Chapter Seventeen
Olivia
I have been on a mission today—buy all the things I think are necessities.
Its crazy how much my mind has changed within the last week. I’ve lived a luxurious life since birth. I grew up in a mansion, with a maid, a butler, and all the things money could buy me. I had Louis Vuitton’s’ in my closet, Dior perfume, and all the cashmere filling up my drawers and hangers.
But when my world turned upside down and my father wanted to sell me to the highest bidder; those luxuries did not feel special anymore.
Instead, they felt like part of the grooming he did to me. Expecting me to ignore his sins once I was in that auction because of the life I was used to.
None of that mattered to me anymore; I just wanted to feel safe and loved.
The amount of joy I felt when Hayes gave me the okay for what I wanted to spend the money on was relieving. He has no idea how happy he made me.
We are leaving an Italian restaurant - that Hayes says is one of the best - after we ordered multiples of everything on their menu.
The owner literally had to shut the doors for the rest of the day because we bought their entire stock from their fridge. He thanked us repeatedly before Hayes paid him what we owed.
The total made my eyes bulge out of my head, but Hayes never batted an eyelash.
“I have contacted Alan, and he has some of his men bringing trailers to pack all of this stuff up and meet us at the shelter.” he tells me.
I nod, beaming with excitement. “Thank you, Hayes.”
His eyes never leave the road, but he says, “Don’t thank me. This was your idea. So, I should be thanking you.”
I sit back, not sure what to say but Hayes turns up the radio and Man or a Monster by Sam Tinnesz echoes through the speakers.
I turn my head, looking out the window, can this man really be as bad as he says? He seems like a good man, not a monster of the Underworld.
***
T HIRTY MINUTES AFTER leaving the restaurant we are pulling up to a building that looks like a bed and breakfast. It’s white, with a full wrap-around porch, and an iron gate at the front.
A few men carrying AR rifles stand at the front with black sunglasses and walk up to Hayes’ side of the car. “Mr. Ricci, good evening, Sir,” one of them says.
“Hello, Evan,” Hayes says in an authoritative voice.
I chuckle; this is not the voice he uses with me.
“I have a few men bringing in a trailer full. Should not be too far behind me. Let them in when they get here.”
The man holding the gun nods and the other hits a button on a remote on his belt.
The gate slowly starts to open, and Hayes rolls up his window, driving through.
“Do you own this place?” I ask looking at Hayes and then back to the house we are pulling up to, noticing there is nothing but women and children walking around.
“This is a safe house for the women my father rescued in his raids, and I took it over when he died. All these women have been rescued from Ashton’s men in some way or form. They are the ones we have not been able to send out into the world because of their trauma from being abused. Some are more severe than others, and they are not able to go out into the world like normal because of their triggers.” he tells me quietly.
A tear forms in my eyes, “All of these women were prisoners of Frances Ashton?”
He nods, “Either Frances, his father, or their men.”
My gut sinks, I never knew my grandfather. He and my grandmother had died before I was born but if he was as evil as my father, I’m glad I never met the son of bitch.
These women have been under the hands of a man I used to love, trust, and respect. A man who had lied to me all my life and never let me know.
A man who was willing to sell me for cash and my future children, too. I take a deep breath, refusing to let my tears fall.
I refuse to let my emotions show. After all, Hayes still does not know that Frances is my father.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I tell him. “Why did you not bring me here when you rescued me?” I ask.
“Because I saw a strength in you that I didn’t see in the others. I knew you could make it.” His Adam apple rises and falls as if something else is on his mind.
“What is it?” I ask.
“I need you to be strong walking in here, Olivia. These women need comfort. You can be that for them.” he assures me.
“Can I tell them that I was saved, too?” I ask.
He nods. “Tell them whatever you want. Let them talk to you. We can stay as long as you want,” he states.
I sigh, taking a deep breath, while Hayes comes around to open my door.