Page 51 of Redeem
Madden helps me up, and I brush the sand off myself and he holds my arm. He pulls me forward, his hand sweeping to the back of my neck, and he tilts me. His ice-blue eyes are always a pleasant sight.
“I want to fuck you into next week,” he mutters into my hair as he pulls away, and I feel the same way. But when it comes to Madden, that’s not always so simple. His...kinksare a little too much for Arrow, and well, it can get kinda messy.
I kiss him and shift away, turning to run, and I hear him growl from behind me. Oh, he loves a good chase. I run to our beach house. It's only a block from the ocean. The hot pavement burns my bare feet as I run to our sweet little white home with blue shutters.
Madden catches me...he always does. He lets me get a head start, but he always gets me before I step onto the porch. It probably helps that I smile and laugh my whole way here, as his eyes turn dark. We don't want someone thinking he is really chasing me.
“You’re mine,” he growls into my ear, and Lily slams the front door open. Madden freezes and he clears his throat. Madman likes to play...with me. It’s now the only time he’s allowed out. And I know he’s wanted to come out and play all week, but we can't. We have Lily in the same house.
“Guess who comes to visits us?” She squeals, and I look up into the house.
Keegan’s walking to the door with a apron on. I want to laugh; he looks so adorable. Who would come and visit us? We never have visitors. We keep to ourselves. We do know the neighbors, but just in a friendly-geeting-when-we-pass-them way. We don't have them in our house or visit theirs.
“Bitch, you better let go of the big guy and come say hello.
My heart races. No way. I leap inside and rush into the living room. And there are my two best friends. I race to them and hug them so tight. I haven't seen them since that day back at the cabin when we grabbed Lily and came here.
“Told you I'd come visit if you moved somewhere tropical. California. Girl, you did that on purpose.” Serena rubs her fingers down my hair. “Got the surfer girl look going on and everything.”
“I would have visited you, either way. I don't mind the cold. But the sun is good for the soul,” Stella says, and I hug her again. She looks so different. Her hair is longer and a gorgeous black, complete opposite from the firey red she used to have. It's amazing what six months can do.
Hell, it's amazing how much has happened since I tried to escape that night. I never would have thought this could ever be true.
Four amazing guys who all love me. Even if Madden never says it, he shows it.
A beautiful little sister we are all raising to experience the life she deserves...what we wish we could have had.
And two amazing friends...real ones. That stick by you, even if there's a bump in the road.
They’re here for me, no matter what.
No longer the doll my father molded me to be.
No longer the mafia princess everyone saw me as.
I'm finally free from the mask.
CHAPTER35
KEEGAN
Her blonde hair flicks through the air, she’s holding Lily on her hip spinning her round and round. I ask myself everyday how I got so lucky and I have no idea.
Ever since I saw her for the first time at Roxbury Prep I knew she was something special. That deep connection where I couldn't look away. I wanted to know her, to know every little thing about her and now I never want to spend a day without her.
The life we now have here in California is beyond my wildest dreams. Both of my girls are safe and we're a family. One of the most dysfunctional, if anyone saw us from the outside but we are happy so fuck what anyone else thinks.
Madden drops down into the beanbag next to me watching Addie like a killer stalking it's prey. A shadow of smile plays on his lips and I don't know if I'm imagining things. Madden doesn't smile but this girl is making him do things that I never thought possible. Not for Madden. I guess miracles do happen.
Closing down my laptop I leave it at my feet and lean back into the beanbag. I've been working like crazy lately on a new app that I think is going to be a hit. Isabella gave me the idea and she's been helping me with it.
Emilio comes down to the beach wearing black boardshorts, no top and a genuine smile. He runs toward the ocean right towards them. Addie screams covering Lily from the on spray of water. Her little blow up toy she's sitting in rocks but Addie saves her from toppling over.
Emilio resurfaces laughing and Addie splashes him, Lily giggles.
"Get him, get him," she sings over and over until Addie obeys.
Lily rules this house and everyone in it. She's become quite the little princess. I've never seen her so happy before and that's exactly what I have always wanted. Her safe and happy without all of the drama.
