Page 30 of Gideon

“What’s happening?” I asked.

“He’ll be released in an hour,” David said. “The charges have been wiped from his record. He’s free to do whatever he wants now. I’m not staying, but I brought this for you.” He handed me an envelope. “It’s your money. It belonged to Gavin, passed down from his grandfather. Now it’s yours. It’s all in cash, I didn’t want to give you any cards or accounts.”

“Can I put it in the bank?”

“Yes, it’s completely yours.”

“Thank you for helping us,” I said softly.

David nodded. “You two take care of yourselves. I’m sorry for everything you went through. I won’t contact you again—I’m leaving the country.” His gaze flicked to Haley, who stayed behind me, avoiding his eyes.

“Good luck, David. Leaving the country is probably the best idea you’ve had,” I said bluntly.

He handed me another envelope. “This is your brother’s file. It has everything he needs to prove his charges were dropped. He might want to move far from here. Maybe you can take him to California.”

“Maybe I will. Goodbye, David.”

Haley and I sat on the truck’s bumper, watching the prison gates. After what felt like an eternity, Mike walked out. Tears slipped down my cheeks. He looked so much like Raven. His eyes scanned the lot as if searching for someone, unsure who had come for him.

I stood and walked toward him. “Is your name Mike?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said cautiously. “And you must be another sister. What’s your name?”

“Laney,” I said, smiling. “And this is Haley, my daughter.”

Before he could say anything more, I pulled him into a hug. Haley wrapped her arms around him, too, and we stood there, holding him tightly.

Finally, I took a deep breath and stepped back. “What do you want to do first? Eat or go shopping?”

Mike looked at me, bewildered. “I want to know how you managed to get me out of prison when Dad and my brothers couldn’t.”

“Well, I only know one of our brothers, and I’ve never met our dad,” I said. “Gideon told me your story, and I knew it wasn’t right. So I contacted someone I trusted who could help you.”

Mike glanced down at Haley. “So, I guess you’re my niece?”

“Am I his niece, Mama?” Haley asked.

“Yes, sweetie, you are,” I said with a smile.

“Just like Uncle Raven,” Haley added confidently.

“So you know Raven?” Mike asked her.

“He was one of our guards. My grandpa tried to kill us,” Haley said matter-of-factly.

Mike raised an eyebrow. “Well, this sounds interesting. Is that your vehicle?” he asked, pointing at the truck.

“Yes. I just got the boat and truck yesterday,” I replied as we walked toward it. “And this,” I handed him a folder, “is your file. It’s proof that all your charges have been dropped. Don’t lose it. You might want to leave this state for a while.”

Mike took the file and stared at me. “I feel like I know you,” he said, tilting his head.

“It’s probably the eyes. Raven said he knew we were related before the DNA test even came in.”

“No, it’s not the eyes. It’s something else. I’ll figure it out,” he muttered. He squeezed the bridge of his nose, clearly trying to hold back tears. “Damn, it feels good to be out of that place.”

“I know the feeling,” I said quietly. “Haley and I were kidnapped and held captive by a monster for almost three years. Every time we tried to escape, he beat me. But now, we’re free.”

Mike looked at me, horrified. “What happened?”

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