Page 72 of The Fighter who Needed Me
Burk shook his head, “Nothing. Lily and I just found out. We have to find her.”
Brooks nodded and then quietly told Mary what was going on.
She shooed them out of the house, “Find her. Please. And be safe. All of you. Do not make me box your ears if you don’t come back safe.”
The men nodded and kissed Mary’s cheek and then they walked out the door and to the coach.
She was on edge. Rose had gone missing. This was too much.
It seemed as if it was the same story. That the girls had a curse on them or something.
First it was Lily and Eden. She had been an unfortunate accident, and now this?
It was too much, and that family had had enough hardship on them.
It was not fair. They were the best people and yet, it seemed as if someone constantly had it out for them.
She felt sick to her stomach and the good feelings she had when they were with the children had quickly dissipated.
She wanted them to find Rose and prayed it would be so.
When they made it to Cole’s townhouse, everyone was there except for Aidan, Rhia and Jacob and Lydia.
And Cabe. He was still on his voyage trying to find the man who hurt him, and she hated that he didn’t know that Rose had been taken.
They were hurried into the townhome, and Lily was getting a pelisse on, and a long cloak as well, as well Eden.
Cole had a long coat on and was checking his pistol that he tucked into the back of his pants.
The girls hurried over to her and she hugged them both.
“We will find her. I just know it.” She told them and they both nodded, and Cole stepped forward, “Eden and Lily are determined to look with us.”
Burk nodded, and Brooks shook his head, “I will take Persephone home. I do not want her to be seen. That is the last thing we need right now.”
She sputtered, “But, Brooks. I can help,” she tried to say, and he shook his head hard. “Absolutely not. I do not want Bruce or Reginald to see you out. I am already struggling with having you here, and not someplace they do not know. He found you last night and I won’t put you in danger again.”
She opened her mouth to argue further and he kissed her hard, “No. Do not try to argue this with me. I am not capable of going through losing you again. I cannot. Please love. Please. I will go and look for Rose, but I need you to be safe at the salon with Billy. I beg you love. Please.”
She softened, “All right. The moment she is found though, you will inform me.”
He nodded and they all said their goodbyes.
She was brought back to the salon and Billy was given strict instructions to not let anyone in the salon, nor were they allowed upstairs.
Only he, Burk and Lily. And Carter if necessary.
Billy nodded and Brooks pulled a pistol out for him. “Use this if you need to.”
Billy took it and looked far too comfortable with it in his young hands.
Brooks framed her face with his hands and kissed her. “Lock the door to our room. Do not open it unless Billy tells you to.”
She nodded, “I will be safe. You need to as well.”
He nodded and then walked down the stairs after one last kiss to her lips.
She turned and locked herself in their room and fell onto the bed.
Sobs poured forth from her mouth and she hated that she had such horrible parents and that she could not live. Not really.
She prayed that they would find Rose and that Brooks would take her away from this.
That they would leave the heartache of London and Whitechapel.
She hated that thought, because she wanted to be here for the children, but knew that until Reginald stopped looking for her, they would not be safe.
She curled up in a ball on the bed and let the fear and sadness overtake her.
