Page 36 of Salacious Desires

“Some people will be in your life for five minutes and have the best intentions for you, while others you’ve known your whole life only want to hurt you. I don’t think time determines how a person should feel. Not everyone is bad, Lily. We didn’t choose the lives we were born into, but most people in the world aren’t like the people in the cult. Drake sounds like a genuinely kind man. I should know; I’ve had my husband look into him.”

Turning my head, I gape at her. “You what? You had Max stalk him?”

She shrugs and picks at an invisible piece of lint on her thigh. “Max could tell I was worried about you, so he did some research. Did you know Drake donated five million dollars last year to a foundation that helps survivors of human trafficking? He’s also built three apartment complexes in Seattle for low-income families.”

I had no idea. Drake isn’t the type to brag, though. Money has never meant anything to me because I’ve never had any, but I’m pretty sure he has a lot of it. The fact that he gives it away to help others makes me care for him more than I already do.

“Thank you for everything. I don’t know that I would have ever gotten away if it weren’t for you. And Max, too. He’s been kind enough to let me stay with you guys. For a man who had a regular upbringing, he’s been so understanding and patient with us.”

She gives me a squeeze and leans her head on my shoulder. “We’re the lucky ones. I hope one day the rest of the women will escape too.”

That’s been one of my biggest struggles since escaping the cult. Leaving behind the others who deserve to be free. I wasn’t allowed to be friends with other women there, but we were all in the community. I know there are some just like me who want to escape and live a normal life. It sometimes feels unfair that I’m doing that while they’re still there.

“I hope so, too.”

We sit in silence for several minutes, embracing each other. When my tears finally dry, I sit up and let out a deep breath. “I better get ready for work.”

I haven’t been able to stop thinking about my conversation with Hannah. Even as I serve drinks, my mind is elsewhere.

Was it selfish of me to leave the cult? I snuck out in the middle of the night without telling a soul because I didn’t know who I could trust. If my plans had gotten out, who knows what Jack would have done? It wasn’t uncommon for wives to be locked in the house all the time when they misbehaved. I couldn’t take that risk.

My joints are aching, too. I’ve tried to ignore it, but the pain has intensified throughout the evening. Drake checked on me earlier, but other than that, I haven’t seen him tonight. The club has been packed since we walked in, so he and Easton have been helping to monitor the second floor.

“It’s your break time, Lily.”

I glance back at Shelly behind the bar assisting the bartenders. “It’s so busy. I can wait a while until it slows down a bit.”

She arches an eyebrow and smirks. “Sorry, pumpkin. Strict orders from Drake are for you to take your breaks on time, and if not, I am to report back to him. Don’t think you want me to do that.”

Heat spreads through me all the way up to my cheeks. Shelly chuckles and winks at me. “He’s smitten, girl. I’ve never seen Drake like this.”

My tummy does several flips as I set my tray down and try not to smile. “I’m smitten, too, if I’m being honest.”

Shelly leans across the bar and sets a glass of water in front of me. “You couldn’t find a better man than him if you tried. The restaurant is expecting you for dinner. He pre-ordered your meal, so go eat. I’ll see you in thirty.”

When I take a step back and turn toward the restaurant, my ankle rolls, and pain slices through me like a knife. I catch myself before I go down.

“Lily! Are you okay?”

I hold onto the edge of the bar for several seconds, trembling. Shoot. That really hurt. “I’m fine. Just wasn’t paying attention,” I say with a forced smile before I grab the glass of water and head for the restaurant.

I’m nearly sweating by the time I sit down at the same table that Drake and I ate at the other night. Before the waiter appears at the table, Drake strides toward me; his eyebrows pinched with concern.

“Are you okay? Shelly said you nearly fell.”

Darn Shelly. She’s really a tattletale.

“I’m okay. I think I’m having a flare-up. When that happens, my joints aren’t as strong. I’m fine.”

He drags a chair up next to mine and sits down. “What do you mean a flare-up?”

“I have arthritis. It flares up sometimes.”

Drake narrows his eyes. “Arthritis? You told me your joints ache sometimes. That’s a lot different than arthritis.”

I try to keep my face relaxed. The last thing I want is for him to know how much pain I’m in. “It’s nothing. I stepped wrong. I’m fine. I’m on my break, and Shelly said you ordered food for me. It’s all good.”

He clenches his jaw, and my stomach sinks.

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