Chapter 25
Ledger
“How is her job not done yet?” Anani groaned.
I could see her through the window, both of us sitting in the car as rain poured down. Inside of the small craft shop, our little mate was gracing the area with her charm. She had these cute white jean overalls on, with a bright shirt and these little gym shoes. It should have been goofy looking but somehow she looked stunning with brown waves cascading around her face gently. I could see paint splattering her skin as she worked with a group of little kids.
“Seeing her with kids is killing me,” I muttered.
“Right?” Anani growled, “I could just fucking imagine her dancing around our kitchen one day with our kids.”
“Dude,” I muttered, “stop.”
“You know we haven’t had a boring day since Maya came into our life,” Anani mused trying to be light hearted about the recent shit show. “You think it will always be like this?”
I shrugged, “maybe?”
Both of us froze as a large dark truck pulled up next to us, the side front door painted with a large cross. My eyes narrowed on the glass, seeing the reflection of it being a Louisiana license plate. I shared a look with my brother and both of us were out immediately, my eyes narrowing on the driver's seat.
Maya looked up as the two of us entered into the shop. Jordan’s grandma looked up at us and it was odd that she was human, but apparently she wasn’t her biological grandma. Something about her mother’s stepmom.
“Hey guys,” Maya grinned. “You’re here early.”
“Just missed you,” Anani stated as I kissed her forehead.
“Is that your husband?” A little girl chirped, “my mom just got a new husband.”
“Oh wow,” I muttered and then the door chime rang out from someone entering.
Maya’s head snapped over there and immediately the color drained from her face and her eyes darkened. I frowned and turned to find a tall, pale man standing in the doorway, dressed in all black with a dark hat.
“Can we help you?” Clara asked, looking defensive because of Maya’s reaction.
“Maya?” The man spoke his voice thick and angry. I watched as he took off his hat and Maya’s eyes went massive, her breathing quickening.
“Pastor Malcolm?” She whispered.
Wait, what?
“Clara?” I turned to look at her. She nodded and I pulled Maya into me as Anani stepped forward slightly.
“Who the hell are you?” My brother bit out in a low tone.
I knew that Maya said it was her father, well, technically. But this man had white blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked nothing like her and the anger on his face was one that had me growling.
“I’m her father,” he smirked and then looked at her. “Her father, who had no idea where she was until he turned on the television. Come on girl, back to Louisiana with you.”
I could see Clara bringing the children into the back craft room to make space for whatever the fuck this was. Maya shook your head and whispered, “mother said you were dead.”
“Your mother was a whore who took you from the safety of the church,” he hissed out. “Look where you are now child, working and with two strange men. Plastered all over Hollywood like some cheap whore.”
“They aren’t strange,” she murmured, looking nearly shocked and terrified. “I’m not going with you, father. I don’t have to anymore.”
“Like hell you don’t,” he growled.
“She’s eighteen,” I stated softly as his eyes sharpened.
“Do you have your birth certificate to prove that?” He grinned, showing off three gold teeth.