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“Is it lonely sometimes?” I asked. “Keeping secrets from everyone?”
“It was at first, but not anymore. I have my husband. We talk about everything. Him and Vaughn.” She winced as though a knife had just twisted in her gut.
I wanted to ask what she was thinking, but I knew she wouldn’t answer. Maybe later, but not now.
“Try to get some sleep. It’s a long drive.” Sutton stretched her legs in front of her and took my hand. “I’m glad we found you.”
“Me, too.” I attempted to find a comfortable position on the bench seats, then closed my eyes and dreamed of the man I’d loved and lost.
* * *
The bumpingof the van woke me from a restless sleep. I sat up, my body stiff from sitting for so long, but I would take the back of a moving van over an underground cell any day.
“We’re almost there,” Sutton said from the passenger’s seat in front.
I nodded and glanced around at the other girls. Most of them were leaning against each other, asleep. With a heavy heart, I stared out the window. I had no other choice than to fully absorb the fact that I’d lost Zayne.Dead.
The van slowed, then stopped. The guy in black hopped out, then the back doors flew open. It was still dark, and I guessed it was early morning. The man started to help us all out, and I was the last person to exit.
“Thank you,” I said. “For everything.”
“No problem, ma’am. If you belonged with Zayne, you’re family.”
My eyes widened right before I burst into tears.
Sutton pulled me into a warm hug. “It’s okay, Lincoln. I’ll take it from here.” Sutton led all of us to the entrance of a large white farmhouse nestled in the woods. She unlocked the door, turned on the lights in the living room, then ushered us in. “There are three bathrooms and enough hot water for all of the showers to run at the same time. However, try to limit your turn to fifteen minutes. We have twelve people here. I have T-shirts, underwear, and gym shorts for everyone, as well as toothpaste, hairbrushes, and slip-on shoes. Hopefully we have your size, but sometimes it’s hard to guess.”
“Thank you,” one of the girls whispered.
“You’re welcome, hon. I’m just glad you’re safe.” Sutton reached over and squeezed my arm. “Would you help me?” She placed one hand on her baby bump.
“Of course. I need something to do.” I wiped the tears from my cheeks and sniffled, ready to focus on where I was needed. I could cry about Zayne later.
Once Sutton and I handed out clothes and toiletries and the showers began, I leaned against the living room wall and looked out the window into the darkness.
“What time is it?” I asked when Sutton joined me.
Sutton removed her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and stared at it. “A little after three in the morning.”
I rubbed my arms. A hot shower sounded heavenly. “When will you learn more? About Ashkov, I mean?”
“Soon. And I’ll let you know one way or the other, but I can’t give you a lot of details. I hope you understand.” Sutton flashed me an apologetic look.
“I just want to know if the son of a bitch is rotting in Hell as we speak.” A chill slithered down my spine as I recalled the night I was forced to spend with him.
“I can’t imagine how relieved you would feel.” Sutton glanced around as if she were anticipating something.
“What is it?” I knew better than to ask, but I hoped she would share with me anyway.
“I’m waiting for confirmation on more than just Ashkov.” She placed her hands on her hips, appearing nervous.
“I’m out of the shower,” a voice said.
I turned to see a brown-eyed girl with wet hair behind us. She shifted her weight from one foot to the next. “Um, I just wanted to say thank you for saving me—us.” She rushed toward us, threw her arms around Sutton’s waist, then embraced me.
Even through all of the pain and chaos, this moment made the darkness a little brighter.
“Why don’t you get cleaned up, Giselle?” Sutton patted me on the back, then busied herself showing the girls to the bedrooms.
