Page 37 of Flame's Fight

While we wait for the guys, Caitlin and Tanya discuss Crossroads. Tanya agrees to set up a meeting between Caitlin and her therapist, Athena.

“Athena has mentioned your plans for Crossroads.” Tanya says. “She thinks it’s something our community needs. Although, tying it to an MC can scare away potential victims.”

Caitlin’s shoulders droop. “I know. I’ve thought about that, but I can’t do this without them. And I don’t want to. These guys would go through fire to protect innocent women and children. I’ve seen them do it. Heck, they rescued me, and I was a complete stranger to them.”

Tanya nods. “I’m not saying you shouldn’t work with them. I think it’s more important to focus on how their involvement helps victims.”

“How?” Caitlin asks as her father and Tally join us.

“Aren’t there stories that you can share which highlight ways the club has helped victims?” She presses.

“They saved the life of my baby.” Vance says, brushing his hand down Caitlin’s hair. “A few times, if I’m not mistaken. Didn’t they rescue Ashlyn from that gang? They rescued Brooke today.”

Tally nods. “They don’t always follow the law.”

Tanya shrugs. “I don’t think you have to provide specifics. You only want to give enough information to show that they’re the good guys. The ones who help others.”

“It’s all PR.” Vance says. “I think it’s important for future victims to know that you provide them with real protection. After all, who would you rather have on your side? Cops who may or may not provide real protection, or a group of scary ass bikers who most bullies would hide from instead of face?”

Tally grins at her father’s description. “Well, you know the choice we’d make.”

“I’m hoping that if you let me be involved in the clinic, that we’ll expand on their reputation.”

“What clinic?” I ask.

Caitlin explains the idea of building a medical group, or clinic, that takes all patients but provides a special level of security and service for victims. Specifically, women and children.

“We want to not only make the victims feel safe, but we don’t want to compound their problems by treating them as just victims or worse, as criminals.” Vance says. “I’m sorry to say that it took almost losing Caitlin to realize how much damage I did to her by not listening to her.”

Tally stares at her father for several minutes before speaking. “Do you really mean that?”

Vance nods. “I do. What happened with your mother gave me a jolt. I had to stand back and look at all my previous assumptions and I realized that I often made snap judgements that made my life easier rather than asking questions or digging deeper.”

“Like what?” I ask.

“Mostly accusations made against Colin.” Vance says, shaking his head. “We had the police come to the house and to the hospital to question him about claims from women who accused him of sexual assault. Vivian always took his side and told me that the women were just after our money. I never let myself think otherwise.” He wipes his hand down his face. “My god, I raised a monster.”

“Colin’s choices were his, not yours.” Caitlin assures him, grasping his hand.

“Exactly. Look at the daughters you raised. They’re both amazing.” I tell him. “We’re all responsible for our own actions.”

“But if I had stopped to consider other possibilities for why so many women filed charges against him, I would have realized that he had to be responsible. You can’t have that many people making the same claim for it not to be true. I can’t imagine how many I didn’t hear about.”

“Which is why you want to create this clinic?” Tally asks.

He nods. “It is. I can’t make up for my mistakes, but I can choose to do better with my life from this day on. Even if I have to go to jail first.”

“You think that’s a possibility?” Caitlin asks.

“I don’t know. So far they have found nothing that ties me to what your mother was doing with the Standish’s. I wasn’t involved, but she used my medical group. I don’t know if they can hold me accountable or not. My lawyers are working with the FBI. They let me come here understanding that I’ll be back in Chicago after Tally’s wedding.”

“They don’t consider you a flight risk, then?” Tally asks.

“I don’t think so. Although they asked me to hand over my passport. Which I did.” Vance replies. “I have no plans to leave the country. I just want to get past this and move on.”

“Would you keep Marshall Group?” Tally asks.

“No, I’ve already found a buyer who wants to take it once the FBI is done with their investigation.” Vance says. “I’m selling the house, everything. I want to move here and work with you both to make a difference.”

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