Drowning to Breathe by A. L. Jackson

interaction, Anthony witnessed it, too. The beauty and life. Something pure in her shining light on this wicked world.
    “Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
    “How are you this morning?” I murmured.
    A weak smile lifted just one side as she looked up at me, her voice hoarse from the many tears she’d shed last night. “As well as can be expected. I’m just ready to get started on whatever we need to do to get her back.”
    Anthony nodded reassuringly. “We have a meeting with the attorney at nine. Kenny assured me he is the best family attorney in Savannah. We’ll be on this first thing and we won’t stop until Kallie is back safely in your arms.”
    “Damn right, we won’t.”
    Shea and I both jerked our heads to find the source of the voice coming from behind us.
    Ash.
    He slanted a cocky grin Shea’s way, dude all dimples and rumpled blond hair.
    Lyrik and Zee bounded downstairs behind him, Lyrik dragging a shirt over the mess of black on his head, Zee watching with the unique concern that followed him wherever he went.
    Didn’t miss that my baby brother edged down the stairs, too. Lagging. Slower than the rest. Wearing that same damned hoodie like maybe he was pretending he could hide away.
    Still, he was here. Present.
    A partner to my fucked-up family.
    Anthony’s eyes widened in surprise. “Uh, you guys do realize it’s not even seven in the morning? Don’t think I’ve seen any of you even cracking open an eye before noon in all the years I’ve known you.”
    Ash just grinned. “No chance in hell we’re going to sleep away the day when we have business to take care of. And by business, I mean taking that motherfucker Jennings down. We were all there and know exactly what went down that day. Not about to stand for that kind of bullshit.”
    Zee came forward and leaned his forearms on the island. He clasped his hands together as he looked up at us. “Yeah, man. You know whatever we can do…whatever we can say…we’ll be there. We know where Kallie belongs.”
    Shea drew in a sharp breath, like she was gaining strength from their encouragement, each word building a steel armor of courage.
    Lyrik lifted his chin toward Ash and Zee as he rolled into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. “Like they said, whatever you need, it’s done.”
    Silently, Austin made his way in, too, surrounding us like the rest. He seemed agitated, which wasn’t abnormal for him. But still, he cast me a look like he was telling me it was a good damned thing I’d finally come to my senses.
    That walking away from Shea wasn’t ever gonna be the noble choice.
    Not when this girl needed me.
    Ash hooked his arm around Shea’s neck and dropped a swift kiss to her head. “See. You don’t have to worry about a thing, darlin’. We’ve got this covered.”
    “Thank you,” she said on a broken breath.
    “Watch it, man,” I warned, letting a chuckle slide. “That’s my girl you’re kissing on.”
    Ash smirked. “What? Good friends share and all of that.”
    I reached around Shea and punched at his shoulder. “Not on your life, asshole.”
    A giggle slipped from Shea, all self-conscious and shy and every shade of perfect, and those expressive eyes peeked up at me, swimming with faith, hope, and beauty.
    My life.
    I turned and gathered her face between my hands. I pressed the softest kiss to that even softer mouth.
    Anthony cleared his throat. “I think that settles it then.” He let his gaze fall on Shea. “Let’s get your daughter back.”

MARTIN JENNINGS SAT ON the witness stand. Dark eyes gleamed back at me, the man intent to control my gaze as I faced him from where I sat at the table next to my attorney.
    The way he’d always attempted to control me.
    His expression conveyed every threat he’d ever dealt me, all under the guise of concerned parent.
    “You are mine now.”
    “I always get what I want, no matter the means to attain it. You’d be wise not to forget it.”
    “I will