Chapter 34
SHELBY
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
The next day the guys show me the house, and I fall in love.
It’s one of the newer houses on the block. A gate with a code box to open it blocks a long driveway. A separate three-bay garage stands on the left of the house.
Cin will be spending a lot of time in that garage.
My eyes move to the house itself. Brown stucco covers the top, and river rock decorates the first floor. It’s larger than I thought, but it would have to be for us to live here comfortably.
I walk to the small porch with a rocker on it, then open the door with the key they gave me on my birthday.
The boys stay behind, watching me take in everything. They want me to form an idea of what furniture I want to buy for the living room and dining room.
“This reminds me of your house, Nick.” I step forward.
“Yeah, I can see it. With the open floor plan, you save space because of the lack of hallways, but the openness is like Dad’s,” he says.
The dream kitchen has a large center island with a sink and a breakfast bar where we can eat or watch whoever’s cooking.
“Oh wow, the view is amazing.” I step over to the left side of the room where a wall of windows and a sliding glass door goes out to our deck.
“Come on, I want to show you upstairs.” Mav bounces up and down.
He takes my hand and runs me to the second floor. “This will be your room.”
He opens the door and lets me step through.
I can tell right away it’s the master. It’s bigger than my room at Peter’s house. I’ll be able to fit all of my bedroom furniture in here, no problem. The room opens up to a deck with a view of the city. Below the deck is a bean-shaped pool.
“There’s a pool,” I say.
“Of course. We enjoy swimming.” He walks over to the far left. “This is your bathroom. It has a shower and a tub, like your last one.”
I peek in the bathroom. The shower is enormous with floor-to-ceiling white marble. A jacuzzi tub I can’t wait to lie in sits in front of it.
Mav grabs my hand and pulls me out of my room and down the hall to the right. He opens the door and walks in. “This is my and Cam’s room.”
“It’s nice. Since you’re sharing with Cam, why don’t you two take the master, and I’ll take this room?”
It’s smaller than the master, but not by much. “I don’t need so much space.”
“Yes, you do. You need your own place where you can go and relax.” He smiles. “Come on, I’ll show you the rest.”
Luke and Dom each have a bedroom about the same size as Mav and Cam’s room.
We walk back downstairs.
“What do you think?” Luke asks.
“I love it. I never thought I’d ever live in something so grand. When are we moving in?” I ask.
It’s our last night in the mansion. We ate dinner with Chad, and now we’re relaxing in the boys’ living room.
After dinner, Nick returned to his computers. I haven’t seen him much. He’s been so busy trying to find Roger.
We’re in the living room watching a movie when Nick rushes in. “I found him! He’s staying in an abandoned warehouse in St. Mary’s City.”
Dom jumps up. “Call Frank, and let’s get ready.”
“Already called me.” Frank walks through the door. “Once you’re ready, meet down in the armory.”
My eyes go big. “You have an armory?”
“Yes.” Nick heads toward his room.
I go to Dom’s room because I left a black tank top on his dresser.
“Where are you going?” He walks into his room.
“Don’t even start, Dom. If you’re going, I’m going. I can’t sit here worrying if you’re hurt or not.” My hands move to my hips. “If you expected me to stay here, why have you been taking me to the gun range?”
“I don’t know.” He runs his hand through his hair. “The thought of you hurt makes me sick. I want to protect you.”
I cup his face. “I love you for it most of the time, but if you make me stay behind, I could never forgive you. I need this. How you feel right now is how I feel about you doing this.”
He huffs out. “Fine.”
We make it to the armory, where Frank hands me a bulletproof vest. “Made it for you.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Thanks.”
I grab a thigh holster and slide a .45 into it. Mav hands me a machine gun. He covered the different types when we went to a range, but right now, for my life, I can’t remember. I fill my pockets with extra clips.
We file into two SUVs and take off to St. Mary’s City.
About half a mile away from the warehouse, a Frank pulls us over.
We’ll walk the rest of the way.
Cin and Cam stay with the SUV if we need to retreat. Before we start our trek, my guys kiss me and tell me to be safe.
Frank leads the way, followed by Aaron, Beau, Nick, me, Mav, then Dom.
We arrive at the warehouse, where a garage bay door and a regular door beside it are closed.
Frank heads over to the regular door and jimmies it open. It creaks and echoes through the warehouse.
On the way over, Nick shows us the layout. This warehouse has two floors. Old, broken-down machines are scattered throughout this floor. Farther back are what look like offices and a break room. The owner’s office is on the second floor.
Beau is at the rear, and he makes it into the warehouse as the first shot goes off.
“I can’t see where the shots are coming from,” Mav yells. “Be careful.”
He runs in and ducks behind one of the machines.
“Go, Shelby, I’ll cover you,” Nick says.
I run and crouch beside Mav. Shots come from more than one place now.
A guy sneaks his way toward Frank’s back. Frank is busy with another guy, so he’s unaware of the threat. Without thinking, I aim and shoot him. Frank turns around, sees the guy on the ground, and looks at me. He gives me a nod. I bend over and throw up.
Dom comes up behind me. “Shelby?”
“I’m okay. I had to shoot him.”
“Yes, you did. If you hadn’t, he would have shot Frank.” He rubs my back. “It’s not much, but you did the right thing.”
We work our way through the main floor but don’t find Roger. We return from the last office when someone runs on the grated floor above us. Three people run toward the stairs and shoot.
I recognize one right away. I fire at him as I follow. Roger is out the door before I can catch up to him.
Dom yells at me to wait, but I don’t listen. I push the door open, and a shot pings the frame beside me. I’m out of bullets for my machine gun, so I pull out my 9mm.
Nick comes up behind me and tells me to go. I run out the door, and he follows behind me. Roger has one foot in a car as he turns around.
I shoot and hit his arm, making him drop his gun.
He grabs his arm, giving me a death glare as he climbs in the car.
Nick and I shoot as the vehicle takes off.
“Fuck!” I scream as Roger escapes.
Nick and I return to the warehouse, where the rest tie up Roger’s crew.
Dom pulls the zip tie tight on one of the guys. “What did I say, Shelby?”
I point to the door I came through. “I wasn’t about to let him leave without trying to capture him!”
He throws up his arms. “You ran out of a protected area into an area where people were shooting.”
“You’d have done the same damn thing, and Nick was with me.”
“She was safe, Dom. You can’t protect everyone,” Nick reminds him.
Dom storms off.
“He’ll get over it.” Nick waves. “Let’s see what we can find.”
We spend the next three hours boxing stuff up to take with us. Roger left files, photos, and a laptop.
When we make it back to the mansion, the guys stumble into bed.
Before I can do the same, Dom pulls me into his room.
“I’m scared that you’re blind with hate for him, which could get you hurt or killed.” Dom palms my cheek. “I’m sorry I yelled, but I would die if something happened to you.”
“I promise to be more careful.” I snuggle into his arms and pull him over to his bed.
Moving day is nothing but chaos.
I’m glad I only have to deal with the tail end of it, since the guys promised they have everything under control.
Greg called and told us to start back up in two weeks, so to prepare the car. That was a week and a half ago. Cin, Ricky, Mark, Bill, and I test the car to make sure everything runs smoothly.
When Cin and I return home, a moving truck blocks part of the road because it couldn’t fit in our driveway.
The truck is half empty. My bedroom furniture sits in front of what remains.
The mansion was the last place the truck stopped. The twins decided to bring their living room furniture for the game room in the basement. When they were picking out the house, they made sure it had a basement where they could put their toys.
Dom and Mav said they won’t move without their pool and air hockey tables.
Chad suggested we take some of the outdoor furniture with us since he owns six sets they never sit on.
Luke decided to move out of his house so Carter can have his own room. Clara and Henry were sad, but understood he needed to live his own life.
Two days before the race, Peter asks me to join him for lunch, but first, he needs us to go over my mom’s will at the attorney’s office.
I’m floored Mom had a will.
At the attorney’s office, the attorney reviews the legal details, then continues to the good stuff.
Mom left the jewelry and items Peter bought her back to him. She also wrote a note to us to be read later.
When the lawyer reads the part associated with me, I lean back in my chair and stifle a laugh. “To my beautiful daughter, I leave whatever money I have in my savings. It won’t fix our problems, but it will ease my soul.”
I can’t stop myself from laughing. “What? She left me a dollar?”
The lawyer looks at another paper. “No, a little more than five hundred thousand.”
“Excuse me?” I almost fall out of the chair. “How is that possible?”
“Your mother was the first person to sue the makers of opioids and received that sum. She placed it in a savings account and hasn’t touched it,” he says.
I sit with my mouth open. “Why didn’t she tell me she had money?”
Peter shrugs. “She told me you two lived in bad places. Maybe she was afraid to tell you.”
My mind reels as we leave the office. I’ve seen in the news how the opioid makers have been sued and paid out millions, but I had no idea Mom was part of that.
Lunch with Peter is a blur, and I remember little of it or the drive home.
In the house, half-empty boxes lay next to the breakfast bar, and untouched ones are stacked along the wall.
Cam walks over and hugs me. “How did it go?”
“She gave me a letter and five hundred thousand.”
Cam’s eyes go big. “Are you joking?”
I shake my head. “No, I laughed at the lawyer when he told me she left me money.”
Cam’s head jerks back. “Where did the money come from?”
“She sued the opioid companies.”
“Holy shit, Shelby. You got money.” He laughs.
Dom and Mav come down the stairs, asking what’s going on. Cam tells them what happened, and they join in the celebration.
“So, Ms. Richey-Pants, what will you do with that money?” Mav rubs his hands together.
“I’m going to pay you guys some money for the house.”
“No.” Dom crosses his arms.
I hold up my hand. “Please let me do this. It bothers me that I couldn’t contribute.”
Cam’s shoulder collapses. “Why didn’t you tell us it bothered you so much?”
“I couldn’t say anything because of the look on your face when you gave it to me as a gift. Please don’t be upset. I love the house. It’s perfect for us. It’s just I’m used to—Shit, I don’t know how to explain this.” I run my hand across my mouth.
“If you contribute, it would feel more like a home to you instead of you being a freeloader?” Cam asks.
“Kind of.” I smile.
“We understand. How about you purchase the living room furniture and dishes?” Luke suggests.
“I can live with that.”
The next day, we go to a furniture store. We find a soft tan sectional and light wood side tables with lamps. The guys tell me to pick the entertainment center I like since they can’t agree. Luke and Dom like the dark wood one with two bookcases on either side. It’s nice but doesn’t go with the furniture we picked out.
Mav and Cam decide on a large unit, which will run wall to wall. The centerpiece for the TV is maple, and the shelves are white.
“I love the light one. It will be amazing with the furniture,” I say.
Mav picks me up and spins me. “I knew you loved us more.”
I smack the back of his head. Dom uses his last name and some extra money to ensure the furniture arrives on time for our pre-race bonfire. I’m excited to have it at our place.
On the day of the party, we’re finishing breakfast when a thought hits me. “Do we even have a grill?”
Mav deflates a little. “No, but we’re going to buy one. Come on, Cam, let’s find out if we can borrow Nick’s truck.”
“He told us not to bother him. He’s close to finding Roger again,” Cin breathes out.
“He is?” I turn around.
“He said he was.” Cin stares at the counter. “We went upstairs, and he told us to go away. He’s close, and he needs quiet.”
Cam goes up to grab the keys from Nick. They ask if I want to go, but I decline. I head up to my room, sit on my bed, and open my letter from my mom that I’ve been avoiding since meeting with the attorney.
To my darling Shelby,
If you’re reading this, then I passed away. I can only hope we had many years together. As I’m writing you this letter, I’m trying to find you. I pray you’re all right and safe.
I was a horrible mother. I never forgave myself for dropping you off at my brother’s and not picking you up until years later. Honestly, that was the best thing I could do for you. At least, you found out what a true family should look like.
I tried to stay drug free every time I came out of those rehabs. I went to work and failed, then I came home to my hungry little girl and felt like a horrible mother.
I beat myself up for failing you, saying it would be better if I were a druggie again. If you were in a group home, you’d have a roof over your head and food to eat.
I understand now that I did wrong all those years. I needed to stay sober for me. Then, once I did that, we could have the relationship you deserve.
Baby girl, I can’t wait to watch you open Christmas presents and have a birthday cake on your birthday. To go on a vacation with you. To see you fall in love with someone who deserves you.
I hope you’re reading this once we do that and mend our relationship, because that’s what I want the most.
I guess you’re wondering about the money. I figured out with help how I became addicted. A lawyer came to me and asked if I wanted to sue, and after considering it, I decided to.
Peter, who I hope you get to know and love as much as I do, suggested I put the money in a trust for you. It wasn’t just me who these pills ruined. It also affected you.
I love you so much, Shelby. You have always been the brightest part of my life. I haven’t always shown it, but you were. I want you to spend the money as you want.
I love you.
Mom
The last few lines of the letter are blurry as I read through my tears.
I wish more than anything we could have what she dreamed. It wasn’t in the stars.
I must cry myself to sleep, because I wake up to someone peppering kisses all over my face.
“Hey, baby. You fell asleep. You all right?” Mav asks.
“Yeah, I came up here to read my mom’s letter.” I sit up.
“Do you mind if I read it?” he asks.
“No, go ahead.”
He picks up the letter and reads it.
Once he finishes, he lets out a sigh. “I’m sorry you and your mom didn’t have time to do what she wanted. It’s not right that this bullshit has happened to you. Your mom is right, though. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“Your life wasn’t great, either. You and Dom are mending the riff with your dad. You deserve all the happiness, too.”
He pulls me onto his lap and gives me a heated kiss.
After holding me for a while, he says, “Everyone’s downstairs. Why don’t we go down and have fun.”
“Sounds great.” I climb off his lap. “Let me freshen up, and I’ll be right now.”
“Don’t wait too long. Mark brought a friend who is a chef, and whatever he’s cooking, it smells amazing,” he says over his shoulder as he leaves.
I wonder if it’s the same guy I met before.
Everyone is outside when I come down. I head outside, and I can’t help but smile. Mark is over by the grill cooking alongside a tall, good-looking guy, the same one who has a food truck.
Holy shit, did Mark find The One?
Then I find Amber and Ricky with their heads together, smiling at each other. Billy’s with a short girl with black hair and glasses. She sits on his lap while they talk to Mav and Luke.
Billy waves me over. “Hi, Shelby. Thanks for inviting us. I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Chloe.”
She holds her hand out for me to shake. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“If it’s from these guys, don’t believe it.” I laugh.
I sit and chat with Chloe and Billy for a bit. Chloe is into video games and is going to school to study video game art with a focus in character design. She’s quiet, like Billy. If they could, they would be in a corner, happy out of everyone’s way. She seems like a perfect girl for him.
I head over to Mark.
“Shelby, hey.” Mark hugs me. “You remember Robert, my boyfriend.”
My eyebrows jump up, and Mark rolls his eyes. “Hi Robert, it’s good to see you again.”
“Hey, thanks, it’s good to see you, too. I love the house.” He waves toward the house.
I look at it. “Thanks. We’re working on it.”
Paige runs out the back door. “I got in!” She hugs me as she jumps up and down. “I’m coming with you.”
I jump with her. “When did you arrive, and where are we going?”
She stops jumping and frowns at Mav. “You didn’t tell her? Oh, shit, I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, Paige.” Mav pulls an envelope from his back pocket, as do Dom and Luke.
I take the envelope with a big G and a dog on the outside. It’s already open, and I read the letter.
“You got in?” I glance around, looking at the envelopes.
“Yes. Even Nick and Sam. We didn’t know how to tell you since we moved here.”
I run and jump up on Mav. “Congratulations, guys. I’m so proud of you.”
“What are we missing?” Mark questions.
“They’re going to the University of Georgia,” I say. “Wait, I thought Luke and Nick were going to start their protection business.”
“We are, but my parents want me to attend college. To be the first Mason to go to college,” Luke explains. “Nick and I talked, and we don’t know shit about running a business, so we decided to go to college and learn how.”
“You’re not upset, are you?” Luke wraps his arm around me.
“No, why would I be upset?”
“We just moved in here.” He points to the house. “And now we’re going to have to move to Georgia.”
“And we’ll have to move again when you’re done.” I smile.
I walk over to Paige. “Congratulations, Paige. I’m proud of you. And you, too, Sam.”
“Dinner’s ready. Let’s eat,” Robert says.
“Wait, where’s Nick?” I glance around.
“He won’t come down.” Cin frowns. “He says he’s too close.”