Page 70 of Girl Like Me

“I was in that damn hospital.”

“I know and you were safer there until I had all the evidence I needed.”

“If you had evidence, why not just take her out?” Uncle Java demands.

“Because she is a small fry, we have been trying to take out the Caparros for years but this goes so much deeper. Let’s rewind twenty years, Shandra was formerly known as Emily Brown, a young police officer who was sent undercover to help take down the criminal underworld. She was sent to stake out the Caparro family and long story short she was pulled from duty when she found out she was pregnant, that wasn’t until Morgan Caparro was shot.”

I look over at my uncle and his face goes white -paling significantly- and his hand comes to his mouth as he pieces together the story.

“She wanted revenge and she aimed her sights on bringing you down, but you rejected her, so she went for Dad as soon as our mum died. She swooped in and I think she might have grown feelings for dad over the years, but once Carter was older something changed when you didn’t take him into the fold. Since then she has been working to take you down from the inside. Her latest plan was to set Bristol up with Sebastian because he was abusive and that somehow Carter would console her and they would fall in love. It’s fucking twisted.”

“And how did you find out all of this?” Jarva asks.

“I had some help from family, people that I can trust so don’t worry but they happened to meet some very loose lipped Caparros at a bar one night and the rest we found whilst digging.”

“Was she working with a Caparro to take us down?” Uncle Jarva asks.

Milo nods his head. “She was still in contact with Morgan's brother Mattaius, only brief calls or they would meet up. I have all the footage and audio for you to review.”

“This is going to start a war,” my uncle mutters.

My brother nods at my uncle. “It’s time to call in the family.”

“It is indeed, but now it’s time for you to come home. I have already sent word to your father about everything that has happened. He’s meeting with the fairy godmother and we all know how much of a love hate relationship we have. She won’t take sides but we need her blessing to go to war. Once I review your information, you'll need to go and meet with her yourself, she will have the final say.”

“I don’t want to be part of this, I can’t.” I interject myself into their conversation.

They both look at me and smile. “I made a deal so you didn’t have to be part of this life. I know you’re going travelling and I have arranged some new identification for you. From today you will be known as JD Blakely. I know you have become attached to being called JD and Blakely is our mother’s maiden name. Any and all things Bristol Montgomery will be deleted and no longer exist. Our cousin Arden knows some people.” He says with a wink.

“But for now,” he continues, “ it’s time for you to leave. You have people waiting on you.”

My head is spinning from all of the information that is running through my head. All of the old memories are back but things are slightly misplaced; all I want to do is see my guys and start my life.

“Take my car and tell Echo I want it returned tonight,” my uncle says and nods to one of his security guards who pulls out a set of keys and brings them over to me. I take them with a smile. I can’t wait to see my guys.

“I don’t even know where anyone is and my phone…”

“Ten steps ahead of you little sister.”

Milo hands me a yellow envelope from the small glass table beside the sofa.

“Your new ID, passport, birth certificate and a phone preloaded with all your friends' numbers.”

I stand at the same time Milo does and he pulls me into a hug. “Everything I do has been for you,” he whispers. “Now go and be extraordinary. Dad and I will come see you before you leave.”

My uncle stands as I step away from Milo and look up at him. “I love you kid. If you ever need anything you know how to find me,” he says and winks before he pulls me into a brief hug.

“Can you make sure Lissa and Deacon don’t get into much trouble?” I ask. I can’t forget about them. He nods and promises that he'll have it sorted out by the end of the day. He looks over at his security. “Bruce, walk B...JD down to the car.”

Bruce nods and walks to the elevator, pressing the button. I smile over at my brother then head towards the elevator and watch both my uncle and brother as the doors slide closed. Excitement radiates through my body; I finally have my memories back and I didn’t forget my guys. I can’t wait to tell them everything.

Bruce walks me to the car as directed and I jump in ready to get on the road. He helps hook my phone up to the Bluetooth and I have to slide the seat forward and rearrange the mirrors before driving off.

I dial Rory’s number, still gobsmacked on how the hell he found all their numbers. But honestly, I’m not surprised considering I come from a damn criminal family. I watched my brother be shot, I was beaten, my memories lost and having five boyfriends. This is definitely not at the top of the list of suspicious stuff.

“Hello,” he says, I can hear the defeat in his tone.

“It’s JD…”

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