by Jane Charles
I assumed they were looking for me, but how would Scott even know I was here? Unless he tracked my phone again. Instead of looking for me, they walk toward two girls, who come to their feet. The worry on their faces mimics what I’m feeling.
“Why is Scott talking to the Babin sisters?” Gabe whispers in my ear.
I’m not sure but my stomach tightens and I pull him away from the others so they can’t hear us. “What do you know about them?”
He shrugs. “They are sisters. One plays the piano and violin and the other dances and sings.”
I’m going to be sick. Scott’s job with the FBI is saving exploited children.
“They’re Russian, I believe. At least the few times they’ve talked, there’s a hint of that accent.”
“Oh, God.” Were they victims of her father and Krestyanov?
The girls are holding hands, their eyes wide with worry as Scott stops before them. I am too far away to hear what is being said, but before long their shoulders relax and they finally smile.
I’m glad that whatever Scott had to tell them was good news. I don’t expect the same. But I know in my heart that no matter what happens, whether I have to go back to Nevada and testify or not, I have Gabe. For the first time in my life, I don’t feel alone. He knows the worst and still wants me around.
The fear of what could happen isn’t gone, but I can face that too. And, I’m not going to run anymore.
One of the girls points to me and Scott straightens and turns. An odd quirk comes to his lips and he comes toward me. I walk to meet him. I don’t want whatever he has to tell me to be overheard by anyone else. Gabe is by my side every step of the way.
“I read your blog,” he says.
He isn’t here about my article.
“Did you finally decide to write about good places, or were you digging up dirt?”
My face heats but I don’t answer. The fact that he hasn’t mentioned my father or Krestyanov means he didn’t come here for me and the reason he was talking to the sisters has nothing to do with my past.
“Dirt!” He’s shaking his head. “If you would have told me, I would have told you that you were wasting your time.”
“I may not have gotten the story I thought I would, but it was far from a waste of time.” I glance up at Gabe. He was the best thing that came out of my suspicions.
“I was going to give you a call when I left here.”
My stomach tightens again. “Why?” I ask hesitantly.
“There won’t be another trial.”
I blow out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Krestyanov was in a car accident on the way from the prison to the courthouse. It’s suspicious, but someone else is investigating that.”
“He’s dead?” I ask slowly.
“Very,” Scott answers coldly.
Neither one of us is sad over this turn of events. Krestyanov was a horrible person who ruined many lives.
“Shortly after, I received a letter.”
“From who?” I ask.
“His relatives,” Scott answers. “They wanted to assure me, and the FBI, that they have put this unpleasantness behind them. That the crimes of Krestyanov are in no way related to the legitimate family business and that anyone who had anything to do with the arrest and incarceration of Krestyanov has nothing to fear from them. They want to put it all behind them.”
I blink up at Scott. “It’s over.”
“It is over.” He grins.
“Nobody is going to come after me?”
“We’ll still keep watch but I’m confident they do want to move on. I’m not saying they’ve all suddenly turned into upstanding individuals, but we’ve found no links to prostitution or human trafficking since Krestyanov was arrested.”
I can’t believe this. I’ve lived in fear for so long and it’s over, just like that. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m sure it will take time to sink in. But you don’t have to worry about them or a trial ever again.” He looks around. “We’ll, I’ve got to head back.” He then smiles down at me. “It was good knowing you Ellen. Take care.”
He turns, walking away. I can’t even process what he’s told me. I glance over and the Babin sisters are grinning at me. Nobody has said they were victims of Krestyanov, but nobody needs to. It’s something we will probably never discuss, but all three of us have been set free today.
“Ellen?” Gabe asks, looking down at me with concern.
I blink up at him. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
He’s right.
“You’re free, Ellen, or Caroline, or whatever name you want to go by now. The world is yours, free of fear.” There’s a hint of concern in his eyes. Is he afraid I’m going to go into another panic attack? That’s is the last thing I’m about to do.
“The question is…” He shuffles his feet. “What are your plans now? Everything has changed. You no longer need to hide.”
Does he honestly think I’ll run off now? I reach out and grab his hand, well aware that we should not be showing any physical affection around the students, but this is too important. “My plans are to stay exactly where I am. You see, I’ve met this guy I kind of like, a lot, and want to see where it’s going.”
I never thought I would be free to meet someone, fall in love, and live happily ever after. But I am. I have. I did. I will.
Also by Jane Charles
New Adult / Contemporary
Baxter Academy of Art
Colors of You
Shadows of Memory
Casting Doubt (Fifty Ways to Kill Your Larry box set)
Between the Lines
Baxter Beginnings (coming soon)
Historical Romances
The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies Series
To Walk in the Sun
Ghosts from the Past
The Tenacious Trents
Compromised for Christmas (novella)
A Misguided Lord
A Perfect Gentleman
A Lass for Christmas (Novella)
A Reluctant Rake
Lady Revealed
Lady Disguised (Novella)
Lady Concealed
A Tenacious Trent Wedding (coming soon)
Lady Admired (coming soon)
Tenacious Trent Connected Novellas
Landing a Laird
Devil in Her Dreams
Muses
Her Muse, Lord Patrick (novella)
Her Muse, Her Magic (novella)
Another Haunted Evening (anthology – coming soon)
A Gentleman’s Guide to Once Upon a Time Series
His Impetuous Debutante
His Contrary Bride
His (Not so) Sensible Miss
His Christmas Match
To Love a Governess Series
Sacked – Regency Short
Handfasted – Regency Novella
Ruined – Regency Short
About Jane
Jane Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who has lived in the Midwest her entire life. As a child she would more likely be found outside with a baseball than a book in her hand. In fact, Jane hated reading until she was sixteen. Out of boredom on a long road trip she borrowed her older sister’s historical romance and fell in love with reading. She long ago lost count of how many novels she has read over the years and her love for them never died. Along with romance she has a passion for history and the two soon combined when she penned her first historical romance. What turned into a hobby became a passion. In addition to historical romances, she has been pulled to write contemporary and began penning her new series, Baxter Academy of Arts. She intends to continue writing both historical and contemporary.
JaneCharlesAuthor.com
Jane can be contacted at: [email protected]
Twitter and FB: JaneACharles
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