Brotherhood at stake

Brotherhood at stake
I'll be back in a few hours. I have a few almost complete ones ready at any time for people who really need them. Bring me any names you want and a picture of each one against a blank wall. I already have Amelia's. We both looked over to where Amanda was sitting next to her, opening a tin of cookies and cupping a sugary yellow square in her hand.
You're going to have to make her look more alive if you're going to get on a plane with her. There's no way they won't be suspicious if she looks like that."
"You worry about your job. I'll worry about mine.'

Amanda fiddled in the kitchen making cups of tea while I took Amelia upstairs, removed her clothes and sat her in the bathtub while I used the shower attachment to wash her. She didn't react at first, didn't even look at me, until I gently lathered her hair with shampoo. My fingers brushed her scalp and the tears turned to heartbreaking sobs. I climbed up without undressing and held her against me, letting her cry, letting her soak in the storm of emotions that had built up inside her.
It's okay, sweetheart. You'll be all right.
I won't be," she sobbed against my chest, her half-washed hair falling into a lather on my arms. It's my fault. He's dead and it's my fault.
Look at me," I said firmly, tilting his face up. None of this is your fault. Not for a single moment. It's all because of men with too much power who think they can control the world. I spoke briefly with Harry and your father is in bad shape, but he's not dead. He's in the hospital and they're doing what they can. Do you remember the last thing he said to you?
'Have the baby.
He softened because you're carrying his grandchild. He gave you his blessing." I still couldn't believe it. My son was growing in her, and the excitement shook me at the thought. But it wasn't the time to celebrate, not when she needed me.
What about Mery? I've come back to help her.
I grabbed a cloth and washed her face, removing the tears, snot and dried blood from the cut. Mery doesn't want you to ruin your life for her, just like you wouldn't let her do it for you. She told me she's not the baby, and she's happy taking care of herself."
I can't let William take her.
You have to take care of yourself and the little one.' I extended my hand over her belly and she stared at it before putting her hand on top of it.
'Don't you think it's too soon? We haven't even started dating yet."
I love you, Amelia . Even though you're a spoiled brat, maybe that's why. You're sweet, strong and loving, and for weeks now all I've wanted to do is spend the rest of my life making you smile. If you think it's too soon, I'll support you in that, but for me? I want to stay with you, and the baby, forever. I want to marry you and call you my wife. I love you so much it hurts."
Tears welled up in her eyes and she threw her arms around my neck, covering me with shampoo and water as I smiled. I thought I was going crazy falling in love with you so fast, but every day all I wanted was to find a way to get back into your arms. I love you too.
I'm sorry things turned out the way they did, and I'm sorry for what happened to your father. I don't know how I'll make it up to you, but I'll find a way.'
'It's not your action to be absolved. It's William's . We both know he doesn't know the meaning of sorry. I want to kill him. I don't know how I'll leave knowing he's going to go on unchecked.'
You have to do it. For our family.
I know.
Now sit down while I finish washing you and then we'll find something for you to wear. We have to get out of here as soon as Falú gets back with the documents.'
Where will we go?
Anywhere you like.
Did you tell them where you found me? He looked at me over his shoulders and I saw the first glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Only it was in Spain.
'Then I want to go back to the tavern, back to Jade and Eden . We can find a little place there and I can work and pretend I'm a normal person. Not a runaway.
' If that's what you want, baby, then that's what we'll do.
I would have preferred somewhere new, somewhere they didn't know to look, but for Amelia , I'd do anything.
I just hoped Jade wouldn't greet me with a shotgun this time.
AMELIA
The sun was warming my face as we walked up the hill, Edward supporting Amanda on his arm. The bus had dropped us off at the bottom of the road, just like when I'd arrived earlier, but this time I wasn't alone. Edward was there, supporting me every step of the way. Between Amanda's company and our comings and goings around the country from bus to bus to avoid being followed, not to mention flying to France and down to Spain, we had barely had a moment alone.
When I caught him looking at me as I changed out of my sweaty t-shirt into a summer dress, with those intense blue eyes, my stomach filled with butterflies. After William had tried to force himself on me, Edward seemed reluctant to make any kind of sexual move. With the trauma we had both suffered from watching my father get shot, I was also wary of opening up at first. What if William found us and separated us again? My heart was as bruised as my face, and I needed time and distance from my world to feel free again.
I hoped it would last.
I hoped Mery would be okay.
I hoped Dad would recover.
Amanda had helped me realize that I couldn't control any of those things, that I had to look forward, because we didn't know what could come and change our lives at any moment. I had never expected to be on the run with her neighbor and his mob-daughter girlfriend. Seeing his joy had lifted me out of my deep depression, and although there were times when I felt like I was trying to sink back down, the lightness of the journey through his eyes helped. So did Edward's reassurance , the way he looked at me like I was a treasure. The way he made me feel every day, like I was worth it. Like I was worth it. His gentle compliments and endless patience amazed me, made me see a whole new side of him, different from the absolute sex god I had fallen in love with. He was so much more than my father's bully, or the man sent to drag me home, or even the man who knew how to make me cum until I begged him to stop.
We were forming our own little tribe. I sincerely hoped that Eden and Jade would be part of it too. I wouldn't blame them at all if they told us to get lost after bringing so much chaos to their door.
The tavern came into view as we rounded the crest of the hill, sweat clinging to my forehead as I panted. I hoped to get used to the beastly climb if we stayed.
Amanda let out a whoop of joy, scaring a few birds and making Edward laugh . I was overcome with warmth at the sight of them.
Amelia , it's just as beautiful as you said. I could use a cold gin after that walk too," Amanda said with a smile.
The last time they saw me, they punched a hole in the wall trying to kill me. I wouldn't count on that gin just yet." Edward looked nervous, eyes darting around the tavern.
It feels like home. Which is crazy, considering I was there for such a short time, but I feel like I'm coming home." The tavern had been the first place I'd felt accepted without the last name I'd been born with or the money and respect that had always surrounded my family. The first place where I could simply be Amelia . Well, Rachel . But still.