Page 62 of Shadow and Skulls

“She’s friends with ...” I don’t finish because of the look on his face.

“She’s not here about him.” He reaches for my hand and walks with me downstairs.

A man in a suit stands when we enter the living room.

“Ah, you must be Kelsie,” the man says, reaching for my hand. He holds it between both of his palms, giving it a gentle squeeze.

He releases me and motions for me to take the spot he just stood from. “My name is Anthony, and this is my wife Danielle.”

He runs his hand down her hair before lowering himself to the coffee table in front of us. My dad takes a seat beside my mother.

“You were one of the men Tank was working for?” I ask.

He clears his throat, looking at my dad. He throws his thumb out toward him. “I told the big guy we wouldn’t mention him.”

I glance at my dad, scooting to the edge of the couch, excited to hear any information about Tank.

Danielle reaches out and takes my hand. “We’re here because of my stepfather, Dr. Williams.”

Oh yeah, him.I slink back onto the couch, pulling away from her.

She winces but manages to put a smile on her face. “I … I’m sorry about what he did to you.”

“He didn’t do anything to me. And even if he did, it’s not your fault,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You’re right about one thing. It’s not my fault. It’s not yours, either. But I can still feel sorry for it.” She tips her head. “He trafficked me, too,” she admits.

“I’m sorry,” I say quietly.

“See.” She laughs lightly. “Anyway, I’ve come to drop off this.” She pulls a piece of paper from her purse, handing it to me.

I take it from her. It’s a check.

Holy shit.

“It’s from a fund I started for his victims.”

My face heats. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m not in charge of my mother’s affairs. You should send this to the state,” I explain. “She, um, she tried to commit suicide after I was found. She’s been in a coma ever since.”

Anthony and Danielle exchange a look. “We know that, Kelsie. But you are also a victim,” Anthony says.

I begin to shake my head. “Like I said, he didn’t do anything to me. He just orchestrated my uncle taking guardianship over me.”

“So you could be trafficked. I understand your mother may have been a victim as well. Dr. Williams was very good at the game. She probably didn’t realize he was manipulating her.” She pauses, grabbing my chin. “Kelsie, you were his victim.”

“That may be true, but I don’t need the money. I have everything I could ever want in life. You should give it to someone who needs it.”

Her gaze bounces over my face. “I see why he likes you,” she says quietly.

My dad clears his throat.

She smiles at him before turning back to me. “Take this money and do something for yourself.”

We stare at each other, her eyes speaking volumes to me. When I nod in understanding, her smile widens.

“It was very nice meeting you, Kelsie,” she says, patting my leg.

“It … it was nice meeting you, too.” I pull the check to my chest and rush upstairs. I can’t help but pause at the top to eavesdrop on their conversation.

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