Page 62 of Risking it All

“The St. Thomases ain’t nothing to fuck around with, Sawyer. Zahad’s men ain’t either. If he put her in that auction, you can believe they want to cash out on their investment.”

“I’m willing to give them whatever they need. So I heard I can’t even cast my bid if I’m not at the table. I need to get back in.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“With all due respect, I wasn’t asking for permission. I just need access.”

“You need my blessing. I’m not letting you ruin everything you built over a woman.”

“Dad, I don’t want this life back. I don’t want the power. I’m not trying to get revenge or no stupid shit like that. I just want her. I promised her that I would keep her safe. I feel like I’ve failed her already. I can’t let her sacrifice herself. I have to do something.”

“You only failed to realize that she loves her sisters enough to sacrifice herself for them.”

“I’m not letting her give up, Dad. She was just learning to trust somebody outside of herself. I watched her choose herself for the first time, and I fell in love, watching her do it. I’m not giving up on her. I’m not letting her do this.”

“What if she’s doing it to save you too? Did you think about that?”

I shook my head. “Dad.”

“I’m asking valid questions. That don’t mean that I’m not gon’ help you get your woman back. I’m not letting you back in, but I still have my position. I can make the bid for you. I see how pitiful and broke down you look without your lady. I know damn well if it was your mama, I would be ready to tear up hell for her.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully, they would play fair and keep the bid open until the projected wedding date. St. Thomas didn’t officially own her until they said their vows.

“Did you defile her, Son? Their women have to be virgins, don’t they?”

“I’m not talking to you about making love to my girl, Dad.”

“It don’t matter what you want to talk about. You know they’re going to want to verify.”

“That’s why we don’t have much time. I need to catch her before they go through all that. When they realize she didn’t come back the same way she left, they might kill her on the spot.”

“I never wanted this life for you, Sawyer. I want you to know that. I put up a little resistance when you left to make sure that you knew what you were doing, but I never wanted this shit for you.”

“I just need to get her back and make sure nobody comes after her once we’re gone.”

“It might not be that simple, Son. We’re going to need more than hotel security for what’s ahead of us.”

“That’s why I came to you. I’m ready for whatever.”

My dad studied my face for a beat before nodding. “Alright. Let’s bring your girl home.”

17

Zenia

To my surprise, when I returned to my parents’ house there wasn’t a slew of armed guards waiting to snatch me up and deliver me to my father. One of his guards walked me to my bedroom and stood guard at the door until he showed up a few hours later.

“Thank God you came to your senses,” he said, not bothering to look at me as he walked over to stand in front of the window.

“I didn’t come back for you. Where are the twins?” I asked him.

“They’re safe. The St. Thomases held them as collateral in exchange for your swift delivery. I was able to convince them that you weren’t running and that you simply had cold feet.”

“So, they still want to go through with the wedding? The date has already passed.”

“You know damn well you won’t pass that examination. We have come to another resolution.”

“What kind of resolution?”