The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.

by Mj Fields

  ���Come on Maddox,��� Emma pulled his hand.

  Maddox���s glacial stare bore through piercing Brody���s already tormented heart, ���Thank you Mom.���

  He turned away from Brody and followed Emma.

  * * *

  Emma walked down the stairs, and Tessa was laughing with Brody and Collin were not happy.

  ���Collin it���s cute, she likes him,��� Tessa giggled again.

  ���There���s nothing cute about my daughter liking any boy, or hitting him Tessa,��� Collin growled.

  Tessa looked at Collin, and he closed his eyes to try not to react to her.

  ���She���s a senior,��� Tessa goaded.

  ���I���m well aware of what she is Tessa. She is too damn young to be losing it over a boy, and if you continue trying to piss me off I will������ Collin stopped and let out an exasperated breath.

  ���Throw me over your shoulder and spank me?��� Tessa smiled broadly at him.

  ���See damn you, that���s where she gets it,��� Collin gave a warning glare and Brody laughed out loud.

  ���Oh no, you don���t, I have been with two people in my life, let���s talk about who������ Tessa started, and Collin grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder and stormed towards their bedroom.

  Tessa laughed and waved, ���Goodnight Emma and Brody.���

  Emma looked at Brody, ���Are you okay?���

  Brody looked up and grabbed her hugging her tightly. ���I am, are you Em? Are you feeling alright?���

  Emma looked up at him and smiled, ���I feel better, but you look like something is bugging you, is it Maddox, I don���t think he���s really mad at you I just think������

  Brody kissed Emma and pulled back and held his forehead against hers, ���I love you so damn much.���

  Emma smiled, ���I love you too.���

  ���I���m exhausted, could we go up to bed?��� Brody asked not waiting for an answer and took her hand.

  They walked into the bedroom, and he held her tightly. ���So much Em.���

  Emma rubbed her hands through his hair. ���I woke up naked and alone, I���m not sure you really love me that much.���

  Brody smiled, ���I left to get aloe and came back, and you were asleep.���

  ���You didn���t wake me?��� Emma asked.

  ���I rubbed aloe on you and kissed you a bit, you didn���t wake up. I figured I should let you sleep.��� Brody yawned.

  Emma giggled, ���Let���s sleep.���

  ���Are you sure you don���t want������ Brody started.

  ���I was drunk,��� Emma turned bright red.

  ���But you remember?��� Brody asked concerned.

  ���Of course, but���I had too much to drink I wouldn���t,��� Emma let out a breath and pushed her head in his chest, ���Can we sleep?���

  ���Of course,��� Brody kissed her. ���There���s nothing I wouldn���t do for you or to you. There���s nothing to be embarrassed about Em.���

  ���But I am so could we stop talking about it?��� she scowled looking down and ashamed.

  ���Yes,��� Brody pulled the covers down and she climbed in bed.

  He laid next to her and pulled her into his arms and rubbed her back until she fell asleep.

  * * *

  Harper walked outside and sat by the water and cried. Ava was mad at her, her father was mad at her, she was sure Emma and Brody hated her. Maddox hated her, she told him she hated him, and she pushed him and hurt him. She wanted desperately to turn back time, to take it all back. She stood up and walked into the water and sat, it was cold, but she didn���t care, she laid down and looked up at the night sky desperately seeking a fix to her predicament.

  Maddox walked quietly onto the deck, and down the stairs, he took a deep breath and started towards the beach. The moonlight reflected on the water, and he saw something that looked like a body in the water, he walked closer and saw that it was. He dropped his bag and ran quickly into the water and grabbed her.

  ���Harper what are you doing?��� He screamed taking her head in his hands and pulling her up into him.

  He held her tightly against him, and she shook from the chilly night air against her wet skin.

  ���I���m so sorry, I didn���t mean to hurt you. I don���t hate you Maddox,��� Harper sobbed. ���I was scared that you could have died, and I ���Maddox I don���t hate you. I think���I was so scared hearing the things she said to you and mad that you didn���t tell someone and confused about feelings.���

  ���Okay you are shaking let���s get you out of the water.��� Maddox was scared. ���Why are you in the water?���

  ���I don���t know,��� Harper wiped her face and stood up.

  He grabbed his bag and pulled out a sweatshirt. ���Here, take that off and put this on.��� Harper looked at him confused. ���Your shirt Harper, its wet, and you are cold, change it.���

  Harper turned around and lifted her shirt, and he put the dry one over her head. She pulled it down and turned around, ���Thank you.���

  ���Okay now you should go inside, go to bed before you get in trouble.��� Maddox looked towards the house, and Collin was storming towards them.

  Tessa ran out behind him throwing on a pair of shorts.

  ���Shit,��� Harper whispered and started to laugh.

  Maddox looked at her like she was crazy and she laughed harder.

  ���Stop laughing,��� Maddox pleaded quietly.

  ���Collin stop,��� Tessa yelled, and he did not, she ran in front of him and pushed on his chest. ���Stop and cool down, now Collin.���

  ���Our daughter was just shirtless Tessa,��� Collin snapped. ���With a fucking boy!���

  Tessa looked at him and raised her eyebrow, ���Okay that���s a problem, but one we will discuss and not jump to conclusions alright?���

  ���I am not in the mood to be calm Tessa,��� Collin sneered.

  ���Take a walk then,��� Tessa demanded. He looked at her as if she had gone mad, ���Take a walk Collin!���

  He turned in frustration and walked down the beach.

  Tessa motioned for Harper and Maddox and walked towards them. She saw a bag sitting on the beach and grabbed it, ���Come on you two.���

  Tessa and the kids sat on the deck. Collin returned the same time Brody and Emma walked out.

  ���You guys want to have a seat?��� Tessa smiled softly at them. Collin gave her a dirty look. ���Save it, I���m pissed at you too now pal.���

  ���Excuse me?��� Collin gasped.

  Tessa rolled her eyes at him. ���Harper was upset and went and laid in the water. Maddox walked out here with a backpack full of things, he isn���t talking, but I have my suspicions.���

  ���Maddox what���s going on?��� Brody asked.

  ���Why don���t you tell us Dad, you and him,��� Maddox scowled.

  ���Okay I���m confused,��� Brody shook his head.

  ���The door was opened, he heard you two,��� Harper clarified.

  ���Gee thanks Harper,��� Maddox snapped.

  ���I thought it was okay,��� Harper said sadly.

  ���What are they talking about Brody?��� Emma asked nervously.

  ���Em, I was waiting until tomorrow, or today now. I want to talk to you, but not l
ike this,��� Brody grabbed her hands.

  ���He is going back to England,��� Maddox snapped.

  ���Wow Maddox, come on this ������ Brody started.

  ���No, this is about me too! None of you would be in danger. Rebecca wouldn���t have come looking for me������ Maddox stopped. ���I want to leave and I was going to take care of things, but Harper, damn it!���

  ���Maddox, this isn���t something you can take care of.��� Brody took his hand, but Maddox pulled it away.

  ���I���m what they want, to keep quiet, that���s it!��� Maddox yelled.

  Collin sat and looked at Brody and then Tessa, ���Maddox this isn���t your fault, this has everything to do with a delusional������

  ���Ross where is my daughter?��� Lucas Links stormed onto the deck.

  ���Luke what are you doing?��� Tessa stood up.

  ���My daughter called hysterical asking me to come and get her, where the fuck is she?��� Lucas snapped.

  ���You need to watch your tone with my wife Links,��� Collin stood.

  ���I fucking told you twenty years ago Tessa that this asshole was no good for you,��� Lucas clenched his jaw.

  ���Lucas, pull it together,��� Tessa warned.

  ���Fuck that! Tessa, she called me crying, do you have any idea what it���s like…��� he stopped and took a deep breath.

  ���Why didn���t you call?��� Tessa asked standing up and walking towards him.

  ���What are you thinking Tessa?��� Lucas gasped and shook his head.

  ���I think you������ Tessa started.

  ���Harper would you go tell Ava I���m here please?��� Lucas looked past Tessa. ���If she���s in any sort of danger Tessa, I swear to God������

  ���Your daughter���s not in danger, Lucas sit please,��� Tessa said calmly.

  ���I don���t want to sit,��� Lucas scowled.

  ���Okay, please trust me,��� Tessa said looking down.

  ���You I can, them not so much,��� Lucas whispered looking towards Brody. ���He���s all over the news Tessa, people are dropping like flies around him.���

  ���What did Ava say?��� Tessa asked calmly.

  ���That Harper went ape shit on the boy and told her it was none of her damn business,��� Lucas snarled. ���So whatever the hell is going on here Tessa, I never would have allowed her to come if I knew they were here.���

  ���Lucas she is upset because she and Harper are fighting, they did nothing wrong. Trust me when I tell you that,��� Tessa said softly.

  ���My daughter���s life Tessa, every part of it is my business, this was a really bad call on your part. She���s mine so I���ll make decisions for her, not you got it?��� Lucas glared at her.

  ���I am sorry,��� Tessa looked down. ���But you don���t get to talk to me like that anymore Lucas.���

  ���Someone needs to, your ass would have been better off with me than wrapped up in this kind of shit,��� Lucas snapped.

  ���That���s enough Links,��� Collin walked towards them. ���Your daughter is perfectly safe here, and as far as Tessa goes and where she would have been better off, that was twenty years ago. I can guarantee I could kick your������

  ���Alright enough,��� Tessa whispered loudly.

  ���No, Tessa he just crossed a line, a particularly faded old line,��� Collin snapped at him.

  ���I will protect what���s mine, maybe you should think about shit like that before bringing other people���s children into harm���s way,��� Lucas glared at Collin.

  ���From the day your family was here visiting Links, when I was piecing this shit together, you have been well protected.��� Collin glared at him, ���Your whole family.���

  ���You���ve been watching us?��� Lucas gasped.

  ���No��� I haven���t,��� Collin looked away.

  ���Okay Dr. Dick, you���ve had someone watching us?��� Lucas clarified.

  Collin looked at Tessa, ���There have been people in town.���

  ���What the fuck Tessa, do you see what ���fuck it, where is she?��� Lucas looked around.

  Harper looked up, ���Dad should I go get her?���

  Lucas laughed an angry laugh.

  ���Please Harper,��� Collin nodded.

  ���Fucking robots,��� Lucas looked at Tessa. ���I���m so sorry that this is your life.���

  Tessa slapped him across the face, and he gasped. ���Don���t talk about my family like that ever again.���

  Collin���s jaw dropped and Tessa wiped away the tears that were now falling.

  ���Are you okay Daddy?��� Ava hugged him.

  ���Yes, let���s get out of here. Unbelievable Tessa Ross,��� Luke said softly.

  ���I���m sorry, Ava���Lucas���I���m sorry,��� Tessa covered her mouth and turned away.

  Collin opened his arms, and she walked into them, ���What did I do?���

  ���It���s okay beautiful,��� Collin kissed her head. ���It���ll all be fine.���

  They sat down, and Collin looked up, ���So we have a lot to discuss.���

  ���Mom, did you date him?��� Harper asked.

  ���In high school a long time ago,��� Tessa sat up.

  ���Good morning.��� CJ, Tessa and Collin���s son walked out. ���So Lucas was here?���

  ���Yes and Mom dated him in high school,��� Harper laughed.

  ���She lived with him after high school,��� CJ laughed.

  ���MOM!��� Harper scolded.

  ���Okay enough,��� Tessa warned. ���Both of you, where���s Matthew? CJ, go get him.���

  ���Collin whatever it is we all need to know,��� Tessa looked at him.

  Collin looked at Brody, ���You want to do this?���

  ���No, but I have no other choice, not when my sixteen year old son thinks he���s responsible to take care of us,��� Brody scolded him. ���Em I���m so sorry, there���s no other way.���

  Emma looked away from him, and Maddox held her hand.

  Collin watched Brody growing angry, ���This will be a quick in and out mission.���

  ���It���s not a mission Collin,��� Tessa said when she saw Emma begin to shake.

  ���Fine, we���re going to end this shit once and for all. Have a seat boys.��� Collin motioned for his sons to sit. ���We���ll leave in the morning, all of us. You���ll be going home. Emma and the kids will be staying there with you. Tomas will stay as well. Brody and I are going to England to assist the London police to bring down the person behind his disappearance as well as those selling children into slavery. This is nothing new to me, our work has always been about empowering people in third world countries so that they could fight against this type of thing and keep their families safe. Those in countries like ours are pretty ignorant in thinking this doesn���t happen here. Emma knows this first hand, her sister was a victim of human trafficking. I can promise you we will come home, and I���m pretty confident it will be before the first day of your senior year.���

  ���Is it Bo?��� Emma whispered.

  ���We think so, yes,��� Brody looked at her trying to hold her eyes with his.

&nb
sp; ���We just have to figure out why Em, this has to stop okay?��� Brody tried to remain calm.

  Emma looked at Collin, ���You���ll both come home?���

  ���I would never leave a man behind Emma.���

  ���I need to call my parents,��� Emma stood up.

  ���I can Emma, I can talk to Henry,��� Brody followed her.

  Emma held her hand up stopping him, ���Go get Maddox through this.���

  Emma walked away, and Brody watched her.

  ���I have work to do beautiful,��� Collin kissed Tessa and walked inside.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Maddox watched as everyone played on the beach. CJ and Matthew were amazing with London, and so were all the other cousins. He wanted to sleep, and he really wanted to cut himself, do something to release the pain. He looked at Emma who was avoiding Brody at all costs, he knew she was hurt and scared. He walked to the lighthouse and sat on the rocks.

  ���Penny for your thoughts?��� Emma sat next to him.

  ���I���m so sorry, I really wish that I���This is because of me,��� Maddox looked at her.

  ���Maddox its not. It���s because of Bo. It���s not your fault or Brody���s,��� Emma rubbed his back.

  ���But you’re mad at him,��� Maddox said softly.

  Emma smiled and giggled, ���Well aren���t we a couple of fools?���

  Maddox looked at her bemused and she laughed, and he laughed too.

  ���You���re so angry with Harper because she was trying to keep you safe and I���m mad at Brody for the same reason,��� Emma laughed.

  Maddox thought for a moment and smiled at her, ���I���ve never had these feelings. And I know this is all my fault.���

  ���It isn���t Maddox, just so you know, regardless of everything that���s happened I would never ever choose a different direction in fear that the path wouldn���t have brought us to you. I love you so much Maddox,��� Emma hugged him tightly, and he hugged her back.

  ���Are you scared?��� Maddox whispered.

  ���Truth, yes terrified, but I know he���ll come home to us,��� Emma pulled away and looked into his eyes.