Page 8 of Unchained

“Look, I don’t know your story, but what I do know is that I don’t want you or your son to be hurt. If you feel safe with that man and he’s trying to protect you, then you have my word that I will not call the police.”

“Trevor is my brother.” She looks in his direction. “I trust him with my life.”

I’m not sure why learning they’re related hits me with relief, but it does. It’s not like it makes him any less dangerous. But now, I can remove guilt of my list of shame at the moment. I just let the man touch me. A lapse of judgement on my part that will never happen again.

“He didn’t do what they said he did,” she says. “The monster I’m married to framed him.”

A wave of heaviness settles into my stomach like a dark cloud. He was framed? I glance in Trevor’s direction, seeing him watching me from the corner of the room. His intense stare causes goosebumps to prickle over my skin. It feels like he’s shoving me up onto the counter and fucking me in his mind. Another tremble rolls through me, rattling me further.

I quickly shift my attention to his nephew, remembering my sole purpose for being here. Kai is sitting in the other corner of the room, reading a book, looking like he’s trying to escape the world.

I grab the bag I brought and walk over to him. “I brought you a few things,” I tell him, getting down on my knees. “I didn’t know what you were into, so I hope you’re not offended by my choices.”

I start pulling out the things I brought him. A deck of cards, a couple of mystery puzzle books, and a handheld video game. He looks at everything then glances up at his mom.

“Sorry,” she says, as she sits beside us. “He doesn’t speak.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize.” God, now I feel terrible. Here I am blabbing away, and he doesn’t even know what I’m saying. “I don’t know sign language. Can you tell him these are for him?”

“He can understand you. He’s just, um…” Her eyes drop to her son and I can see the tears forming, though she fights to stay strong. “He just prefers not to talk.”

There’s a reason for it. I’m guessing it has to do with his stepfather, and the violence he’s seen in his life. An ache forms in my chest. I’d give anything to seek vengeance in honor of this innocent boy. I’d love nothing more than to lock the monster up for the pain he’s caused Kai and his mother.

“That’s okay,” I tell them. “Sometimes I think talking is overrated. Would it be okay if I gave you a hug?”

I just need to offer comfort in any way that I can. This entire situation is dredging up a heap of emotions, reminding me of when Bryson and I were living in the foster home. Mr. Walsh was a terrible man. After watching him beat one of the other kids, I did everything I could to stay out of his way. Most days, I’d try to stay as quiet as a mouse so he wouldn’t notice I was even in the house. And after watching him slap my brother across the face for talking at the dinner table, I decided that being mute was safer. Thankfully, the teachers saw the bruise on my brother’s face and reported it to social services. The next day, we were removed from that home and placed back in a group home.

Kai nods, and I feel like I’ve struck gold as he scoots in, allowing me to hug him. I give him a quick squeeze and then back out of his space, not wanting to overstay my welcome.

“Thank you.” I smile. “I needed that. I better get going.” I stand back up, looking towards his mom. “Just remember to keep the main lights off as it gets dark out. I doubt anyone will see the flashlights with the curtains closed so those should be okay to use.”

“Thank you again.” She launches herself at me and gives me a hug, and I feel every emotion pouring out of her. “You just have no idea.”

I give her a tight hug back. I may not know the details of what she’s been through, but it’s not hard to figure out that whatever her situation was, it was worth running from.

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to come back,” I tell her, squeezing even tighter. I hate that I can’t do more for them. But I’m playing with fire just being here. If anyone catches me with them, they’re going to arrest me, and my brother will never forgive me.

“Thank you again.” She pulls back and wipes the tear that’s slipped down her cheek. “You’ll never know how much this means to us.”

I hardly did anything. Bringing them supplies was nothing. I wish I could get them out of this mess, but the system doesn’t work like that. I can’t just go to the police and tell them Trevor is innocent and that they need to arrest the real killer, because no one would believe me. He’s an escapee who broke the law when he escaped prison, and they’re on the run with him.

I wipe my own tears away then turn toward Kai.

“It was nice meeting you, Kai. By the way, there are a couple of treats in the grocery bags for you. Hope you like chocolate.”

He gets up from the ground and rushes toward me, wrapping his arms around my waist and giving me a soul-melting hug. Guilt hits me in the chest. I don’t want to leave them. I’m terrified for what’s going to happen. How this is all going to play out. The entire country is looking for Trevor. Wherever they end up, someone is bound to recognize him. And like Bryson told me on the phone, they’re out trying to question the family. Soon, they’ll figure out that his sister and nephew have gone missing, and they’ll know they went with him.

He pulls out of my arms and walks away with his head tucked down, and another tear slips down my cheek. I need to go before I’m a blubbering mess. I give one last quick “goodbye” before I turn and head to the door, not bothering to look in Trevor’s direction because I don’t want him to see my tears.

Just as I get to my car, there’s a hard frame braced against my back, preventing me from opening my door. His lips brush over my ear and his seething words send a shiver through my shoulders. “This is your last warning.” His hands lock tight onto my hips. “You come back and you’re mine. I will take what I want and make no apologies.”

The threat surges through my system, lighting up nerves that have laid dormant for years. This man is potent. And his warning has me breaking into a sweat. Fear is crackling up my spine. But it’s fear of knowing I’d let him do whatever he wanted to me.

“I mean it, little girl. This cunt will be mine whether you want my dick or not.”

I turn my head to look up at him, my body practically trembling. The terrifying part is that my knees are weak, wanting him to make good on that threat now.

“You’re never going to see me again,” I state, alarmed by my irrational attraction to the man. “Now, please move so I can get in my car?”