Entwined Souls (Soul Sister Book 1)

by C. M. Youngren

  After we hung up, I did some soul searching. No matter which way things played out, I knew that Braxton would always be right alongside me.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Braxton

  I was an asshole. I’d been snapping at everyone today, but in my defense, I just wanted to get home so I would be there when Jurnee walked through the front door and was on edge waiting for the day to end. Then she called and my mood tanked even more. What is a bigger word for asshole, because that would probably be a better description right now?

  She assured me that even though she was staying one more night with the girls, it wasn’t because she didn’t want to come back to me… to our home. She said they had some stuff to go over and she was also worried about Summer. I hated that I’d have another night without her, especially when I still didn’t know what happened yesterday. But as much as I desperately wanted her back, I was concerned about Summer too and didn’t want to push. I needed to believe in us, and that what we had would win over the demons vying for her attention, making her possibly question everything.

  Damn it though, I was going out of my mind!

  Not able to sit in my office any longer, I got up, tossed my pen on my desk, and headed toward the indoor shooting range. What better way for me to work out my frustration than to shoot some shit up? Hopefully it would help release a little tension.

  As I finished up, I heard clapping from behind me. “Not bad, not bad at all. Did you work out some of your crap so the rest of us can live with you for the remainder of the day?” Gyth said.

  “Dude, piss off. What are you guys a bunch of sissies who can’t handle my attitude for one day?” I fired back. If looks could kill, Gyth would be toast because I was shooting daggers at him with my eyes.

  “Oh, we can handle you, but maybe instead you can just talk to me about what’s eating at you?” he said, a lone brow raised.

  “What are we, a bunch of girls?” I immediately returned, but then felt awful. One, because talking to her friends was exactly what Jurnee needed, and I hoped it helped. So, I sounded like a prick acting like talking through stuff was wrong. Second, Gyth was my best friend and he didn’t deserve my bullshit—we confided in each other about most everything.

  “Sorry man, that was rude. I have a lot on my mind and have some things going on that I am working through.

  “How about you head out to grab a beer after work with Kace and me?” Gyth asked. “We can talk about it.”

  I wasn’t sure I was in the mood, but what was my alternative? Heading home to an empty house and sulking without my girl?

  “Sure, sounds good. Better than going home alone,” I said, sounding deeply dejected.

  Gyth gave me a puzzled look but didn’t say anything. Later, over beers would be the time to chat about my feelings, and he must have realized that too. We both let that be the end of it and headed back to work.

  I wrapped up my workday in no better mood. Knowing that wasn’t fair to the guys, I told myself to get my shit straight and not take my crap out on them. Letting my personal life get in the way of my work was not something I should do. Happy as hell that the day was almost over, I grabbed my keys off my desk, then swiped my jacket off the extra brown leather chair in my office where I had thrown it this morning and headed out.

  Just as I came out of my office, Kace was coming down the hall. “Heard we’re having a drink and shooting the shit, with the possibility of a heart to heart thrown in the mix.”

  Leave it to the smartass to make me chuckle and want to punch him at the same time. Kace did have a way about him that made you unsure sometimes which one you had the urge to do more. Since I was grumpy today, I went with door number two and gave him crap right back.

  “If we are having a heart to heart, maybe it’s time you explain what brought you here, and why you're not back home with your girl.” Once again when bringing up his personal life, he didn’t seem to want to talk about anything pertaining to himself at all. His response had shut that shit down fast.

  “This isn’t about me, it’s about you. And for the record, I don’t need to talk about that fucked up situation. It can stay where it belongs. Buried in the past. Besides, Gyth said this is about you, so no detours for you, buddy. Your path is clear, so you just fix the bumps along the way. As your friends, we are here to help.”

  That was nice of them both, but they needed to see that I was just as much here for them as they were for me. Eventually maybe both their stubborn asses would listen to what they were saying to me and talk about their own stuff for once.

  “Where’s Gyth?” I asked, nixing any more conversation.

  “Did I feel my ears burning?” The man himself asked as he rounded the corner and headed down the same hall that Kace had just come from minutes before.

  “Yeah, let’s get this show on the road. You wanted the beers dude, so are you both ready?” I addressed each of them, giving them a questioning look.

  They both replied they were, and we headed out, locking everything up as we went. “See ya down there,” I said once we were outside and then headed to my Jeep.

  The three of us sat at a corner table at the little pub not far from our building. We had grabbed a beer before finding a seat and it didn’t take long before Gyth spoke up.

  “So spill the beans. What’s with the crappy attitude today?”

  “You couldn’t even give me a minute to enjoy my beer?” Obviously, I was trying to stall. I didn’t know why Jurnee was so upset when I walked in yesterday, and still don’t, but I would try and explain some of my pissy behavior.

  “Something is going on with Jurnee and she shut me out.” My hand gripped my beer harder, and my jaw clenched thinking about the way I found her. It had killed me right there where I’d stood and my world came crashing down. “I came home yesterday to find her on the floor of what could possibly be Embry’s room in tears, but she wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. She left and went back to her old house with the girls. And while she assures me she is coming back tomorrow, I’m still worried.”

  Nothing was going to keep me from fighting for her, for us, and for our forever. It’s just that we were a team and it hurt like hell that she hadn’t let me in. Just weeks away from getting married, weren’t two people supposed to trust in and confide in one another?

  “We definitely have had a crazy ride, between how we met again, and with the shooting, then the how quickly we fell for one another, the wedding, and the adoption. I know most would think it wouldn’t work or be possible, but I think that bullshit and we can do anything.” Love can conquer all, right? “Fatigue I think had kicked in for the both of us, but we were happy.”

  Then she wasn’t in the blink of an eye.

  “Since she walked out the door,” I continued, holding my beer tight, “all I can think about is that I can’t lose her. Not my Dimples.” I shook my head. “We’ve been through a lot, all three of us, but just wait until you find the girl of your dreams and she knocks you flat on your ass. Then you’ll understand. It’s more powerful than anything I have experienced in my life. And that’s truly saying something after the way I grew up and our Marine days.”

  Here I thought I’d had nothing to say but I rattled on and on. The guys hadn’t interrupted, just sat there and listened. Serving together had brought us close, just as Jurnee was to my sister and Summer. It felt freeing to talk to Gyth and Kace. I hadn’t wanted her to leave that night when she was upset, but after spilling my guts to the guys, I could appreciate that was what Jurnee had needed too.

  I hung my head a little, staring down at the table as I thought about everything I had just said, when Gyth knocked on the wooden tabletop to get my attention.

  “Hey man, that’s rough. But if I know anything at all since watching the moment y'all came back into each other’s lives, it’s that Jurnee isn’t going anywhere. She loves you, that’s plain as day to see, and I know in a matter of weeks you will be saying I Do.”

  “He's right, as painf
ul as it is for me to say that about Gyth,” Kace said sarcastically.

  We all laughed and our conversation turned into other stuff. I got out what I needed to and they heard me, but we didn’t keep it going. Enjoying a beer and hanging with these two guys was just what the doctor ordered. Now I could head home hopefully a little more at peace. I would hopefully sleep, have another day of work, and then my beautiful girl would be home where she belonged.

  Walking into an empty house, my mood went south again.

  I had never really felt alone. Not until now. Growing up, even without my parents truly in my life, I still had my sister and friends, then my Marine family. But after having Jurnee’s presence fill my house and my life, a huge part of me was lonely with her gone.

  After locking up, I headed up to shower and lay down. I knew my girl and her friends were doing their thing, but I planned on at least texting my woman before trying to get some sleep. I had just laid down on my bed and grabbed my phone when it beeped with an incoming text.

  Guess Dimples is thinking about me too.

  A smile broke out across my face as I read her words. God, I was a sap, but she did that to me.

  Jurnee: Sorry I’m not there in our bed with you but know that I will be tomorrow. I miss you.

  Damn, I wished she was right next to me now too, but hearing her say that made me a happy man.

  Braxton: Baby, I love the fuck out of you, but I swear to God if you’re not back tomorrow I’m gonna go out of my ever-lovin’ mind.

  Jurnee: Wow, that’s kinda hot. But I don’t want you going out of your mind. I’ll be home, I promise.

  Braxton: Jurnee, I want you to know we will be okay no matter what is going on. Everything will be alright. Please believe me.

  Jurnee: I do believe you, I always have. Love you. I will see you tomorrow after work. Sweet dreams, Brax.

  She was so damn sweet it killed me. Something may have happened, and I wished she had handled it differently, but no matter what, my Jurnee was the nicest person I knew. And I was madly in love with her.

  Braxton: Damn straight you will see me tomorrow. Night, Dimples.

  Setting my phone down, my loneliness disappeared. My girl may not have been in my house right now, but she was in my heart. Always.

  Chapter Forty

  Jurnee

  Everything was not alright.

  A shot rang out and I couldn’t believe my ears. This was not happening again—there was no way.

  But it was.

  Sitting in my office, I hear Mr. Jenkins screaming Embry’s name and then the bang of a gun as it was fired, piercing through the hall clear as day.

  Thirty minutes before, I had thought today may be one of the best days of my life. I had received two phone calls with news that I couldn’t wait to share with Braxton. Information so wonderful that it needed to be done in person. So, I’d called Brax and told him I needed to talk to him the moment he got home tonight.

  I shouldn’t have been surprised when he told me that as soon as he was done with the client he was with, he would come to my work. Maybe it would be better to let him know what I found out today in a more private place, but when he said he was coming I was so happy I couldn’t tell him no.

  What will he find when he gets here?

  It was a question I didn’t have an answer for, but one thing was crystal clear—I had to get to Embry before her dad did.

  Her asshole of a father was still out front in the lobby and I hoped whoever was up there would be okay. I slipped out of my office in a hurry and scurried down the hall toward where my angel should have been. As I got to the big room where most of the kids had been just a short time ago, I found the door was locked as it should be, and I had to quietly knock to get their attention.

  Amanda, one of the workers opened the door when I let them know it was me and I rushed in, shutting and locking it again behind me. Turning to face the room, I was struck cold by the terror on all the innocent faces before me. Searching the open space with my eyes, I frantically looked for the little girl. My pounding heart plummeted to my feet when I couldn’t locate her.

  “Where is Embry?” I whispered frantically.

  Amanda had tears in her eyes as she shook her head and lifted her shoulders in an I don’t know gesture. The words she finally spoke had my pulse skyrocketing further. “When we heard the shot and the shouting she bolted from the room. I couldn’t get her, and we had to lock everyone in. I’m so sorry,” Amanda said, now sobbing. Jason, one of the other helpers came over and sat her down, then took over talking.

  “What should we do? The police have already been called, should we try taking them out the side door into the yard... or do we wait here and pray for the best?”

  I knew sometimes it was best to just go on lockdown and stay put, but I also was positive that Mr. Jenkins was alone, and I didn’t want him making his way in here with all the kids. So I made the best decision I could at the time. “Get everyone out and as far from the building as you can. I have to find Embry.”

  As I turned to go, Jason grabbed my arm. “Wait, you're not coming? Jurnee, you know he doesn’t like you, and if he finds you out there, I am not sure what he will do.”

  Fear threatened to seize me, but I wouldn’t let it take hold. “I know, but I have to get her. Lock this door behind me and get everyone out. As soon as you see an officer tell them what’s going on.” I turned and left.

  The building housing Hopeful Jurnee was a decent-sized space, but right now it was eerily quiet and that made me nervous. Where was this guy and what was happening? But most importantly, where was my baby?

  Yes, mine.

  Because if we survived this, she was going to be moving in with Brax and me very soon. That was one of the calls I had gotten earlier. Her social worker phoned to let me know that everything was in order and that Embry could move into our home as soon as we all felt she was ready.

  I was going to do everything in my power to make that happen, sooner rather than later, and I was excited to share the news of the other call as well.

  As I rounded a corner, I faintly heard what I thought was someone crying. It was coming from the hall closet where we kept supplies. If I heard it, then Mr. Jenkins would too. Pulling open the door, little eyes filled with big sparkling tears dripping down the most beautifully fragile face, stared up at me. I couldn’t believe I had found her so quickly.

  Hurrying in and shutting the door, I rushed over to Embry, sat down on the cold floor, and pulled the little girl in my lap. I felt like a sitting duck with no lock on the door, but I had to calm her down so her father didn’t hear her cries.

  “Hey, Angel, I’m here now. It’s going to be okay. I’ve got you, baby. Shh shh, you’re going to be just fine,” I chanted as I rocked her back and forth. Her cries turned to a quiet whimper. I just kept soothing her, hoping when I said that it would be okay, that it was the truth. But as soon as I had finally got her calmed down, the awful man screamed her name again.

  This time he was close, like right outside the closet.

  The wooden door was suddenly forcefully yanked open, slamming against the wall behind it, sending pieces flying through the air, Embry screamed in fright. I jumped up at the sound, pulling her with me before pushing her behind my back. Evil eyes full of hatred glared at me, and my body shook from fear and the adrenaline pumping through me because I wasn’t going to let anyone hurt my girl.

  Please let my babies be safe.

  “Mr. Jenkins, you don’t want to do anything to hurt your daughter or anyone else. You can choose to do the right thing now and get some help.” I wasn’t sure what to say, but anything to maybe keep him occupied until someone else got in here was worth a shot.

  “Get away from my daughter,” he growled. “I told you that you're not taking her away from me, and if I can’t have her, nobody will.” The look in his beady eyes narrowed on me as he said those words, scaring the fucking hell out of me. I could see one hundred percent that unless someone step
ped in to intervene, that he meant what he said, and that I was just an object standing in his way.

  One he hated with everything in him.

  “Please,” I begged. “Let’s just talk about this— “

  But my words were cut off as he stepped in close to me, grabbing my hair and yanking me out of the closet by it. All I could think was that Embry was not protected and was open to her father's rage. Slapping and pulling with all my might at his hand, I managed to get free.

  But that didn’t last long.

  A hand came flying toward my face and as it struck, a little girl's screams practically shook the building. Falling backward, I hit the wall and fell to my ass as the crazed man came at me again. I scooted back on my butt as fast as I could to avoid another blow, and to get him away from Embry.

  Maybe I could distract him.

  Looking toward my baby, I pleaded with my eyes for her to listen when I gave her the signal. “Don’t do this!” I yelled.

  “I warned you, but you didn’t listen. Now you’re going to be punished, just like my daughter will.” His voice was full of rage and spit flew from his lips.

  I stopped moving and froze completely. I didn’t understand how someone could hurt their child. I hadn’t understood that even when I was a little girl myself. My pause brought the man into my space once again.

  Is someone coming to help us?

  With that thought, I missed the gun being pulled free from the back of Mr. Jenkin’s jeans and I was now looking straight at it. If something happened to me, where did that leave Embry? Running on maternal instinct, I slapped the gun as hard as I could to the side; it went flying from his hands. That earned me a backhand as he then went for his gun that had slid down the hall once more