Page 5 of Possessed By Knox
“Abby Chester was not kidnapped or brainwashed by us, but I imagine you’ll only take your sister’s word for it,” Saint says.
“That’s right.”
“They should be down in a minute. Why don’t we talk in my office?”
Ruth starts to nod but then stops, turning back to look at me. I don’t know what I was expecting—suspicion, or maybe distrust—but I’m struck mute by the plea I read in her eyes. She doesn’t trust us. It’s quite obvious that she doesn’t feel comfortable in this building around bikers who’ve been linked to countless crimes around the city. But for some reason, she distrusts me the least.
“I’ll join you,” I say, reading the relief that flashes over her face even as she turns back to Saint. I beckon for one of the guys to take my place behind the bar, and slip out to follow the two down the hall to Saint’s office. We pass by mine, which is rarely used as I prefer to discuss business at the bar. Something about alcohol making people more honest works just perfectly for me.
“After you, miss,” Saint says, pushing open the door and moving aside to let her pass. She tosses a glance at me and on my brief nod, walks in. If Saint notices the weird dynamics between us, he doesn’t say a thing about it.
I’m about to follow her in when the sound of rushed feet has me turning around to spot a woman running toward me with a man in tow. Abby Chester barely glances at me as she rushes into the office and then stops dead when she spots her sister. Ransom follows behind, stepping up next to me as we watch the scene unfold.
I was expecting tears, or screams of joy at the reunion, but we’re met with silence. My eyes run between the two sisters who couldn’t be any more different. They’re complete opposites, look-wise, and I imagine their personalities as well. Abby is short with long dark hair that falls down her back, dressed in a colorful yellow sundress. She has a naive and innocent look about her despite the horrors she’s been through, while Ruth…well, she’s the opposite. With her neatly ironed dark slacks,cream-colored blouse, and bob hair with bangs. Despite sharing a similar facial structure with her sister, her expression is more controlled, firm, and conceals her thoughts. There’s none of the shock and surprise that are displayed openly on her sister’s face.
It’s almost like these two were raised in different households, by different parents. How else would two siblings turn out so different?
“You cut your hair,” Abby says, breaking the silence. She takes a step forward but then hesitates before taking another. “And you got bangs. They look good on you.”
“Yeah, well, you haven’t changed at all.”
Abby smiles, but it’s cautious at best. “Mom would probably disown me if I cut my hair. Remember how crazy she went when I dyed it in high school?”
“Yeah,” Ruth says with an almost-smile, but it drops even before it can fully form as she seems to remember they’re not alone in the room. “We need to talk, Abby. Come with me.”
“You can have the office,” Saint offers, and Ruth’s expression hardens.
“Is my sister not allowed to leave the building?” she asks, stepping protectively in front of Abby and turning an accusatory look in my direction. “You told me she wasn’t kidnapped.”
“And she’s not,” I assure her.
“Then I’m leaving this place with her, or I’ll call the cops if you try to stop—”
“Ruth!” Abby’s voice cuts her off, and she turns an apologetic look to Saint. “I’m sorry. My sister doesn’t know anything that’s been happening. I need just a few minutes to tell her all about it.”
“Of course, take all the time you need.” Saint nods for us to step out and give the women space to talk.
Ransom seems reluctant to leave Abby alone with her sister, but Abby silences him with a firm kiss before he followsSaint and me out into the hall. The other two continue down the hall a ways, but I have no problem sticking close enough to hear what the girls are saying through the thin door. I can’t help that I’m curious.
“You look good, Ruth, really good.” Abby’s voice is soft, full of affection for her sister. “You must be tired. Did you drive here from Springfield? It must have taken you a few hours.”
“I’m fine.” Ruth says, brushing off her sister’s concern. “What I need to know is why these people won’t let you leave this place. Do I need to call the cops? Did they…hurt you?”
“No, they didn’t.”
“Abby, you need to tell me if those men did anything to you. Christ, I need to get you out of here. They probably brainwashed you.” I can almost picture Ruth pacing around the office, worrying her hair with those slim fingers. “A person that’s been brainwashed would never know it.”
“I havenotbeen brainwashed—”
“Abby, you are literally living with…criminals.” The last word is whispered, and I can’t help but grin. “Isolated from your family and friends. Do they even let you go out?”
“You’re one to speak.”
Long beats of silence pass before I hear a gasped “What?”
“If our family was so great to be around, then why did you leave?”I don’t know the history between the sisters, but Abby’s words feel like a slap [KB9]to the face. From the long silence that follows, I know I’m right.
I turn away, quietly joining Ransom and Saint further down the hallway. Eavesdropping was all fun and games when I was being labeled as a criminal, rightfully so, but there’s a line even rogues don’t cross.
