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along with
    Anna.
    “I told them I had money stashed in my room. I said I would give
    them the money I had and that I would get the rest of the money my
    dad owed them as soon as I could. They believed me, but when they
    asked how much, and I told them a few thousand…” Anna paused.
    The tears began to streak down her cheeks as she locked gazes with
    Stacy.
    “Yes?” Stacy asked.
    “My father called me a bitch and hit me.”
    Stacy covered her mouth with her hand in shock. No wonder she’s
    so scared. How could she ever trust anyone again?
    “I knew he didn’t love me. It was the final straw. He was going to
    let them take me. He only cared about the money I made and
    supporting him. There was no love there.
    “I quickly headed into my room, closed the door, and prayed they
    didn’t follow me. The one guy wanted to break me in. I was afraid he
    was going to do it right there in the bedroom while my father and the
    other guy stood outside the door. I grabbed the money I had left and
    climbed out the window. By the grace of god, I climbed the fire
    escape and jumped the last twelve feet or so. I ran until I caught a cab
    and headed to the airport. You know the rest.”
    Stacy took Anna’s hand and squeezed it.
    “I love you so much, Anna. I’m so sorry that he hurt you and that
    those men hurt you. I promise that you’ll be safe here. I know the men
    will protect you. You don’t have to run anymore.”
    Anna wiped the tears from her eyes and held her ribs.

    66
    Dixie Lynn Dwyer
    “I don’t know if the men will try to find me. They were dead set
    on making me theirs. They were very evil, very bad men. My father
    obviously can’t be trusted, and he could give them your address or
    name. I can’t bring this to your home. I won’t put you in danger,
    Stacy.”
    “Nonsense! These are Texas cowboys, and they’re a helluva lot
    tougher than any city gangsters or thugs. Plus, Wyatt is a real badass,
    never mind my Max and the others. Wyatt has connections in New
    York, and Charlie was in the Marines. You can’t get better protection
    than that.”
    “I don’t feel right coming here and interrupting their lives, Stacy.
    They don’t have to fight my battles. Someone could get hurt.”
    “Why don’t we let the men make their own decision?”
    Anna shook her head. Stacy held her hand and wouldn’t release it.
    “They’ll need to know the truth. They’ll want to be prepared just
    in case those guys come looking.”
    Anna turned toward the water.
    “They’ll hate me.”
    “I doubt that very much.” Stacy giggled.
    “What?” Anna asked.
    “It’s getting late, and we’re gonna have to start getting dinner
    ready for the men. I’ll talk to them tonight. Don’t be surprised if
    Charlie, Wyatt, or Ben are there and want to tuck you in.”
    “Tuck me in?” Anna asked as Stacy began to gather up their stuff.
    “Don’t fret about it now. It will be all right.”
    Stacy winked, and Anna helped her clean everything up.
    As they headed toward the house, they walked side by side talking
    about their plans to swim in the river once the summer temperatures
    hit.

    For the Love of Anna

    67

    Chapter 7
    There was silence as Stacy told the men what had happened to
    Anna back in New York. She tried her hardest not to cry, but the pain
    and the sadness she felt for her best friend was too powerful to fight.
    Eric and Max sat on either side of her for moral support as she
    retold the story in detail.
    “Jesus!” Ben exclaimed as he shook his head and ran his fingers
    through his hair.
    Stacy saw the concern and the anger on the three Cantrell
    brothers’ faces. They were good men, genuine men of great moral
    fiber, so she expected no less of a response.
    “Her own father gave her up knowing that these men would whore
    her out to make back money he owed, and he did nothing. He said
    that she meant nothing to him and to take her.”
    Mumbled curses spread through the room.
    Tears streamed down Stacy’s