XXXIX. Fears

Zuri watched the clock between feeding the twins and cutting up tomatoes. "Where is your father? He shouldn't have taken that long to get flour."

Erik burst through the side door. "I'm sorry I am late."

"Where were you?"

"There was a long line at the market. Zuri we have trouble."

"What?"

"I think your father knows we are here."

"How?"

"I don't know but we are going to have to lay low for a while. I am glad we kept Antoinette's last name and that you and I use the Italian versions of our names when we are out."

"Me too."

"Zuri. Why are you crying?" He asked her as he finally noticed her tears.

"You could have been hurt. Don't do that again."

He gently hugged her then kissed her cheek. "It's alright sweetness. Everything will be fine." She shook in his arms as he attempted to calm her down. "Everything will be fine." He repeated.

"Erik. Please be careful. I don't want to lose you."

"You won't. I'll be fine. Now let us think about something else."

She nodded then turned back to cutting the tomatoes.

Zuri looked as if she was reading a book but in reality she could not stop thinking about Erik and her children's safety. She watched her husband hold the twins while Aya slept on his lap. She thought about what she would have to do if the time came and her family was in trouble.

"Sweetness?"

"Hmm."

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

"I just am thinking about my father."

"Don't worry. We'll figure things out, even if we have to move somewhere else."

"This is ridiculous! I'm not going to move and he can't force me to marry anyone I don't want to."

"I won't let him either."

Zuri nodded then watched the fire and felt a sudden hatred rise up in her that she never knew before. She vowed that she would keep her family safe no matter what the cost.

Author's Note: I am going to be gone till Sunday, so I will not update till then. Hope you enjoy the chapters I uploaded.