Page 125 of Finish Line

“She’s our family, and we love her,” Cam snaps.

“I’d like to see you try to take her,” Dom threatens.

“Wait, what about her uncle?” Peter asks.

Mrs. Abney glances at the piece of paper. “He didn’t want her.”

“That was years ago!” I throw up my hands.

“It doesn’t matter if it was yesterday, Shelby. I’m sorry, but right now, you have to go.” She motions to the guards.

They take a step forward, and the guys go nuts.

“Guys.” I slip out of Mav’s arms and stand in front of them. “She’s doing her job. It’s nothing I haven’t been through before. I’ll be fine. It’s only three weeks before I turn eighteen.”

Cam truns to me. “We can make a run for it.”

I smile up at him. “You need to stay strong for Mav. He’s going to need you.”

He pulls me into a crushing hug. “I need you to stay strong, Princess.” His mouth covers me in a hungry kiss before he pulls back. “I love you with all my heart.”

“I love you, too.” I leave him to cup Mav’s cheek. “My Knight, I’ll be back in your arms before you know it.”

He pulls me tight against him. I can feel his body shaking. “We just got you back, and now they’re taking you from us. I can’t do this.”

“You’re stronger than you realize. I’m not leaving forever, Mav. I’ll be back, and I’ll have my phone. We can talk and video chat anytime you want.”

He loosens his hold on me and nods. His kiss is slow and passionate, and when we pull away from each other, we both have tears falling.

Next is Luke. “Carter is going to be mad that you have to cancel your play date.”

I chuckle and sniffle. “Tell him I’m sorry, and when I come back, we can play all day. Take care of your family. Roger’s not done. He still might come after your sister.”

“I will, and I want you to be careful. Mrs. Abney arrived awfully fast. Watch your back.” He cups my face and kisses the hell out of me.

Dom stands with his arms crossed. “You’re not going. If I have to fight the world, I will.”

I put my hand on his chest. “I don’t want you to. It’s only three weeks. It’s a walk in the park for me.”

He glances down at me and huffs. “I love you, Firefly.”

“And I love you, Grizzly.”

He bends and kisses my head. “I’ll kiss you properly when you get back.”

“Okay.” I go over to Nick.

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry this is happening.”

“This is normal for me. Take care of your dad for me. I’m worried about him.”

“I’ll watch him.” He frowns. “You watch your back.”

“Thanks.” I kiss his cheek.

I head over to where Peter is sitting in a chair with his head down. “Peter?”

His head snaps up, and his eyes are red with tears. He jumps up. “Shelby, I wish I could stop this from happening.”

---