Page 50 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Persephone gave a small sigh of relief, “Is Brooks?”
Lily shook her head slowly and Persephone felt her stomach drop to her toes.
Lily bit her lip, “He hasn’t been well for a long time. After you left, it was if he died. He never came home, and when he did, we did not see him.”
Lily looked at her, and then shook her head again, “He started fighting again, both in the ring at Carter’s and on the streets. Those times on the streets were dangerous and I know only that the only reason he still lives is because of his training. It was close a few times and he almost got himself killed. Your disappearance hasn’t been good for him at all.”
Persephone put her hand to her mouth and felt the tears slide down her face. He was broken and hurting. Trying to fight the demons that he could not fight, and she hated that he was suffering so.
Lily touched her shoulder, “Please tell me what happened.”
Persephone quickly told her the story of how Bruce and Kitty found out she was leaving, and how they stole her in the dead of night. She told her of everything she found out and all that had happened since that fateful night. How she tried to lie to get back here and everything else that happened after.
And how Bruce, Kitty and Reginald all pushed the wedding up because of their anger with her.
Lily’s eyes were wide, and she hugged her. “I am so sorry you had to deal with that. That you still are. Oh, you are just as broken as Brooks, aren’t you?”
Persephone nodded, “I have barely been able to eat or sleep. He is all I think of and I miss him. I need him. He is my… husband.”
Lily nodded, “I know he is. He told us.”
Persephone nodded, “He did? Oh, I do not know what I am going to do about my wedding. Bruce and Kitty threatened all of your lives if I didn’t go through with it.”
Lily let out a gasp and Persephone nodded, “They told me that they killed my old maid. Just because she gave me ideas that were not what they wanted me to have. And I believe them. They will do everything to get what they want and are not afraid of the repercussions. Bruce is not a man to joke or laugh. Not about things like this. It is why I have to go through with it. I will not see any of you suffer because of me. I don’t want anyone to be hurt.”
Lily shook her head, “Brooks is already hurt Persephone. I have never seen him look this broken. And this is not your decision to make. I guarantee that Cole, Eden, Burk and I can take care of ourselves and now that we know about this threat, we will be even more careful. You cannot throw away your happiness or his happiness over this.”
Persephone started sobbing harder, “What am I supposed to do? They have someone watching me every minute of the day. They have men patrolling the halls at night and will do everything in their power to get their way. I am terrified of them Lily. I will go through whatever punishment they want to keep everyone safe. Just leave it be. They will not be stopped.”
Lily gave a small nod, “I understand that. And I hate every word that is coming from your mouth. Let me ask you this, do you want to be there?”
Persephone shook her head, “No. I hate it there. I am nothing to them. Only someone to make them more money. I want to be with the only person to ever love me. To ever ask me what I want.”
Lily nodded, “Good. Then leave it up to us.”
Persephone gave a small nod, and then shook her head, but Lily stopped her. So, she said, “All right, but,”
Lily shook her head, “The less you know the better. I do not want any of this to come back on you. Just know it will be all right.”
Persephone bit her lip and gasped when she heard footsteps. “Kitty! Hide, hurry Lily!”
Lily stepped into a small alcove that was hidden from the door and Persephone sat in her chair, and the door opened.
Kitty stood there, “Oh, I got to talking to a friend. Have you waited long?”
Persephone shook her head, “No, it was fine.”
Kitty pushed her from the room and Persephone fought not to look back at Lily.
Kitty pursed her lips, “It looks as if you were crying.”
Persephone shook her head, “I am fine. I just had a coughing fit and it made my eyes water. I think I am not feeling so well.”
Kitty gave her a once over and Persephone forced herself to cough.
Kitty nodded and gestured for a footman to get Bruce and Reginald.
They left the ball and Persephone could only hope and pray that Lily would follow through. And that no one would get hurt.
