Page 39 of Grayson

“I’d lied to him, my parents, and more importantly to myself. I thought if I could just hide it for a while, one day I could disappear.”

There was a loud screech from the peacocks and both women smiled, as if they were telling them a secret.

“I loved Grayson for so long, Kate. I knew I was too young for him but I also knew that we grow up, we get older and I really thought he’d see me when I graduated from high school.”

“Honey, you were still just a girl. Eighteen feels old when you’re in the moment but when you look back at it, you’re nothing but an older child. There was so much left for you to explore, to discover on your own. Think about the restraint that Grayson displayed in refusing your advances. In not taking action on his own desires.”

“I know you’re right,” said Jennifer, “but I just keep thinking about all the time wasted and lost. I should have come home after I was attacked. I should have made sure that everyone here knew.”

“Don’t beat yourself up. We all make mistakes and I made one that nearly killed the man I love, my child, and just as bad, my brother,” said Kate. “I was young and stupid. I’m not sure why we think our parents, friends, and families won’t forgive us for our mistakes. But we do.

“I remember when Ryan got into all his trouble. He’d been addicted to narcotics, lost his arm, and yet still loved Paige, never giving up on her. More importantly, she never gave up on him. Neither did his parents. Are you having flashbacks?”

“No,” she said shaking her head. “I’m very lucky so far. I did initially when I was in the sick ward of the convent. The sisters were so patient with me. I would close my eyes and feel their hands on me, their bodies hovering above me. I couldn’t unsee it.”

“That’s understandable,” said Kate reaching for her hand. “Your parents are worried for you.”

“I know,” she nodded. “Dad is over there risking his life along with the other guys and I should be there with them.”

“Absolutely not,” said Kate. “We need you here.”

“Please don’t tell me this is all so you can drag me back and talk about wedding plans,” she frowned.

“Aren’t you excited? Don’t you want to get married?” asked Kate.

“No! I mean, yes, I do. It’s just that everyone sort of took over. I think they thought I wasn’t ‘up to it’ and they were doing me a favor. I love their ideas and I love that they want to help but honestly, this is where I would get married. Right here, with the animals on this island. Me, Grayson, and our parents. Then we’d celebrate with everyone else.”

“Then let’s do that,” said Kate. She took out her phone and sent a text message to all the women. The responses came in ping after ping. “Done. The wedding will be here, with Grayson and your parents. We’ll do a wedding dinner afterwards.”

“Kate, you’re the best,” said Jennifer leaning on the other woman’s shoulder.

“I know,” she smirked. “I’m the best because I learned from the best. Like the rest of the big, bad, gorgeous, beautiful bitches.”

The two women just laughed, sitting quietly for a while longer. When the threat of rain became dark and menacing, they boarded the boat and returned to the main property.

When they entered the cafeteria, just before the deluge began, there two-hundred women waiting for them.

“We didn’t mean to take over,” said Erica hugging her daughter. “We treated you like you were fragile and that was stupid of us. I’m sorry.”

“We’re all sorry,” said Violet. “My son knew what he was doing and so do you. We’ll honor your request for the small wedding ceremony and then a party afterwards.”

“Thank you,” she said hugging the two women. “Now I get to sit back and worry about my future husband, father, and father-in-law. Plus all the other men risking their lives so I can sleep better at night.”

“Why don’t we do something productive?” said Caroline. “Let’s talk about this agency that you worked for and how we can help them going forward. We don’t want to lose our girl again, but maybe there’s something we can do from here.”

“I’m sure there is,” said Jennifer. “Grayson was right when he said I should have thought about calling home when all these kids and women were disappearing. You all stop trafficking all the time.”

“Maybe we start a sisters network,” smirked Tila. “You know, us sisters, and the kind of sisters you were helping. Women helping women. If they see something happening and they can’t stop it through the proper channels, they call us. We try to support from here.”

“I love that idea,” smiled Jennifer. “I’ve met so many wonderful nuns over the past few years and we try to stay in touch. We could call it Sisters for Sisters.”

“Perfect,” nodded Claudette from the sidelines. They all turned to her. “Mama is proud of all of you. Sisters for Sisters.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Striker settled his hand on his sons’ shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. He knew what the young man was feeling and he could remember feeling the same.

“She’ll be safe when this is done. Lacroix is following the plan exactly as we intended. He believes he has the upper hand and will have Jennifer over a barrel.”