Chapter 76: Chapter 7

NATE

As the sun peeks over the horizon, my phone buzzes with a message. The guys are downstairs, Charles included. I’ve noticed his lingering glances at petite blondes, but he hasn’t found his match yet. Not until now, at least.

I dial Murray’s number to check if they’re up. Murray and his wife are awake, but Connie is still in dreamland. They invite us over for breakfast.

I warn them that we’re seven big guys, but Murray just laughs and tells us to come anyway. I spring out of bed, quickly shower, and suit up. I send a group text telling everyone to gather by the cars.

As I approach, I see Charles leaning against a car, his gaze fixed on the ground. He straightens up as soon as he sees me. “Guess what, we found your girl! Ready to meet her?”

His eyes sparkle with excitement, but I also see tears welling up. We all pile into the cars and head to the address we were given. We pull up to a local farm, where Murray is waiting for us on the porch.

As we approach, I notice Charles scanning the area, probably looking for Connie. I can’t help but chuckle as we greet Murray. “Can’t thank you enough for stepping in to protect our girl! We were clueless about what was happening. She’ll be out soon, breakfast is almost ready.”

“We’re just glad she’s okay. We brought someone for her to meet. We’re the Maxwells from Maxwell Industries, from the next state over. We have an employee we think she should meet.”

I gesture for Charles to step forward. Murray scrutinizes him, then his face lights up. “Charles? Charles Benson? Is that you?”

Charles just stares at him in shock. Just then, the screen door creaks open and Connie steps out. Charles drops to his knees as tears stream down his face.

Connie’s face lights up and she runs into his arms. Murray laughs. “Told you two you’d end up together! Mabel! That Benson boy is here! He’s come back for our Connie!”

We hear footsteps and the screen door swings open again. “Charles? Oh my God, Charles, it’s really you! Hold on, let me serve breakfast. Come in and eat!”

CONNIE

When Dad told me the Maxwells were coming over, I didn’t know what to think. I was grateful they intervened when they did. I knew my ex’s behavior was wrong, but he always apologized.

It’s the classic abusive relationship. But that’s over now. I’ve had to block his number because he keeps texting me, begging me to come back. I’ll have to figure out how to get my stuff from his place.

I hear cars pulling up. They’re here. I quickly shower, get dressed, and head downstairs. Through the screen door, I see a familiar face.

Charles Benson. We were high school sweethearts, but his parents disapproved of me, the hillbilly girl from the wrong side of town. After graduation, we moved because Dad got a new job.

I’ve thought about Charles every day since. He looks amazing in his suit. And he’s carrying guns?

What kind of business is he in? Whatever it is, he’s taken good care of himself. I step outside, tears welling up in my eyes.

He drops to his knees, crying. I can’t stand it anymore. I run to him and jump into his arms.

I cling to him, praying he won’t disappear again. Everyone else goes inside, but we stay outside, me in his lap. I pull back to look into his eyes, then I kiss him.

His hand finds its way into my hair. I can’t get enough. I pull away, resting my forehead against his, trying to catch my breath.

“Please, Charles, don’t leave me again. I’ll go wherever you go.” He pulls back and smiles at me.

“Baby, I’m never leaving you again. You’re mine.” He stands up and reaches into his pocket.

He pulls out a ring. I can only stare as he takes my hand and gets down on one knee. “Connie, the day my parents made us break up was the worst day of my life. I was so angry and depressed, I couldn’t think straight.

“I’ve thought about you every day since, and what I should have done differently. I should have fought for you. Now I’m here to fix my mistake.

“I’ve carried this ring since high school, waiting for this day. Will you marry me and be my girl forever?”

Tears stream down my face as I nod.

He slips the ring onto my finger, then lifts me up and spins me around. He sets me down and kisses me. Nothing else matters now.

We’re so caught up in the moment, we don’t notice people coming outside. We hear a throat clear and see my dad standing there. Charles quickly lets go of me and rushes over to him, apologizing.

“I’m so sorry, sir! I got caught up in the moment and didn’t ask. May I have your permission to marry your daughter? I promise I’ll treat her right. She’ll be my queen.”

Dad smirks and pats Charles on the shoulder. “Of course, son! I know if you step out of line, you’ll have people to answer to!” I run over and hug my dad, then grab Charles’s hand and head inside for breakfast.

“I’ll grab my stuff from here, but most of it is at my ex’s place. How can we get it?” Nate, Caden, and Jessie exchange smirks.

Nate turns to Charles. “Hey Charles, want to pay a visit to the guy we caught manhandling your girl last night?”

I look down at my lap as Charles turns to me. He lifts my chin so I’m looking at him, then he turns to Nate. “Oh yeah, let’s pay that piece of shit a visit!”

Everyone’s grinning as we finish our meal and start to prepare for departure. I embrace my parents, assuring them I’ll call once I’m settled. They return the hug, enveloping both Charles and me, before we head to the SUV, setting off toward my ex-boyfriend’s place.

We navigate through the town, eventually arriving at an apartment complex. His car is parked outside, a clear sign he’s home. We make our way over, grateful that we’re on the ground floor and don’t have to deal with the noise of seven men clambering upstairs.

As I reach for the door with my keys, I hear sounds from inside. It’s a noise that, oh God, I hope isn’t what I think it is. I glance at Charles, tears welling up in my eyes.

He gives me a nod, and I quickly unlock the door, flinging it open. Seth hastily disentangles himself from a girl on the couch as the guys rush in, grabbing him, sitting him down, and tossing him a blanket.

I rush to gather my belongings, stuffing them into suitcases. Nate and Jessie join me, lending a hand. In less than ten minutes, all my stuff is packed and being hauled out to the cars.

I reenter the living room, where Seth and the terrified girl are still seated.

“Wow! Less than twenty-four hours and you’re already sleeping with someone else! Listen, girl, unless you want to get beaten every day, get out while you can!”

“Shut the fuck up, bitch!”

Before I can retort, Charles pulls out his gun, pressing it to Seth’s forehead.

“Say one more fucking thing, you piece of shit! Say one more goddamn thing! You know what, fuck it!”

He reholsters his gun and starts pummeling Seth. One of the guys pulls the girl out of the way, shielding her so she can get dressed. Nate, Caden, and Jessie watch, smirking.

They see my face, but when I look to them for intervention, they shake their heads. Nate leans in, whispering to me.

“Let him get his hits in. He won’t kill him, but he’ll leave a memory of what happens when he messes with the wrong girl.”

I can only stare, wide-eyed, as Charles finally stops, panting heavily as he backs away. He turns to me, pulling me into his arms, his breathing gradually slowing.

We stand there for a few moments, and when he lifts his head, I look up at him.

“Connie, baby, I will never lay a hand on you! All I want is to love you and spoil you. Once we get to our place, I want to take you shopping for anything you want.”

I manage a smile and a nod as we leave the apartment. I leave my key behind, locking the door behind us.

The girl is nowhere to be seen as we depart, and Seth is already sitting up, lighting a cigarette. I know he’ll survive.

We load up and embark on a long journey to the next state. When we pull into a town, our car stops at a car lot.

Charles gets out and heads over to a black Escalade. He checks it out, then goes inside.

About twenty minutes later, he emerges with keys and paperwork, driving it over so the guys can transfer my stuff.

“From here, we’re heading to my apartment so you can get settled and rest! Then we’ll go shopping!”

I smile and express my gratitude to everyone. I rush over to the SUV and climb in.

Charles follows, and we set off to start our new life together. The life we should have had from the start.