Page 51 of Before the Storm
“That’s not the spin that the church is putting on this and right now, the evidence is pretty damning against Jason and Anne Marie with regard to you,” Dina said. “The Feds have no choice but to look into it and there’s only one way to put an end to it.”
“That’s one big fucking ask, Mom.” Phoenix planted his hands on his hips and glared. “You should have come to me in private first. This is too much to toss at Janelle. She’s never wanted to be the one to come forward and this puts her in a dangerous situation. They want her to come out of hiding so they can suck her right back in. They want that power back and they know the right buttons to push. You can’t ask her to do this.”
“I can speak for myself.” Janelle ran her hands up and down her thighs. A million things ran through her brain. Images of her siblings. Her sister wives. All the children. All the innocent people that lived in that compound who didn’t know any better and were being controlled. It had to stop and she had to the power to end it. “My dad and Brother Jim think of me as a weak woman. They still see me as the same girl who ran three years ago. They believe that I will, for whatever reason, hold on to the covenants of the church. Or that I will fear them so badly that once I see them, I will cower and be under their control and walk right back into my role. I’ve seen that before. Girls who’ve escaped and been brought back. Well, it’s not going to happen with me.” She stood tall, squaring her shoulders. “I’m going to give that interview with Gina. And I’m going to tell my story. All of it.” She sucked in a deep breath. For the first time in her life, she held all the power. All the cards were in her hands. She wasgoing to face the storm. No, she was going to run right into the storm.
She turned her attention to Phoenix. “While I’d like you at my side, I don’t need your fists defending my honor. This is something I need to do. I’ll never truly be free unless I totally stand up for myself and every woman and child who has had to live in my shoes.” A single tear dribbled down her cheek.
Phoenix strolled across the room. He wiped it away, cupping her face. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will support you all the way.” He brushed his mouth tenderly across her lips.
“We all will,” Dina whispered. “I’ll give the two of you a moment.” She slipped out the door, closing it behind her.
“That was quite the speech.” Phoenix wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “I’m not sure if I’m insanely proud or utterly terrified of your newfound independence.”
She dropped her head to his chest. “I’m scared to death to tell the world what happened to me. To open myself up to judgment and ridicule for staying. For leaving and not pressing charges earlier. It’s very scary.”
“You’re not alone.” He lifted her chin with his thumb. “You have a lot of people here who love and care about you.”
Love.
That was an interesting word. Growing up, love was conditional. If she was a good girl and was obedient, she was loved. But if she dared to question, love was taken away.
She understood what it meant to care for someone and what it felt like to be cared for. She’d experienced that along the way. But she’d never formed true connections or been anywhere that she wanted to stay.
Until now.
“I owe you everything,” she whispered. “You’ve shown me what life is all about. I don’t know if I couldn’t have gotten to a place where I would have found the strength to do this without you.”
“I don’t believe that.” He kissed her nose. “Besides, you’ve given me something too.”
“What’s that?”
“If I tell you, I’ll probably scare you away. It’s been hard for me to admit for so many reasons that seem foolish now, but Janelle Kodi, you’ve stolen my heart and I don’t want it back.” He kissed her, hard, and with intent. It was wild. Passionate.
She gripped his shoulders while the room around her spun out of control. The love that crossed through her veins burst into flames.
But she wanted more.
She needed more.
Demanded all of it.
Breaking off the kiss, she palmed his cheek. “This might sound silly to you, but I’ve never heard the words before. And if you mean them, can you say them?”
“I do mean them, so yes, I can give them to you.” He gazed into her eyes with adoring admiration. “I love you.”
11
Phoenix clicked off the television. “So, how do you feel about that?”
“I don’t know what was more emotional. Giving the interview or watching it on the TV.” Janelle swiped at her cheeks. “The hardest part, honestly, was having to repeat all of it to the FBI and to the cops. That wasn’t easy. Their questions were tough and not always kind.”
“I’m sure it was, and I’m sorry I couldn’t sit in with you on that.” He took her hand and kissed her palm. The last week had been grueling to say the least.
Janelle had not only given an interview to Gina regarding delivering Samatha’s baby, but also went on national television and told her story to the world, debunking her father’s accusations.
