Page 31 of The Walls of Levi

“Please be careful, Levi.”

I grab her hand and walk her back down the hall to Axel’s room. He’s in the living room so I know we will have a little privacy in here. I pull her inside and shut the door.

“I’m going to be straight with you. I think this may have something to do with my father and human trafficking or sex trafficking.” Her eyes grow round, and another gasp leaves her lips. Tears start to swim, and I can’t take it. I grab her and pull her to me. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

“Why do they want me?” Her arms are wrapped around me and she’s squeezing with all her strength. She needs something to keep her grounded and after she brought me back from the darkness and kept me from another trip, I’m glad it’s me.

“I don’t know that yet. I think it’s about money. I don’t know how everyone is involved, but I’m going to find out.”

She doesn’t say anything else, and we just stand there for a little longer, gaining strength from each other. Completely melting into each other.

We walk back out into the living room and the guys are ready to go. Nova runs up to me and I catch her as she jumps. “Why you leaving so soon?”

“I’ve got to go take care of something, Princess, but I’ll be back.”

“Soon?”

“You know it.” She kisses me on the cheek, and I put her back down. I watch as she walks to Kathleen and takes her hand. They stand side by side, my niece and this woman I just met, holding hands, and I think my heart comes alive.

Zant, Chance, and I walk out and climb into the Demon. It’s time to fight.

Chapter 20

Kathleen

As soon as Levi pulls out of the driveway, I pull my hand from Nova’s, rub it down her hair, and then take off for the bathroom. I need space. I need time to think. My mind is running a million miles a second and I know I’m going to be sick.

Human trafficking? I keep replaying the man grabbing me and taking me towards the car. I keep thinking how helpless I felt, but also how I needed to fight. I think about how I kicked and screamed and how his big arms and muscles didn’t slip at all.

I think about what would have happened if Levi wouldn’t have been riding around. Would anybody else stand up, run up, walk up, put themselves out there to save me? I doubt it. That scared the crap out of me even more.

Thank God for Levi. Now that we know what was really happening, I’m even more indebted to him. Standing at the sink, I let cool water pool in my hands before bending down and splashing it on my face. I’m clammy from being cold and hot at the same time. As Levi was telling me his thoughts, my blood would run cold and my body would burn up from anger and fear. It was an incredulous feeling. Now, I’m just tired.

I hope it isn’t going to be an inconvenience for me to stay here. I wonder if one of them would take me back to Levi’s?

A knock comes to the door before I can walk out. I open it to see Micah standing on the other side.

“Sorry. I’m done. I was just about to come out.”

“Are you ok? Don’t be sorry. You can use it for however long you need to. There is another bathroom in this house.” I smile at her. The sass in her voice gives away her feistiness and I like it. She seems genuinely concerned with how I am doing and that makes me feel better. I was beginning to wonder if she liked me.

“I’m ok. Just shaken up.”

She looks at the floor and pops her knuckles – I’m sure out of nervousness. It humbles me to know that she’s a little nervous too and it’s not just me. “I can understand that,” she says. “It’s going to take a while for you to get over that, but you will. Eventually.”

I cock my head to the side. She talks like she knows how I’m feeling from experience. Not asking is my best option right now, though. I don’t want her to clam up on me. We are just now making a little progress.

“Did Levi tell you everything?”

She shakes her head slowly before answering. “No. Zant told me when Levi was in here with you.”

“Oh.” I really don’t know what to say. She seems concerned for me, but also, I get a reserved vibe from her. It’s almost like she doesn’t trust me, but I haven’t given her any reason not to. I calm myself down. Defense mode is not needed right now. I know I’m safe. I’ve just got to show Micah that I’m a genuine person.

After standing there in silence for a several seconds, she tells me that I can sleep in Nova’s room and Kelly would take Axel’s. Nova and Axel will sleep in her room on a pallet.

She also takes me to her room and gives me something to sleep in. I left everything at Levi’s. We thought we were going back there tonight.

Once I’m changed, Kelly finds me. She and Micah are going to stay up, watch movies, and wait on the boys to call.

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