AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Cole tells me you were in Texas?”
“Yeah, I moved there five years ago for a job.”
“Do you have family out there as well?”
“No. Aunt Willa is all I have. My dad and brother died when I was twelve. That’s when I moved here to stay with my aunt.”
“Oh.” She stares at me for a second. “I’m sorry. That must’ve been difficult.” She pauses, taking a more complex look at me. “Are you happy to be home?”
“I love my aunt, but I really never wanted to return to Florida.”
“I hear you. I left over a year ago, went to New Hampshire, vowing I’d never return, and” —she raises her glass— “here I am. It somehow sucks you back in. I’d like to blame it on the sunshine, but it’s Brett’s fault. If it weren’t for him, I never would’ve remained here. I came back for a job, and we sort of reconnected.” She waves a hand. “It’s a long story.”
“There always is.” I take a sip of my wine, recalling Cole’s story about his childhood.
I’m sure Cassie has heard it as well in Brett’s version. Knowing what these brothers went through and what made them who they are today is heart-wrenching.
“Is it hard… being with Brett and what he does?”
“Hmm…” She tilts her head and gazes at me thoughtfully. “To be honest, sometimes it is, but knowing the other side of it, being a victim myself, I’m thankful he does it. I’d have a difficult time asking him to stop. I think it’s something he needs. They all do.”
“It’s like therapy?”
“Ya know”—she purses her lips—“it might be for them.”
“Don’t you worry he’ll get hurt?”
She laughs. “I’ve seen him in action. He can take care of himself, but yeah, I worry.” She sets her glass on the table. “The night he rescued me, I thought I was going to die. I felt like I had nowhere to turn, so I called the escort service. Brett showed up, and I don’t know. I looked into his eyes, and I knew he would do anything in his power to get me out of there. And he did. I can't ask him to stop if he can do that for other women. I love him, but I can’t be that selfish. Especially when I know the outcome. The good he does. The good they all do. I couldn’t take that away from those women who need him.”
“It sounds like you know you have the power to do it. To make him stop?”
“Perhaps.” She smiles. “And if I ever get pregnant. I’ll probably use it.” She picks her glass up and leans back into the sofa. “But with that power also comes great responsibilities, and my responsibilities, like you right now, are to those women.”
I shake my head. “I messed up bad,” I admit.
“But your intentions were good. Concentrate on that. I’m sure when Willa started, she messed up, but it didn’t stop her from trying.”
“Nothing stops my aunt from doing anything when she puts her mind to it.”
“Yeah, she’s a hard act to follow, but obviously, she trusts you. Concentrate on that as well.”
“Yeah.” I nod, her words giving me some comfort.
Chapter 17
Brett waves at me as he finishes with his call.
Lix walks into the office.
“Hey, big bro.” Lix smacks me on the shoulder as he passes by. “You just get here?”
“Yeah.” I rub the back of my neck.
Brett sets his cell on the desk. “How’s the Julia?”
“He did a number on her.” I drop my hand. “She’s in the hospital with a few cracked ribs and a concussion, but she’ll be okay. We reached out to her family, and they’re going to make sure she’s safe.”
Lix drops into a chair. “And Harper?”
