9. Cassian #2
“Last week, my aunt and uncle announced that they’d like to have a clean slate with me.
I’m almost twenty-one, and I thought they were starting to see me as an adult.
They told me they rented a cabin in the Smoky Mountains for a little vacation.
I wanted to believe they had changed so badly that I was blind to the trap they were setting. ”
Christ. Twenty-one? I knew my girl was younger than me, but thirteen years younger? No matter. My resolve to protect and cherish her is more solidified than ever.
“Uncle Terry was drinking less, and my aunt hadn’t been as cruel in the last few weeks. Somewhere deep down, I knew it was too good to be true. But what choice did I have?”
“Hey,” I whisper in a soothing tone. “You don’t have to justify anything or get defensive,” I remind her. “I believe you. I know you did the best you could at the time.”
Blakely relaxes a bit, nodding against my chest. “We arrived at the cabin and had a great dinner. My aunt didn’t comment on my weight or yell at me when I asked for seconds.
It was such a different side of her, which should have been the first clue something was wrong.
Sure enough, an hour later, there was a knock at the door. ”
I furrow my brow, not expecting that turn in the story.
“My uncle answered it, shaking the hand of the older man standing in the doorway. As soon as the stranger’s eyes locked onto mine, a pit opened in my stomach, threatening to swallow me whole.
I’ll never forget how he stalked toward me, the predatory look in his gaze making my throat close in panic.
I vaguely remember through the haze, my uncle informing me that this was my new role in the family.
I didn’t understand at first, but then the bigger picture materialized.
He and my aunt were…” She pauses, swallowing thickly before continuing.
“They were selling me for sex to earn money to get them out of debt.”
“Jesus fucking… Blakely, did he touch you? I need to know who I’m killing and who I’m merely maiming. Fuck it, I’m killing everyone,” I grunt.
"He didn't get a chance to do anything. I squeaked out that I had to pee and made a mad dash to the bathroom.
My aunt pounded on the door, telling me I was being rude and better be ready to make up for it when I came out.
With the door locked from the inside, I quickly heaved the one window in the room open, stepping on the toilet and hoisting myself up and out, landing like a brick on the ground. "
“And then you ran,” I finish for her, finally understanding where she came from and why she was terrified of her own shadow.
“Straight to you,” Blakely adds.
I find myself smiling even though my woman just told me the most upsetting, awful tale about her life.
“And now I’m keeping you,” I murmur, tucking her head under my chin as I continue to hold my baby and rock her back and forth.
I’m so damn glad she survived so I could meet her. For the first time ever, I’m glad I survived everything so I could be here to love and care for my Blakely.
I mentally sift through the contacts I’ve made over the years, trying to think of who can get me more information on Blakely’s family.
She told me their names, and I know they live in one of the neighboring towns at the base of the mountains.
They won’t be too hard to track down, especially since her uncle used to be in a professional boxing league.
Once we find him, I’ll pay him a little visit and give him a taste of his own medicine before calling the cops on his ass.
The moment is interrupted by an obnoxiously loud banging at my front door. Blakely yelps, but I soothe her anxiety.
“I’m sure it’s one of the guys,” I tell her. “Stay right here. I’ll be back in a second.
Throwing on a pair of shorts, I make my way to the door as another round of knocking begins. “Yo, Cass, are you in there?”
Sure enough, it’s Huxley. I open the door enough to peek my head out. “What’s up?” I ask, my voice a little rougher than I meant.
“What’s up? We haven’t seen you in like three days. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I tell my friend.
“That’s it? No explanation?”
I shrug. Huxley stares at me, then his gaze drifts until he's looking behind my shoulder. The little smirk on his face lets me know exactly what he saw.
“You got a woman in there with you!” he exclaims.
“Don’t make a big deal out of it,” I grumble.
“Sure, sure, not a big deal at all,” Huxley says, his words dripping with sarcasm.
“Fine, I’ll leave you alone, but you better come over for dinner tonight.
Jordan will be thrilled for another friend, and I know Wilder and Ari will want to meet her as well.
I’m happy for you, man,” he tells me genuinely, giving me a meaningful look.
I nod, unable to contain my smile. We say our goodbyes, and I turn back to Blakely, holding out my arms for her. My heart is full to bursting when she runs toward me and launches herself into my embrace. This is everything. I hope I don’t screw it up.