Chapter 10
I couldn’t believe what I was about to do.
As I looked around the place that held me captive for almost a year, I battled with myself on whether I should leave. This was going to be a disaster. Damien was going to murder me, but if I could get Truce to take me back to Detroit, I’d feel so much safer there with my people.
Taking Scottlyn away from him was a big risk, especially since her first birthday was mere weeks away. My heart was beating something crazy in my chest that I had to pace to get myself under control.
When I looked at Scottlyn sleeping soundly in her car seat, I knew I was making the right decision, but possibly with the wrong person. For some peculiar reason, I trusted Truce. I didn’t know the man from a can of paint, but his energy didn’t give me malicious intentions.
I felt that he genuinely wanted to help me, and I was in dire need of help. That didn’t stop me from being scared of what would happen once I left here. Mommy always told me to do it scared. Whatever I set my heart to do, I should do it afraid because the outcome could be beautiful.
The ringing of the doorbell almost made me jump out of my skin.
I hurriedly took long strides to the door to see who it was.
Seeing Neveah on the other side of the door gave me goosebumps.
She had instructed me to disable the camera footage so Damien couldn’t see me leave.
I was so fucking scared that I was barely able to unlock the door.
“Hey,” I acknowledged her.
“Hey. You ready?”
“Would it sound crazy if I said no?”
She gave me a flat smile and took my shaky hands.
“I know you’re scared. To my knowledge, it takes a woman seven times before she’s ready to leave for good in situations like this.
I won’t tell you how to live your life, and I also won’t beat a dead horse by telling you you’re doing the right thing.
Only you know what will happen if you continue to stay here.
“I may not be too fond of what’s going to happen between Dame and Truce, but what I will say is that allowing Truce to help you will be the best decision you’ll ever make. Think about everything you’ve lost being here, Jela. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Those stupid-ass tears returned, but I knew what I had to do if I wanted to survive. “I’m ready.”
“Good. Do you have your phone?”
“Yes.”
“Leave it. He’ll be able to track you if you take it. We can get you another one tomorrow.”
I nodded, even though I didn’t want to leave it since all of my photos and videos were inside.
Since Damien took my phone the last time, I routinely backed up my phone on iCloud, so I was hopeful they would be there when I got a new one.
Leaving the phone on the table, Neveah grabbed my duffel and Scottlyn’s bag.
I lifted her car seat, and we left the house.
I didn’t look back because I felt like I’d turn into a pillar of salt or stone if I did, or worse, chicken out. We loaded inside of Neveah’s Blazer, and she pulled away from the prison I once knew.
The ride to Truce’s hotel was silent. My nerves were shot, and I felt like I was about to have a nervous breakdown. I didn’t want these two brothers at odds over me. Truce didn’t know me, but he was doing what no one else in his family was brave enough to do. He was offering me a way out.
Thirty minutes went by, and we were pulling into the luxurious hotel’s parking lot.
I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer of protection, then got out of the truck.
Before I could retrieve my baby, Truce appeared from the lobby and headed in my direction.
The man was just a walking sin. It should have been a crime to look that damn good.
He approached me, looked down, and smiled. “I’m glad you came.”
I didn’t speak as we stared into each other’s eyes.
A core memory of our time at the arcade flashed before me.
The feel of his soft lips and determined tongue had a chill running down my spine, and I looked away because this wasn’t that.
I wouldn’t sleep with Truce—I couldn’t. I had a strong feeling that I’d fall for him if I did.
My head lowered, but he lifted it back up. “You’re safe, Jela.”
I nodded my head as he grabbed our bags and Scottlyn.
Neveah got out of the truck and hugged me. “You take care of yourself, beautiful. I’ll come by tomorrow to keep you company, if you’re up for it.”
“Of course… Thank you, Neveah.”
“No worries. Take care of yourself.”
“I will.” I kissed her cheek and followed Truce inside the hotel.
It was beautiful. The bright lights and modern appeal of the lobby let me know that we were in luxury. I knew that just from pulling up to this fancy-ass hotel.
We bypassed the front desk and took the elevator up to the thirteenth floor.
My nerves had settled some, but I was still shaking like a leaf.
What was going to happen next? How could I stay in this hotel with this God of a man and not think of the possibilities?
This was insane. Damien was going to kill me.
Truce let us inside the room, and I was in complete awe of its opulence and beauty. It reminded me of a studio apartment, only a bit bigger with a balcony.
“I have someone coming to drop off food tomorrow. For now, I can order you room service. Anything you like in particular?”
“I'm not hungry. I can’t even think, let alone eat anything. I’m freaking scared to death.”
“I know you’re scared, but you don’t have to be anymore. I’m going to help you get to a place where you’ll never be afraid again.”
“He’s your brother, Truce. Why are you doing all of this for someone you barely even know?”
“He may be my brother, but that doesn’t make it right what he’s doing to you. You already know a little of the history behind what his father did to our mother—”
“Which is crazy because I told her what her son was doing to me, and she never offered a solution. Just told me things will get better and to not do anything to make him upset.”
“My mother said that?”
“Yes!”
Truce stared at me for a second, then nodded. “I’m in room 1312 if you need me.”
“Wait. You’re not staying in here with me?”
“You need your own space and time to think, love. I’m only two doors down if you need me.”
He walked over to Scottie, who I had put on the bed, and kissed her cheek. He then turned to me and opened his arms. I was skeptical at first, but I remembered him saying that he gave the best hugs. I could truly use one in this moment.
I walked into his arms, and they swallowed my small frame. I had lost a lot of weight since giving birth to Scottie, but I was still toned because I danced. As much as I felt like this was the beginning of my demise, I still needed this.
“You’re more than a conqueror. You are strong, and you’re doing the right thing…
for yourself and for Scottlyn. While you sit here and meditate, I want you to always remember that fear is only a state of mind.
The enemy can’t touch what you don’t fear.
” He kissed my forehead, then left the room.
I was left to stew on his words of wisdom.
My eyes scanned the room, and I sucked in a long breath, closed my eyes, and then released it.
No matter what happened after this, I will always remember that I indeed did the right thing.
Damien may have loved his daughter, but the love I thought he had for me had since dwindled.
He killed our baby and had not an ounce of remorse about it.
If that wasn’t a clear indication to get the fuck on, I didn’t know what else I would have to do to make myself believe that his love wasn’t strong enough for me to stay.
While Scottlyn slept, I took a long shower and put on my pajamas before I got her together.
I didn’t want to bathe her in the hotel’s bathtub, even though it was in pristine condition, so I put her in the sink that was big enough for her chunky self.
While she splashed water everywhere, I smiled down at her and kissed her cheeks.
“Mommy loves you so much, Scottie Pie. I promise to do all I can to make sure you live your best life.” I knew she didn’t understand what I was saying to her, but I promised to give her the best love she’d ever know.
I wanted to love her like my mom loved me.
There were no limits to her love, and I think it was because we lost my dad.
She was so strong during the year of his passing that I had to wonder if she even grieved him enough.
When I made the decision to leave home with Damien, even after she continuously asked me not to, she still wished me well. She told me to call her if I ever needed anything.
That never happened.
That was the last time I was able to speak with my mother, and it killed me almost every day not to hear her voice or laughter.
Not being able to laugh at my sister’s jokes anymore murdered me too.
I know they were going crazy not knowing where I was and not being able to see Scottlyn through her first milestones.
Before I could stop myself, tears were flowing down my face as I let the water out of the sink and wrapped a towel around my baby, holding her tight to my chest. When I sat down on the bed, she planted her little chubby legs on my thighs and began to bounce jovially.
Those four and a half teeth flashed, and her laughter filled the room, which brought me out of my sadness as I joined her.
“Jump, jump, jump!” I hyped, helping her bounce on my legs. Loving on her was exactly what I needed to get me out of the funk I was in.
My baby gave me life.
After she was lotioned and powdered, I put on her diaper and pajamas. I combed her hair and then fed her some baby food with apple juice. I took out her learning LeapFrog and sat on the bed so we could learn the different animals and their sounds.