Page 21 of Faith
“I went to her to feel safe. I needed someone who didn’t have to give something up for me. To feel like I wasn’t a burden.”
“You were never a burden,” Montgomery said.
Zeke knew the conversation was as painful for his best friend as it was for him. Probably more. They’d both lost Nina that day, but Montgomery was the only one who could have saved her if she’d stayed. Zeke let her go, and he would never forgive himself for it, but Montgomery carried his own guilt.
Nina inhaled sharply. She ignored her brother and focused on the two women.
Frannie was attentive and consoling, holding Nina’s hands and offering support. Lorelei was sharp and decisive, making notes and staying silent while Nina shared her story.
“Gwendolyn took me to her house. I could tell she was rich, but I didn’t know anything else. She gave me a room near hers and told me not to wander outside because I would get in trouble and go back to my dad if anyone knew I was there.”
“You never called me to let me know you were okay,” Montgomery said.
Nina nodded. “I thought it would be easier if I just disappeared. Gwendolyn said the same. She told me you left for the military. That you were moving on with your life. For the first six months, I thought about going back so many times, but she always convinced me you were better off without me. She said I could be her little sister, that she would take care of me.”
“That bitch,” Montgomery hissed.
“Just before I turned eighteen, things started to change. She had a party and asked if I wanted to meet a friend of hers. Said he was a nice man and thought I was pretty. He flirted with me, and he tried to sleep with me, but I was uncomfortable. Gwendolyn threw him out. She protected me. Kept me safe. Slowly, more things like that would come up. She was always getting rid of them, telling me she would keep me safe and apologizing for the way they acted. After the first guy, the drugs started. It was minor at first, a way to relax. By the time I turned eighteen, it was a daily thing, and the drugs were morepotent. About a week after my birthday, I was so high I blacked out. I woke up the next morning… There was blood everywhere and my panties were gone. I was sore, and I knew what had happened. Gwendolyn promised retribution. Said she would never let that happen again.”
Zeke closed his eyes and tried not to throw up. She was barely an adult, innocent and vulnerable. And that evil bitch prostituted her out.
“It wasn’t the last time, was it?” Frannie asked.
Nina shook her head. “The drugs continued, and the blackouts became a regular. Sometimes they wouldn’t even let me come down from a high before they were giving me more. Days ran together and months passed without me realizing. I started to wish I was dead. I told her I wanted to leave, but she said she was my family. That you were married and forgot all about me.”
“That lying bitch,” Montgomery growled.
“She was convincing. I was heartbroken. I knew I made the wrong choice by leaving and going to her, but it was too late.” Nina shuddered with her inhale.
Frannie wrapped an arm around Nina and held her close. The two women cried together.
Zeke wanted to put his fist through the wall. And then through Gwendolyn Lennox. He wanted the bitch to pay for what she did. For the pain she caused.
He knew Nina’s story wasn’t the only one. She was part of a collection. Women Gwendolyn auctioned off to the highest bidder, sold for a night or forever. Many would never be seen again, dead or gone, and many were like Nina and would never be the same.
“Gwendolyn would bring me to her room sometimes. She would talk to me. She still called me her sister and would tell me about things. When she was upset, she would send for me.”
“She confided in you, and you know everything about her company?” Lorelei asked.
Nina looked at the agent. The distrust was still there in her eyes. She glanced at Zeke, and he nodded. Nina held his gaze for another moment, then returned to Lorelei. “I know a lot. Not everything. I know about Damon and Trevor. I know about her houses and the company. I know she’s evil, and she’s going to stop at nothing to keep me from talking.”
“We’re not going to let her get to you ever again,” Zeke growled.
All eyes in the room turned to him.
Zeke stood a foot from the wall. His fists were clenched tight. His muscles corded even tighter. He was ready to fight, and he wasn’t backing down. Gwendolyn Lennox would pay for what she did. No matter what it took from him to make sure she did.
“Zeke,” Montgomery said.
Zeke turned to his best friend.
Montgomery looked Zeke up and down. “At ease.”
Zeke shook his head. The anger was the only thing keeping him from falling apart. If he let go of it, he would collapse. He would let all the things Nina confessed inside, and it would destroy him. He could do that later, when Nina was safe with Montgomery, but now he couldn’t afford it.
“Take a walk,” Montgomery said.
Again, Zeke shook his head. “I’m not leaving her.”
