Chapter Sixteen #2
“I was a prisoner along with Nix. I was trafficked for five years before the location where I was being held was raided and I was rescued. Afterwards I was placed in foster care, where I bounced around for about a year before my parents found me. I met my family and was adopted within the month. That typically doesn’t happen that quickly, but my Papa has no shortage of cash, and they were eager to get me home.
I was scared of men, and my Papa and brothers were no exception.
It took me almost a year to warm up to them.
They were incredibly patient with me, and it’s one of the main reasons they’re as protective as they are.
We chose each other; first they chose me, and then when I was ready, I chose them back.
When I was fifteen, I kept getting sick.
Kind of like the flu. The flu that makes you feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.
My parents took me to multiple doctors to find answers but couldn’t find any.
It wasn’t until my skin took on a yellowish tint that I remembered during a therapy session about the dirty needles that they used on me.
Not long after that, they tested me for Hepatitis C and that came back positive.
Prolonged exposure can result in so many different issues.
For me, it’s mainly my kidneys. I was diagnosed with MPGN1 with type two MC.
That, accompanied with my liver levels being slightly elevated, and I’m twenty-two years old and have kidney disease severe enough for me to need a transplant.
My life is going to be filled with doctors appointments, anti-rejection medicine, and praying that my liver doesn’t shit out next. ”
“Don’t you see, Mac? I have nothing to offer you aside from a life of hospitals and trauma.
With a side of no biological kids. Honestly, I don’t know if I want kids at all.
I was literally kidnapped at seven and saw the worst of what mankind has to offer.
I’d never want to chance that happening to my kids. ”
Finally taking my eyes off of the wall to the side of Mac’s head, I focus on his teary green orbs. “I am— fuck Lee, I’m so sorry. I am so fucking sorry that I didn’t- I couldn’t save you from all of that.”
We don’t say it, but we both know what we’re talking about right now.
“We were seven. What were you going to do? Theo and your Da couldn’t find me, of course you weren’t able to either.
It’s not your fault, and I don’t blame you.
” Deciding that we’re too far away from each other, I crawl over to him and curl up into his lap.
“I don’t blame you, handsome, and you shouldn’t blame yourself either. We were kids, just kids.”
He buries his face into my curls and inhales. I’m sure I don’t smell fantastic, but he lets out a content sigh all the same, “What happened that day? I know what happened from my end, but what happened from yours?”
“I was on the way home from school. You guys were all sick, so I had to walk there alone. Well, ‘alone’ you know, Matteo and Leo were following behind me as usual, but I didn’t have any kids with me.
I’d decided to go to your house and check on you guys.
I remember being so worried about you. I knew how much you hated being sick and not being able to play. ”
“I was so sick too. I think that was the worst case of the flu I’ve ever had.” He smirks into my hair. Always trying to break up the mood for me.
“It’s such a cliche story, but I was just walking when a white van pulled up.
We were taught to beware of stuff like that, so I pivoted and ran straight into Matteo’s arms. Theo always told me he was a trusted adult.
But that day, Matteo smiled at me and told me it would be okay.
Right before he threw me into the van and sent the driver off.
” Mac’s body is locked so tight I’m scared he’s going to snap in half.
Using my hand, I rub his chest over his heart in circles.
It takes a few minutes, but eventually he begins to relax back again so I can finish this story.
“There was a man in the back of the van with me. He restrained me and put tape over my mouth. We drove so long the sun set, and the moon was bright in the sky. They took me to an old house, where I’ll spare you the details because no one needs those images in their head.
I was hard to break. They tried to assign me a number, but I wouldn’t answer to it.
I’d tell them that our dads were coming for us every single chance I got.
I told them you and your brothers were coming.
I knew you weren’t, you couldn’t. Theo’s men gave me up, no way were they going to tell him the truth. ”
“They gave me to their most fucked up clients. They injected me with dirty needles, and eventually I broke. I did what I had to do to survive until I was rescued. I answered to every new number I was assigned. I never had the chance to escape until I did and refused to take it. I was too scared by then to move when given the opportunity. If it wasn’t for Nix getting out and saving us, I would still be there. ”