Page 24 of Lani

My heart immediately breaks. I walk over to Lynn. “Do not get close to her, whore!” Charles yells at me, but I don’t pay attention to him.

I just want to wrap her up and take care of her. “Hey honey, this sweet girl is yours?” I touch the top of the baby’s head.

She nods, her eyes fearful as she glances at her dad every few minutes. Determination, that’s what I feel. I take her hand. “Let’s go outside for a bit. Do you want to?” I ask her.

She looks at her dad, who is cursing at the both of us, but I see him for what he is. He’s an egomaniacal, fragile, stupid fucker who gets off on beating and belittling others to feel better about himself.

She squeezes my hand and I look at Vinny’s other sister Etta. She turns her head to me and looks at the ground. She doesn’t want to come with me, and I won’t force her.

I take her small daughter’s hand and we all walk past her dad. Trey walks us to the door so no one will bother us on the way.

“I want to help her,” I whisper to Trey. He nods. He puts his forehead against mine and settles himself right in the middle so he can watch me and keep an eye on Vinny.

“Want to sit on the steps?” I offer, and Lynn nods, sitting down. She makes sure her dress is perfectly in place, her back poised and straight.

Her daughter plays with a toy she found on the ground in front of us. “May I ask about her father?”

Lynn’s eyes fill with tears and she looks away from me so I don’t see them fall. “I was forced to marry when I was thirteen years old. I expect him to come pick me up any minute.”

I want to vomit. I want to scream at the injustice. “I had her when I was thirteen. I almost died,” she admits, staring at the sky.

She’s so young, but her eyes have seen so much in her short life. I can’t imagine this happening to me. She went through so much before she even knew what it was like to live.

I look down at the sweet baby playing on the ground. She will more than likely suffer the same fate as her mother unless her path is changed.

“If you had one wish, what would it be?” I ask her. I take her hand, offering my support. She looks around her to make sure there is no one within earshot.

“I want to get out of here. I want to be a mom for my baby, Michaela. I want to have peaceful life, no more hurt, no more fear,” she answers honestly. I can see the desperation in her eyes.

“Want to come live with me? With Vinny?” I ask her, praying she takes me up on it. I want to get her out of here so desperately.

She shakes her head in disbelief. “I have no money, no anything!” she rushes out, but I can’t help but notice the hope in her eyes.

“Look, I will put you in that truck right now. You won’t have to step foot in that house ever again. I will help you start a new life.”

She laughs, her smile blinding, then throws her arms around me tightly. “Thank you so much,” she whispers over and over.

My heart is so full, but anger is burning deep inside of me. “I’ll grab the key from Trey and lock you inside until we leave.” She nods and I run inside to the kitchen. “Trey, can I have a spare truck key?” I whisper so softly it’s barely audible.

He hands me it without hesitation. I walk out and I pick up Lynn’s daughter. We hurry to the truck and I start it up, turning on the air. “Lock the door behind me. We will leave soon.”

I hear the door click as soon as I shut it. Lynn settles into the back seat, sobbing, with her daughter cuddled to her chest.

It’s fucking on.

I stalk into the house. I’m furious. She is sixteen years old, and she’s already fucking married and has a toddler. This blows my mind!

Trey sees my face when he meets me at the door. “What the fuck is wrong? I saw you put Lynn in the truck.”

“You’ll find out in a second,” I whisper and take his hand, pulling him with me towards Vinny, who is watching both of us.

“Where is my daughter?” Charles demands, taking a step towards me. I would be intimidated if I wasn’t so fucking mad.

“What fucking daughter?” I ask and plant myself directly beside Vinny, putting myself right in his face.

I am one woman he will not overpower.

“You know what fucking daughter!” he screams in my face, and I look at Vinny, who is pissed the fuck off.

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