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"I don't think I want you going on any more of these missions, Ryan. If they are dangerous…"
I stare incredulously at him. "You don't have a say in what I do, Bain. In case you have forgotten, your family is why I'minvolved in this life."
He flinches, but I can't feel sorry about saying it because it's the truth. He won't start treating me with kid gloves just because he doesn't like something. Whether he likes it or not, I'm part of this way of life. What? Does he want me to just forget that I was once a victim myself? That's never going to happen. Just because I wasn't sold doesn't mean I'm not a victim of this world.
"I apologize. I didn't mean for it to sound the way it did. I know it means a lot to you, and you have to be a part of it, but does it have to be you going on these missions yourself? There were many that you didn't go on before your mother passed…" Bain's words trail off.
"I have two left on the file that I gave Castor. He asked me what my plans were afterward. He wants me to keep helping, but I haven't decided yet."
"You can still help, Ryan. Maybe just do it from a safer distance. I know these people need you. You, along with Laney and Heather, are the only ones who can truly help them recover from their nightmare."
I'm almost left speechless. Not only does my stepfather surprise me by knowing Laney and Heather's names, but he genuinely sounds sincere. I don't know if I've ever heard him sound this way.
"There are other survivors who want to help. So, we are in the process of helping them learn how they can help others in this situation. I haven't touched my inheritance from my father, and I no longer have plans to go to college, so I want to use my money to start my own nonprofit organization helping trafficking and sexual abuse victims."
Bain's smile grows. "I'm proud of you, pretty girl, and I'm sure your parents are also. You know, you have been so busy with all this that you haven't had the chance to talk to the lawyer about your inheritance from your mother."
"I know. I've been putting it off for a reason. It will make everything final…you know?" My voice catches, and I fight to keep the tears back.
I'm suddenly being pulled into strong arms. "I know all too well what you mean." Bain states, "But you don't have to use your inheritance, Ryan. I have plenty and am willing to invest in this endeavor if it's truly what you want."
I shake my head. "No. I can't ask that of you."
"You're not asking. I'm offering, and the only thing I would ask for in return is that you name it after your mother. You don't have to use Huntley in the name; just leave it as The Lacey Hendricks Foundation or something along those lines."
Who the hell is this guy, and what did he do with Bain Huntley?
"I think," he continues, "this is what you need, what we both need, to be able to move on. You know, closure."
I stiffen in Bain's arms at the last word out of his mouth, and it doesn't go unnoticed. Pulling back a little, he looks down at me in quizzically. I sigh and try stepping away, but he doesn't allow me to, so I stay where I'm at. "Castor took me to the underground prison today. He thought I could use the closure.”
It's Bain's turn to stiffen. "What the fuck was he thinking?"
"I can see why he thought it would help me, and maybe it would have, had Sergio not said what he said," I tell him.
Now Bain pulls away entirely. "You were face-to-face with him?"
The anger in his voice is worrisome, but the look on his face is what scares me the most. I try explaining what happened and that Sergio didn't see me, but it doesn't faze him as he begins to pace.
"I'll kill him for taking you there. He had no right to even offer that to you; it isn't a place for women to be!" His body is literally trembling as he walks back and forth before me.
"Bain, it's fine. He got me out of there as soon as I told him to, and I won't be going back there again." I try calming him by placing my hand on his arm.
"Damn straight you won't be. Does he not know what he's done?" My stepfather stares at me, but I feel he's looking right through me.
"What do you mean?" I ask, my voice low and tight.
"Sergio D'Angelo is the worst of the brothers. He had taken an interest in you, and that scared the shit out of me. When I realized that he had, by the way he was with you, I knew I had to get you out of there as soon as possible."
"You're scaring me now, Bain. What the fuck?" I'm frozen in place, waiting for him to continue.
"Having Sergio interested in you means he will never give up trying to get you back. Castor taking you there and Sergio knowing you were there has only fueled his efforts. I'm not saying this to scare you, Ryan, but you need to be aware of the danger should that fucker escape from there someday."
I'm always going to be looking over my shoulder, aren't I?
I harden my resolve. No. I will not accept this as my fate. I will not live in fear of Sergio D'Angelo. I am taking back my life, and I will live for each day I am given. So be it if it is written in the stars for Sergio to come after me. With my head held high, I'll take everything he dishes out to me.
"I won't let him get to you again, Ryan. You will be protected by me always, for as long as I'm alive. I not only owe it to your mother, but I owe it to you. Please, let me do this for you."
