by SM Olivier
“Stay out of this, Kale,” Bailey nearly snarled. “You only got moved to my team because of her absence.”
Well, this was lovely. Less than five minutes after seeing people out of my immediate circle, and we were already talking about my abduction. I was really hoping for a longer reprieve.
“I didn’t have a choice last year either,” added Wendy, one of Bailey’s besties. “I was sick and missed two practices. I was kicked off the competition team for the rest of the year.”
“You got gonorrhea and didn’t get it treated on time,” Jane, one of my teammates, deadpanned.
Wendy paled and shook her head. “That’s… that’s a lie.”
Bailey looked as shocked by the news as everyone else in the room. I heard a few girls laugh at her expense. I felt bad for her for a split second, but then remembered she had brought it on herself.
“No, it’s not,” Leanne butted in as she closed her locker door and locked it. “You forgot that you gave it to my cousin.”
“As if she would ever sleep with your cousin,” Bailey insisted.
“Like you haven’t wanted to,” Leanne returned with a snap.
Starr came into the room. She looked at all of us before turning to give me a cautious hug. “So good to have you back, dear,” she murmured.
“Thanks.” I feigned a smile.
“Why is she allowed back on the team?” Bailey demanded. “I thought if we missed two classes, we were kicked off.”
“Well, my dear,” Anya said with a stern voice from behind us. “When you own a school, you can make the rules, and this is my school. Also, I'm not too fond of tardiness, and yet you’re late for your class. Again. Maybe you should worry about yourself and not others.”
I hadn’t even seen Anya come into the back entrance of the locker room. It was clear by her pinched features and crossed arms that she wasn’t pleased with what she’d overheard.
Bailey narrowed her eyes on Anya, clearly itching for a confrontation. She wasn’t foolish enough to argue, though. Instead, she made a sound of frustration before storming out of the locker room, her posse close on her heels.
“I would like a pumpkin spice latte,” Anya said, effectively shooing me out the door too.
8
●
Ultimatums
The moment I stepped into the coffee shop and got a whiff of their fresh coffee cakes and brewing coffee, I wasn’t as bitter as I had been ten minutes ago. I realized that I was hungry, even though I had eaten a whole bagel a little over an hour ago.
“I’ll go get our orders,” Zane said. “Do you want anything in particular?”
“Caramel hazelnut latte with a coffee cake,” I responded quietly, then turned to Sal. “You have to try their coffee cakes.”
I was beyond thankful that the shop was busy. No one seemed to notice my arrival. I knew I had to look relatively suspicious. The sun was just coming up, and I was wearing my hood up over my copper tresses and large oversized glasses. I had determined I was going incognito when I went into public.
Well, as incognito as I could with a six-foot-five bodyguard and a sexy Greek god accompanying me.
“I can order for us all if you want to find a seat,” Zane offered to Sal.
“Can I get a breakfast sandwich, a coffee cake, and a white chocolate mocha?” Sal said, handing Zane his card. “I’ll cover it today.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but Zane smirked before taking it and walking off. Sal led me to a back corner table and took the seat facing the door. I slid into the bench across from him and began to fiddle with the salt and pepper shakers.
“How long have you been in private security?” I asked to break the silence.
“Five years.” Sals smiled slightly.
“Why the change?”
I knew he had been in secret service once upon a time, but that was it.
He shrugged one broad shoulder. “I did four years in the military before I became a part of the secret service. It was hard to have a family life, and in some cases, the money is better in the private sector.”
“Do you have a family?” I asked in surprise.
He had been with me for over a week now and had never left the property. Did he video chat with them?
“Three kids. Two boys and a girl. They’re thirteen, twelve, and five.” He grinned before he showed me a picture on his phone of three beautiful children.
“They’re cute.” I smiled. “Do you get to see them often? Especially now that you’re stuck with me.”
“They live with their mom.” He grimaced. “She begged me to find a career where I’d be home more often, but then she realized she really didn’t like me home that much. We tried.” He shrugged casually, but I could see it hadn’t been an amicable separation. “It just didn’t work for us. Our court order allows me to have every other weekend with them and one night a week.”
I was sure there was a lot more to the story, but I didn’t want to open up any fresh wounds. I could see he loved them. Most loving fathers wouldn’t create not one, not two, but three children only to be relegated to twenty-five percent of their lives. If there was no abuse, I couldn’t understand how any court could designate eight days a month out of a thirty to a parent.
“Will you get to see them this weekend?” I asked with a frown.
His frown mirrored my own. “I can’t.”
“Why not? Do they live too far away?” I inquired as I began to pick at the edges of a napkin.
He shook his head. “They live about twenty miles north of here, but I have a job. I’ve been trying to take jobs that aren’t as time-consuming, but this job can set me up to have a lot more time to see them.”
“This job can be flexible,” I insisted. “Grandpa already said you guys should take off a couple of days. If you want, I’m sure Loch, Golden, and Paxton wouldn’t mind if you brought them to the house if need be.”
“Brought who back?” Zane asked before placing our tray of food down on the table.
“It’s Sal’s weekend with his kids, and he might not see them because of me,” I explained. “What night are you supposed to see them?” I added as an afterthought.
“Thursday,” Sal said. “But I already contacted their mom.” The way he grimaced, I was sure it hadn’t been a pleasant conversation.
I wondered how many days he had to miss seeing his children due to his career.
“Maisie would probably love the company,” Zane added as he handed Sal back his card. “They have that monstrosity of a playground out back, and we can rent some movies. They can watch them in the theater room. I’ll text the guys now.”
Sal held up his hand with a chuckle. “I’ll think about it,” he said before opening up his breakfast sandwich. “I wouldn’t leave Coop by himself that long.”
I snorted. “Yeah, because two people babysitting me twenty-four-seven is necessary when another company guards the grounds. It’s slightly overkill.”
Sal chuckled but shook his head.
We ate in silence for some time before I saw Sal stiffen. “Mr. Delaney.” He cleared his throat after swallowing the food he had in his mouth and stood.
I turned. I nearly groaned aloud when I realized it was Grandpa. I guessed that little rat had spoken to him already.
“Sit, sit, finish your breakfast,” Grandpa insisted.
Sal took his seat and seemed to sit straighter, clearly intimidated by my grandfather even though he had at least two or three inches on him and about fifty pounds.
“Grandpa.” I nodded at him, noticing the stroller he was pushing. His assistant and close friend, Henry, stood behind him. “It’s a bit early for you, isn’t it?”
I hoped Grandpa was just here to say hi and not discuss things I wasn’t ready to.
He gave me a rueful smile before he pushed a stroller closer. “I forgot what sleepless nights felt like with little ones in the house. These two are early risers. They were up, so I thought it would be nice to get out for a little bit.
”
Henry chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t pretend you don’t enjoy every second of it.”
I gaped when I recognized my youngest cousins Raphael and Honor strapped into it. They were Aunt Ava’s youngest children. My mind froze for a second.
I had once been protective over all the children, but now that I wasn’t in that cabin in the woods any longer, I found it challenging to look at them. Ralphy, although a little cutey, looked a lot like Coach, and Honor was the spitting image of Tormentor, with her silky black hair and bright blue eyes.
I felt Zane grab my thigh, and I jumped at the unexpected touch. It seemed to shake me out of my daze.
“I thought you had nannies for that,” I croaked out finally.
“You know your Grandpa.” Henry chuckled.
I slowly nodded.
I knew Grandpa was enamored with his new grandchildren. Even the ones that weren’t biologically his. Now that he was semi-retired, he was able to enjoy them in a way he hadn’t been able to with his own children. Yes, he’d hired nannies, but in truth, he was with them as much as the help was.
“Three of them,” Grandpa said wearily. “Unfortunately, I have to fire two of them. The youngest one took pictures of the kids and posted them on her social media after I asked her not to several times and after she signed a contract. The other young one finds it more important to flirt with the guards than actually to do her job.” He turned to Henry then. “You can go ahead and get your shopping done. I’ll be here for a bit.”
Henry nodded. “Call me if you need me sooner. See you later, Salvatore, Peyton, and Zane.” He smiled and waved before leaving.
“See you later,” we chorused in return.
“Well, I may have someone in mind for a nanny,” Sal volunteered in the silence that followed. “My younger sister is getting ready to lose her clients.” At Grandpa’s skeptical look, he chuckled, explaining, “She was the nanny to the previous Vice President’s nieces, and she’s currently watching an ambassador's children. Her charges—six of them, by the way—are returning to their country. She understands discretion and will have references. I’m not even sure you’ll need to hire two more nannies if you choose to keep only the one.”
Grandpa nodded, seemingly satisfied. “Give her my number, and maybe I’ll do a video interview with her.”
I chuckled but quickly covered my mouth. My grandpa was just learning how to operate a cell phone. How did he know how to video chat?
“I’m learning,” Grandpa grumbled at me as if he understood my mirth. “Now.” He turned to me with a severe expression. “What happened last night? I heard a few of your mom’s friends came to visit.”
It didn’t surprise me that he was already aware of the situation last night and had already gotten to the bottom of their “visit.”
“Are they Priscilla’s friends?” I inquired, refusing to call her Mom.
“They are.” He nodded. “It was confirmed this morning,” he said evasively.
I felt tension within unravel into relief. I hadn’t even realized it had been sitting heavily on my chest. The alternative to the trespasser’s presence had been overwhelming. I much rather it had been a few of Priscilla’s low-life friends than Tormentor coming after me.
Zane put a reassuring arm around my shoulder, and I leaned into him. I’m sure he could feel the tiny tremors wracking my body.
“Some?” Raphael demanded, pointing to my coffee cake.
I broke him off a small piece and held it out to him. “Say ‘thank you,’” I automatically said as I would Clay and Maisie.
“Tanks,” he chirped before holding out another pudgy hand.
I broke him off another piece and handed it to him.
“Did Priscilla attempt to contact you about me while I was gone? Why does she suddenly want to talk to me?” I asked Grandpa with scorn towards her.
“She tried to come by a few days ago. It was the first time she attempted to reach you, as far as I know. One of the security guys found her on your property,” Grandpa said with a slight scowl. “By the time I got down there, she was gone. I don’t know why she wants to talk to you.”
It seemed highly suspicious to me. My curiosity was heightened, but at the same time, there was a part of me that didn’t care. What mother ditched her daughter with an abuser and then never searched for her when she was missing?
I’ll tell you what kind. The kind that I didn’t need in my life.
“Even if she thought it was important to see me after all this time, she could have picked a better time to do so,” I scoffed. “I don’t want to see her.”
“That’s your decision,” Grandpa agreed with me.
“More.” Raphael held out both hands.
“Please,” I urged him.
“Pease,” he mimicked.
I broke off another piece for him. It wasn’t like I was going to eat it. My appetite had vanished once more. Instead, I took a sip of my latte.
“I’ll get the little tyke his own,” Sal volunteered. “If that’s okay?” He looked over at grandpa. “Would you like anything as well, Mr. Delaney?”
I forgot Sal was there, but I didn’t mind talking about Priscilla in front of him. I liked him, and if there were a chance she’d attempt to see me again, he would know my wishes as well.
Grandpa shook his head fondly with a chuckle. “He already ate, but these children… they seem to eat constantly. Yes, please do grab him one, and can you get me a large black coffee and maybe a whole crumb cake to go?” He handed Sal a wad of cash before taking his empty seat.
I knew he was probably taking the cake home to the other children. I always thought it was odd how they seemed to be on a diet of sorts. Coach had been the only one I’d witnessed giving them sweets.
Unbidden, my mind began to wander more in-depth into the darker recesses of my mind. They were horrible men. What they did to Claire and me was abhorrent. Yet I couldn’t deny the glimpses of… good in them. How could such evil men have any good in them?
I had seen how Tormentor and Coach Carson had loved the children in their own way. I had seen Tormentor cradle Honor and nurture her, had seen how the children loved the playful side Coach had towards them. My mind still couldn’t wrap around a portion of what I had witnessed and had been put through.
“Beautiful?” Zane murmured in my ear before grasping my hands tightly in his.
I blinked rapidly, reality crashing back all at once.
I was in a coffee shop.
I wasn’t there anymore.
I. Was. Not. There.
I drew a ragged breath in and realized I must have been holding my breath. Grandpa looked concerned, but Zane gently caressed my hands.
“Have you heard anything about Tor− Pearce?” I blurted out. “It’s evident that he had a relationship with Ava, so why can’t they prove he was there? Why isn’t he behind bars?”
Tormentor was still running free and his silence worried me. I fully expected him to seek retribution. He didn’t seem like a man to forgive and forget. I had essentially taken his kids away from him and I was sure he wasn’t happy about it.
Grandpa looked at me with concern, and I could tell the subject was sore for him as well. “The FBI doesn’t have enough evidence to prove his involvement. With Coach Carson, Ava, and Claire insisting he wasn’t there, there’s little they can do.” He leaned over and clasped my hands in his. “I told you I hired a private investigator. If the FBI isn’t willing to investigate further, than we will,” he reassured me. “It will only be a matter of time before he slips up.”
I leaned back and tilted my head to the ceiling, attempting to control my turbulent emotions. Nodding, I blew out a loud breath of frustration and rage. Why was finding justice so slow sometimes? I knew I would never sleep easy knowing he was still out there.
“Have you followed up on any of the therapists?” Grandpa inquired, clearly realizing my battle within.
I shook my head. I didn’t want to talk about it.
I didn’t want to bare my soul to a stranger, forced to talk about things I’d rather forget.
Grandpa sighed. “Claire’s therapist has been an amazing help,” he barely spoke above a whisper. “It’s great that you have people that love you surrounding you, but you may need more.”
“The Principal thinks I should talk to Mrs. White,” I admitted quietly.
“Would you like me to talk to him and ask him if Lochlann will suffice?” he inquired with a raised brow.
I tensed, knowing he knew. The proverbial cat was out of the bag. I think he’d always had his suspicions about me and Lochlann. It was never confirmed, though. He didn’t ask, and I didn’t tell.
I shook my head resolutely at his question. Was it weird that I didn’t want to talk to the one person that had been trained to help people like me? Admittedly, I didn’t want to talk to any of them about what happened. After my first initial word vomit, I had been too afraid to analyze their emotions. I was too insecure, wondering if they only stayed with me because I was broken.
I had experienced more than most eighteen-year-olds I knew. I had lived with a man determined to break me. I always said I was bent, not broken. But what if Tormentor, Coach, and Principal Boyd did what Sean was never able to do? What if they had broken me?
“Sometimes it’s hard to talk to the ones closest to us,” Grandpa cleared his throat, “and he is very close, isn’t he?”
I knew there was no avoiding this conversation now. I had to suck it up and fight for my guys.
“I’m eighteen,” I huffed before handing Ralphy another piece of my cake. “He’s only five years older than me, and technically we haven’t done anything.”
Grandpa sighed heavily. “And the others?”
Guess we were finally having this conversation, I thought.
Grandpa had witnessed how affectionate they were towards me. He saw how they cared for me and took care of me. I was sure he’s been well aware of the situation the whole time. He just needed or wanted confirmation.