Page 15 of A Father's Insistence

“Please, Joanna. Victoria desperately misses her brother. She’s suffered so much. Now’s the time we all need to pull together and support not only her but also help you to deal with whatever you’ve been through. What I’m trying to do, at the moment, is change the society and make certain there’ll be no more sales, and no more demanding of women. This must end. I have a daughter…a beautiful little girl, and I want her to grow up free.” Nicholas tries to step closer to us to plead with Joanna, but I hold a hand out to ensure he keeps his distance.

“Enough. Joanna doesn’t need to confirm anything to you. I know exactly what you are.”

“Let her speak.” Nicholas orders with a menacing tone that has several passers-by immediately scatter from the hallway we’re standing in. The chandelier lights even seem to shudder with fear.

“He did it.” Joanna sobs from behind my back. Her head is buried in my suit jacket, but she pulls away and comes to stand at my side. “Nicholas Cavendish raped me. His brother watched and sometimes joined in. They do the same to Tamara and Victoria. They’ve beaten and starved me. They are evil and need to be destroyed.”

The hallway falls silent, and I take the opportunity to re-form my fist and send it flying into Nicholas’ jaw, knocking him off his feet and into his brother.

“Stay the fuck away from Joanna. She’s mine, now, and you won’t be getting her back. Enjoy the remainder of your freedom because by the time I’ve finished with you, you’ll be rotting in prison for the rest of your lives.”

I grab hold of Joanna’s hand, and we storm out of the venue and back to the car. I’m itching to return and beat the crap out of the Cavendish brothers, but Joanna’s soft whimpers calm my temper. Once we’ve taken our seat, I bring her into my arms and hold her tightly until she stops sobbing.

“I’m sorry.” I kiss the top of her head as the car pulls away, and we commence the journey home.

“Don’t be…it’s all my fault.” She manages to get her words out in between wracking sobs, which break my heart. I vow then and there I will die before Nicholas Cavendish ever lays a finger on her again. This must end. Soon, Joanna, Tamara, Victoria, and Rose will all be free.

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