Page 39 of Miss Trust

Chance

Rage coursed through me like nothing I’d ever felt before. The way this bastard had manipulated a teenage girl made me feel murderous—gaining her trust and then threatening her younger sister. But I had to remain calm. I had to treat this confidence with kid gloves and recognize what it must be taking Tory to share her past. I forced myself to return to my seat. “Did you go to the police?”

“No. I didn’t exactly have good experiences with the cops given how many times they’d arrested my mother. He also threatened if I told anyone, including my mother, he’d go after my sister. He knew my weakness, and he exploited it. Looking back, I wish I would’ve told a teacher or someone. I don’t know.”

“How long did it continue?”

“A couple months. Then, out of the blue, he died from some sort of heart thing. I suspect it had something to do with his cocaine habit. My mom fell apart while I was so relieved. After him, I didn’t let myself become indebted to anyone ever again.”

“Accepting favors makes you feel helpless.” It explained why she’d been so adamant about cleaning my house. She’d wanted to ensure an even exchange, and she wouldn’t end up owing me. So many things were making sense now.

“Yes. And there is no worse feeling for me. I may have been naïve back then, but never again.”

If the monster wasn’t already dead, I would have done everything in my power to make him wish he was. “He was a predator who manipulated you in order to gain your trust and then guaranteed your silence by threatening your sister. You can’t possibly blame yourself.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” She rubbed her temples. “Okay, enough story time. Now you know not to take it personally. It’s not all stubbornness.”

“Stubbornness isn’t always a bad quality.” I drained the rest of my glass and watched her do the same. “I’ll return next week with dinner, but I’m bringing bourbon next time.”

“I can’t tell the difference between whiskey and bourbon, to be honest.”

I feigned a wound. “Jesus. Time to educate you, then. Every bourbon is whiskey, not every whiskey is considered bourbon. We’ll do a tasting when you’re back at the house so you can get to know some of my favorite bourbons. It’s smoother.” My tone was light, but my internal thoughts were not. Anger over her circumstances simmered right below the surface.

“A tasting sounds good. Can you do me a favor?” she asked.

“Anything.” I didn’t think I’d ever been more ready to do something for someone.

“Can I continue to work with Carmen? It would be from here, but I’m sure there is plenty I can help with on the audit, and it would keep me busy at night when I can’t sleep.”

I was tempted to argue, not wanting her to worry about work. Yet after her story, I knew how important it was for her to earn her salary. “I’ll talk to her tonight about sending over a laptop and some work. I’m certain she’d appreciate the help.”

“Thank you. And thank you for the iPad and the offer of your condo.”

Because she looked uncharacteristically vulnerable, I stopped to cup her chin. Her eyes went wide with the touch while I had to rein in my unexpected emotion. “I’m glad you told me about your past.”

“Why?”

Dammit, her and that insufferable word. “Because I’ll make sure you never are made to feel helpless again.”

It was a promise I had no business making. Yet one I fully intended to keep.

* * *

After leavingthe hospital I made a phone call, hoping it wasn’t too late.

“Hello.”

“Hi, Liam, it’s Chance.” Liam was an attorney who had done some work for me in the past, but more importantly, he was a man I trusted. I didn’t have many friends, but I considered him close.

“Hi, Chance. What’s going on?”

“I need a good family attorney. Someone who can terminate parental rights for a colleague.” It was first on my to-do list.

He blew out a breath. “What state?”

“Here in California.”

“I have a college friend who practices family law in LA.”