Chapter Ten #2
They were all on their knees, their mouths bound, arms tied behind their backs. I had made sure Maeve knew the truth about the family. There were so many victims. So many lies they had told.
The Taylors had a way of using information to their advantage, but this was one mess they couldn’t clean up. They had been willing to sell off a stranger, let her possibly die, and they didn’t care. Now, I looked at them and saw fear.
They had been angry that day at the restaurant, when I had them removed. The night of the party where I proposed to my woman, they had been concerned. Now, I saw real fear, and I liked it.
They had treated my woman like crap. They hadn’t cared about her. They had used her. And now, the tables had turned. My wife was the one with all the power. I had a lot of plans in store for Maeve. She deserved happiness and love, but first she had to make this decision.
Maeve was on my cell phone, where she looked at the long list of shit they had done. None of them were innocent.
I looked at her now, her hair curled around her face. The engagement ring I had given her decorated her hand. She wore a small amount of makeup. A little eye shadow, some foundation, and lipstick.
My Maeve looked like a queen. Stunning. Beautiful. Breathtaking.
I watched as she looked over the people that hurt her, and I saw the look in her eyes. She knew there was a family out there who had suffered, had grieved for her. The Taylors didn’t consider anyone else but themselves.
“I don’t owe you anything,” Maeve said.
She turned to look at me, and she nodded her head, then with the turn of her heel, she left the room.
The Taylors started to scream. They had thought Maeve didn’t have it in her.
No one would mourn the Taylors’ passing, and I didn’t allow anyone else to do the job. I pulled out my gun, and one by one, I killed each of them. Another time, I might have enjoyed the process more. Today was not about enjoying the process.
I had another surprise for Maeve. Once they were all dead, I gave the signal to my man, and it was time to burn this warehouse to the ground. The past was over and done with.
I made my way to the car and climbed in the back. My driver knew where to take us, and I looked at Maeve as she held the picture of the Taylors in her hand.
“Do you think I made the right choice?”
“Yes,” I said.
Maeve turned to look at me. “You don’t think of me any differently, even though I just killed someone?”
“You didn’t pull the trigger,” I said.
“But you killed them because I told you to.” She nibbled her lip.
“Maeve, I was going to kill them anyway. If you need me to find an excuse, just know they broke their own trade law. They sold someone who didn’t belong to them. They were evil, and trust me, I am not going to lose sleep because they are dead and gone.”
I pulled her into my arms and pressed my face against the back of her neck. I kissed her neck and told her it was going to be okay.
“Where are we going?” Maeve asked after a short time had passed.
“I’ve got a little surprise for you.” We pulled up outside of a quaint little café.
The Barbieris were less than a twenty-minute drive from my home.
I had reached out to them, told them the information I had.
I’d also gone to see them, and the shock at what I told them had been a big deal.
I asked if they wanted to know their daughter.
I told them how amazing she was, beautiful and kind.
“What is this?” Maeve asked.
“Your parents, your real parents, are in there, waiting to see you. They never thought they were going to get this moment, Maeve. But it’s finally here.
The choice is up to you. We can go in, have some coffee, possibly a cinnamon roll, because I know how much you love them.
Or we can leave, and they’re part of a past you never knew. ”
She nibbled her lip. “What if they don’t like me?”
“Maeve, I like you, and I don’t like anyone.” I took hold of her hands. “Actually, we both know I love you. I will do anything for you, and I think you’re going to want to meet these people.”
She looked at me, and I saw that small glimmer of hope.
Opening the back of the car, I hold onto her hand, pull her out with me, and we step onto the street. Wrapping my arm around her, I have no intention of letting her go.
“We’ve got this,” I said to her.
Stepping into the café, I spot the Barbieris instantly. Maeve does as well. Isabella is on her feet, as is Luca. They are older now, slightly older than me.
The moment we’re close, there is nothing I fear. Isabella stepped closer and cupped Maeve’s face. I stepped back to allow a mother to finally look at the daughter she thought she had lost.
“I knew. I just knew I hadn’t lost you.” She let out a sob, and Isabella pulled Maeve into a firm hug.
Luca is next, holding both women, and they are a unit. I see it. Luca looked at me, and I nod at him. He had already given me the dad talk. He wanted to make sure I could take care of his girl. As I reminded him, I was the one that found his little girl and connected all the dots.
“Uh, I-I want you to meet my fiancé. I think you have already seen him. This is Draven Adams,” Maeve said.
I shake Luca’s hand and hold Isabella’s hand to my lips.
I had reunited this family.
I did it for Maeve.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for Maeve.