Chapter Eighteen
Olivia
T he place before me is breathtaking.
The lawn is well managed, box shrubs line around the porch and side, while bird feeders and wind chimes make the place feel like a home.
My feet hit the steps of the house, and a little girl runs out the front door, stopping as she sees me. A lady that looks like she could be her mother is not far behind her.
“Meredith. Don’t you dare run out that door again,” the woman says. Her eyes widen when she sees Hayes and me.
“Mr. Ricci, so glad to see you, Sir,” she says, grabbing her daughter in her arms.
“Hello, Ruth,” Hayes starts. “This is Ol- Livy,” he gestures to me, “She wanted to bring y’all some clothes and food today.” He gives her a sweet smile.
The woman turns to me seeming shocked, and says, “Miss Livy, how gracious. Come on inside. I need to get this little one in; she is not wearing shoes.”
Hayes and I follow her inside, and I notice how the women notice Hayes first and they all get up to come say hi. They all seem so thankful and respectful toward him.
“Miss Livy brought us food and clothes,” the woman we met on the porch who Hayes called Ruth says to everyone. They all return thankful smiles and some hug me.
“Mr. Ricci keeps us with the bare necessities, but we can tell he does not get a woman to do the shopping,” Ruth grins, “So thank you.”
Her little girl puts her hand up in a high five and I high five her with a grin. “I hope it’s okay, but I got children’s clothes, too,” I tell her.
A tear pricks at her eyes. “You have no idea how grateful I am. This one is growing like a weed.”
“Why didn’t you let someone know you needed clothes for her?” Hayes asks in an authoritative tone and the woman instantly becomes timid.
She shies away and I place my hand on her shoulder. “Ruth, its okay. He did not mean anything disrespectful by it. I am sure he just meant if you need something you can just let him know,” I smile.
Her eyes finally meet mine and she says, “Mr. Ricci has done so much for us. I just did not want to bother him.”
Hayes huffs and her eyes immediately go to ground again. I turn to him with stern eyes and mouth, “Go outside.”
Hayes looks at me almost shocked and I lean over, whispering into his ear, “You are a man, and you are being an asshole to her. You are probably triggering her. Get outside now and don’t come back in here until I tell you that you can or until the trucks come with the food.”
He looks at me like he wants to argue but huffs and does as I say.
Ruth’s eyes finally return to mine when my hand touches her arm again. “Thank you,” she tells me.
Eventually, she sits her little girl down and she runs off, playing with some kids in the other room.
“Ruth, does he trigger you?” I finally ask.
She nods, “It’s embarrassing really. I used to be a submissive and the man who was my Dom was abusive. Both physically and mentally. Anytime I hear a man get irritated or mad, it puts me back into a state of fight or flight.” A tear creases her eye, “I can’t control it.”
“Hey. It’s okay.” I reassure her. “Who was your Dom? If you don’t mind me asking.”
She wipes her tear and then says, “Frances Ashton.”
My heart drops to my feet. My father.
“I wanted a better life for my daughter, and I am so thankful Mr. Ricci saved us,” she says to me in a whisper.
I think I might puke, but I have to ask, “Ruth, is your daughter Ashton’s?”
Her face looks panicked as she looks at me, “Shh. No one can know. He would come after her and try to sell her or kill us.”
My legs feel like jello. I think I might pass out.
That son of bitch.
I place my hands on either side of her shoulder and look her in the eyes. “I promise your secret is safe with me.” I give her a hug and her tears explode all around me.
As God as my witness, that fucker is going to pay.