Chapter 14
As I coached the beauty before me through a panic attack, I was acting on autopilot. The professional in me knew what I needed to do—assist her in getting her breathing under control. But inside, I rejoiced that she finally agreed to allow us in, to accept our help.
The boulder that sat in the middle of my chest from day one lifted, and as I breathed with her, my body responded in kind. Looking into her eyes, so full of trust, I swore nothing would stand in the way of seeing her free.
A profound sense of euphoria replaced the previous anxiety I’d felt at seeing her in distress. Excusing myself, I went about arranging for my grandmother’s driver to take us back to the hotel.
Internally, I was torn: afraid that introducing her to the crew all at once might overwhelm her. It was crucial for me to get some basic information from her first. I sent a group text.
COUNSELOR:
We’ve had a breakthrough. She won’t leave without her son, though. I’m going to question her tonight about routines and determine the best course of action.
TORTURER:
About fucking time. Isabella’s in rare form.
REAPER:
Grab Pasha. Let him sit in. He’s familiar with her, and we may need his help in executing things.
I loved how Alek knew without having to be told that we needed to take it slow.
BLADE:
Had faith in you this entire time. Well done, Brother, now get your ass home.
DANCER:
Headed back to the hotel now. Meet you there.
CROW:
Matty is looking into her mother’s overdose as we speak. Might hold off mentioning it unless she clams up.
MARCUS:
I’m on standby. Just say the word.
I marveled at their individual responses, my heart lurching at the realization that I wanted them to like her beyond this moment. My immediate next thought was, what would Kinsley and Isabella think? Would they welcome her?
In my heart, I knew Kinsley would without missing a beat. It was simply who she was inside. Isabella had taken some coaxing with Kinsley, but in the end had come around. She’d be the hardest sell in the house.
Something inside me had shifted underneath the piano with Victoria. I nervously ran a hand through my hair. My phone buzzed. An incoming message outside the group one. It was from Ivan.
BLADE:
Marcus said you had ‘the look.’
COUNSELOR:
Meaning?
BLADE:
The same one he swore Alek wore for weeks before Kinsley agreed to go to the gala event.
I chuckled loudly.
COUNSELOR:
Pretty sure that was the reason we hired him to begin with. Perceptive bastard.
BLADE:
Should I tell Mrs. Patterson to set additional plates?
COUNSELOR:
STFU. I’m not looking to upset the applecart. Not to mention she has a kid.
BLADE:
I said plates (plural). Just let me know, Brother. Love you.
COUNSELOR:
Same.
I took several cleansing breaths, calming my racing heart. The thought of Victoria and her son sitting around the dining room table at home was wreaking havoc on my emotions. I walked down the hall and into the dining room.
Victoria’s eyes rose to mine, and a mix of emotions stared back at me. The rollercoaster of the last few hours hadn’t done a damn thing to take away from her beauty.
“You ready to go?” I asked.
She and Nana both rose at the same time. My grandmother approached Victoria. In her watery blue eyes was endless sympathy.
“I’m so glad we reconnected. I’m extending my home to you and your son. If you’re ever in need of a place to land, we will be here for you. I mean it.”
Tears welled up in Victoria’s eyes as Nana wrapped her arms around her.
“Thank you for everything, especially the piano. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I’d love to bring Declan here one day so you can meet him. You’d love him. He’s nothing like Cam—”
“You’re right, I will love him. He’s yours, and that’s all that matters,” Nana said firmly.
Victoria’s voice broke, and she sobbed, “Your kindness means the world to me.”
“You’re going to come out of this stronger than ever. Don’t forget you’re not alone in this. Andy and I won’t let anything happen to either of you.”
Victoria nodded, and we left. I took her hand in the car and rubbed her palm. She sighed and leaned her head against my shoulder, then eventually fell asleep. I hated to wake her, but we’d arrived back at the hotel.
Her cheeks bore the faintest blush of sleep, eyes heavy with remnants of exhaustion. She blinked several times. I led her to our suite and opened the door. She stepped inside and twisted her hands. Strands of her honey-colored hair framed her face, and a few rebellious ones clung to her cheeks.
She flashed me a shy smile, her lips full and inviting. Her slender fingers reached up to push the wayward strands away from her face. I got to it before she did. I tucked it behind her ear, reveling in the flash of her graceful neck.
“I know it’s been a really long day, but we need to talk,” I said, trailing my fingers down her cheek.
She sighed softly and leaned against my hand. “Okay,” she hummed.
“Pasha is going to join us.”
“Pasha?”
“The Russian.” I laughed as she raised an eyebrow. “Yes, now you know his name. I trust I made the right decision in letting you in on it.”
“I won’t say anything ever, I promise.”
“It’s okay. I’m teasing. It’s not that serious.”
Relief visibly loosened her frame, the tension slipping from her shoulders. I motioned toward the sitting area, keeping my movements calm, and poured a glass of wine once she was settled.
The way her fingers curled around the stem gave away everything her composed expression attempted to hide. Poor thing. Her nerves were frayed. Keeping this meeting small had been the right call. A knock sounded. I rose and crossed the room to let Pasha in.
“Good news, I hear,” he said, but something was off.
I stepped into his path, watching him closely. His jaw ticked as he looked away. My hand shot out, stopping him.
“What is it?”
He hesitated. “Nothing important. Got into it with Hannah.”
“Then it’s important,” I countered. “Do you need to handle that? I can take this meeting. It’s mostly asking questions and feeling things out.”
“No,” he blurted. “This matters a hell of a lot more. And trust me, talking to Hannah right now would only end in another fight. They all do lately. I could use the distraction.”
“If you’re sure…”
He nodded and moved past me toward the bar. “Evening, Victoria. Can I get you a refill?” he asked, his tone shifting into something lighter as he addressed her directly.
“N-no, I’m go-go-good,” she stammered before taking a deep breath. Clocking her body language, I could tell she was having second thoughts.
I walked over to her and knelt down next to her chair. “What you’re feeling right now is completely normal. You’re not betraying anyone.”
Her head whipped up, and panic filled her eyes. “H-ho-how did you know?” she whispered.
“I told you I get paid to listen to women. I’ve seen this exact look a thousand times before.
You’re free to share as much or as little as you want.
You’re free to stop talking altogether with no consequences.
We want to help, but what that looks like depends on what you ultimately want as the outcome. ”
With the awareness that she needed space, I moved to sit across from her. Pasha joined me on the couch.
“Where do I start?”
“Start wherever you’re the most comfortable.”
I took a deep breath as her palms made slow passes against her upper thighs.
“Before I say anything, I need assurances. My son’s safety is my number one priority, and there isn’t anything in this world I wouldn’t do to keep him from harm.”
“That’s understandable. No harm will come to your son. I swear it on my life.”
She was quiet for a long moment, then her eyes flashed to Pasha.
“You don’t need to ask. When one member of the crew swears, it becomes a group vow,” he declared, voice thick with emotion.
Much like the moment between Ivan and me at thirteen, a bond was solidified with the man sitting next to me. Brotherhood and loyalty were everything. The beauty before me nodded, accepting his version of the promise.
“The beginning then. I was fifteen when I met Cameron for the first time. It started shortly after. It wasn’t like what he does now. It was more looks and always being where I was,” she said, almost to herself.
My stomach dropped. Christ. He’d groomed her. An invisible wire tightened around my heart. She cleared her throat.
“Even back then I knew it was wrong. But…I didn’t know how to stop it. I’m as much at fault. Maybe if I’d—”
I didn’t let her go any further. “Don’t do that,” I said, sharper than I intended.
“Sorry.” I took a breath and started again, keeping my voice more level.
“I want to encourage you to trust your instincts. You already said you knew it was wrong. And you’re dead right.
It was wrong then, and if he is doing things today that make you uncomfortable or afraid, that too is wrong. ”
“Yes, Sir,” she said, gulping.
“When did it change, angel?”
“The summer after my mother died. I tried to make sure that I was never alone with Cameron. But one day, no one was home. He…he came into my bathroom. I was almost eighteen. He didn’t want to wait anymore.”
Tears coursed down her cheeks, and in her eyes was a look of absolute guilt.
“I didn’t want to…but I didn’t fight him. I let him. I didn’t want it…I swear.”
Her voice cracked around the words, and she shrank in on herself, confusion and fear flickering across her face as she tried to disappear into the shame. My cheek twitched. I clenched my jaw so hard it ached, a pulse of fury erupting in my chest.
She buried her face in her hands. I moved instantly, sliding in beside her, wrapping an arm around her trembling frame, and guiding her gently against my chest. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other smoothed circles along her spine. She melted into the contact.
“Angel, shhh. It’s okay. You don’t have to explain it in detail. We believe you. I believe you.” My voice stayed steady because she needed that more than anything.