Electra Chapter 4 #3
“Yes. I’d seen shows and movies about the classic abuser personality.
I never thought I’d end up with someone like that.
I let myself be fooled into believing his lies the first few times.
I thought I was in love with him. And I believed what he said about me.
No one would want me except him. I didn’t want to be alone. ” She broke down in tears.
I went to get up so I could hug her if she’d allow it.
I wanted to offer the poor woman some comfort.
She was a young woman, no more than twenty-five years old.
A few years younger than my twenty-seven.
However, I was beaten to it by Micro. He came around the table and crouched next to her chair.
He whispered in her ear. She would sometimes nod or murmur back.
Whatever he said, she listened, and soon he had her wiping her eyes on a handful of tissues he gave her.
She gave him a grateful smile before he retook his seat.
“Sorry about that. I got overwhelmed for a minute. I’d like to say thank you to all of you and those I haven’t met yet.
If it weren’t for you, I would be dead. I saw it coming.
Jordie has grown worse and worse. The beatings are more frequent, his bad moods last longer, and he’s more vicious.
I can never repay you for saving my life.
I have no idea who told you what was happening.
I couldn’t speak to anyone without him finding out and exploding,” Pillar confessed.
“You don’t need to thank us. We’re happy to help. We took your phone when we picked you up, remember,” Crash said. Pillar nodded.
“There was a reason we did that and asked you not to bring anything else electronic with you. It’s most likely that he knew who you talked to because he had bugged your phone and other devices.
We’re giving your phone to Micro. He’ll check it out.
If there is something on it, he’ll make sure to remove it.
You’ll be given a new phone number. Don’t communicate with anyone yet.
We have to ensure that no one you know would be influenced to tell him where you are,” Crash finished explaining.
“How will you do that?” she asked Micro.
“I have skills and work with a lot of electronics. It’s my specialty.
I’ll be able to locate any programs or other trackers he may have placed on it and not only remove them, but also ensure that your phone is encrypted and not easily accessible.
I’ll have it back to you by tomorrow afternoon at the latest,” Micro assured her.
Pillar gave him an awed look. Turbo drew her attention to him.
“As for who told us what was happening, it was your former boss at the library. She explained that she never liked the excuse you gave her for quitting, and after she met with you and offered you a full-time position, she felt sure you wanted it. She claimed you were very excited when you left the meeting with her. Then you called her the next day and told her you couldn’t do it. She said you sounded so dejected.
“Mrs. Denton told us that she was so worried, she came by your apartment to speak to you in person the next day, but your boyfriend answered the door and told her that you had left town due to a family emergency and you’d be gone for a while.
Mrs. Denton told us she didn’t believe him, even though he was very polite and charming. She left there troubled,” Turbo added.
“When her further attempts to call, email, or text you didn’t get a response, she grew more concerned. She went to the police, but they told her they couldn’t do anything unless there was evidence of harm. Since there wasn’t any, the most they could do was a wellness check,” Crash said.
“Yes, the police came once, and Jordie fed them the lie about me being gone due to a death in the family. They bought it and left. He yelled, cussed, and demanded to know if I snuck and called them. I swore I didn’t, but he didn’t believe me. I was beaten again,” Pillar admitted.
I could see her sagging in fatigue, and I guess the guys could, too, because it was Micro who made a suggestion.
“Electra, do you have enough for now?”
“I do.”
“Then I think you should take Pillar to her room. I’ll stay here with these two and catch up. Pillar, take a hot bath and rest. No one can enter here. Even if he could find you, which he can’t, Jordie would never make it inside to you. Does that sound like a good idea?” he asked.
“It does. Thank you. I’m suddenly exhausted, and those things sound heavenly,” Pillar murmured and sighed.
She stood and shyly thanked the three guys.
I took her hand and led her through the locked building and out the door, which led us into the enclosed courtyard, situated between the main office building and the building that housed guests.
There was not only the commissary but a communal laundry and media room where they could watch movies or have get-togethers.
Each apartment had its own small kitchen.
A small balcony was located off each apartment’s living room, where residents could sit at a two-seater table to enjoy the sun.
We were close to the water, so there were ocean views and the sound of water to soothe them.
The property dedicated to the club’s Recovery program was high-priced real estate. The kind of land resort builders would love to get their hands on. I wondered how the Horsemen got it. Wrath’s Recovery was its own self-contained mini community. I was impressed every time I discovered more.
It could accommodate fifty individuals if they were one to an apartment.
If anyone wanted to double up, it would increase the number.
Sometimes mothers come with their children.
At the moment, counting Pillar, there were thirty-seven.
This number included a mom with two children and another mom with a single child.
It broke my heart and made me angrier. The desire to lay hands on their abusers and show them what it was like to be on the receiving end nagged me.
I had to make sure that it didn’t show to the residents or my bosses.
As I took Pillar through the main building and into the apartment building, I showed her the security features to make her feel more secure.
As we progressed, she became more relaxed.
We passed a few residents, who were kind enough to greet her.
They introduced themselves and asked Pillar to ask if she had any questions.
I’d met all the residents and memorized their names, but it had taken me a week.
Entering her apartment for the first time, Pillar was stunned. She stared in surprise.
“I had no idea this place existed or imagined when I found out that it was this nice. I can’t believe these guys do it for free.
And a bunch of bikers? I admit, I was wondering if I was running toward more danger by going with Crash and Turbo.
But then Paige showed up with her man, Scorpion.
She told me about Recovery and what she does.
That’s why I agreed to leave with them. Scorpion and Paige had to go to work, but they said I’d have lots of help here.
They were right. Thank you so much, Electra. ”
I was the one to be surprised when she willingly gave me a small hug, which I returned without a thought.
“You’re more than welcome. If you need anything, there’s a phone available, and you can call the front desk to speak with Annette or me at my extension.
Right now, Swerve, my partner here, isn’t in, but he’s available whenever he is.
The extensions are marked on the keypad.
Please, don’t make any calls to the outside until one of the guys gives you the all-clear.
Now, I’ll leave you to rest and see you in a few hours. ”
“That sounds great. I could use a nap,” were her last words as she showed me out.
I returned to the main office in a good mood. I wanted to see if Turbo, Crash, or Micro had any other information about Pillar.