Page 14 of Lost In The Dark

“No sweetie, he wasn’t. He was a controlling bastard, and he made our lives a misery, especially after our mom died. I know I shouldn’t say it, but I’m glad he’s gone. It was a relief. God, that makes me sound bad, doesn’t it?” He looked to me with worry.

“No.” I shook my head. “I get it. My mom…she wasn’t a good person either. I cared for her for years, but I…I was relieved when she went too,” I admitted.

“Was she abusive?” he asked softly.

“She could be,” I nodded. “She was sick, and in a lot of pain most of the time. I was the only person she had to take that out on.”

“I’m so sorry, Addy,” he sighed.

“It was a long time ago,” I shrugged. “I moved on.”

Just then Asher walked back into the room, putting his cell into the pocket of his jeans as he looked to us both.

“Is Max coming?” I asked shakily. I was dreading being taken back into that interview room, but I’d feel safer if Max were with me.

“He is, but you’re not being interviewed again. Max just spoke with the assistant district attorney. They’re dropping the charges against you.”

“What? Why? Did they find something?” I asked with a mix of excitement I would soon be out of there, but terror at what had been found in that house.

Asher sighed and ran a hand through his hair anxiously, messing up his neat style.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “Just tell me.”

“They found tapes, Addy. A lot of tapes. The senator recorded everything he did to you, and the tapes go back eighteen months so far.” Asher told me reluctantly. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

“Eighteen months?” I whispered as it sank in. That monster had held me against my will and done who knew what to me for eighteen months! How could I have no memory of that? “C-can I watch them?”

“Addy, I don’t think that’s wise, sweetie. You don’t need to put yourself through that,” Eli said gently as his hand squeezed mine.

“I…I need to remember,” I gasped as I looked to Asher, hoping he’d understand. “I have to know what he did…what happened t-to me. I…I need to know.”

“Maybe it’s better you don’t remember?” Asher suggested, and I got what he was saying, but that wasn’t an option for me. I had to know! I couldn’t live the rest of my life not knowing what hadhappened for two whole years. I had to know why my back was covered in scars, or I’d wonder every time I caught sight of them in the mirror.

“I have to know, Asher. I know it will be horrifying, but I h-have to know,” I sniffled.

“Let’s just wait for Max, okay? I don’t even know if you’d be allowed to view the tapes. They’re evidence now,” he placated me, and I nodded, but I wasn’t giving up. If my memories didn’t return, those tapes may be my only chance to know what happened to me during the time I had lost.

“So the police will let me go now?” I asked shakily.

“Yes. The evidence they have is proof enough that you were within your rights to defend yourself to escape. The charges will be dropped and you’ll be let go, but they may want you to give evidence if anything they find leads to other suspects and a trial,” Asher explained.

“But I d-don’t remember!” I cried.

“Easy, Addy. It’s okay. Just take a breath. Let’s just take one issue at a time, starting with getting you the hell out of here,” Eli soothed, and I did as he said and took in a deep breath.

“Where will we go?”

“I’ve booked a suite at a hotel on the strip for now. It’s not ideal, but hopefully it will just be for one night. I want to get home as soon as possible,” Asher explained.

Of course he wanted to get home. He had a business to run, and a life of his own to live. They both did. I felt terrible for dragging them away from all of that, and yet, I couldn’t let them go. Ineeded them there with me. They were the only thing making me keep myself together at that time.

“I’m sorry you have to be here,” I told them both guiltily.

“We wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Eli told me with a smile.

“Eli’s right. Nothing is more important to either of us than you right now. I only want to get home so we can get you far away from this mess and where I know you’ll be safe,” Asher added, and once again I was tearing up. These guys were killing me. I hadn’t been this tearful or emotional for years.

“I think as brothers go, you guys might b-be too good to be true,” I told them.

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