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I gave her a brief rundown of how we met. When I was done, she was nodding her head. “Your first meeting was certainly much better than mine. I met Storm after he and his club rescued me and some other women from human traffickers who had kidnapped us and raped us.”
My mouth fell open in shock. Not only at the terrible thing that she went through, but also because of how casually she said it. I sat there stunned as she told me the whole disgusting story. When she was done, she shrugged.
“It took me a while to let Storm in. I didn’t think any man would want to be with someone who had gone through what I did. He worked to show me I was wrong. That’s the thing about the Warriors and their friends. They may be these big bad bikers, but at heart, they’re kind, generous, and loving. I wouldn’t trade Storm or my life for anything. Because of what I went through, I met him.
“In fact, there are several women not only in this chapter but the one over in Hunters Creek you should meet. Several of us have lived through horrible things, only to come out on the other side stronger. Sure, we’ll never be exactly the same, but we do have wonderful lives with people who love us and support us.”
Tears filled my eyes although I tried to stop them. To hear her talk about being supported and loved made me yearn for something I never had. Her honesty and the vibe of comfort she gave off broke something loose. It was like the chain I had on the door in my head, which held in all the horrible things I’d experienced, broke and they came spilling out.
I have no idea how long I talked, but I do know in the middle of it, she got up and took the cake out of the oven to cool and turned the oven off. She also got both of us a bottle of water. When I was done talking, I had no more tears to cry and I felt exhausted, like I’d run a marathon. She had an arm around me and was hugging me.
“Oh, sweetie, you needed that. Getting it out is like releasing poison. Honey, I know it’s scary as hell, but you need to tell Blade all of this. That guy is so gone on you, it’s not funny. And I think you’re just as attracted to him. Don’t let those bastards win. Tell him and let him show you how a real man treats his woman. What you grew up with wasn’t an example of that at all. Those men deserve to burn in hell. You should share with him where these men are. They could be doing the same to others. You said there were a lot.”
“I know. I hated that I left and there were others like me. I’m scared that if I tell someone and they go there to check it out, they’ll figure out where I am and come for me. I know that makes me a coward. What do I do? I wouldn’t feel safe here. I’m exposed. That’s another reason I want to leave. I feel like I stayed here too long. If they’re looking for me, they might be close to finding me. I tried to cover my tracks, but I didn’t know a whole lot.”
“How did you get away? I heard that your name didn’t exist before three years ago. Mind telling me what’s up with that?”
“It’s nothing nefarious, I promise. Blade already questioned me about spying on the club. My real name is Cassia Parrish. However, I’m guessing that since I was a home birth, my birth wasn’t officially recorded. They didn’t care much for things like that. I was fortunate that I’d been able to find help in the town nearby where we shopped. There was a woman, who over time I discovered helped abused women start new lives. When I ran, I went to her. She set me up with a birth certificate, a social security card and such. I don’t know how. I didn’t ask. I was so thankful to get away that I didn’t care.”
“Can you tell me where you came from? At least which state? If it’s close, they could find you easier, I guess.”
“It’s not close. I grew up in South Dakota.”
She got an odd look on her face. “South Dakota? Hang on, I think we need to call the guys in.”
“Why?”
I wasn’t ready to face Blade and his questions. She squeezed my hand reassuringly as she sent off a text. I gulped down some water. I think it might have been five minutes later when they arrived at the door. She let them in. Storm was carrying a sleeping Tristan.
“He played until he dropped,” he said with a smile. You could see the love he had for his son.
“If you like, he can lie on my bed. It’ll be quieter and softer.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll take you up on that.”
It gave me an excuse to delay. Once we had him down, we rejoined Blade and Bryony. She gave me an encouraging smile then turned to the guys.
“Cassia and I had a very interesting talk. I told her about my history and she told me about hers. Blade, I’ve asked her to share those details with you. However, the reason I asked you to rejoin us was because she told me where she came from. She’s concerned that she’ll be found. Guys, she left South Dakota.”
It was like they were hit by electricity. Both men sat up straighter and their eyes widened. Blade reached over to take a hold of one of my hands. He seemed to like to do that—connect us in some way.
“Babe, did that happen to be Hartford, South Dakota?”
It was my turn to be shocked. How in the world did he know that? I mutely nodded my head yes. He swore and came up off the couch.
“Stay calm,” Storm warned him.
“Calm? She was a member of Hiram Roberts Church of Converts. You know what Neriah went through there. Babe, were you forced to marry someone? Maybe be his second or third wife?”
Hearing him ask made me feel faint. How did he know that? I started to gasp for air as the panic overtook me. I reached out blindly. Strong arms came around me and cocooned me in warmth and the most soothing scent. I knew that smell. It was Blade. He was rocking me and murmuring words in my ear. “Shh, you're safe. It’s okay. I’ve got you. I’ll never let you be hurt again. They can’t hurt you anymore.”
It took me several minutes to be calm enough to talk. “Blade, you don’t know that. They’re crazy. Hiram is the worst, but the men who follow him aren’t much better. They believe his whole concept of what the proper, godly life is to look like. Men rule the home. I was raised from birth in that compound. I had it beat into me that men were the ones who told women what to do, say, when to speak and even what to wear. We were a reflection of our husband or father. If those didn’t exist, then whoever the closest male relative was. Any infractions resulted in punishment.”
“Like being locked in a cellar? Starved? Beaten? Forced to marry someone? Raped?” he growled.
I hung my head. “Yes, all of those things and more. People like that are fanatical and they don’t like it when they lose people. I can’t recall anyone ever being allowed to leave.”
“You said you grew up there. When you were little, do you recall a family leaving? They would have disappeared one night. No one knew where they went.”
