Sierra
Chapter seventeen
Stepping back into the apartment, I smile. Cyrus is sitting on the couch, laptop on the table with his books lying around him. He’s even wearing glasses and fuck, he’s hot.
Total sexy professor vibes.
My core clenches around nothing and I have to squeeze my thighs together.
It’s one of the reasons I left to go see Mrs. Butler earlier. We both needed to cool off, and I really wanted to see her.
When she broke down in tears, it broke my heart. She felt responsible. But when I told her the lies Wesley told CPS, you could see murder in her eyes.
We cried. Hugged. Then cried some more.
Mrs. Butler felt guilty that she couldn’t take us. She went to CPS, but because she wasn’t licensed and not a direct family member, she wasn’t eligible.
Knowing someone actually cared that much about Sam and me is comforting. Honestly, we wouldn’t have made it this far on our own if it hadn’t been for her helping us when we needed it. I wouldn’t have been able to work without her watching Sam.
She was just as shocked as I was to find out that Rico was my uncle this whole time. She wasn’t too happy that he let me dance in his club, though.
Mrs. Butler made it known that she and Ricochet Williams were going to have a long conversation.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when that takes place.
Cyrus glances my way, his lips curling up in a sinful smile. “Have a good visit?”
I close the door and lock it before making my way over to him.
“I did. Mrs. Butler is happy I’m here, but upset that Sam isn’t and that she couldn’t take us in. She also is very eager to meet Rico.” I laugh, imagining that conversation. Mrs. Butler is scary when she’s mad. Cyrus moves the notebook off his lap and drops his pen on the couch.
“Come here, baby.” He pats his thighs. I step in front of him and he takes my hands, guiding me down on his lap as he kisses me. “I’ve missed you. But is it weird I want to be there when she meets him? She’s a feisty old woman and I bet she’ll give him an ear full.”
“Umm, no. I was thinking the same thing.” He strokes his fingers up the length of my arm as I lean more into his warmth.
“Thank you, Cyrus.” My breath hitches. I have so much to say, but don’t know where to begin. Losing Sam, then the whole Rico and Wesley reveal. I’m almost at my breaking point.
“For what?”
“You’ve always been kind to me. It never mattered to you that I was a stripper.
When you found me beaten so badly, you stepped in to help, and didn’t run away after finding out that I lied about my age and the situation I was in.
You’re even okay with me having feelings for other guys.
No one else would do that. Just thank you for being you.
I don’t know what I would have done without you or how I’ll ever repay you. ”
“There’s nothing to repay, Sierra. Like I’ve said already, I love you. Now and always. Nothing will change that.” His voice is tender yet strong as he looks me in the eye.
My stomach erupts with butterflies and my heart races. How can this man be so perfect?
“Are you still planning to go to school on Friday? Sure you don’t want to wait and start fresh next week?” Despite his pressed lips, I know he’s not mad, just concerned. If it was up to him, I don’t think he’d ever let me return to that shithole.
“No. I think I’m going to go back tomorrow instead. The longer I wait, the harder it’ll be, and I might as well get it over with.” I sigh, cuddling up closer to him, needing the security he provides.
“I know you’re a superwoman, but don’t rush it. You’re still healing. You said one day, so let’s stick to that. Then you’ll know if you’re ready to return to work at the club.” He gives me a stern look, like a father would, and I can’t help but giggle.
There’s no way in hell I’m going to think of Cyrus Donaldson as my daddy.
Well, I don’t hate the idea completely. The women in my books seem to find it a turn-on. Maybe I have my own daddy kink…
“Oh, Mrs. Butler wants us to come for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Hell yeah. That woman can cook. There’s no way in hell I’m turning down one of her meals.”
My face leans into his, our lips getting closer, and I open them, ready for his tongue to slip into mine.
Then my phone vibrates.
“Ignore it,” I whisper, determined not to let this moment slip away.
Then it goes off again.
His lips are so soft. I open for him willingly and his tongue slips inside, caressing mine. His hand slides up my back and grips my hair tightly. The slight pain sends electricity through my body and I moan into his mouth.
Buzz. Buzz.
Who the hell could that be? No one ever messages me.
Wait. Did Zander actually send me a picture of Sam?
I pull away and take a deep breath. “I just need to check that. It might be about Sam.”
“Of course.” He smiles, releasing his hold on me so I can reach out for my phone on the coffee table.
But it’s not Zander. It’s a number I don’t know.
I open the message and start reading. It’s from Colton. What the fuck? The more I read, the faster my heart beats. I’m not sure what to think. Can I even believe what he’s saying?
Words mean nothing. Action does. At least to me, anyway.
Words have caused nothing but pain for me and are as useless as winter coats in summer.
I get to the last message, and see it’s a video.
Pressing play, her face comes on the screen, and I can’t hold back the tears. They pour down my cheeks and my vision becomes blurry.
“Ci Ci, I miss you so much. I’m so sorry, but I promise I’m not saying anything.
I’m not gonna say a word about Aunt Sarah or where you work.
” I pause the video, my eyes locked on her tear-stained face.
It’s killing me. “The guys said I can send you videos, but we got to keep it a secret. I can do that. Pinky promise.” She holds her pinky up in the air and gives me a huge smile.
I love her so much. She continues to babble, telling me about her day and what she’s doing at the Stevenson’s. She even turns the camera so I can see her room.
My heart clenches. She’s getting more there than I could ever give her.
The video stops, and I quickly hit play again, needing to see her face.
“It’s okay, baby. We’re going to get her back. This is just a minor setback in our future. Can you send her a video back? Will they show it to her?”
“Yeah, I can.” I sniffle, wiping my eyes.
“Then what are you waiting for? I’ll go get us something to eat and you can make her a video. But please reconsider waiting until Monday to go to school. Also, I think either Rico or I should be taking and picking you up. I’m going to talk to him about it, too.”
I look at him, dumbfounded. How did I never notice him before? I mean, I did, but why didn’t I let him get close to me? Instead of dealing with this alone, I could’ve had him by my side.
He kisses me on the forehead, then moves me off his lap onto the cushion beside him. He looks at me with glassy eyes and that’s when I realize my sweet sister affected him, too.
He leaves the room, and I watch his ass as he goes, nearly breaking my neck until he disappears into the kitchen. Instead of turning on the camera and recording right away, I take a moment to compose myself. Sam doesn’t need to see me in tears. I need to be strong for her.
She needs to have hope that everything is going to be fine.
I’m going to tell her how I’m going back to school. That Mrs. Butler is having me over to dinner. But I want another video from her, so I’m going to ask so many questions about what she’s doing and how she likes living with the Stevensons.
Colton best not be a dick to her either, or he’ll be on my shit list more than he is already. I’m still not convinced I believe anything in his messages. He is friends with Wesley Johnson, after all.
Taking a deep breath, I wipe my cheeks and plaster a smile on my face. It doesn’t quite reach my eyes, but it’s the best I can do. I hit record and talk like she’s sitting in front of me. Except I don’t pause for her to answer. I ramble.
The video is just shy of ten minutes when I hit stop.
As much as I want to cry, I don’t. Opening the thread to Colton’s message, I send the video back to him, ignoring his plea for forgiveness. I don’t know how to respond or if I even can.
Like I said, I need action.
Colton Stevenson has to prove himself to me. Only time will tell if he’s serious.