Page 41 of Zero
Though exhausted, I sat down with Fabienne, Dude and Bailey to discuss what was happening. Fabienne’s story was sad.
She’d lost both her parents during an earthquake that happened right after a major storm. At first, she was on the streets, then an orphanage then she was adopted. Fabienne thought her life would begin getting better, that she could let her guard down and heal.
But her parents soon had second thoughts and at seventeen sold her to Morena. Her life had been hell ever since. She’d tried escaping, but Morena just send his men for her. When they brought her back, the punishment was worse than just sticking around and taking what he could dish out.
“He said all she had to do to be free was pay back the money he paid her parents for her.” Bailey translated. “But she can’t pay him back because she owns nothing.”
I was sick to my stomach. “Ask her about Justice.”
Bailey translated. Once Fabienne replied, I waited for Bailey to relay the information. It was precisely what I thought.
Justice had seen her in trouble and had risked everything on his last trip to Haiti to rescue her.
“This isn’t about drugs at all.” Dude muttered. “It’s about one crazy-ass man’s obsession with owning a woman.”
Dude and I looked at each other and I knew precisely what he was thinking. We could arrest Morena but with his connections, he’d be out in no time and coming after Fabienne again.
“And the fucked-up thing.” Dude continued. “He probably doesn’t even love her. He wants to own her and Justice taking her away is driving him bat-shit crazy.”
“The man’s a snake.” I added.
“Okay.” Bailey cleared her throat and set her empty glass down on the coffee table. “How do you kill a snake and make sure it doesn’t come back?”
“Chop off head.” Fabienne offered.
Bailey looked from Dude to me and I shrugged.
“She’s not wrong.” I agreed.
After a couple shots of bourbon, Fabienne fell asleep on the sofa. I excused myself to go outside for some fresh air. I stretched out on my back in the backyard, staring up at the sky. The weight of everything that had been happening pulsed in my lower back, then kind of streaked up my spine to spread across my shoulders.
Exhausted, I closed my eyes, but my peace didn’t last long. The sliding door opened, closed then footsteps moved toward me.
It wasn’t Dude—he was too big for the steps to be so light.
I didn’t move, nor did I open my eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Bailey’s voice was soft.
I still didn’t move.
She stretched out beside me, her shoulder brushing mine as she slipped into position. “I tend to say things without thinking. I shouldn’t have insinuated that you’d trade her life.”
I said nothing.
“Rei, please.” She pleaded. “I’m under a lot of stress. It’s no excuse, okay? I know that. My brother wouldn’t have let you anywhere near me if he thought you were that kind of person and I’d like to believe I wouldn’t have climbed into your bed if I suspected you were less than honourable.”
That last bit caught my attention, and I opened my eyes then turned my head to look at her.
“I know I hurt you.” She pushed on. “I didn’t mean to.”
Without a word, I leaned in and kissed her gently. Bailey rested a palm to the side of my neck and kissed me deeper even as the hand slid down my shoulder, across my chest then down to rest on my abs. When she lifted her head, I smiled at her.
“Forgive me?” Bailey asked.
I kissed her again. “Now, I forgive you.”
“That’s something about me I’m trying to work on.” Bailey cuddled closer to rest her cheek on my shoulder. “I guess I’m not there with it yet.”
