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I walk down the stairs taking in the photographs on the wall. All scenic photos except one. In the photo that catches my eye, I spot a beautiful young woman with Hunter. She’s happy, radiant, and smiling so bright.He has a picture of me on his wall. Well, not me. It used to be me. That girl died a long time ago in captivity.
The clearing of Hunter’s throat snaps me from my emotional freefall, “Come sit with me.”
I turn to him and spot his outstretched hand and take it. He walks me to the couch, and we take a seat together on the black sectional. When he hands me a glass of orange juice, I take a sip and cough.
“What is this?”
“Mimosa,” he says, “Do you not like mimosas?”
I shake my head and take another sip, “It’s not bad. It’ll take getting used to.”
“Jesus. You’ve never had alcohol.”
Staring at the coffee table in front of me, I hang my head in shame, “I was barely given food, Hunter. Fancy drinks were not part of the equation.”
He clenches his jaw and drags a hand down his face. I can’t help but notice he looks as if he’s in physical pain.
“Can you tell me what happened?”
I set the glass on the table, “I’ll try.”
My heart is pounding so hard in my chest, I fear an oncoming heart attack.
“I don’t have all the information. I’ll tell you what I know. Our fathers were both involved in trafficking women. They had a major falling out when your dad started kidnapping and trafficking young girls. My dad got pissed because the rule was, adult women, mostly prostitutes and homeless women that wouldn’t be missed. When your dad started taking little girls, my dad would release them.”
He raises an eyebrow, and I add, “I’m not sure if it was that my father was against taking children or if it was his fear of getting caught.”
I glance at Hunter, angry eyes meet mine. I knew this would be difficult for him to hear.
“Go on. How did you end up with my fucking father?”
Intaking a deep breath, I continue, “Your dad was going to kill mine. He was pissed. Anyway, long story short my father had to give me to him, or he was dead. Your father called it compensation.”
I know what he’s thinking before he says a word. What kind of father would choose to keep his own life knowing what would happen to his daughter? I’ve wondered the same thing throughout my tortuous days.
“Why didn’t you fight it?”
I shake my head, “I didn’t have a choice, Hunter. If I didn’t go along with it, if I told you anything, he was going to kill you.”
“His own son?” He snorts.
I gaze into his eyes, “His own son while making me watch. It wouldn’t have changed what happened to me. I couldn’t risk him hurting you. So, I let you believe the most disgusting lie I’ve ever told. I let you think I chose him over you.”
The anger pours off him in waves. I’m not sure if he’s angry with me or his father.
“Fuck. I believed you, Sassy. I would rather be dead than for this to have happened to you.”
I swipe the tears away from my cheeks, “I know.”
“How did you end up with Trig?”
I’ve done well up to this point not to completely break down, but that’s over now. I lose my composure and can no longer hold the sobs back.
He takes me in his arms, holding me tight against his chest, “We’ll save that for another time. I’m sorry,” he says.
Gazing at him, I attempt to stifle the sobs, “None of this is your fault.”
Kissing my cheeks softly, he whispers, “No one is ever going to hurt you again. Do you understand? I will kill any man who tries.”
