43. Skyler
43
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Ethan held me in his lap the entire drive back to the hotel. Matteo met us in the underground garage and escorted us to Vincenzo’s penthouse suite. A body slams into me as soon as I step off the elevator.
Lilah has wrapped her arms around my waist and is squeezing the ever-loving hell out of me. I hug her back and pray she can feel the apology and the guilt I feel for what happened to her. We stand here for a long while holding each other, crying. It’s not until I lift my head to see her eyes that I notice the giant wall of leather surrounding us.
“Miss Sinclair.” Vincenzo calls from the other side of the human partition. “Perhaps you and the young lady would care to sit on the couch and have a snack while we discuss a few things.”
He’s not actually asking, I know this. And the snacks are more for Lilah’s benefit than mine since my stomach has yet to settle. Gripping Lilah’s hand, I push through the men and walk her over to the couch and drop down to sit.
She’s wearing a Staff Security shirt from the event, snuggling up to my side making herself as small as she can. The same as when we were in the basement.
I lean down and whisper, “It’s okay, sweetheart. This is my family. They’re here to help. No one here will hurt you and you have my word they’ll kill any motherfucker who tries.”
Her worried eyes meet mine. “They killed those two men at the house.” Her words are spoken so softly I almost don’t hear them.
“I know. But you can never tell anyone, Lilah. They could get into a lot of trouble if anyone knew who was responsible for their deaths.”
“No one will ever know the men who held you hostage were here. My men have made sure to erase all traces of people in that house.” Vincenzo says, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. “The house has been destroyed. Bad gas leak apparently. It’s common in older homes that have been neglected.”
“Sad how shit gets forgotten.” Eli says, leaning against the wall watching Lilah. “People go off all the time and forget to turn of the oven or unplug their iron. It’s a damn shame.” He winks at Lilah and her lips tip up, and I love him even more for the way he makes her feel safe.
“Miss Lilah, I’d like to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind. I need to know what kind of situation we’re dealing with when it comes to you.” Lilah looks to me as if asking permission.
“Will you stay with me?” My heart melts for this girl.
“Of course. Ethan?” I don’t have to look to know he’s standing directly behind me. I can feel his rage still radiating from him. He comes to kneel in front of me, wordlessly holding my hands waiting for me to tell him what I need so he can take care of me.
“Would you find a blanket for Lilah.” My eyes flick to her bare legs and the t-shirt riding up her body the smaller she tries to become. He understands but before he can stand up, Eli is already there, placing a soft, fluffy, white blanket over her now shaking body.
“Thank you.” She whispers. Eli leans down, kissing the top of her head then whispers something only she can here. Her eyes glass over, but whatever he said they’re happy tears if the small smile she gives him in response is any indication.
“Where are your parents, Miss Lilah?” Vincenzo asks.
“My father’s dead. My mouther kicked me out not long ago.” The room vibrates with the low rumble of growling men.
“Why did your mother kick you out? Did you have a disagreement?” Vincenzo continues. His expression one of curiosity.
“You could say that.” She replies, picking at the edge of her blanket, not making eye contact with anyone in the room. I place my hand on her thigh, which has her looking up at me.
“You can tell these men anything. They’ll keep your secrets safe.”
“She was dating a guy, Freddie. I never liked him. One night he came to my room when my mom wasn’t home. He didn’t do anything, but he implied things that made me feel uncomfortable.” She sighs. “When I told my mom about it, she said I was lying. Freddie then told her I had come on to him, spewing some crap about me being curious about sex and boys and wanting him to teach me. Which is utter bullshit!”
Her eyes find mind, the same moment her hand covers her mouth. “Sorry. I just get so mad sometimes.”
“Not a damn person in this room is going to fault you for cussing about any fucking thing. We all use sentence enhancers on occasion.” Hawk’s silly explanation puts Lilah at ease.
“Please continue, Lilah. What happened after your mother didn’t believe you?” Vincenzo is talking to Lilah, but his raised brow and menacing gaze are aimed at Matteo, who nods and pulls out his phone.
“She told me if I was going to act like I whore then I could get out of her house and go live like a whore. The next night she worked late, and Freddie came into my room again, only this time he was pissed. When he came storming at me, I didn’t even think. I grabbed a pair of scissors off my desk and stabbed him in the leg.”
“Good girl.”
“Fuck yeah.”
“Smart thinkin’.”
The men all approved. Hell, I approve! My only critique would be to say, aim for the balls next time. But I’m hoping for her sake, after her mother’s boyfriend and the events of tonight, there never is a next time.
“I packed a bag and used all my birthday and babysitting money I’d been saving and bought a bus ticket to Crestview.”
“Why Crestview?” I ask, out of genuine curiosity.
Lilah shrugs. “It’s a small town. Nothing like the area in California that I grew up in. I had always read book where they say small town folks are nice and friendly. I guess I was hoping to find someplace like those stories talked about.”
“And did you?” Eli watches her closely waiting for her answer.
“I guess for the most part people were nice. The shelter was decent and the people staying there seemed friendly enough. Until the guy with the spider tattoo did what he did.”
I don’t blame her for not wanting to explain it to them. I’d just as soon forget myself.
“We should look into calling social services, in case anyone has filed for a missing person.”
“NO!” Lilah jumps up from the couch. “You said they would keep my secrets!” She shouts at me.
“They will. You have my word. And all of theirs. Doesn’t she?” I ask not leaving room for argument on any of their behalf’s.
Setting her sights on Vincenzo, Lilah begs. “Please don’t call social services. They’ll say I ran away and send me back to my mother. She’s not looking for me. She told me to leave. Please, please don’t make me go back there.” She’s crying again and it’s breaking my heart. “Take me back to the shelter. I’ll get my stuff and move to a different town if you want, just please don’t send me home.”
“Ethan.” I whisper.
He understands, and scoops Lilah up placing her next to me on the couch where she burrows into my side, her body racked with sobs.
“Vincenzo.” His eyes are watching me warily.
“I cannot be involved with the dealings of a runaway child, Miss Sinclair. While I may help those in need, they are all legal age.” I know he’s talking about the women, like me, who work for him under disguise. Some are running from abusive situations. Others are single mom’s trying to make ends meet. Others have darker stories, but none of them have ever been under the legal adult age.
“She’ll go with us.” Eli says, not waiting for anyone else to speak up. “We can hide her away with us, like we did Sky. She’ll be well loved and get a good education. We can see to all of that. What do you say, Lilah? Would you like to come live with me and my family in Mountain Heights?”
“Will Skyler be there?”
“No.” Ethan answers for me. “Skyler’s my woman. She lives with me in Oak Ridge. And she’s not leaving.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Oh, I’m not, huh?”
“No. You’re not.”
Gabe steps into the center of the room from his place behind the kitchen counter. HE’s been on his phone texting since we got here. Probably filling Ghost and Cash in on the situation and what to prepare for when we come home.
“Listen, Vincenzo. We appreciate the hospitality, but we’re going to get on the road and get back to Oak Ridge. Lilah, honey. Let’s get you and Skyler some fresh clothes and you can ride home with us. We don’t have to make any important decisions tonight.” Gabe cuts his gaze to Vincenzo who tips his glass in agreement.
“The club will take full responsibility for making sure Lilah is taken care of, therefore washing your hands of the whole thing. How’s that?”
Vincenzo smirks, scrubbing his chin with his hand. “As long as the child is safe, and her presence doesn’t bring the heat around. I see no reason why you shouldn’t take her with you.”
The room begins to clear out. I’m about to follow the line of leather cuts when Ethan’s strong hand grips my bicep, pulling my ear flush to his mouth. He whispers, “We’re going to table this discussion for now, but if you so much as think about leaving me to go to Mountain Heights, you should know this. I will follow you. I will drag your ass back home. And I will redden your sweet ass every night for a fucking month.
Skyler’s only response was the shiver that racked her body.
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