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Beside his mother, Dorian had his hands in his pockets, but as soon as our gazes clashed, his averted a little. I wondered if he disagreed with all this.
Stop focusing on him.
I couldn’t focus on him, not now. I might break if I did. I couldn’t think about another damn thing.
“And if you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you in private, Sloane.” December gestured toward Bru. “Your brother can come too if he likes. I just have a few questions for your sister.”
Bru directed his focus to me, and I lifted a hand. “I’m okay. You can go.”
“We won’t go far.” December waved toward the table filled with all that food. There was quite a spread there, pancakes. Bacon.
I had to cross in front of Dorian to get to it, and he opened his mouth like he was going to say something but stopped.
He directed the others out of the room in the end. They headed to a connecting room that had couches and a few TVs from what I could see. The majority of them ended up sitting on the couches, and I noticed Ares angle around, Bru too.
Dorian stayed by the archway, but when his mom tilted her head at him, he nodded. He left too and eventually, joined the others on the couch.
I didn’t know what that meant. Especially when she smiled after.
“I suppose I first want to start with an apology.” December laced her hands. “The adults really didn’t think about how our abrasive measures would affect you. It took our kids to see it, and though we didn’t want to listen, we realized they were right about that.”
She didn’t have to apologize. I understood.
“And I want to lead with no one wants to make you do anything that you don’t want to do or would otherwise make you feel uncomfortable. You’re eighteen, and you’re completely in control of what happens from here. Even if you weren’t, no one’s going to force anything on you.” She frowned. “All Ramses and Brielle want is for you to feel safe. That’s priority, and we all feel that way.”
My heart squeezed, my nod firm.
“And with that being said, I have some more difficult questions.” She braced her hands. “As you know, Dorian’s grandfather has been involved with your care and the well-being of you and your brother.”
My lips parted, hers too.
“So I have to ask if he ever hurt you. You or Bru. We’ve talked to the kids, and they said that you explained he hadn’t, but…” Taking her purse off, she placed it on the table. “I have to ask. He’s been helping with everything surrounding the searches. Appears to be helping and claims he’s always had your and your brother’s best interest in mind, but we have to ask. The kids also explained you know the history there, so I’m sure you get why I’m asking.”
I was sure this was difficult for her, asking me this. He’d hurt her family, her sister. I played with my hands. “He’s only been kind to me. Never hurt Bru or me.”
She acknowledged that, her head bobbing twice. “He was informed you were found this morning and has agreed to distance himself now that you and Bru have been safely found. He stated he was going to offer this to you both anyway after he helped you get back to Ramses and Brielle.”
“He was. He tried.” I ran though. “None of this… any of this was him. Everything was all Godfrey…” I swallowed. “Marilyn.”
“And did they ever hurt you?” The question was even, her attention focused. “And if you can’t answer that… if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to me about that, it’s okay. We can find someone appropriate to talk to you about anything delicate.”
That wasn’t necessary. I could talk about them.
“They were my parents.” My voice strained a bit. I looked up at her. “I loved them.”
I had, and I felt sick about it. I mean, I loved my kidnappers. What the fuck?
“That’s okay, you know.” December placed her hand on the table. “That’s all right.”
It’s all right.
“They didn’t hurt me,” I forced out. “They did nothing like that. I had a normal childhood. My dad had a lot of depression but—” I shook my head. “Godfrey had a lot of depression and anxiety, but he was fine. Just sad. Sad a lot.”
I guess I got that now.
“Okay.” December laced her fingers. “Well, I guess I just have one more question, and that’s if you’ve ever been here before. To Maywood Heights? There’s obviously a proper investigation going on as far as your kidnapping, but I’m asking for Ramses and Brielle. Ares explained how he knew it was you with that charm. I think we’re all wondering.”
“I’ve never been here before.” At least, that I knew of.
