Chapter 21
Scarlett
The morning of Maddy's funeral dawned gray and overcast, as if the weather itself was mourning. I stood before the mirror in our hotel room, struggling to fasten the buttons on my black dress with trembling fingers. The weight of the day ahead pressed down on me, making even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable.
Warm hands covered mine, gently taking over the task. I looked up to see Graham's reflection behind me, his eyes filled with concern and love.
"Let me help," he murmured, deftly fastening the remaining buttons.
I leaned back against him, drawing strength from his solid presence. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears.
Brody appeared at my side, offering a steaming cup of coffee. "Here, Bella. You should eat something, too."
I accepted the cup gratefully, though the thought of food made my stomach churn. "I don't think I can eat right now."
Drake joined us, his usually cheerful face somber. "Just a little, Cheri. You'll need your strength today."
Their concern washed over me, a balm to my frayed nerves. I nodded, allowing them to guide me to the small table where a light breakfast waited. As I nibbled on toast, more to appease them than from any real appetite, they moved around me in a perfectly choreographed dance of support.
Graham reviewed security details with someone on the phone, his voice low and authoritative. Brody double-checked our transportation arrangements, while Drake kept a watchful eye on me, ready to offer comfort at a moment's notice.
As the time to leave approached, I felt panic rising in my chest. "I don't know if I can do this," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
In an instant, they were all there, surrounding me with their warmth and love.
"You can, Bella," Brody said firmly, his hand warm on my shoulder. "You're stronger than you know."
Drake knelt before me, taking my hands in his. "We'll be right there with you, every step of the way."
Graham's lips brushed my temple. "You're not alone in this, Scarlett. We've got you."
Their words, their touch, their unwavering support – it all combined to give me the strength I needed. I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. "Okay. I'm ready."
The ride to the cemetery was quiet, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I sat between Brody and Drake in the back of the sleek black car, their solid presence a comfort on either side of me. Graham sat up front with the driver, his posture alert, constantly scanning our surroundings.
As we neared our destination, Graham turned to address us. "The security team is already in place," he explained. "They'll be undercover, not directly visible, but I assure you they're there. We're taking every precaution."
I nodded, grateful for his meticulous planning. The threat of danger still loomed, a dark cloud over an already somber day, but knowing we were protected helped ease some of my anxiety.
The cemetery was beautiful, with rolling green hills dotted with ancient trees. Under different circumstances, it might have been peaceful. Today, it felt oppressive, the weight of grief hanging heavy in the air.
As we made our way to the graveside, I felt myself faltering. The sight of Maddy's casket, draped in flowers, made everything suddenly, horrifyingly real. A sob caught in my throat, and I stumbled.
Instantly, strong arms were around me. Brody on one side, Drake on the other, supporting me as my knees threatened to give way. Graham moved in front of us, shielding me from curious glances as I fought to regain my composure.
"It's okay," Drake murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "Take your time."
Brody's hand rubbed soothing circles on my back. "We're right here, Bella. You're not alone."
Graham's eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of love and concern. "You can do this, Scarlett. For Maddy."
Their words, their touches, their unwavering support, gave me the strength to straighten up and nod. "For Maddy," I echoed, my voice stronger than I felt.
We moved forward as one, finding our places among the mourners. The service began, a blur of prayers and eulogies that I barely registered. My focus was entirely on the casket before me, on the crushing reality that Maddy was gone.
As Maddy's favorite song began to play, a movement in the trees caught my eye. A figure lurked in the shadows, partially obscured by the thick trunks. My heart rate spiked, fear coursing through me. Was it him? The man who had taken Maddy from me?
I must have made some sound of distress because instantly, all three men were on alert. Graham's hand tightened on mine as he followed my gaze.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice low and tense.
"There's someone in the trees," I whispered, unable to take my eyes off the spot where I'd seen movement.
Graham's jaw tightened, and he made a subtle gesture with his free hand. Almost immediately, I saw several people in the crowd begin to move, their previously casual demeanor shifting to one of focused intent.
It happened so quickly, I almost missed it. One moment, the figure was there in the trees, and the next, he was surrounded by what I now realized were undercover agents. There was a brief scuffle, muffled voices, and then the man was being led away, his hands secured behind his back.
The service continued around us, most of the mourners oblivious to the drama that had just unfolded. But I couldn't focus, my mind racing. Was it over? Had they caught him?
As the service concluded and people began to disperse, one of the agents approached us. He spoke quietly to Graham, who listened intently before turning to me.
"They've arrested the man," he explained, his voice carefully neutral. "They think it might be him, but they can't be certain yet. They'll run DNA tests to confirm."
I nodded, feeling strangely numb. "I... I'm not sure," I admitted. "I can't remember his face clearly. It's all such a blur."
Graham pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "It's okay. You don't have to be sure. They have the DNA from before. They'll find out."
Brody's hand was warm on my back. "You did great, Bella. You spotted him. That's what matters."
Drake squeezed my hand. "It's over now, Cheri. Let's get you back to the hotel."
As we made our way back to the car, I felt drained, emotionally and physically. The adrenaline that had coursed through me at the sight of the lurking figure was fading, leaving me feeling hollow.
The ride back to the hotel was quiet, each of us processing the events of the day. I leaned heavily against Brody, his arm around me a comforting weight. Drake held my hand, his thumb tracing soothing patterns on my skin. Graham sat turned in the front seat, his eyes never leaving me, as if he could protect me through sheer force of will.
Back in our hotel room, the emotional dam finally broke. As soon as the door closed behind us, I collapsed, sobs wracking my body. In an instant, they were there, surrounding me, holding me as I cried for Maddy, for the fear I'd lived with for so long, for the overwhelming love I felt for these three incredible men.
They guided me to the bed, arranging themselves around me. Graham sat with his back against the headboard, pulling me to rest against his chest. Brody and Drake flanked us, their hands gentle as they stroked my arms, my hair, anywhere they could reach.
"Let it out," Graham murmured, his lips against my hair. "We've got you."
"You're safe now," Brody added, his voice gruff with emotion.
Drake's hand found mine, squeezing gently. "We're here, Cheri. Always."
I don't know how long we sat like that, their love and support a tangible thing surrounding me. Gradually, my sobs subsided, leaving me feeling wrung out but somehow lighter.
As I calmed, Graham spoke softly. "The police will want to talk to you tomorrow about what you saw, and to update us on their findings. But that's tomorrow. Tonight, you rest."
I nodded, too exhausted to speak. A thought occurred to me, and I tensed slightly.
"What is it?" Drake asked, ever attuned to my moods.
"I just... I don't want to be alone tonight," I admitted, feeling suddenly vulnerable.
"You won't be," Brody assured me immediately. "We're not going anywhere."
Graham's arms tightened around me. "We'll stay right here with you, all night if that's what you need."
Drake nodded in agreement. "Try to get some rest, Cheri. We'll keep watch."
Their unwavering support, their love, washed over me in waves. Despite the emotional turmoil of the day, despite the lingering fear and grief, I felt safe. Loved. Protected.
As I drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the warmth of their bodies and the strength of their love, I found myself thinking of Maddy. She would have liked these men, I thought. Would have approved of the unconventional but beautiful relationship we'd forged.
My last conscious thought before sleep claimed me was one of gratitude. For Maddy's friendship. One which had shaped so much of who I was, always standing by me and spurring me on to reach higher. I wondered if she was truly watching, looking down on the way things turned out. It was all her, pushing me to take the MMA classes. I never would have met them if she hadn’t.