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“I tried talking Eric down…telling him I was sorry, but he was in a rage. He dragged me to each room as he…”
Ethan’s voice dropped off and I didn’t need him to finish his statement. I remembered the blood all over that house. I had no doubt it had only come from Ethan.
“My room was already trashed when he dragged me into it. He…he threw me face down on the bed and told me I was his…always his. Then he pulled my pants down…I was too out of it to fight back,” Ethan murmured. “When he was finished, I managed to pull my pants up before he knocked me to the ground. Then he was on top of me, his hands around my throat. I knew he wasn’t going to let me go this time. I could see it in his eyes. I was…I was relieved,” Ethan admitted as tears slipped unchecked down his face. “All I ever wanted was to be free…I just never thought he’d be the one to give that to me.”
Rage surged through me, white-hot, and I barely managed to stay where I was. My fists were clenched, but there was nothing I could do to relax them. I wanted blood. Period.
“How did you get away?” Ronan asked.
Ethan let out a strangled laugh. “Lucy,” he managed to get out as he wiped at his face. “She saw the light on, but ignored it and came inside. She hit him over the head with a cast iron skillet. Knocked him out cold, then helped me to my feet. I told her to grab the safe deposit key I’d taped underneath one of the dresser drawers and then we ran. She drove because I couldn’t. I was too out of it to do anything. She told me when we got to the cabin that it belonged to her friend’s family and that the girl had said we could use it. The girl’s parents were out of the country for another couple of months so we’d be safe there. Her friend told the guy who plowed the road that we were there with her parents’ permission so he wouldn’t call the cops. She also told Lucy about the gun her parents kept at the cabin for protection.”
Ethan took a few deep breaths and then lifted his eyes to Ronan. “She can’t know I was raped,” he said, his voice firm.
While Ethan had made the same request of me, I knew his demand held even more weight now since Lucy’s email account had likely been what had led Eric to finding them.
“She won’t,” Ronan said just as firmly.
Ethan nodded.
“Ethan, I’d like for you to let us help you,” Ronan said.
Ethan began shaking his head before Ronan even finished. “No. Two people are dead because I accepted help.” Ethan’s eyes shifted to me. “I want to go.”
I knew what he was asking of me. I felt Ronan’s eyes on me and while I knew I was about to do something that would cost me my job, I did it anyway. I stood up and said, “Okay,” and motioned to the door.
Ethan glanced uncertainly around the room before he climbed to his feet.
As he neared me I said, “Be sure about this, Ethan. It’s not just your life that you’re putting at risk.” I knew it was a low blow, but after having seen the connection between Ethan and his young charge, I was only speaking the truth. “She’s put herself in danger twice for you. You really think she’s going to stop doing that just because you tell her to?” I asked.
Ethan stiffened at that and then glanced at Ronan. He was quiet for a moment before saying, “Can you keep her safe? Even if Eric comes at you with everything he has?”
Ronan stood. “We can keep you both safe, Ethan. Whether that means proving to the world who Eric really is or just making it so he’s no longer a part of it, he’ll never get near either of you again. You have my word on that.”
Ethan was clearly overwhelmed and torn. I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to clasp his face with my hand so I could force him to look at me. I leaned forward enough so only he could hear my next words. “I’ve got you, Ethan,” I whispered.
A choked sob tore from his throat as he let out a jerky nod. He stepped away from me and went to sit back down.
I was too on edge to sit so I moved to stand behind the couch.
“Um, what happens next?” Ethan asked as he wiped at his face with his hands.
“I’d like to arrange to get Lucy’s phone from your friend and we’ll also need the contents of your safe deposit box. My suggestion would be for Lucy to stay here with my family while one of my men escorts you to get the phone and the contents of your safe deposit box in D.C.” Ronan glanced between me and Phoenix. “Cain and Phoenix will act as primaries on your case and I’ll call in more men if we need it.”
