Page 35 of The Devil's Demise

Others were kidnapped like I was, taken in broad daylight or in the stark of night. Some were found by law enforcement, others were arrested and came to us from prison, or referred to us from organizations that didn’t have all the resources we do. In any case, I’m glad they’re here, all fifty of them.

“Does it . . .” She finally speaks, the words catching in her throat before she tries again. “Does it ever go away?”

“Does what go away?” I crouch my face down, hoping she makes eye contact.

“The hurting.” She looks up, her eyes drenched with tears. “Does it every stop hurting? Because it still hurts, Jade.” Her lower lip quivers.

My own tears come, unhurried waves of grief. Taking her hand in mine, I tighten my grasp. “It eases,” I say, softly and honestly. “Like a cut that heals with time. You may still see the scar, feel it against your fingertips, but it doesn’t hurt as badly anymore when you remember how you got it.” My mouth tightens into a mournful smile, my brows knitting. “That’s how it’s been for me. I used to cry all the time. I cry less now.” She glances at our joined hands before meeting my eyes again. “That anger, the rage you feel,” I continue. “It’s normal, Elena. It’s cathartic even. Don’t hide from it. Embrace it. But don’t let it consume you. Because that’ll only let them win.” I take her other hand in mine. “And we canneverlet them win.”

She nods as she lets out a whimper. “Th-th-there’s no one,” she cries, tears leaking from the edges of her eyes as she pierces me with the shattering of her pain. “Not one person out there who gives a shit about me.”

“Igive a shit about you,” I tell her with conviction in my tone. “A lot of shits actually.” The room fills with my small laugh, and she gives me one of her own. “I care very much about you, Elena. I always will. And I know Sasha cares about you too,” I add, speaking of her roommate. “She’s told me so plenty of times. She said you’re a great friend, and that she doesn’t know what she’d do if she hadn’t met you here.”

That gets a smile going on her face. “She really said that or are you busting my chops?”

“You wanna go ask her?” My smile pulls at my features.

“Nah.” She shakes her head. “I believe you.”

“I’d never lie to you. We don’t do that here.”

She pauses with a stark look in her eyes, her mouth fluttering like she’s nervous to ask me something.

“What is it, Elena?”

She purses her lips. “They really took your kid from you?”

“Yeah.” I huff out. “They really did.”

“Shit, that’s so fucked up.” She roughly swats the tears from under her eyes. She doesn’t show her pain so freely. It’s all bundled up inside her, ready to explode. But my hope for Elena is that she learns how to slowly undo the ties that bind her heart. I want to show her that it’s okay to let go, for people to see the real her. Because she’s beautiful, and I don’t speak of her outer beauty, but the beauty she holds within her.

She’s learning how to be a cook here, and the chef who teaches the women sees a lot of potential in her. And if she wants this, I’ll pay for culinary school. But that’s something I can address down the line. She’s not quite ready for that conversation yet.

“Those people, they may have taken him away from me for a long time,” I go on. “But I got him back. They stole our years, but they haven’t stolen all the ones we still have. And you, Elena, you have so many beautiful memories waiting for you. Seize them.” Her long lashes flutter as she continues to stare, taking in every word. “And when we talk again ten years from now, I want you to remember this conversation. Because you have the world in the palm of your hand, and I won’t ever stop reminding you of that.”

She bursts into tears and jumps into my arms, sobbing against me, while I let her. Because tears, they’re powerful, freeing, a release of every ugly thing we carry in silence.

CHAPTER2

ENZO

“How do people eat raw fish?”Robby practically gags even as he tries to keep a straight face. I add some cucumbers and fresh tuna to the rice, ready to roll the sushi, while he does the same with salmon beside me.

I figured cooking together would be a great way for us to spend some one-on-one time. From the start, Robby and I were tight. Even if he hadn’t become my son on paper, I’d love him like one anyway. Me being his dad just makes this all the much sweeter. He’s a good kid. I couldn’t do better if I had chosen him myself.

“Your mom loves this crap. Thank your aunt Raquel. She got her hooked.” I chuckle, throwing some avocado on there too.

“I’m never eating this.”

“Good. Your mom would never share.” I bump him and he laughs. “Thanks for being okay with sleeping over at Uncle Dante’s tonight so your mom and I could have our date.”

“I don’t mind.” He shrugs. “I usually beat him in video games and that means extra ice cream for me.”

I laugh. “I see your game. Well played.”

“I learn from the best.” His mouth flips into a smile.

“I hope you mean me.” I narrow a stare.

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