Starting Over

Chapter 15

"Is she asleep?" Axel asked as North carried her into the living room after Sean changed her into one of Norths shirts and a pair of pajama pants that Gabriel grabbed from her room.

"Yeah," Sean nodded. "The asshole gave her a tranquilizer but when she felt the prick, she was able to make it so he couldnt inject the whole amount, that is how she was able to still fight back. Luke was able to find the injection by her art supplies. She will sleep the rest of the night, but I have a feel this will set her back even more."

"Baby said shes scared to go outside now," North mumbled clutching her tighter. "She asked if I thought Gabe would mind creating her an art studio here inside and make her room into a garden so she can still enjoy being outside without being outside. She wanted to know if Silas could create a greenhouse but have someone else take care of the plants so all she has to do was enjoy them but she also wants an aquarium and waterfall so she can enjoy water also, something about being a Pisces, I dont get it but whatever she wants Ill do."

"The asshole came in under the guise of gardener according to camera. He figured out our landscaping routine," Victor growled from his laptop.

"Should we just move?" Luke asked. "I mean what if she doesnt feel safe even inside? If they can come onto our land, whats to stop them from coming inside?"

"I actually have some land I never told anyone about," Marie muttered sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

"Dont do that Baby, youll hurt yourself," North whispered pulling her hands from her face.

"What are you talking about Beautiful?" Kota asked.

She looked down at North then reached out for Silas and Nathan. They immediately got up and sat on each side of North. The three large men knew instantly that their size gave her comfort. She turned to face Owen and smiled softly when she felt North wrap his arms around her waist and Nathan and Silas each put a hand on her thigh for support.

Feeling grounded as Owen looked at her with his steel eyes like he knew the comfort she got from them she took a deep breath and whispered, "After I ran away, I found the apartment and moved in. Last year I thought about leaving because it was starting to hurt more and more being so close to you yet never getting to be with you. But one night I was down at the docks watching my Superman sit on his boat and staring out at the water deep in thought and a magazine fell by my feet. I picked it up and the page that was open had an ad for a house and land that was for sale. Now I know most of you dont believe in it, but you know how I am, and I took it as a sign. The house was big enough for all of us and then some. Something in me told me not to throw it away so I took it back to the apartment and set it to the side. I went back and forth on it, I mean why get it if it was going to be so empty what would I do with all those rooms but then again I had hope that one day I could get the courage to tell you how I felt and you wouldnt think I was a freak for feeling that way about all of you. But then my fear overwon and anyway you know how my mind works. The next week when I was walking home from watching my Prince perform and visiting the new gallery from Meanie, I got the feeling I was being followed but it wasnt the comforting feeling I would get back when my ninja Always would follow me thinking I didnt know but I did. It was a scary feeling so I took different ways like Always taught me and when I got home I had a panic attack. I almost redlined but I ended up passing out. While I was out I had a dream where all of us were on some land in front of a bon fire and I was in Honeys lap when Dr Sean said it was bedtime and we all got up and headed to the house that was in the paper. Owen had asked Meanie how the work was going in the new office and Meanie had said it was almost complete and I had the thought that this was our true home then I woke up. I took it as a sign and made the call. I purchased it under an alias no one knew about so no one could track it back to me. It needs a lot of work but it is livable, I just couldnt convince myself to move in just yet so I stayed at the apartment."

"How many rooms does it have Princess?" Victor asked.

"Where did you get the money for something like that?" Brandon asked. "I thought you werent working."

Marie looked down at her hands and whispered, "I got some money after I went through a bad experience from my birth parents, and I had that money in an account just collecting interest. I also get some money selling some of my crafts and writings. I also inherited some money from my grandparents. Technically Im set for a few lifetimes, but I dont like to just sit and do nothing. Also, it has 30 rooms and 10 studies so it could fit both teams if we ever need your team to stay for some reason."

She started to shake, and all three men noticed, "Doc," Silas muttered then picked her up and carried her into his room.

After a few minutes Sean came back in, "I gave her something to go back to sleep. The events of her past and just recently plus the effects of the tranquilizer started taking its toll on her again. I told Silas to stay with her and watch her throughout the night just to make sure she is okay. Before she fell asleep, she told me to tell you Icy Steel. She said you would know what she meant."

"Wheres her stuff from her apartment?" Owen asked and Nathan motioned to the office across the hallway. He went in there and opened a box, not finding what he was looking for he moved to another box. The others followed him confused. Not finding what he was looking for he sighed then went into her bedroom. He turned on the light and looked around, heading to her desk he opened drawers then shut them.

"What are you looking for Mr. B?" Gabe asked.

"During one of our late night talks before she left I told her about how I have all our information saved and hidden in case anything was to happen and I have it disguised and coded so if anyone outside of our family found it they still wouldnt be able to figure it out. She thought it was a good idea and said if she ever did it she would code it for only me to solve. She always said my eyes reminded her of icy steel," Owen explained standing in the room looking. He kept being drawn to gee necklace stand but nothing looked out of place so he kept looking around. His eyes kept going back to her necklaces so finally he walked over and looked at them more. A steel gray necklace that he gave her before she left caught his eye. Picking it up he ran his fingers over the chain and down to the dragon. The back fell open in his hand to reveal an USB drive.

"What?" Nathan asked and Victor came over to look.

"Its been modified to open only to certain fingerprints, fascinating," he explained looking at the USB in Owens hand.

"She never ceases to amaze me," Silas muttered carrying her into the room.