Page 20 of Redemption
“Oh, I seen the way he looked at ya. He wants something with you alright.”
“Until he finds out what I really am.”
Ma gasped and grabbed my hand. “Girl, what you are is a strong young woman. You survived the worst in life. You found the courage to change it. Don’t be putting yourself down.”
“I wanted to believe I could have a new life. I really did for a while too. I was even taking classes online while bartending.”
“Oh, what kinda classes?” She looked curious.
“Fashion design. Especially for wedding dresses. I just love the dreamy idea of the perfect wedding dress.”
Smiling at me, Ma picked up her cup. “Well, that is a lucrative business for sure. And let me tell you a secret…”
A secret…when I just told her my worst ones. I smiled at her as she was just such a warm wonderful lady.
“You can earn some money toward your future from right here.”
I stared at her in confusion.
“After this is all over,” she explained. “We're gonna be having a few weddings.”
I shook my head as I did hear her teasing her kids about this. “Well, I would be honored if the women agree.”
Ma tisked. “I’m the Mama here, I will be planning those weddings.” She gave me a wink. “I’ve even started growing all their bouquets. I got wedding cake plans too. I’ve made a few in the past and they are top quality. So all the money will go to the dresses. And that will be where you come in.”
I laughed a little as I shook my head.
“And who knows, maybe you will be having your own.”
I raised my head up to stare at her. “My own?”
“Yep. I see it in Redemption’s eyes. He may be more interested than you think.”
I leaned forward and said, “Ma, he won’t want me.”
“You are selling him and yaself short, little Cinnamon.”
I picked up my cup and finished my tea. I highly doubted that. Though, I could see Ma wouldn’t listen to that kind of talk. How could a woman who’d been through what she had be so hopeful? I wish I had her sense of hope. But really, what man would want someone like me? Oh, for a night maybe, but not forever. No man would want me as their forever girl. More like a one-time girl. After all, that had been what I was for a while in my life. A one-time girl.
Chapter Six:Cinnamon Sweet Taters
Redemption
I tried hard to push Cinnamon out of my mind. The woman was just so intoxicating though. I had quite a few women in my life. Too many, according to my brother Justice. I smirked. He called me a hound dog. But this girl just had me all keyed up. Everything about her made me want to grab her and I ended up doing just that. I know I shouldn’t have, but I acted on instinct. She seemed so scared of O and something else though, try as I might, I couldn’t get her to tell me.
I wandered the hallways looking for my father or any sign of my brothers. Then I heard voices. Pausing, I followed the sound. I stopped at an open door.
“We will simply kill her after we trade her,” my dad stated.
“Oh, really?” Liv replied. “This woman is insane as you well know but she’s also fucking smart. She had this kidnaping for trade as a backup plan for when or if we caught her. Don’t you think she has those bases covered? You won’t get that shot.”
“We have to trade her though,” Justice spoke up. “We can’t just allow Glory to die.”
“I agree,” Talon stated. “We have to do the trade.”
“The fuck, Talon!” Dagger exclaimed. “Then what? We all change our names and faces then move to fucking Brazil?”
“I doubt if that would help,” another voice piped in.
