Page 65 of Redemption
He sat very still as the room fell utterly silent.
I assumed he had nothing to ask or say, so I went on, “I did it to eat and have a place to sleep. Then I tried to find other jobs, but needless to say I was too young and inexperienced to get any. So, I went back to being a hooker as they call it. Then one day, I met Talon. That man turned me around, I can tell you that much. He gave me a hundred dollar bill and told me to ‘choose a better life before this one uses you up.’ See, O had bought me from another man, he was not a prince either, but at least he let me keep most of what I made. O left us with mere pennies to live on. That night, she took thatpurehundred from me and that was when I got out. I couldn’t do it anymore. Despite what she would do to me and believe me… with O, you would prefer a bullet to the head rather than what she wouldactuallydo to you. I then went to work as a stripper. But after a few months, I finally made enough to go and get tuition for fashion design school. I then got a bartender job.” I raised my head up to again look into his hard eyes. “I’m not proud of my past, but I’m beginning to believe…” I swallowed heavily as the tears came now and made it hard to speak. “That I could finally have a decent future. “
Ma reached over and patted my hand.
“Did you tell all of this to my son?” Jarret asked.
Nodding my head, I replied, “I did. He wanted to know it all.”
Jarret snorted. “Oh, he would and I bet he made sure you told him everything.”
I nodded.
Silence again.
I felt like I was up on that pole again, bare as the day I was born. He now knew most of it. I shouldn’t hope for much though as he didn’t look pleased.
“Well?” Ma broke the quiet.
“Well, what?” Jarret stared at her.
“You ain’t got nothing to say?” she questioned.
He slowly shook his head and looked over at me. “We all got pasts, little girl. Some are worse than others. You had no choice in yours. You did what you had to. If my son wants to make a life with you then that is his choice.” He leaned closer to add, “Plus, I have seen a new light and purpose in his eyes, and I think you did that. Otherwise, it isn't my business.”
Ma laughed.
We both looked over at her.
“If you don’t beat all, Jarret.” Ma kept shaking her head.
He shrugged. “Look, no woman has managed to keep his attention for more than a half hour.” He looked over at me. “You might be the best thing to ever happen to him. Besides, I like that you just come out and say what you think. To be with a Walker you had better be a brave soul.”
Ma stared at him and laughed louder. “Ain’t it the truth.”
Chapter Twenty:Just A Nick
Redemption
When I rose up, I looked down at Cinnamon. Satisfaction ran through me because she was in my bed, where I’d wanted her to be. Damn, the woman was beautiful even in her sleep. Most men might not see her beauty right off, but I could. Her hair was splayed out on the pillow, silky soft and long enough to wrap around my hand. Her brown eyes had little flecks of gold in them and when she was full of passion that gold glittered. I smoothed my hand along her bare hip. It was terrible really, but I couldn’t help it… I just had to touch her. I figured I would always want to.
She had something I just couldn't identify that separated her from all the women I’d been with. I remembered none of their faces but I had hers memorized in my mind. She had two little dimples when she smiled, I don’t think she even realized this. Her skin looked so creamy and she had this tiny scar at the right corner of her lip. I know she had been through a lot, so that scar had probably come from abuse. I still fumed over what she had to endure while growing up. I felt no shame about what she did, none at all. She had survived it and that I felt grateful for.
I know other men might think differently, but I was no saint either. I’d slept with plenty of women and I did it for free. I smirked. I was in no position to judge and I refused to in fact. To me, Cinnamon was a walking miracle. A person defying the odds, keeping faith and pushing her way out of degradation. I only felt admiration and awe for this woman.
I couldn’t wait to watch her expressions when she tried anything new. A fine steak, a wickedly chocolate dessert. Or when I took her to the sights I wanted her to see. I couldn’t wait to share everything with her. That would have to wait but not for much longer. When we got Glory back, our new life together would really get started. I slowly shook my head. I know it had been the wrong time in the wrong place, like my dad had said, but I found this woman and I would keep her. Maybe it did look odd to my father as we were only here because of Glory, but who gets a choice in life as to when that one person meant for you walks in?
I had to believe that my sister was still alive at least we thought so when Ace said her signature was moving around the room. I feared for her and had since the day she went missing. It was way past time to get her back to us, her family. She had her whole future ahead of her. I kept pushing away the fear that they had treated her badly. I knew nothing about this Deacon, except for what Liv said and that wasn’t reassuring.
I hated to leave Cinnamon, but I figured she would sleep the time away, at least I hoped so. I finally got up from the bed and moved quietly in the room, getting dressed and putting my boots on. I focused on getting Glory back. I hoped she wasn’t hurt. This Deacon would die tonight if I had my way. O was gone finally and I felt nothing but glad.
I tiptoed out and made sure the door closed without a click. Heading down the hallway, I saw Liberty and Prophet.
“We are coming too,” Liberty said.
“Did you ask Eisenhower?’ I quipped, referring to Talon.
Prophet chuckled.
