Page 47 of Before the Storm
“I hate to be the one to bring this up, but did you see the news this morning?” Maverick asked.
“Unfortunately, we saw it.” Last night had been the best evening of Phoenix’s life. He couldn’t recall when he’d ever felt so alive. When he’d woken up with Janelle in his arms, he knew that’s what he wanted for the rest of his life.
And not in a generic way.
But with her.
“I can’t believe Gina did that, after you asked her not to,” Maverick said. “She not only gave Janelle’s name, but also showed a picture of you and her together.”
“Gina’s only after headlines and ratings and she got them with that story.” Phoenix didn’t think anything could sour his mood, but that certainly was a killjoy. “Janelle wasn’t happy.”
“Can’t say as I blame her.” Nelson took an order from one of the waitresses and filled it. “That poor girl has been through it and then some. But she doesn’t have anything to fear.”
“Sure, she does.” Phoenix let out a long breath. “The more Mom has uncovered about that cult, the more dangerous I believe they are. If her dad ever finds out where she is, I’m sure he’ll do whatever is in his power to make sure his daughter returns.”
“As long as she’s here, Adam Weiss is going to have to go through all of us to get to her.” Maverick squeezed Phoenix’s shoulder.
“I appreciate the support,” Phoenix said.
“Has she given any more thought into going public with her story? Or pressing charges against her dad and spiritual husband or whatever the hell he’s called?” Nelson asked.
“We had a brief discussion about it on our way to work, but she cut me short. She didn’t want to ruin how things have been going with such a heavy topic.” Phoenix could understand where Janelle was coming from. Her reactions to what had happened at the women’s shelter and her own plight were in conflict. She could do good and help people, while walking away from a destructive past.
She couldn’t save everyone.
No one could.
It also wasn’t her responsibility.
He couldn’t fault her for wanting some peace in her life.
“Have you told her about everything that Mom dug up?” Maverick asked.
“I mentioned it, but I haven’t shown her the documents.” Phoenix’s heart tightened. He didn’t like keeping this from Janelle and he knew he ran the risk of pissing her off, but so far, the intel had been incomplete. “Mom was having a conference call with her friend today. I should know more later and I’ll talk with Janelle tonight.”
“Take it from me, you don’t want to keep that from her too long.” Nelson arched a brow.
“I don’t want to upset her with partial information. She’s annoyed enough as it is about having her face shown on a local news program.” Phoenix nodded in the direction of one of the regulars as they waved and headed out the door. “Unfortunately, that’s the kind of feel-good story that could get picked up on a national level and even though there aren’t televisions or papers in the compound where she lived, it doesn’t mean the elders of her church wouldn’t see it.”
Nelson and Maverick exchanged a glance.
“What aren’t the two of you telling me?” Phoenix polished off the rest of his soda.
“Pam’s making a bit of a stink about what happened yesterday,” Nelson said. “One of the waitresses who is friendly with Pam mentioned she’s been going around telling anyone who will listen that what Janelle did was reckless. That she could have done more damage by the way she delivered that baby because she has no medical training.”
“I don’t give a shit what Pam thinks.” Phoenix wiped down the bar with a towel.
“You might want to because Pam plans on doing an interview with Gina,” Maverick said.
“Why the fuck would Gina interview her?” Phoenix asked.
“According to the gossip around this bar, she’s looking to chat with anyone who knows Janelle since Janelle has refused to comment,” Maverick said.
“That’s just fucked up.” Phoenix sighed. “Why can’t people just do a good deed and be left alone.”
“Gina’s making a big deal about the fact that Samatha chose to name her baby after Janelle. She went on record saying that Janelle not only saved her child, but has also made her want to change her life. That Janelle is an inspiration to all women like Samatha.” Nelson hopped from the bar stool. “I take it Janelle shared some of her past with the women at the shelter.”
“She related to them,” Phoenix said. “She was empathic. She listened to them and didn’t judge them, but she didn’t get into her life story. That said, she did spend time alone with Samatha and few other women. I honestly have no idea if she got into any detail. But I doubt it. Janelle isn’t ready. She hasn’t had therapy and that girl has been through some serious trauma.”
