Page 57 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Brooks hugged his brother back, “Thank you. I am sure Lily told you a few things that Persephone has gone through, and for that I hope you stay safe. I do not want anything happening to either of you. After my last fight tonight, I am taking her to stay on Aidan’s land. He has a small cottage there and has given me free reign to use it.”
Lily looked over at him and grinned, “I have loved that cottage. Burk and I wanted to spend a few weeks there anyway. Rose is supposedly coming for a small visit, and when she leaves, we will leave with her. Burk will not let anything happen to either of us.”
Burk nodded and Brooks let out a sigh. “I want to take Persephone tonight to the fight. She wants to see me.”
Burk raised his eyebrow, “I will accompany her. Along with Lily. Don’t get any ideas about me getting in the ring alongside you.”
Brooks laughed, “No chances there. Once people see you, they will want to see the Devil of the underworld. The Devil of Whitechapel.”
Burk snorted, “We shall see. But who will sit with our women?”
Brooks grinned, “I will send Grant and Bran a letter. Do not worry. They will be protected.”
Burk nodded, “Fine.”
Lily laughed, “Don’t look so put out love, you know you wanted one last bought in the ring, and now you have it.”
Burk nodded, “You are right.”
They sat down and Brooks wrote a note to Bran and Grant asking for their assistance in helping him.
The four of them sat in the office for a few hours until Brooks stood, “I need to talk to Carter.”
Burk stood as well, “Do you want me to accompany you?”
Brooks looked down at Persephone, and she nodded, “You will need to talk to Carter if you want to fight tonight. Right?”
Burk snorted, “Carter makes more money for surprise fighters. He won’t care either way.”
She let out a laugh and then nodded, “Please come with us. Both of you. It feels nice to have my family with me.”
Lily grinned and grabbed her long coat and Brooks ran to their room to grab Persephone’s as well.
He felt lighter than he had in weeks. Months. He had fallen into a deep depression and this feeling? It was everything.
He got himself a long coat, knowing that March was still quite cold and snow still fell.
She smiled up at him and he helped her finish up buttoning the coat.
Then, they left the shelter of the salon and he hurried her into the carriage that Burk must have had prepared.
The four sat in the carriage. Burk had Lily in his lap, and Brooks pulled Persephone into his as well.
He wanted to touch her. To know she was here. Finally.
He had almost made a huge mistake in trying to get their marriage annulled and he was grateful to Bran and Grant that they had not been able to do it.
He sent up a silent thank you to his mother, knowing she was looking over him still.
He kissed his wife’s cheek softly and she burrowed into his warmth.
They pulled up in front of the entrance to Carter’s place. Brooks helped Persephone out of the carriage and Burk did the same with Lily.
Brooks looked at the building once again grateful. He did have the family he always wanted.
It was Burk, Carter, Lily and her family. He just was so lost without Persephone he did not know what to do without her.
He could barely cope, and he was just grateful that he had Carter and Burk to look out for him, when he wanted to be reckless.
