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From the gorgeous light fixture hanging over the immaculately set table with china that looks so pristine I don’t even want to touch it, to the spotless floor that I’m terrified of so much as scuffing and the dark leather upholstered chairs.

But it’s not like I’m not accustomed to something this nice, so I quickly order when the waiter comes out and Angel turns to me and smiles.

“So, I want to ask you again baby cousin… how are you? Not what happened, but how are you?” I flinch at her kindness. When the world has been paying you dust and treating you like some monster who’s harboring nasty secrets about another monster… and I mean, that may be the case, but Saw ismymonster and I’m not saying shit.

“Well… I want to say I’m okay but…” I fiddle with my fingers and grit my teeth. “I’m angry…” I ground out. “I’m so fucking angry I could scream.” I blink back tears, and she reaches out and takes my hands. I glance up see her smile and I calm down.

“I understand. You can tell me everything. You remember what we used to say?” she smiles, dimples showing and I nod, tears falling.

“We listen and we don’t judge,” we say simultaneously, and she takes my hand tight.

“Exactly. So, talk to me. Tell me what’s truly bothering you,” she tells me kindly. I break down and tell her about my time with him and to my shock, she really doesn’t judge me. She sits there eating, talking, asking questions, and she even takes notes on a few things she wants to try with her husband.

This was the first conversation… the firstrealconversation about Saw I’ve ever had.

No one has truly wanted to hear how much I care for him and how much that man gave me power to exist in my purpose. No, to them I’m just dumb victim, but to her I’m a person…

“So, baby cousin, I want to ask you… what can I do to help?” She takes my hand, squeezing it.

“I want to make them pay… I want to make them suffer as much as I can for taking my Owner from me. People can call me crazy all they want, but I want him,” I answer truthfully. She smiles and lets go of my hand, grabbing her purse, and pulling out a card, handing it to me.

I look it over and frowning.

Liam Stoltzfoos?

“This name sounds familiar…”

“Well, I would venture to think so considering he’s the lawyer of all damn layers. Oh, and he was in the news for just marrying his Black adopted sister… so there’s that…” she chuckles.Damn…

“S-so what? I just call him and he’s going to help?” I raise a brow, and she shakes her head.

“Oh sweetheart, Liam won’t just help. He’ll clean they’re mother fucking clocks, tinker with their cars, scalp they mother fucking wigs, and hand it to you on a silver platter. All pro bono because I asked and we’re family,” she huffs and crosses her arms over her ample chest. I can’t help but think she’s being full of it, but why would she lie?

“You sure?”

“Trust me. If you want them to pay, that’s the mother fucker to do it… or” she pauses and leans over close. “I… uhm… I know a crazy guy… his name is Conner… he’ll even blow up they house for you… and if youreallywant them to disappear… this guy named Dom—” I hold up my hand, stopping her.

“I… I got it… I’ll call him.” Everything else I can handle myself.I just need the money…

“Bet, then keep me posted and take everything them mother fuckers got,” she tells me, and I throw my head back laughing, smiling genuinely for the first time in a long time as I rub my belly.

“Oh you don’t have to worry about that.”I’ll make them pay dearly for taking what’s mine from me.

Chapter 18

Shed Feathers…

BIRDIE

AYear and a Half Later…

Angel: How you holding up baby cousin?

Birdie: I’m good over here… how are my babies?

Angel: Girl… don’t get me started. How is Shawn?

Birdie: He’s growing every day.

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