It sent me into an almost panic attack. Then Finn messaged me, and I felt okay, happy, even in the darkness of my findings.

The next day, Noah’s fever broke, and he slept for three and a half hours. I spent that time going through everything worth anything in the house and putting it all on eBay. I priced it all as buy now.

Ten thousand dollars’ worth of designer bags, wallets, coats, and clothing went in three days. Tomorrow, Noah and I will leave here for the first time to ship them out.

I took half the money and put it on the principal of the loan and then paid two months on the first and second mortgage. The security in knowing we have a roof over our head makes breathing easier until I remember I have to get fuel oil delivered. Heating a house this size is incredibly expensive, and the security of money in the bank is now gone.

Tomorrow, after I ship out the items I sold, I’m going to take Noah to the hospital’s rehab center to confront Margie. Then, in the next day or two, I’m going to have to tell Finn everything.

I sit at the computer, going through lists of people requesting VIP passes to the Cleveland shows. I have sent four so far. None were requested, but I hope it will make Finn happy. Two tickets went to Sally and Robert White and two to Finn’s father, Arthur Beckett.

***

Two days later, I wake up to Noah kissing my nose. “Morning, Momma.”

I smile and open my eyes. “Good morning, Noah.”

“Are we going back to the hos-pit-al again?”

“No, honey. Today, I thought you and I could color, watch a movie, and cook. Does that sound fun?”

He smiles and nods.

“Do you remember Mrs. White?”

He shakes his head.

“Well, she used to come and see us when you finally got to come home from the hospital. She sends birthday cards—”

“And Christmas. The baby and the camel and the—”

“Little people nativity set?”

He nods and smiles. “They were my best friends.”

“Yes.” I laugh because he played with them until well into July every year I brought them out. “They were.”

“Now I have friends at school, Mommy.” He looks at me and his little brows work into a straight line, like he’s trying to figure something out.

“What is it, Noah?”

“Mommy, who are your friends?”

“You are my favorite, but I have a couple.”

“Will I meet them?”

I nod, feeling like I may cry. For four years, I have felt like I was protecting him from the threat of his father, the threat of germs that may make his sick, the threat of the outside world. Only now do I realize it was more for me—my fears.

I am becoming stronger. I stood up against my own fears when I received a message from Stevie Daniels offering me an opportunity to have a career. I stepped out of the darkness when I realized I wanted more for me, more for Noah. I am no longer my own worst enemy. I am my own champion. Mine and his.

My strength is a threat to a oppressor other than me. My strength became a threat to Margie’s financial security and that of her children. As angry as I was at her, I realized last night that we are alike in the sense that she only wants the best for her family. After yesterday, it became clear I am not part of it. I am the person she blames for her own empire crumbling, the one my mother’s business not only supported, but apparently supplied.

Margie and her significant other, Willie James, owned several rental properties in New Mexico where they lived with my five cousins. All were foreclosed on for lack of payment. The rent wasn’t paying for them, because no one truly rented them. They were all offices and brothels for their drugs and prostitution business. She’s told me I owe her, and I have no idea what I am going to do when she leaves the twenty-one day treatment center.

Noah’s and my day goes as planned. When he is playing on the computer next to me while I am working, someone buzzes the front gate—a delivery man, Jeb. I know him; he delivers products for review all the time, so I buzz him in.

When I open the front door, he is holding a large, flat, cardboard box. “Says this is for you.” He smiles, and I take the three-by-two-foot box.

“Thanks, Jeb.” I smile back. “Wait right here.”

I go in and grab the box of girls’ toys that I reviewed and bring them to him. “For your girls.”

“You’re a doll, Sonya. They thank you, I’m sure.”

“They are welcome. See you later.” I close the door and lock it then stand at the window, waiting for him to leave so I can arm the alarm system again.

When he is out, I walk in the kitchen and use the shears to open the package. I pull out the frame and turn it around, then cover my mouth and smile so big it hurts my face when I see the picture of Finn and me. Then I feel my eyes fill with tears.

I read the red script overlaid on the bottom.

“Fully focused.”

“Focus on Cleveland,” I whisper.

***

My phone wakes me, and I quickly hit decline so Noah stays asleep as I slide out of bed.

I walk out and hit call back. “How was the show?”

“Madness.” His low rumble causes shivers to run up and down my spine. “You were so right about them.”

“Which part, that STD is better?” I laugh.

“That, too. But I think they’re going to tour with us full-time. Xavier is meeting us in Cleveland.”

“Wait, so do I cancel the call for auditions?”

“No. No, I’m pumped now. I wanna see what Ohio has to offer besides the two hottest people in the world, the hottest couple on the planet, the—”

“Couple?” I let the word fill me.

“You busy getting ready for me?”

“I’m ready,” I sigh. “I miss you.” I almost get choked up, he does that to me, and it feels so good.

“I miss us. Now how about you let me in? It’s fucking raining out here, and I need—”

“Let you in?” I hear the gate intercom buzz. “Someone’s here, and it’s four o’clock in—”

“Yaya, let me in before I climb the fence.”

“You’re really here?” I ask as I run down the steps. The alarm intercom chimes again. “If that’s really you, you better stop because I have a sleeping child.”

“I don’t want to meet him tonight, Sonya. I want you.”

I hit the gate lock, and he drives up.

“What are you wearing?”

“Sweats and a T-shirt and—”

“Get them off.”

I watch as he climbs out of the SUV, and my entire body becomes tingly.

“Now.” He hangs up the phone.

I pull the ponytail elastic out of my hair, push down my sweats, and kick them off as I open the door.

“Damn,” he says as he sucks in a breath.

I grab the hem of my shirt and lift it as I walk backward so he can come in. He shuts the door, kicks off his boots, and pulls his shirt off all at the same time.

“You gotta lock it and hit the alarm and—”

He looks at me with frustration.

“I’m sorry. It’s just—”

“No, I get it.” He turns and does as I asked.

When he turns around again, he un-buttons his pants and shoves them down.

My heart is in my throat, but its beat is felt everywhere. I am panting and pulsating.

“This tattoo says ‘never forget.’ ” He points to the black ink bridging the defined V that points to his incredibly hung dick. “Your hot, wet pussy sliding up and down me is nothing I ever want to forget. I don’t ever want to, Sonya, do you understand?”

I practically run into his arms as I push down my panties and kick them off. “Me, either. I missed you so much. Catch me.” I smile as I jump into his arms and wrap my legs around him.

“Fuck, yes,” he growls as he reaches between us and rubs himself against my soaked opening. “Damn, I owe you tongue time, but right now—”

“I want you inside of me,” I beg.

“Connected to you,” he says, pushing into me.

“Body to body,” I whimper.

“Soul to soul.” His lips take mine as he pivots his hips, his head just inside of me.