“They did that for me? We hardly knew one another then,” she whispered.
“You have that instant effect on people. Look at me, if I could have a daughter, I’d want her to be like you,” Freda admitted as her eyes welled up with tears now, too.
Mariana stared at her a moment then stood up and walked over toward Freda. She knelt down and took Freda’s hand into her own.
“You’ve done so much for me, Freda. None of this would be happening right now if you hadn’t offered me the escort job.”
“I saw the way that Jax and Jameson looked at you that night at Roldolpho’s and I knew that you were meant for them. They’ve been alone for so long. They’ve both had hard lives and sad experiences. They closed off t
heir hearts to affection until seeing you.”
“I’m scared, Freda. I’ve had my share of heartache. I lost my mother who really wasn’t much of one and I lost the one man I thought loved me. I’m afraid to get hurt. I don’t want to think about what could happen if this doesn’t work out between me, Jameson, and Jax.”
“I think it will work out fine, because it’s meant to be. The sooner you realize that you’re no longer alone in this world the better.”
“But if it doesn’t work out, I’ll never be the same. No man will ever compare to Jax and Jameson.”
“That feeling inside is natural. No one wants to get hurt or to feel loss. But if you hide from the risks in life and in love, then you never get to experience the power of it. Give them a chance. Worse case, if it doesn’t work out, you have me,” Freda said as a tear rolled down her cheek.
“Oh, Freda,” Mariana said then hugged her tightly. “We’ll have each other,” Mariana whispered, and Freda felt both relief and happiness. Mariana meant more to her than she would ever know.
* * * *
“No, Jax, I am not moving in with you and Jameson.” Mariana stomped her foot as she stood in Freda’s study along with Jax, Jameson, Freda, and Alvin.
“You are and that is final,” Jax stated firmly then stood up as if he had the last word and they were now leaving because he said so.
“No. You have no right to make that decision for me just as you had no right to tell Freda that I am no longer working as an escort. That is my income and I have bills to pay.”
“Not anymore,” Jameson added as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and stared down at her.
Mariana growled. “What are you talking about? I have college loans to pay and other things. Like rent and bills and—”
“They are all paid for as of thirty minutes ago,” Jax said, and Mariana nearly fainted.
“What?” she exclaimed, raising her voice.
“They are. Now, you have a choice, we can stop by your apartment and grab some clothes or the company we hired to do it will grab everything and bring it over to our penthouse. Your choice.”
She was so confused. She knew they cared for her, but this was insane. She owed a lot of money. They covered eighty thousand like it was a few hundred bucks. They got her heat turned on in her apartment building because they didn’t want her to be cold. They didn’t want her working because they wanted to take care of her. Was this a fairy tale come true or a nightmare that would explode in her face with time?
“Say good-bye to Freda and Alvin. We’re going home now,” Jax whispered.
Mariana looked at Freda who smiled at her, and Alvin looked about to burst into laughter.
“You think this is funny?” she barked, and Alvin and his expression changed and now he looked stern, too.
“Do as your men say. They care for you and getting out of that neighborhood sounds great to me.” With that, Alvin walked out of the room.
Mariana was in shock. Even Alvin didn’t like her neighborhood and seemed angry that she lived there.
“You call me later about the jobs next weekend.”
“She’s done, Freda,” Jameson interrupted.
“I will let you know. Thank you for everything.” Mariana hugged Freda good-bye then followed Jax from her home. She was trying to think of what to say to Jax and Jameson as they got into their Range Rover.
As they headed out for the nice area of Houston, she knew they were headed toward her apartment building.