Page 107 of Twisted Games of Revenge

“There is another option.” He shows me a second envelope.

I give him a look, not sure if I want to know what the other option could be. “What is that one?”

He hands it to me. I open it up and look over the contract, not really understanding what I’m looking at this time. “Ravens Hollow Wellness Center for Women?” I ask, intrigued.

“The boys and I know this is a different situation, and since you can’t marry us all, it means things are off balance. But we had an idea that might be a workaround.”

Ricky’s hand comes to my back. “You made me promise I would go back to being a doctor, and while that’s not entirely possible with my background, there is a workaround. I can be a trauma recovery specialist. Provide medical advice, health education, or emotional support to help women heal physically and mentally. Give back to people and care for them the way I have always wanted to. Similar to what we have been doing since the day you brought Frankie back to our place.”

“I love that idea for you.” I beam at him, excited. “Yes, that’s what you should do.”

A smirk plays on his lips, his eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement. This is what he’s always dreamed, helping people and really making a difference.

“Maddox and I have been working on some ideas as well,” Geovani says. “We can run self-defense and empowerment workshops for women, teach them how to protect themselves and regain their confidence after trauma.”

“I could see you both doing that. This idea is brilliant.” I beam back at them, so excited.

“It’s your idea, princess. All of it. We just brought it to life for you. If you want to join us and go into business with us. We can’t all marry you, but we can sign this contract and be business partners working on this together.”

Maddox takes my hand in his, giving it a squeeze. “What do you think, temptress?”

My eyes meet with Geovani, knowing we have been discussing the possibilities for my future and what to do with the wealth I have acquired. “You said you wanted to use the money from your papa’s empire for something good, and we all want in. We can funnel the wealth from our not-so-legitimate businesses into a legitimate one that supports women, like a wellness center. We can help the women the health system is failing.”

“This could be huge for Ravens Hollow, princess. The center can provide safe housing, education, job training, and emotional support for survivors of domestic violence or sexual trauma. And I will make sure we spread the word through any way necessary.”

As I blink back at Alex, tears well in my eyes. Happy tears for the second time today. “What will I do?” I ask them. This all sounds so perfect for them, but how can I get involved?

“There are so many options, baby doll. You could offer art therapy classes and use some of your design skills. Or help run self-defense classes. Offer career coaching or help these girls find legal aid or job resources. You have been doing it already with the girls you keep bringing home. Now you will just have a place to bring them,” says Ricky, and I know he’s right. The possibilities are endless.

Excitement bubbles up inside me as I imagine what we can all create.

“It’s your business, you can do whatever role you want to,” Alex agrees.

“I’m so excited.” I squeal as I flip through the paperwork, looking over everything they have planned so far. “It says location and plans to be decided?” I ask.

Alex nods. “We thought you might want to help with the designing of the new center. This is your baby, we want your input.”

Maddox comes to sit beside me, flicking through the paperwork. “I have given this some thought and I reckon the old Flamingo Hotel location. It’s in the right part of town, and we have a vacant lot that needs a new purpose.”

My mind races with the potential of this project. “And we can build some housing on my papa’s old lot. I have been wondering what to do with that space but couldn’t seem to sell it.”

“That’s a perfect idea. It’s large enough we could build a few townhouses,” Maddox agrees.

I stare back at all of their excited faces. “So, we’re really going to do this? Go into business together. You will be stuck with me.”

Ricky clicks the pen and signs his name on the dotted line. Followed by Maddox, then Geovani, and lastly Alex. He hands me the pen. “What do you say, princess. Do you want to be stuck with all of us forever?”

I take the pen from him and sign my life away. “Fuck yes, I do.”

Epilogue -Eighteen Months Later

As I slice throughthe shimmering red ribbon with a pair of scissors, a wave of cheers erupts from the gathered crowd of our friends and local media. The boys are by my side, but since this was my idea, they wanted me to be the one to officially open our new women’s health and wellness center.

I stand with the boys in front of the shiny new building, its sleek, floor-to-ceiling glass façade shimmering in the sunlight and reflecting the vibrant energy of the surrounding city. Polished steel frames accentuate the building’s clean lines, giving it a bold, contemporary edge. My vision has been brought to life, and I still can’t believe it. A flurry of camera flashes momentarily blind us, mostly from Alex’s news crew who had gathered to document our story. He wants to make sure any woman in need knows about this place and our mission to help. He has been so supportive of my dream. They all have.

When the last flash goes off, I feel the brush of Alex’s lips on my cheek. “Got to go do my thing,” he says as a reporter approaches. The rest of us are happy for him to be the spokesperson, so we let him go.

“Going to go set up the gym for opening day. If you see Dani, can you send her our way?” Geovani says with Maddox at his side.

---