The men on either side of her scrambled to get out with their hands in the air.
Marla started to tremble. What was happening?
When her feet touched the ground, one of the men who had their guns trained on them escorted her to one side. "Are you Marla Roundtree?"
"Yes." Marla's voice trembled.
"It's her." the guy announced.
"Wait a minute." Ricky looked around from where they were questioning him. "Where are you going with her? That's my wife and baby. Do you know who I am? I am Ricardo Mills Stravinsky. I can buy this police force and security company twice over."
"Not today, sir." The police officer grinned. "You are under arrest for kidnapping, Ricardo Mills"
Ricardo threw off his hands. "Are you crazy? Do you have any idea how rich I am?"
"Are you crazy, sir?" the police asked, still in the same calm voice. "Resisting arrest..."
Ricky again tried to push off the officers. They wrestled him to the ground and handled him roughly.
They cuffed all four men.
"Would you like me to drop you home?" one of the guys in black asked her. He showed her his badge. "We are Bell Security Emergency Services, Miss Mills. Miss Amoy Gardener alerted us as to what was happening here and we came in the nick of time."
"Yes." Marla nodded. "Thank you."
She was so dazed from all that had happened that she just nodded. Home was just five minutes away. If they had not acted so swiftly, who knew where she would be and what would have happened to her?
****
Marla was trembling from delayed reaction by the time Yuri drove up and got out of his car. She almost collapsed in his arms when he hugged her as tightly to him as her protruding belly would allow.
"I can't believe that he did this," Yuri said. "I can't believe that he would go this far."
Amoy drove up behind them. She got out of the car and smiled. "I am glad you are safe, Marla."
"Thank you," Marla whispered. "I heard that you called the security company."
"Yes." Amoy nodded. "No thanks necessary. You just relax now. This is too much excitement too near your due date."
"Yes. Thanks." Marla nodded.
"Well, I should get going," Amoy said, "and let you guys celebrate."
"Thanks, Amoy." Yuri's voice was heartfelt.
Amoy waved him off. "Be happy for both of us."
Yuri turned back to Marla and walked with her inside.
"Can you handle just a little bit more excitement?" Yuri whispered when they had exhausted the telling of what happened. He was hugging her spoon-style in the bed.
"Just a little teensy bit more," Marla murmured sleepily.
"Wedding tomorrow?" Yuri kissed her on the nape of her neck. "I have the pastor and two witnesses. I know for a fact that he is a licensed marriage officer and this marriage will be legal."
"Who is it?" Marla asked, beaming.
"One Troy Scarlett." Yuri grinned. "He got back last night for Dahlia's birthday. I'll call him up today and have him deal with it. I want you to be a Scarlett so bad, and put an end to any delusions Ricky may have to snatch you in the future and claim you as his."
"No chance of him snatching anyone when he is supposed to be in jail," Marla murmured. "I hope they lock him up and throw away the key."
Yuri chuckled. "Fat chance of that happening but we are thankful now that we are together." He cupped her belly. "All three of us."
"And happy," Marla said sleepily.
"And happy."
"I love you, Marla."
"I love you, Yuri."
The End
Author's Notes
Dear Reader,
THANK YOU for reading Scarlett Baby! The first of seven books in the Scarlett Series. If you enjoyed this novel, I hope you'll consider leaving a review at your favorite retailer.
The next book in the series will be SCARLETT SINNER, Troy's story. You can scroll down for an excerpt from this book. Also below, is my BOOK LIST, of titles.
If you have comments or suggestions, I welcome them. You can reach me and receive a reply at [email protected].
You can be among the first to hear when I have special prices and new book releases by signing up for my mailing list. It will take you less than 50 seconds to signup. Click here to signup.
Thanks again. All the best,
Brenda
Here is an excerpt from
SCARLETT SINNER
"Mommy, where do babies come from?" Troy froze and looked at Chelsea. It was not the question that was the problem. They knew that Dahlia was at that age when they had to answer questions like this.
He should have even anticipated it. They were at Malik's baby blessing party and Dahlia had been following her uncle, Yuri, around, wanting to get a peek at the baby.
Please don't snap, he wanted to plead with Chelsea. After the question she was holding herself as tight as a newly planted barbed wire fence.
His mother had begged her to come to the gathering and that was the only reason she was there. She had barely acknowledged Troy when she arrived. She had driven her own car, arriving from her parent's place down the road. She was dressed in a crimson red suit that was a shade too tight and fashionable.
She had her hair out in a loose kinky spread of curls with only a matching red head band keeping her hair out of her face. She had on make up, but not the subtle tasteful make up that he was used to seeing her in; it was bright, brash and in your face. Very un-Chelsea like, very un-first lady like, very rebellious. She was in the mood for war.
He had to grudgingly admit though that he was fascinated with this new spirited version of his wife. The years since they had gotten married had mellowed her somewhat but now this was the Chelsea of old.
She had shed her demure conservative look and was now back in fine form. Dressed as she was now and as made up as she was he could see the resemblance to the model Iman that everyone kept telling her about. She had, sharp cheekbones, full lips, and medium brown skin which was almost lustrous in appearance.
He watched in tension-filled suspension as Chelsea turned to Dahlia and then looked at him with hatred blazing in her eyes.
"Ask your father, honey. He knows where babies come from. Apparently he enjoys making them with whores."
"What's a whore?" Dahlia asked at the same time as those who were in hearing range gasped.
"Chelsea!" Troy's voice held a stern warning. "Don't do this here."
But the warning was like fuel to fire.
"Why not here?" Chelsea asked, her dark eyes flashing. "Because you want to keep up appearances? You want to hide what you did? What you did can't be hidden or undone, Troy Scarlett. You have ruined our family and I am not going to laugh and smile and pretend that everything is a-okay."
Her breath caught in a sob.
His father reached to her first before he could and pulled her into the house. His mother took Dahlia by the hand and was trying to put a nice spin on the word whore. It sounded like an uphill task; Dahlia retorted with a why after every explanation his mother offered.
He felt Yuri's hand resting heavily on his shoulder as he turned to go into the house to confront Chelsea. He knew he would be in for some abuse from her waspish tongue, and he was dreading it. He drew in a deep cleansing breath.
"Slow down, little brother," Yuri said softly. "Update me."
"Wait, wait." Terri called from the other side of the yard under the white tent that was erected for the meal. She obviously had not heard what was said but she could read the body language. Anybody with half an eye could see what was going on.
Troy inhaled again raggedly. He was happy about two things right now. One, his mother had only invited family: his cousins from Pops' large family that lived in Pedro.
Members from the immediate family were also there, including Yuri and Marla, the people of the hour, whose party it was technically. Reuben who was back from his short ill-fated trip to meet a woman he had met online.
Ter
ri was also back from somewhere in the middle east where she was staying for a while. Yuri and Marla shouldn't have been hijacked with his family problems. He had married them two months before in a small ceremony in their backyard and then Marla had given birth to her son two weeks after.
He had participated in the christening this morning in the church where they had all grown up. He had been one of three pastors. He was happy that none of the other ministers were here now to witness his wife going off the handle. That was the second thing to be thankful for.
To have them there would be to expose his issues to his colleagues and he would prefer to break the news of the latest development in his life to the president of the conference, his way.
Though by now he was sure that everybody knew that he was having marital trouble. Chelsea had certainly not tried to keep up any appearance of marital bliss.
Even his cousins, some of them he had not seen in years had heard that he had been hiding from social services and they wanted his DNA tested.
News traveled fast through the Scarlett grapevine and Chelsea had not hidden the fact that she was not pleased with him.
In the two months since he was back she had moved out of the master bedroom of their modest home and spent every weekend with her parents in Treasure Beach. They supported her wholeheartedly.
He had no allies in that family. Chelsea's mother was his chief detractor. She had always thought that her only daughter should not have married a young pastor. She thought that Chelsea could have done far better than him; the life of a clergyman's wife was not what she wanted for her modelesque daughter.
She wanted bright lights and the fast moving pace of the fashion world for Chelsea. Throw in a billionaire businessman and a few glossy magazine spreads and she would have been fine.
Troy had always feared that Chelsea believed that her mother's vision of her life was the perfect one for her too and that this latest development in his life was confirmation to leave and forge the future she could have had.
The transformation had already begun.
Yuri squeezed his shoulders in silent support and Troy relaxed a bit. He was still too wound up to completely relax.
His mind was in the living room. He wondered what his father was saying to his wife. And what she was saying to him. Chelsea was in the kind of mood where she would have no hesitation to blast him to kingdom come and his father would listen and sympathize. He had always had a soft spot for Chelsea. His father hated the fact that Troy had gotten himself in this conundrum.
"Yes. Now. Spill it!" Terri said panting a little. "Why is Chelsea acting like a mad woman? You did the DNA test, didn't you?"
"Yes." Troy nodded. "I told you I would."
" And, is the kid yours?" To the point was Terri. There was no beating around the bush for her...
OTHER BOOKS BY BRENDA BARRETT
Resetter Series
Never Too Late (Book 1)- Addi finds out she is a resetter and goes back to the summer of 92 to change her family's lives.
Never Say Never (Book 2)- Skyler's handsome college lecturer, who happens to be her neighbor, has a T in his palms. Should she tell him the significance of it. If she does, would he believe her?
Now or Never (Book 3)- Ten years later Addi and Randy meet again at Randy's engagement party. Why is it that the chemistry between them was still so potent? Can they ever have a future together? Would Randy choose her this time around?
Almost Never (Book 4)- Tech genius Joshua Porter had all but given up on love. He then meets Portia, an escapee from the female penitentiary and his life takes a turn for the adventurous.
The Scarlett Family Series
Scarlett Baby (Book 1)- When the head of the Scarlett family died, Yuri had to return home to Treasure Beach for the funeral. What he didn't count on was seeing Marla, his childhood sweetheart and his best friend's wife. And when emotions overwhelm them and a few months later Marla is pregnant, Yuri wants the impossible: his best friend's wife and the baby they made together...
Scarlett Sinner (Book 2)- Pastor Troy Scarlett realizes the hard way that some sins are bound to be revealed, like the child that he had out of wedlock with his wife's mortal enemy from college. His wife Chelsea was not happy with the status quo. She was not taking care of the son of the woman she had so despised from college. And she could not get over the deep betrayal that she felt from her husband's indiscretion.
Scarlett Secret (Book 3)- Terri Scarlett had a soft spot for her friend, Lola. She was funny and sweet and they looked remarkably alike. But when Lola's Arab prince demands his bride, Terri foolishly exchange places with her friend and they meet up on a world of trouble.
Scarlett Love (Book 4)- Slater always looked forward to delivering packages to the law firm where he could get a glimpse of the stunning female lawyer, Amoy Gardener. Unfortunately, for Slater a woman like Amoy would not take him seriously, especially when she found out that he could not read!
Scarlett Promise (Book 5)- Driven by desperation Lisa Barclay decides to make some extra money by prostituting herself after being kicked out in the streets. Her first customer turns out to be a popular government senator and then to her horror he dies...
Scarlett Bride (Book 6)- When Oliver Scarlett's missionary work in the Congo region was coming to an end, he had a decision to make, marry Ashaki Azanga and save her from being the fourth wife to the chief of the village or leave her to her fate and get on with his life...
Scarlett Heart (Book 7)- After receiving a heart transplant shy librarian Noah Scarlett started to take on character traits that were unlike him and he kept dreaming of a girl named Cassandra Green...
Rebound Series
On The Rebound--For Better or Worse, Brandon vowed to stay with Ashley, but when worse got too much he moved out and met Nadine. For the first time in years he felt happy, but then Ashley remembered her wedding vows...
On The Rebound 2- Ashley reinvented herself and was now a first lady in a country church in Primrose Hill, but her obsessed ex friend Regina showed up and started digging into the lives of the saints at church. Somebody didn't like Regina's digging. Someone had secrets that were shocking enough to kill for...
Magnolia Sisters
Dear Mystery Guy (Book 1)- Della Gold details her life in a journal dedicated to a mystery guy. But when fascination turns into obsession she finds herself wanting to learn even more about him but in her pursuit of the mystery guy she begins to learn more about herself...
Bad Girl Blues (Book 2)- Brigid Manderson wanted to go to med school but for the time being she was an escort working for her mother, an ex-prostitute. When her latest customer offers her the opportunity of a lifetime would she take it? Or would she choose the harder path and uncertain love with a Christian guy?
Her Mistaken Dreams (Book 3)- Caitlin Denvers dream guy had serious issues. He has a dead wife in his past and he was the main suspect in her murder. Did he really do it? Or did Caitlin for the first time have a mistaken dream?
Just Like Yesterday (Book 4)- Hazel Brown lost six months of memory including the summer that she conceived her son, and had no idea who his father could be. Now that she had the means to fight to get him back from the Deckers, she finds out that the handsome Curtis Decker is willing to share her son with her after all.
New Song Series
Going Solo (Book 1)- Carson Bell, had a lovely voice, a heart of gold, and was no slouch in the looks department. So why did Alice abandon him and their daughter? What did she want after ten years of silence?
Duet on Fire (Book 2)- Ian and Ruby had problems trying to conceive a child. If that wasn't enough, her ex-lover the current pastor of their church wants her back...
Tangled Chords (Book 3)- Xavier Bell, the poor, ugly duckling has made it rich and his looks have been incredibly improved too. Farrah Knight, hotel heiress had cruelly rejected him in the past but now she needed help. Could Xavier forgive and forget?
Broken Harmony(Book 4)- Aaron Lee, wanted the top job in his fam
ily company but he had a moral clause to consider just when Alka, his married ex-girlfriend walks back into his life.
A Past Refrain (Book 5)- Jayce had issues with forgetting Haley Greenwald even though he had a new woman in his life. Will he ever be able to shake his love for Haley?
Perfect Melody (Book 6)- Logan Moore had the perfect wife, Melody but his secretary Sabrina was hell bent on breaking up the family. Sabrina wanted Logan whatever the cost and she had a secret about Melody, that could shatter Melody's image to everyone.
The Bancroft Family Series
Homely Girl (Book 0) - April and Taj were opposites in so many ways. He was the cute, athletic boy that everybody wanted to be friends with. She was the overweight, shy, and withdrawn girl. Do April and Taj have a love that can last a lifetime? Or will time and separate paths rip them apart?
Saving Face (Book 1) - Mount Faith University drama begins with a dead president and several suspects including the president in waiting Ryan Bancroft.
Scarlett Baby (The Scarletts Page 16
