On the Edge of Love (Mama's Brood Book 1) (39 page)

I lied to you about her birth. My baby girl lived, but I had to let her go. I couldn’t chance her father ever finding me and getting hold of her. I’ll only say he was the man who hurt me in New York, and I won’t say nothing else, except that, more than death, I fear his evil ever touching Briana. Your niece’s name is Briana Samora. Though they love her, her guardians, Mr. and Mrs. Jace, are getting older, and they’re tired. She needs your love, strength, and protection. She’s smart and beautiful, Bree. Just like you in a lot of ways…but don’t let that scare you. I’m smiling when I write that. I know it might seem strange, but I haven’t felt this kind of peace in a long time.

Along with this letter, I’ve also put some legal papers, which include her birth certificate and adoption papers. All that’s needed is your signature on the last. I put some pictures of Briana I’ve gotten over the years, as well as a few letters the Jaces wrote me about her. The Jaces and Briana both have received their own letters. They’ll know you’re coming. I’m praying a lot of things are right in your life. Lord knows I shouldn’t, but I’m praying Ernesto is dead or in prison and don’t ever threaten you or my child. I’m praying her father never finds out about her. I’m praying both of you are happy. I love you, Bree. Don’t ever forget that one truth. I’ve never loved anybody more than I’ve loved you and my little girl.

Until I see you again in the afterlife. Good-bye, Sister.

Sabrina did all she could to protect the photos and papers from the tears rolling down her face. Lowering her head to her knees, she sobbed. It hurt so much. She’d loved her sister so much, and she was gone, and for some reason it felt like she’d lost Sam all over again in this moment.

“You all right?” Bride asked beside her.

She nodded into her lap, unwilling to expose her pain to the other woman. She heard the beeping of a cell phone, and moments later, Bride’s, “Here.”

Sabrina wiped away her tears and looked up. Bride was extending her cell phone toward her.

“Hello,” she said into the phone, her voice barely audible to her own ears.

“Hey.”

Fresh tears spilled down her face. “Hey,” she said as she smiled and sobbed.

There was silence on the other end as grief worked its way through her.

“I’m on my way,” Zeus said as she quieted.

She nodded. “Zeus?”

“Humh?”

“You remember what I said about needing to hold our family close?”

His silence made her wonder if he had, if he would be willing to make family, her family, a priority in his life.

“There a Godzuki inside you?”

Doing what would have been impossible just moments ago, she laughed, pushing a stray loc from her already tear-blurred vision. “I don’t know about a Godzuki just yet, but I have a niece, Zeus, and she’s alive, and she needs us to come get her.”

“Like I said, on my way. And Sabrina… What’s a part of you is a part of me, and I hold on to what’s mine to the death. Thought I’d already proven that.”

“You’ve proven it, big man,” Sabrina assured him. “But you know me and my big woman’s head with stupid woman’s brain chatter. Sometimes it gets in the way of what my gut and my heart have already made clear. You always come through when I need you most, Zeus, and it’s just another reason I love and trust you.”

“You love and trust me.”

“Always.”

“Look here, cousin,” Big Country’s drawled in the background. “This here’s a car. We just got off a plane, and no matter how fast you push this bitch, she ain’t gon’ fly, so believe me when I say, I refuse to die over some foolishness you call love, not today.”

Sabrina smiled. “Stop torturing your Brood mates and get back to me safe.”

“Always,” he said before disconnecting the call.

Loose Id Titles by Shay Rucker

The MAMA’S BROOD Series

On the Edge of Love

Shay Rucker

Shay was infected with an insidious love of romance, fantasy, and horror, early in life. Later her passions grew to include world travel and a preoccupation with the human spirit/experience. Shay is grateful for her fabulous family and friends who have accepted and nurtured both her darkness and her light.