Page 44 of Flame's Fight

“She is. She wants this project to work for so many reasons.” I say. “Not only to help others, but I think she wants her dad to be here helping as well.”

“Caitlin misses her family.” Brooke says. “I don’t mean she wants her brother and mother back, but she misses what they once were. She said her mother wasn’t always so cold and she has a few fond memories of her brother. She knows they’re lost to her now. They sacrificed her love when they kidnapped her and tried to force her into marriage with Gerard. But having her dad back in her life and making plans to work with her on Crossroads is better than nothing.”

I nod in agreement. Seeing Tally and Dante watching Vance has me worried that Caitlin may end up disappointed. None of us want that to happen. After finding her almost dead and so broken that we all felt her pain, seeing her happy is critical to our well-being.

When we reach the basement, Caitlin glances around the massive space. “What would we use this for?” She asks.

“Could turn it into a surgery.” Tally suggests. “Although I’d prefer that on the first floor if we can manage it. But then we’d only have room for one. It would be better to have at least two.”

Vance nods. “I agree. We could make the second floor surgery with recovery rooms. Leave the first floor for examination rooms and use the basement for storage. But that’s a lot of space that we could put to better use. I’d hate to have administration offices in the basement, but it’s an option. That would leave the third floor for additional rooms.”

“We also need to consider security.” Smoke adds. “This place is going to attract assholes who are searching for our patients. Either to collect them or hurt them more. We need to treat this building as part of Crossroads. Using the same security. We need to limit access while still welcoming in patients.”

“Some women who come to us may be rape victims.” Brooks says. “Are we offering abortions?”

“I’d like to offer counseling for all options if the rape ends in a pregnancy.” Caitlin says. “I know when it happened to me, I had Tally, Evie, and Kingsley to talk with.” She beams at Scar. “And Scar. I’d like to help the women decide what works best for their situation.”

“In that case, we need to consider the protestors who will show up. We’re not part of Planned Parenthood, but if the anti-abortionists know we offer them, they’ll come in and harangue the women to guilt them into not coming inside.” Brooke says. “I know some places have greeters so they don’t have to face the harassment alone, but I think we should do more. Make it harder for them to approach the women.”

“We could put a fence around the place.” Smoke suggests. “We’re doing that with Crossroads. It will keep out anyone who doesn’t have a reason for being inside. We could have a guardhouse with security.”

Brooke nods. “I like that idea. I know it makes this place more like a prison, but I think protecting their privacy is important.”

Dante walks all the way to the west wall, which is the direction of Crossroads. “We could extend a tunnel to Crossroads. Create another access point for those staying there so they can have secure access to the clinic.”

“That’s a brilliant idea.” Caitlin says.

“Does that mean you want this place, or do you still need to think about it?” Marquette asks.

Caitlin looks at Tally, then Dante, then her father. You can see the hope on her face. They all nod at her. No one can say no to our princess.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: BROOKE

My mind is going crazy with ideas of what we could do with the location and the help we could provide those who will come to us. After my experience with the cops today, I want to make life easier for those who have survived attacks by self-centered jackasses, like Tony Younger.

“Ready to go?” Flame asks, and I nod absently. “You ok?”

“Just tired.” I admit. “I want to lie down and take a nap.”

Flame grimaces.

“What?”

“Ghost wants to help Tanya move out of her apartment tonight. Find her a better place with more security. Deion knows where she lives and has a key so she’s reluctant to stay there. Now that he’s in jail, it’s the perfect time to move her somewhere else without him finding out where she went.”

“Where is she going to go?” I ask. “Evie’s apartment?”

Flame shakes his head. “No, she can’t go there. We have the wife of Ashlyn’s soccer coach stashed there. The one who is pregnant?” I nod when I remember my father telling me about her. Her husband attacked Ashlyn in Las Vegas, trying to capture her for the Reverend. I smirk when I remember how Ashlyn kicked his ass.

“Tanya can stay with me.” I offer. “I have a spare room. She can have it until she figures out another option.”

Flame perks up at that suggestion. “That’s a good idea. It would help to have only one place to guard, and your apartment is secure. You sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. I like Tanya.” I say.

“Ghost!” Flame shouts, drawing his and Tanya’s attention. “Brooke says you can move into her apartment for as long as you need. It’s secure, and I doubt Deion will look for you there.”

Tanya looks at me. “Are you certain you don’t mind?”

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