by ChaShiree M.
“Will do. Give me a few minutes. I am not at my desk.”
“I hate to be a dick, but this is an emergency. No one has seen or heard from her in three hours,” I say.
“Of course. I understand how frustrating that can be, nephew. Don’t worry, I got you.” I hear him clacking away on his keyboard. “Her purse is in your car on Main Street, but her phone is in St. Alith. It’s on the move.”
“St. Alith? How the fuck did she get there?” I wonder aloud. She doesn’t have a car. I have been driving her everywhere.
“I’m not sure. Get down here. I’ll round up Om and Danhy.”
“Thank you, Uncle. I can be there in three minutes.” I say already taking off at a dead run down the street.
When I get there my gran, Enid is sitting at the reception desk. Since she retired from whatever the hell she did for the government, which she still isn’t allowed to talk about, she goes around being the receptionist at her sons and grandsons businesses. I think she just likes all the gossip, but that’s just my opinion. We call her the CIA granny, but not to her face.
“Gran, I fucked up,” I say to her.
“You’ll make it right. She’s a bright girl. You can tell she loves you,” she says.
“I hope so. I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“Can I let you in on a little secret?” She asks in a whisper.
“Of course.”
“In nineteen fifty-nine your grandfather went missing, before I even knew him,. He was my first case.”
“First case?” I interrupt.
“Don’t you know? Oh well, I was police officer in Minneapolis and that case opened up a whole new world for women in law enforcement. That and the fact that I speak six languages. Russian being the most prominent. The cold war and all.” Russian? Jesus. I had no idea she speaks any languages other than Norwegian and English.
“Okay. Why are you telling me this?”
“Well, I rescued your grandfather and he asked me to marry him the same night. I think everything worked out. I have seven sons, six grandsons, one granddaughter; and I am racking up great grandchildren left and right. And now with Hailey being knocked up I am working on great-great grandchildren. Everything is going to work out just fine. I can feel it. Your girl is a fighter.”
“Thank you, gran,” I say kissing her cheek. She really is mysterious woman, but the veil has lifted a bit.
Another two hours goes by and we finally have a plan in place. My uncles gear up and I watch in fascination as they do so. So much gear. I never gave a thought to their jobs before. They just saved people, but so much goes into it. I’ll never take them coming home from a mission for granted again.
Just as we are about to leave, my phone rings.
“It’s Migan,” I say to no one in particular.
“Answer it. I’ll trace it,” Hagan says. I nod and do so.
“Pearl?”
“No. Not your pearl. Migan is mine and you’ll be better off knowing that now.”
“Who is this?” I ask, not really expecting an answer.
“Since you’ll never find us, I see no harm in telling you. I’m Colin and she was my girl first, back in college.”
“Is she okay?” I ask, almost too scared to know the answer.
“Of course she is. She’s better than fine. She’s mine,” He says before hanging up.
Fuck that shit. Migan Danver is mine and I will go to the ends of the Earth to find her. I will be setting it on fire along the way. No one takes what’s mine and lives to tell the tale.
10
Migan
Time is not something I have the luxury of having right now. For all I know I could have been here eight hours already. The only thing keeping me sane is thinking of Torran and our baby. If for no other reason than the fact that I have this innocent defenseless life inside of me. God I miss Torran so much. If I had it to do all over again, I would say yes the moment he uttered the words move in.
Colin has been walking around mumbling to himself for what seems like hours. He is getting more and more agitated, and I am getting more and more scared. I feel like I need to get him talking. Maybe get him to calm down. See me as a person. Isn’t that what they say to do on the ID channel?
“So, what are the plans? Are we going to live here or somewhere else?” He turns to look at me and his face looks totally unhinged. The fear creeping down my spine is real and in full force. This guy could really kill me.
“No my sweet Migan. This was only a stopover point. Tomorrow morning a priest will be here to marry us, and then you and I will be crossing the border in to Canada.”
Oh God. I’m going to be sick. I begin to wretch with dry heaves and start praying I won’t vomit all over myself. I am about to tell him that I need to go to the bathroom when suddenly I hear a shout, a loud pop, and smoke fills the room. I cannot make out anything that’s being said or what is going on. Then out of the smoke, like a fucking G.I. Joe is Torran. My Rekkr.
“Oh God, Pearl. I got you baby. You ok? Let me cut the ties.” I can do nothing but cry I am so happy to see him. The nonsense spilling from my lips as I try to tell him how sorry I am, and thank him for finding me.
“Torran. Thank you for coming for me. I’m so sorry. I love you. I love you.” I say over and over. Sobbing.
“Shhhhh….come on baby. Do you need to go to the hospital?” I shake my head no. I know I probably have a huge nasty bruise on my face, but I feel as good as can be expected. And sense he hadn’t touched me yet, I just want to go home. Torran reads it in my eyes. “Let’s get out of here.” I walk tucked into his side. I need to be shielded from the last few hours. As we walk towards the front door, I see two men who look like his uncles in the living room holding Colin down. I want to watch and see what happens. But when Colin, who has been struggling looks up and sees me, he begins calling my name over and over telling me to stay with him. I want nothing more than to get out of here now.
When we are finally outside and to the car, I stop. I need a second and I need to tell Torran. I am about to blurt out everything when he grabs my hand and slips a ring on my finger.
“Torran?” I ask looking down at my hand.
“I am not fucking asking you Migan. I am telling you, you are going to be my wife. I am done with this back and forth shit. Do you understand? We belong to one another. It's time we make it official.”
“I’m pregnant.” I blurt out. His face is startled at first and then he breaks out in a huge grin.
“Oh Pearl. I am so fucking happy baby. Nothing makes me happier than knowing you are carrying my son. I should warn you, you are only going to get about two weeks to plan a wedding. When I said I was done, I mean DONE.” Who the hell needs two weeks? Not me.
“We could do it tomorrow if you want. I don’t need all of the big trappings. I just need you. You and our life. I love you so much Torran. I am so sorry. I never want to be away from you again.”
“And you never will baby. Come on. Let’s go home.”
“What’s going to happen to Colin?” I ask him as we drive away.
“Exactly what he deserves. But nothing for you to worry about baby.” And like that, I let my Rekkr take away my worries and guard our future.
I fucking love this man.
Epilogue
Torran
Two Weeks Later
She walks towards me in a dress of her own creation. She looks like a princess in all white and lace. She also looks taller. It must be the killer heels she is wearing. Thane, my best friend is standing next to me. He is not paying attention to me at all. Bill is in front of me as her father hands her over to me. I shake his hand.
“Take good care of her,” Mr. Danvers, or George as he insisted I call him says.
“I will,” and that’s a fucking promise.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Torran and Migan in holy matrimony. They have chosen to do a traditional Norse handfasting ceremony. I am honored to bestow the an
cient blessings of our ancestors on my brother and his beloved. This will consecrate your love on a spiritual level. Please interlace your hands together,” Bill says producing the frayed piece of rope.
“This rope has been in our family for generations. Look into each other's eyes and remember all you have experienced together, both the highs and the lows. Think of the joys to come as well. Henceforth, you will be united in partnership and ready to support each other through both the joys and the sorrows. It's now time to fasten your hands together in a deep-seated tradition. This act symbolizes your commitment to your union.” Bill places the rope around our hands several times.
“Just as your hands are bound before us now, so too will your lives become. While this rope will soon be unwrapped, your spirits will forever be joined in unity from this moment forward. Let us acknowledge this special bond you share, and may your relationship be blessed with joy and happiness. First Corinthians chapter thirteen verses three through five tells us that “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs,” we could all do well to remember that.”
The rest of the ceremony passes by in a blur, and the reception does as well.
While Migan is mingling I find Thane at the bar nursing the same scotch he has been all night. Following his line of sight, I see that he is staring at my little sister, Erika, as usual. I walk over to him and signal the bartender for a drink.
“What are you doing over here,” I ask him.
“Just having a drink. Congrats man. Migan seems like a nice girl.”
“She’s the best. So what are you going to do about Erika?”
“I don’t know what you mean?”
“Really? You gonna sit there and tell me that you’re not in love with her?” His spit take is hilarious.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. Everyone knows.”
“Everyone? Does Erika know?”
“Everyone but Erika. You really need to fix your mess,” I say.
“What mess?”
“The mess you made of Erika.”
“Now I really have no idea what you are talking about.”
“You remember telling, oh I don’t know every dude in high school to leave her alone. Well it carried forth to her adulthood. She thinks she is ugly,” I say.
“That’s impossible. How could she possibly think that?”
“No one, and I do mean no one has ever asked her out. She’s thirty-two. She thinks she’s an old maid.”
“Oh fuck. What have I done?”
“Fix it. Whatever held you up you need to get over it.”
“I will.” He leaves the bar and goes over to Erika. Looking around the room, my eyes land on Migan and I gravitate towards her.
After the reception, I am dying to get inside my wife. We leave for the airport immediately. I have arranged a two week stint in Ibiza. It’s not all parties and drugs, but there is a sleepy little village where we will be spending the entire time. It’s less than ten miles from the town. It’s going to be amazing and just what she needs, rest and relaxation.
Eight Months Later
My beautiful wife is in labor. Holding her hand through her contractions as her vocabulary has picked up a notch since we’ve been in here.
“I fucking hate you, Torran. You are never, ever touching me again,” she shouts.
“You’d be surprised what woman say in here, Torran. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
“Thanks Gramps.” Some might think it’s a bit odd that my grandfather is delivering our babies, but he is the best OBGYN in the Midwest and it doesn’t bother Migan, so it doesn’t bother me.
I know better than to say anything to her other than reassuring words of comfort, so I keep holding her hand as she brings our babies into the world. Tova and Tove were born at ten pm. Tova weighed six pounds and Tove weighed five pounds six ounces. When they were placed in my arms, I felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness that I’ve never felt before.
When Migan is back in her room, her whole attitude has changed. It’s amazing how strong she is. I am in awe of her.
“Rekkr, I’m sorry. I know I said some terrible things,” she says with tears welling up in her green eyes.
“Don’t cry. You can say whatever you want to when you are bringing our babies into the world.”
“I love you,” she says pulling me down to her level by shirt and kissing me.
“I love you too. How are you feeling?”
“Amazing. Ready to go home with the girls.”
“That’s good. I think the doctor was saying later this afternoon.”
“Perfect.”
I am very much ready to see what the future has in store for us and our little family.
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to thank my family for being so supportive even though I am often checked out when in the zone. I love you.
To MK Moore. Glad we jumped back on the rollercoaster. So much more to do. So excited!!!!
To Melinda. Your awesome. I love you lady.
Trisha. Keep kicking ass in school. But I am still going to keep you busy.
To Siobhan Royle. I am glad I found you on Facebook. I am excited for our friendship and business relationship to grow. You’re an awesome PA.
ARCangels. You are always ready when the time comes, and your honest feedback is vital to my growth. Thank you so much for your words and willingness to read, review and spread the word.
Last but not least, LIFERS!!!!! Your continued participation, support and fun, is the light for my sometimes dark soul. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
About the Author
ChaShiree M. lives in Chicago Il. With her family.
She believes she has just begun to find her voice in writing and this makes her very excited.
She loves to read in her spare time and when she isn’t doing either of those, she is traveling to different book events with her friends.
She is caring, loyal and sarcastic as hell.
And she loves to meet new people.
You can reach, follow and talk to her with the following links:
FB Page:
https://www.facebook.com/ChasShiree/?ref=bookmarks
FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChasShireeslifers/?ref=bookmarks
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/chashiree-m
Amazon: amazon.com/author/chashireem
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/ChaShiree
Other Books by ChaShiree M.
Birds of Paradise Series
The Life She Left Behind: My Book
The Life She Wished For #2: My Book
Part of the ScentSations Empire Series
Cinnamon: My Book
Part of Cupid’s Aim Series
Love’s Lost Embrace: US: My Book
UK: My Book
AU: My Book
CA: My Book
IN: My Book
Works written with MK Moore
Moosehead Minnesota Series
Marry Grinchmas: My Book
Sterling and Kennedy: My Book
A Rose for Max: My Book
The Time Between Us: My Book
Queen of Hearts Ink Series
Inked Heart: My Book
Inked by Him: My Book
Inked By Her: My Book
Ink My Soul: My Book
The Jorgensen’s
LOKI: My Book
Bill (written by MK Moore)
Hailey
Torran
Other Works by ChaShiree M.
Charity Anthology (Suicide Prevention)
Letting Hope Enter: My Book
Acknowledgments
I want to thank my husband, Daryl. You are so supportive of my dreams and I love you so fucking much for like ever.
Thank you, Mama, for all of your support! I love you.
ChaSh
irree, thanks for writing this series with me!!! #GangBangGirls
Karlee, thank you for being a friend. #GoldenGirls reference. But seriously, thank you!!!! Love you .6 times!!!
JENNY!!! You are the best damn alpha reader a girl could have!
To my arc team, no matter how many arcs I send in a short amount of time you guys pull through! Thank you so much for hanging out with me!
To all of the readers, you guys are the ones that make this possible! Thank you for reading me and taking the time to review. You don’t know how much seeing your words of encouragement help me when I am struggling!
Love Always,
MK
About the Author
MK is married to the love of her life. She lives in Tennessee with her husband. She is an avid reader and loves telling steamy stories she deems filthy contemporary. She loves meeting readers, so come hang out with her!