Page 27 of Lani

I am so in trouble when it comes to the both of them.

5

Lani

Hours later we pull up the driveway to the house. We’re all extremely tired and it’s getting dark.

“Tomorrow I’ll take you guys shopping to get new things,” Vinny tells his sisters.

The second we pulled into town, their faces glued to the windows. They hadn’t left the cult village ever until now.

Trey turns off the truck. He helps me out and we all turn to help Vinny’s sisters. “You can stay in the main house with us, or you can live in your own home together in the guest house,” Trey offers, motioning to a much smaller dwelling to the left of the house.

“I think I want to stay in the guest house,” Lynn suggests, and Etta nods her head in agreement.

“What are some things you need for Michaela for tonight until we can get everything tomorrow?” Vinny asks her, and she rattles off a list. He texts it to a prospect, who is going to get everything they need for the night.

Trey unlocks the door to the guest house and we walk inside. It’s a cute house. “There are three small bedrooms here. I have someone bringing food to stock up on everything. Tomorrow we’ll get everything else.”

He leads them through the house, showing them everything. They look so unsure.

I think the most important thing for them is time. They need the time to heal and be reintroduced into society.

Vinny’s mom did not want to come with us. Vinny asked to help her get started in town in an apartment, but she absolutely refused. She wanted to stay there, but I have to admit, I feel like she would have hindered the girls’ progress.

“We’ll leave you guys to it. I’ll be by later when the stuff arrives. Here’s the remote if you want to watch TV.” I hand Lynn the remote and we all slip out of the house, Etta locking the door behind us.

I take Vinny’s and Trey’s hands on the way back to the main house. “You think they’ll be okay?” Vinny asks, looking back at the guest house.

“I think therapy will be a great idea for the both of them to help guide them.”

Vinny smiles happily. “That’s a great idea. We have a therapist who works for the club’s women’s shelter. I’m sure she could come to their house if they’re more comfortable with that.”

“Let’s go lie in bed and relax until the prospect comes with their things,” I suggest, walking up the stairs to the bedroom. I know it’s late, but honestly I just need to close my eyes for a little bit and hold my men.

I put on a pair of sweats and a baggy shirt, falling straight into bed, and they slide in beside me. I pull Vinny over to me and lay his head on my chest.

Trey puts his arm behind my back, resting his hand on Vinny’s back. “How are you feeling?” I ask Vinny.

I know he’s a tough motherfucker, a badass who can take care of everything and everyone, but a man does have emotions, no matter how tough they are.

“I’m fine. I’m glad my sisters are here with us. I just hope that one day, they can be happy.” He sits up and looks at me and Trey.

He lets out a deep breath. “I feel a lot of fucking guilt. I’ve had a good life here and they were forced to fucking marry and god knows what has happened to them.” He sits up, fisting the blankets, his face darkening, “I will not rest until I kill the fuckers who hurt them, who dared to marry my sisters when they’re fucking babies.”

Vinny starts to climb off the bed. “Get your ass over here. Don’t hide from us. You kept shit from me for way too long, Vinny. Not anymore.” Trey reaches down and snatches his hand, dragging him up to the both of us.

I kiss Vinny on his chest. Trey has his arm around him and both of us hold Vinny as he comes to terms with the shit that has been handed to him.

“I think we really need to get them into intense therapy to help them. It works wonders for me,” I confess.

I feel both of them shift, looking at me. “Therapy? You okay, honey?” Vinny runs his hand down my back.

“I have really bad anxiety and sometimes depression. Therapy helps me manage it. I don’t take any kind of medication anymore because it’s manageable.”

I’m lifted up. Trey tugs me onto his lap so he can face me. “Fuck, baby, are you feeling okay?” Vinny scoots up, too, rubbing circles on my back.

I nod. “I’m fine. I’m fine for a while, then it just sneaks up on me when I get stressed, tired or overwhelmed.”

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