up to the bar that first night. When he saw you, you were not little Jurnee anymore. Instead, he saw the woman you’d become and the attraction was as instant as a magnet to metal. He wants to be stuck on you.”

  “You're such a goof,” I told her, laughing. But it felt good they both could see it.

  “Are you ready for this?” Alley asked.

  I didn’t really have to think about that too hard. I might have been nervous or a little worried, but I was ready to be with Braxton. I just had to trust him like Alley said, and believe we both knew what was right.

  “I am.” I nodded. “I will miss being here with you both, but we will see each other all the time. I love you two so much.”

  Once again, we were all up embracing, the tears flowing freely. Then, I remembered what else I brought home, and what a better way to close the night.

  “Who wants banana cake?”

  They both screamed. The next thing I knew there was a cake in the middle of the table, and we had three forks out, digging in. Who needed plates anyway.

  Later that night after I had taken a shower and changed into some cotton sleep pants and a tank top, I laid in my bed thinking about how well my earlier conversation with my besties had gone. Promising to call Braxton after the girls and I talked, I picked up my phone and dialed.

  He answered immediately. “Hey Babe, how did it go?”

  “Great.” I smiled. “Are you ready for me this weekend?”

  “Seriously Jurnee, you're coming this weekend?”

  The excitement in his voice made my heart go pitter-pat and happiness seep deep into my soul.

  “Yup,” I said, voice filled with happiness.

  “Dimples, you just made me the happiest man on the earth. I love you.”

  “And I’m the luckiest girl, I love you too.”

  Four days and I would be sleeping next to Brax each night. Eat your heart out ladies, Braxton Hart is mine.

  Chapter Thirty

  Jurnee

  Getting through the week seemed to be a challenge. Work was good but rough. We had a lot more kids that wanted to come to the center, so I’d had to change schedules around while reaching out to find more volunteers. More than desperate for help, I wasn’t turning anyone away. Thank heavens for my besties who had come in when they could. Even Gemma had volunteered this week, which she did from time to time whenever she had a chance. It was so good to see her and catch up. After being in foster care together, we both understood how much a helping hand could matter to any child.

  On top of all that, Embry’s loud-mouthed, mean-tempered, dad had shown up again. Only this time, it had been as I was leaving work and heading to my car. Since Braxton had tightened security and people now had to be beeped in and out for the safety of all the staff and kids, he’d camped out waiting for the moment I had left and was all alone, then confronted me in the parking lot.

  It had been a long day and I wasn’t paying close attention like people always say you should. I’d had my head down, digging for my keys, lost in thought about everything going on. Looked like I could use some of those classes my sexy boyfriend and his friends taught at No Surrender.

  I was shit out of luck this time though, not to mention frightened as he approached. But I still did my best to keep calm even with my body shaking like a leaf. I was glad the kids were not around, but I knew it was just about time for Embry to be picked up by her foster parents. I prayed she didn’t see him. It always hurt her little heart. She was also afraid of him after everything she had been through with both him and her deceased mother.

  As I neared my car, I heard feet scuffling on the pavement but didn’t register it in time to figure out what was happening before it was too late. A large hand reached out and grabbed my upper arm in a near-death grip and swung me around roughly, pushing me back against my vehicle. I am in huge trouble. Embry’s dad, Mr. Jenkins, was in my face before I could blink, anger seeping from his every pore.

  When someone was upset about something things can get out of hand quickly, but when that someone is said to be on who knows what drugs and probably alcohol too, there was usually no reasoning with them. That’s the situation I found myself in that night. I was sure I already had bruises forming on my arm, along with where the handle of the car door was jammed deep into my back. Somehow, I needed to calm him down, but I feared it would be impossible.

  Then he spoke and once again like that night at the club, I wondered if I was about to lose everything. My friends and Braxton may not be here, but would I be taken away from them just when I’d latched onto the courage to let myself believe I could have everything I wanted?

  “Who the fuck do you think you are?” he asked, spittle flying from his chapped lips. “Little Miss High and Mighty thinks she is gonna take my kid from me, and that I’ll just sit back and watch.” He sneered. “Wrong... you’re dead fucking wrong. That isn’t gonna happen!” One arm still clenched in his dirty claws like soon-to-be-eaten prey, he slammed his other hand hard against the car beside my head so hard, it had rattled my brain. Red eyes that screamed of the evil that would come left me without a voice as all my words became trapped in my throat.

  Just then my biggest fear came true. An angelic voice so frightened and sad pierced the night's air.

  “Don’t hurt Miss Jurnee...please don’t.” />
  Body still pinned to the car, I’d only been able to turn my head to look at Embry who had broken away from her wide-eyed foster mom and was headed right towards us. The only good thing right then was that a few others had also come out, and I was sure someone would call the police.

  But would help arrive soon enough?

  Mr. Jenkins didn’t look happy to see his daughter as she came running our way. In fact, he looked even more irate than before. No doubt that her wanting to protect me, was cause for more terror to come if he was given the opportunity.

  Then with no care for what her father was doing, Embry slammed into the side of my leg, tears pouring down her face, and hung on tight. When her father's hand left the car and grabbed her hair to pull it back away from me, I saw red. There was no way this man was going to do more than he’d already done my precious girl. My leg farthest from Embry came up and, while he was distracted, I kneed the bastard real damn good right in his groin.

  His hand released my arm, along with Embry’s hair, and he fell to the gravel-covered ground, howling in pain. While he was distracted, I picked my angel up and took off toward the building, just as I heard sirens blaring heading our way. I turned back to look at where Mr. Jenkins had been on the ground, writhing in pain, but there was nobody there. The asshole had taken off. Someone needed to find him, because I knew he wasn’t done yet.

  I didn’t have time to worry about that though. Right now, I had a scared little girl I needed to attend to. Her tiny teardrops broke my heart and it killed me deeply that I couldn’t just take her home with me. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew she was meant to be mine. Hugging her against me while she was still in my arms, I vowed to find a way.