Page 23 of Brake's Intent

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I have to say meeting Ela officially is not what I expect. I thought she’d be more like other women I’ve met who are around her age, but that’s not the case. She’s dressed in a pair of jeans paired with a flowy top with a boho feel. She’s also got stark black hair the color of a raven and beautiful eyes that speak volumes. And when she smiles, you can’t help but become mesmerized by it.

“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, child,” Ela says, rocking one of the babies in her arms, but she motions to the chair not far from her. “Come sit.”

Faith gives me a reassuring smile and walks out of the room after seeing that the kids were all down for naps. All of them, including the older ones.

I walk across the room and sit in the chair next to Ela and hold her gaze nervously. There’s something about the woman that just seems to glow, and I don’t know what it is.

“You are a special woman,” Ela speaks softly, not taking her eyes off me.

“What makes you think that?” I ask just as softly.

“Because your soul is filled with pure innocence, and you have a strong mind. You don’t let those who could break you do just that. You also have enough love in your heart to give to not just one broken soul but two,” she answers.

“Two broken souls?” I feel my face furrow and my brows creasing to meet in the middle of my forehead. “I don’t understand.”

“You will in time. Both those men have stories that haunt them. You know what they’ve given you and I’m sure Brake has told you some of what his mother did, but that’s just the icing on the cake.”

Ela’s words are like ice flowing through my veins and my curiosity threatens to overtake everything else.

“What do you mean icing on the cake?” I ask though I’m unsure if I want to know the truth.

“They will tell you. Just remember that those men, they’re strong men who need a woman with a gentle heart and who can give them everything they need.”

I nod, still confused but somewhat understanding.

“When the time is right, they will tell the rest of their secrets to you, even the ones you know nothing about,” Ela says, reaching over to pat my leg. “I see beauty for you three, but there’s also darkness. One you’ll have to face together and not let tear you three apart. Do you understand?”

Again, I nod, not knowing what to say as her words fill my head.

“Good, now go get ready. I believe we’ll have special guests for this evening’s events.”

Without a word, I stand and do as she says. I don’t think I could put a sentence together at the moment with all Ela’s told me. I have to wrap my head around it. There’s a darkness coming that could tear us apart? What does that mean? Then there are the secrets she mentioned. What else do they hold deep down? What haunts them most?

God knows the questions that now consume me are enough to make my head spin, and I don’t know how to put them to the side. Regardless, I need to do just that. Especially now. This evening everything needs to be special, not for me, but for Jax and Lawson.

* * *

“Hey, Faye,” Nora calls out from the other side of the door as she knocks. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah, almost,” I yell, looking at myself in the mirror once more. The guys have been back for a little while, but I haven’t seen either Brake or Lawson. The girls made sure they didn’t see me.

“Good,” Nora says and opens the door popping her head in. I turn in her direction to see she’s got a grin on her face. “You’ve got people here who want to see you.”

“Um, okay . . .” I don’t know who would be here to see me that couldn’t wait until after the ceremony.

Nora pushes the door open farther, and I barely contain the gasp as Rory and Finn step into the room along with Olivia. I want to ask her where the babies were, but I don’t. Instead, I gape at the three of them.

“What are you doing here?”

“You didn’t really think I’d let you get married without me, did you?” Rory remarks, moving toward me as Nora closes the door. He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me into him. “Fuck,deirfiúr beag, you look beautiful,” he says, holding me close.

I don’t believe him when he says I look beautiful because I still have bruises though they’re fading, they’re very ugly. Makeup has done wonders though in concealing them for the most part. And the beautiful dress Tiny gave me fits and looks great on my body. I borrowed a pair of shoes from Rissa that go amazingly with the dress, and I do feel pretty, but I know I’m not.

“Rory,” I croak out and press away from him.

“You doing okay?” Finn asks as Rory lets me go.

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