Page 96 of The Fighter who Needed Me
In less than an hour, Cole and Eden were in Burk’s office.
Eden’s stomach had grown larger since they had seen her last and she looked like she was glowing.
He wanted to see Persephone’s stomach round with his child and wanted her back in his arms to see her grow.
Cole hugged Burk, kissed Lily’s cheek and then walked to Brooks, holding out his hand and shaking Brooks hand before hugging him.
“We heard about Persephone. Oh Brooks.” Eden came over to him and pulled him in for a hug after Cole stood back.
He gave her a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you, Eden. I am so worried about her.”
She hugged him again, and he let her. Cole spoke up, “When I read Lily’s note, I knew something had happened and then, Eden saw in the society pages that she is getting married. Tomorrow. I am sorry Brooks. It has been in the papers for weeks.”
Brooks snarled, “How in the hell was it in the papers when she was with me until hours ago?”
Eden gave a small gasp, “Though she has been with you, Bruce and Kitty have carried on as if she was still in their home. They have been to several balls and functions with the man that she is to wed. And when people ask of her absence, they simply say that she is too ill and that she will come when she is able.”
Brooks curled his fingers into fists. “Those people. They have ruined her life for far too long. It’s why she ran away. Why we went to the country. My wife needed to get away from them and she was finally happy. She did not have to take medicine that made her sick when she was perfectly healthy. She was healing. Gaining weight, finally. And now they still expect her to marry him? I thought they would have left that foolish notion alone after she was gone. But it matters not anyhow, she is already married to me and expecting our child.”
Eden let out a gasp and hurried to his side, “This is just how they took her the first time isn’t it? Only this time she is with child? Oh Brooks.” She asked and Burk nodded.
Brooks had to push down the wave of sadness that tore through him and when she asked, “But wait, if they are already wed, how is she to marry another?”
Brooks shrugged, “Months ago, I talked to Grant and Bran, they said our marriage was legal and as it was consummated, could not be dissolved. But I do not believe that Bruce and Kitty are aware of our union. Otherwise, things would have been very bleak for her. She is trying to protect herself and me.”
Cole sighed, “She has to stop thinking that we cannot take care of ourselves and start realizing that we will be there for her no matter what. I hate that she is in this predicament because of them and their threats.”
He looked at Brooks, “Your marriage has a record of it, right?”
Brooks nodded, “Yes. Cabe had the documentation of it and when he returned, gave it to me. I have it here.”
Cole nodded and Brooks had to clear his throat.
“Well then. There you have it. We need to stop this.”
Brooks sobered, “How? Does anyone know where the ceremony is being held?”
Eden nodded, “At Derby Cathedral.”
Brooks cursed, “When?”
Eden sighed, “According to the papers, first thing in the morning. Everyone was shocked. Weddings aren’t held that early usually.”
Brooks nodded, “Then we need a plan to get her back tonight. Like how Burk stole her the first time.”
Cole shook his head, “They aren’t at their house. We rode past there on the way. They have not been home for a while. Not since she left. The house has been empty.”
Brooks cursed, “Fuck! Where is she then?”
Cole shook his head, “I don’t know. I do not even know who her betrothed is. His name is not one I have heard before. They say he is old enough to be her father and very powerful as well. Rich beyond imagining. It is rumored he is giving her parents a very large sum of money for her hand.”
Brooks cursed again, “So they are selling her like she means nothing except to line their pockets.”
Cole nodded, “It is what I heard. Did Persephone mention it at all?”
Brooks sighed, “She told me about all of it after we got her back. About him, and them and their greed. She hates them all and I do not blame her. I hate them as well. And after he came after her and tried to kill her, I thought they would let it go. But obviously they had not planned to let her simply leave. Not again. She is worth too much to them and that is the hardest part for her. Knowing that they only want her for the money she can make them. She has always been their inconvenience and as such she never had much love, if not at all. She finally found it in me, and in our cottage on Aidan’s land. She was accepted and loved, taught to be strong and yet they will crush her because of it. Because she dared to hope and love. We tried to leave it in the past, but it found us instead.”
Eden hugged him, her eyes filled with tears and her stomach pushing against him and making him give her a smile even though he felt broken. “You have grown dear sister.”
