Page 60 of An Unhinged Wedding

Everyone is quiet on the drive, with the exception of Savannah. She sits next to me and whispers in my ear, “What’s wrong with Willow?”

I whisper back so Willow doesn’t hear me, “She was raped, honey. It’s going to take time.”

Savannah stares at me with profound sadness, “I wish it had been me. I’m used to it.”

I place my arm around her shoulders and kiss her head, “It’s time to get un-used to it. I won’t let it happen again. Those days are behind you. I don’t want to hear you say that again. No one should ever be used to being violated.”

She rests her head on my shoulder, “I love you, Mia. I wish you were my mom.”

A lump forms in my throat. I swallow it down, “I love you too, Savvie.”

I look over at my husband, who is trying to pretend he isn’t listening to us. I grab his hand and squeeze it.

He smiles softly, “You are going to be a wonderful mother. If I had any doubts, which I didn’t, I wouldn’t after that.”

TREVOR

We arrive at the safe house where we will end Joey’s pathetic life and his remaining men. As we walk inside, I hear Willow speak to Max, “I need a shower.”

He strokes her hair affectionately, “Of course, sweetheart,” and follows her upstairs. We all gather in the living room and have a drink while we wait for Max and Willow as well as our delivery. Everybody is fairly quiet. The room is heavy with emotion as we all consider what Willow has gone through. I’m sure every one of us guys regrets that it took us so long to find them. Of course, we had no idea which warehouse on the list we’d find them in. Still, I know every one of us wishes we had found them before Willow had been raped.

Domenic and his brother Dante come in, “They are locked up in the basement as Max requested.”

I nod, “Thanks, man.”

He glances around the room before turning back to me, “Where is he?”

I sigh, “Willow wanted a shower so he’s with her.”

Shaking his head, he says, “It’s a shame what happened to her. Men like that deserve the worst form of death.”

“Agreed.”

He turns to leave and throws over his shoulder, “Tell Max to call me if he needs anything.”

“I will.”

He glances at Hunter, “Later, Cunter.”

I nearly choke on the drink I’m attempting to swallow, and Hunter responds, “Later, Satan.”

Domenic chuckles, “It’s the devil, although, I suppose Satan works too.”

He and Dante leave, and Hunter clenches his jaw, “Asshole.”

“What exactly is your problem with him?”

Hunter glares at me, “He is a drug kingpin. Do you know how many innocent lives he has taken with his drugs?”

Nash snorts, “Innocent? Look I don’t love what he does, but let's be honest about it. He isn’t forcing people to do drugs any more than bars force patrons to drink. Are we blaming bar owners for alcoholism too?”

Hunter opens his mouth to speak but clamps it shut instead.

Max and Willow come down the stairs, “Is our delivery here?”

I nod, “They are in the basement as requested. We haven’t been down there. I felt it should be you calling the shots given the circumstances.”

Glancing at Savannah, he says, “Go into the kitchen while we work. Maria will make you a snack.”

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