I looked around the room, and not for the first time, was thankful for the opportunity the men had given me when they asked me to come aboard atNo Surrender.And it wasn’t just a job or a bunch of friendships. I learned quickly that they were afamily.
And my kids and I were part of that.
With their offer, they’d also brought me something highly unexpected.
Gemma.
At first I fought it and found it somewhat unwelcome because I felt like I was betraying Isabelle.
But things had changed.
After Gemma ran away that morning having fallen asleep in my arms, I searched my lonely, broken heart for answers. Isabelle would want me to be happy because she was a beautiful soul. And she’d want that for our daughters too.
That didn’t mean I didn’t sometimes doubt I could be what Gemma needed, or that the three of us had a right barging into her life, but I’d certainly wanted to explore the things she made me feel. That morning, I realized that the way I felt wasn’t going away and everyone deserves happiness, even a second time around, so I made my move.
It had been a phenomenal move. I knew nothing about chess but whatever the hell the move was that claimed the queen, that’s how I felt when Gemma gave me a chance. I was now on a mission to steal the queen's heart.
I felt like I was walking on cloud nine for weeks.
But I fell from cloud nine when Braxton’s phone rang and his eyes worriedly glanced in my direction. I heard Jurnee’s distraught voice screaming with tears through the phone, all the way across the room.
And I knew.Gemma.
Braxton worked to soothe his wife but I couldn’t just sit there. I jumped to my feet and ran for the door not having a clue where I was going. With my hand on the doorknob, I remembered my kids were there and paused. When I turned around all the guys were standing there, Braxton’s phone still up to his ear.
Kace reached out and placed his hand on my shoulder as I impatiently waited to hear what Jurnee was saying.
Pulling the phone away from his face, Braxton repeated what he’d been told and my blood ran ice cold.
“What’s the closest hospital?” I yelled.
When Jurnee rattled off where she thought Gemma’s location would have been given how far away she’d told her she was from the mall and which emergency room would be near there, I pleaded with them to watch the girls. As soon as they agreed, I turned back to the door and barreled out of it.
After arriving at the hospital and finding out that Gemma was in fact there but they wouldn’t let me go back to be with her, I lied and told the lady she was my fiancée. I didn’t like not telling the truth, but dire situations called for drastic measures.
Andnobodywas keeping me from seeing my girl.
I’d started to realize over the past few weeks that she was mine, but right then I had no doubt. Gemma was made for me and for whatever reason, I was starting to see I was made for her too.
When I rushed into where they were working on Gemma and my eyes took her in, anger and relief washed over me at once. I was furious that she was hurt, but so fucking happy when I finally saw with my own eyes that she would be okay.
However, when the doctor explained that it was a bullet that shattered her window and struck her arm, rage lashed through me and fire simmered in my veins. At that moment I didn’t know if it was intentional or not, but I’d be damned if I wasn’t going to find out.
If it was on purpose and Gemma was the target, whoever it was, better be long fucking gone before I found them.
As Gemma’s hand reached for me I knew my purpose right then was to just be strong for her and take care of her. After listening to the doctor and talking with my woman, she’d be coming home with me. She tried to get out of that at first and I knew it was because she didn’t want to impose, but that was bullshit.
She was mine to take care of and I told her exactly that. That was just before I also told her she was getting a spanking for being a smartass.
Never a dull moment with my girl.
Even during a horrible situation, she made me smile.
Gemma was special.
Then, I’d made her a promise right before they took her to get her MRI. If all checked out she’d get to leave.
Knowing she’d be a while and seeing I’d missed a call from Braxton, I wandered out to the waiting room to give him a call and see if I could find some water.
