Chapter Five
Olivia
I slept like the fucking dead last night and didn’t wake up in a panic this time. Instead, I woke up later than I usually do and was well-rested. Weird.
I have been sitting in my car, staring at the police station, for about thirty minutes now. I eventually do get out and force myself to walk inside. Right away, Dan sees me. “Oh my stars, look at you, girl!” Dan says as he walks over to me.
“Hey,” I say, letting him hug me. “How are you?”
“I’m good, Olivia. It’s good to see you,” he says. “Detective Garcia is in the interrogation room waiting on you.”
“Interrogation room? I didn’t do anything,” I say as I start to panic.
“I know that, and I’m sure he does, too, but you know how these boys are. They’ve gotta flaunt their power a bit to make sure you’re telling the truth.”
“Right,” I say.
“I promise you, Liv. If you were getting arrested, he’d have to have someone here do it so we could transport you to Dallas. That hasn’t happened, so you’re safe. Okay?”
“Okay,” I sigh. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” he says. “Go on so we can get rid of him.”
“Yeah,” I say.
I turn and walk through the station. When I get to the door, I take a deep breath before walking in.
Detective Jeramy Garcia is sitting, but glances up when I open the door. “Ms. Monroe,” he says.
“Detective,” I say.
“Have a seat, Ms. Monroe,” he says.
“Just Olivia,” I say, sitting down.
“Okay, Olivia,” he says. “The last time we met, you weren’t doing so well. How are you now?”
“Physically better,” I say. “I spent months invisible just focusing on healing. I didn’t realize anyone was looking for me.”
“Mmm. Yeah. We had a missing persons report out on you,” he says. “Your phone is off.”
“Because Jason can track that phone. I have a disposable now,” I say. “I can give you that number to reach me, but literally anyone here can, too”
“Tell me something, Olivia,” he says. “How is it that you disappear and suddenly the whole trafficking operation seems to start up again? More kidnappings of street teens, foster kids, and so on?”
“Probably because Jason wasn’t running it,” I say.
“How would you know?”
“Because he called some guy named Miguel ‘Boss’ and was required to let him have me anytime he asked,” I say. “Before you set in on some shit saying I was a victim who turned into an abuser, I want to remind you that I have medical records to prove I nearly died.”
“What does Miguel look like?” he asks.
“I think he’s from Colombia. Darker skin, tall.
Maybe a little taller than you. He has black hair.
Uh… he has a thing for slapping the shit out of me when he rapes me,” I say.
“Want me to tell you about how he gets off by throat fucking me until I puke, but doesn’t stop?
Do you know where that has to escape, Detective?
Do you know how fucking disgusting it is to have to blow your nose to get the come and vomit out of your sinuses? ”
“I can’t say I’ve ever experienced that,” he says simply.
“Oh, what a shame,” I say mockingly. “It was definitely consensual. I just love getting whipped so badly by the man who swore to love and protect me. I love being held down to be given stitches without being numbed. Oh, and you know what else is just fucking delightful? Being drugged to make sure I can’t get pregnant, but ruining my chances of having a baby. ”
“Why are you being so defensive, Olivia?” he asks. He’s leaning back and has this smug look on his face like he’s caught me red-handed.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I deadpan.
“It’s a simple question,” he argues.
“Simple?!” I laugh, but it sounds more unhinged. “Are you fucking kidding me?!”
“Olivia,” he says when I stand up. “Olivia, stop.”
“No!” I scream at him, my rage boiling over. “You don’t get to make me the demon here. You don’t get to help him hurt me.”
I turn and storm out of the room, and he jumps up to follow me. “Olivia, walking away makes you look guilty,” he says.
“Then fucking arrest me!” I scream, my voice cracking with emotion.
“If you think I’m guilty, so fucking be it.
Get me a goddamn lawyer and put me in a cell.
Let’s go to fucking court so I can tell them about the time I was gang raped by twelve men for Jason’s birthday.
I’ll show them the scars on my thighs from lit cigarettes put out with my flesh.
Is that what you want? You want to help him abuse me?
Jealous you couldn’t rape me, too, Detective?
Hell, I know he had people with the police in his pocket, so I wonder how much he’s paying you to throw me under the bus. ”
“Olivia,” Jeramy says, almost gently. I look around, and everyone is staring at me. I have tears steaming down my cheeks, and I’m shaking badly, and it only gets worse when I notice it.
“You don’t get to hurt me, too,” I say tearfully. “So either arrest me or leave me the fuck alone.”
I turn around, and Bodhi is by the front entrance, leaning against the wall. His arms are crossed over his chest, but he looks calm. Rhett is standing with him, and it feels dangerous. I can’t breathe with everyone looking at me.
I walk out of the police department and get into my car while ignoring everyone. I am fighting back sobs as I shift into gear and drive past Bodhi, who is walking through the parking lot toward me.
I can’t get hurt again, and this is too painful to hold onto. Sometimes we have to let go of even the best things, and this town is the only good part of my life.