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“Can I hold hiently scoops Gabriel up in her arms She holds hi hiently and looks at et a chance There's no on't be seeing each other again soon There's no way I could go long before cuddling this little angel” She grabs ht

I'veher again I knoon't be easy Her husband is a et away from him as soon as she can to come to see Gabe and me

“I love you, Marnie You will be careful; won't you?”

“I love you, too, and this little ain “Don't worry about me”

“It's hard not to worry about you, Marnie Your husband is a monster”

“Hey,” She says softly “I can handle Paul” She can't She may think she can, but she really can't That man has put her in the hospital before now He's hurt her so badly in the past I thought I'd lose her Hank didn't even care He told me, ‘That's what happens when you misbehave’

I want to tell Marnie to stay here withcan happen to her if she's here with us, but I know she won't take the help My sister thinks she can handle Paul by herself, and she would never put anyone else in his angry path Even though I want to force this, I won'tdeal out of it because I don't want to make her mad, she'd leave here upset, and I won't do that to her It wouldn't keep her away frouilty

Why does life have to be so hard?

Why can't my sister find happiness as I have?

Maybe one day she'll be brave enough to leave that o out in the world and find her happy ever after

I hope

I'd give anything to see her truly happy

Anything

Chapter Fourteen

Hawk

She sure told you” Trace laughs

“She sure has some fire in her belly” CueBall knocks back his whiskey, then slaood wife”

“Pity she'slook That wasn't his story to tell!

CueBall turns his eyes to et what's co to him A woman with that much passion and fire ain't as beat down as her old irl is a force to be reckoned with – one her jackass husband'll wish he'd never fucked with” With that, he turns back to the bar and pours himself another drink

Wrench looks atwith everyone else around the bar, laughs

My eyes are drawn to Brooke and Marnie as they co sht I love the smile on Brooke's face It's just beautiful to see

I know she's going to be happy here withwill always beis Marnie Until Marnie is away from the husband of hers, safe and happy, Brooke never truly will be

“I'irls I want her toyourher ar my arm around her shoulder and pull her to me

I kiss her plush lips “Go ahead, beautiful, I'll be right here waiting when you're done”

“Will you listen out for Gabe, and yell if he needs me?”