Page 34 of Treasured
Nothing had changed, except this time, I would be hiding with the hottest man I’d ever met. I wiped my face to pretend I was fine, when inside I buzzed with the prickly sensation that I wasn’t good enough for Dwayne. It rushed to my head faster than poison. I blinked and wished the thought would dissipate. “You have to go to work. I know Arthur almost killed me before, but I don’t want Dwayne hurt.”
Joseph grabbed the diaper box for me and said, “He’s already saved you once.”
I would have to take every diaper I had. I took out the sealed pack and fit it in the suitcase while I said, “I feel like a failure.”
Joseph folded the clothes around the air-sealed bags. “Is that worth your life?”
“No.” I glanced behind me and saw how happy Bruce was with his table as he tugged a lever back and forth to make sounds. I breathed a little easier then said, “I’m going to Virginia with him.”
“Good.” Joseph bumped into me playfully, and with his help, the bag had room for toys. We grabbed a few of Bruce’s favorites. “Your new boyfriend looks like he loves you already, but if he hurts you, don’t hide that. I’ll always protect you.”
I kissed his cheek and said, “I love you, but we both know Dwayne is double your size.”
Joseph didn’t move. “Doesn’t matter. You’re my sister.”
I had no idea what I would do without him. Ever. We quickly finished packing the first bag, and he put it near the door.
I started on my clothes, and packing for myself was easier. Toothbrush, clothes, shoes, and hairbrush were all I needed. I heard Joseph and Bruce playing while I packed.
I grabbed a blue dress that I had bought on clearance the year before that I’d never worn. I rocked on my feet and decided to pack that too.
As I zipped up my bag, I heard the door. I rushed out to ensure that Arthur wasn’t here somehow.
A second later, Dwayne slipped inside, and I pressed my hand to my chest, refusing to cry.
He held his phone to his ear, speaking to someone fast, and locked the door, took off his shoes, shook hands with my brother, and then kissed me.
My questions quieted, and I was in his arms again.
While still holding the phone, he ended the kiss fast but pressed his hand on my back and asked, “Is everyone ready?”
“I guess,” I mumbled. I knew I sounded upset.
Dwayne was amazing, but somehow depending on him felt like I was failing myself and Bruce. I pressed my lips together and vowed never to say that.
He held up the phone to me and said, “I need you to give the representative on the phone Bruce’s info so they let you both on the plane.”
I jolted. I should have realized this. I took it and said, “Of course.”
The woman introduced herself as an airline representative, and I quickly gave her what she needed. I’d hold Bruce tight and keep him in my lap the entire flight. Once I finished, I handed the phone back, and Dwayne finished the conversation.
My brother hauled my smaller bag to the front door. I was all packed.
Dwayne pocketed his phone and asked, “Ready? The flight leaves in two hours, so we need to get there.”
Right. I picked up Bruce and held him tight, pretending to be fine.
“Our airport is small. If you need me to get my sister, send me your information,” Joseph said.
Dwayne stopped and grabbed a pen off the magnet on the refrigerator and jotted down his info on one of my scraps of paper. “When I get back to Virginia, I’ll have my regular number with a new phone delivered, but this is my phone until we get it.”
He took out his business card from his wallet and handed it to Joseph with the number.
My brother studied it and asked, “Who did you hire as your security team?”
“Cole Securities.” Dwayne returned to my side as I bounced my boy. “They were founded by former Navy SEALs who were friends of my brother.”
Joseph tapped the card and folded the paper to put in his pocket. “Sounds like good timing, then, that you already hired a team that can keep Mary safe.”
