Falling For Him Anyway

Chapter 54

Video: The talk with Dirty Mercy part one by Reggie Couz.

Xavier

"You know, when I told you to go get some rest I didn't mean lay on the bed and stare at the ceiling." Hector said from the doorway.

"I miss her." I finally said and he sighed.

"I figured that's why you haven't slept at all." He said. "We'll find her. Don't worry about it."

"And my kids?" I asked.

He was silent.

"Precisely." I said. "I have no doubt that if we don't find her before she's had enough, she'll find a way out. But she's not going to leave her children behind to be slaughtered."

"I know that you're having a moment right now but get yourself together." Hector said. "Your brother's here and he brought the family. The whole family."

I got up slowly. "Let them in. They'll obviously have questions."

"And the vet called today. He's having someone bring the dog home tonight." Hector informed me.

"Good." I said.

He left and I dressed quickly. They'd be anxious, so I shouldn't put this off.

Downstairs I was greeted with the impatient stares of my brother's family and the Gwendolyn's family and some random girl I didn't know."

"I've told them already." Francis said.

"I would like to start by saying that I'm sorry and That we're doing what we can to find them." I said cautiously.

Then there was pressure on my throat.

"You son of a bitch." Everett's hands were crushing my wind pipes.

In one fluid motion I had thrown him over my head and was on my feet. "Don't you dare insult my mother."

"What about my little sister?"  He spoke through his teeth. "I trusted you. We all did and you couldn't even keep her dog safe let alone her."

"I know how you fee-" I began but he continued.

"You don't know anything!" He roared. "She's my sister! She's nothing to you!"

"You really had the nerve to come to my home, try to strangle me and accuse me of such blasphemy?" I asked him. "The whole reason she's gone in the first place is because of me."

"Xavier calm dow-" Francis put his hand on my shoulder and I brushed it off.

"The only reason she's in any real danger is because I love her." I turned to face everyone else in the room. "She taught me that not even I can control what my heart does. Is it so wrong that I fell for her just like that?"

Everyone stared at, surprised.

"Is it so wrong that I didn't put in my best effort to stay away from her?" I asked them. "Is it so wrong that I was selfish enough to keep her around? Is it wrong of me to be jealous of you all? Your families are safe."

"It may not even matter to any of you how I've been dealing with all of this. Has anyone here even thought to ask?" I looked around at the surprised faces. "It may not seem like I care but I've slept less than forty-five minutes these past few days."

Still no one said anything.

"So if you're all just hear looking for someone to blame, with all disrespect, please get the hell out of my house." I turned and walked stiffly from the room, all the way upstairs and into Gwendolyn's room.

The room she used to stay in.

I sat in a chair I had set up for myself and looked up at the ceiling. I closed my eyes.

She will not die. Not as long as I live. I forbid it.

I waited to hear someone closing the door behind them as they left me in peace but instead I heard the quiet footsteps of a child.

"Uncle?" Ben called, his footsteps coming slowly closer and then speeding up when he sees me.

He crawls onto my lap. "Uncle?"

"Yes Benjamin?" I sighed.

"Do you need a hug?" He asked.

"A hug would be nice." I said and he hugged me.

"Why are you crying Ben?" I asked when he sniffled.

"Cause I know Uncle doesn't cry on the outside." Ben said.

I had forgotten that he was only four and he wouldn't understand these things.

"It's ok to cry Ben, sometimes people just do it in their own way." I told him. "Uncle doesn't like to show weakness, so he doesn't cry."

"I want to help find her. Cause then Uncle won't be sad and he'll play with me again." Ben said.

"That's funny Ben but I'd play with you regardless." I said.

"But I really wanna help." He pouted.

"Ok fine. Do you remember what she looks like?" I asked him and he nodded.

"She has pretty blue eyes and long brown hair." He said.

"Good job." I told him. "Now if you see her somewhere you come tell me, ok? You'll be my incognito spy."

"That sounds cool." He said.

"It is cool and super important." I informed him and he sat up straight.

"I won't let you down!" He said and we both laughed.

Francis took Ben off my lap and wrapped his arms around me, giving me an awkward bro hug and soon the rest of them joined us in a familial embrace.

When I was finally released Everett approached me. "I'm sorry for trying to kill you or whatever."

The girl, who I'm certain came with Everett smacked the side of his head, glaring at him. "Everett."

He shook my hand. "And I volunteer to help get them home safely."

He rolled his eyes and slung his arm over my shoulder. "Well I guess we're pretty much family now."

She smacked the side of his head again and then hugged him. "Don't make it weird."

I snickered and he flipped me off.

******

I was gonna put a preview but nah too lazy. Oh well. Slightly longer chapter today. We all know what's going to happen next. Right?

Let's see.

Leah💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋