Page 8 of Twisted Bonds
"Mm…fucking perfect."
I'm nervous as I sit in my office, waiting for Olive to arrive. I hope she doesn't flake on me. Victims tend to do that; they get scared at the last minute and chicken out. It's because their abuser puts the fear of God into them, and the victim thinks they will find out and hurt them for it.
So, when there is a light tap on my door, and Laney pokes her head in, she smiles, and I start to breathe easier. "Olive is here to see you."
I stand up and round my desk. "Show her in."
Laney opens the door wide and in steps a face from my past, only it's battered and bruised. I try not to wince at the sight. I should be used to it, but it seems different now when it's someone I know.
"Liv…"
"Ryan…" her voice cracks at the end, and I quickly close the distance, pulling her to me.
"Shh, you're safe now, Liv."
"I should have come sooner…but I was too ashamed." Liv pulls away but doesn't look at me.
"You're not the first to feel that way, honey. You're here now, and that's all that matters." I turn her head by her chin, so she looks at me. "I'm going to help you, Liv. What made you finally come forward?"
My friend remains silent, but then I see her raise her hand to her stomach, and she begins to cry, "He doesn't know."
"Oh, honey." I pull her to me again. "Are you planning on…you know?"
"No! I want this baby, but I don't want their father in our lives. I have to get out now. I didn't know where else to go."
"Well, you have me and all the women here, but you will stay with me and Bain up at the Manor. Does your husband know anything about me? Does he know that we were once friends?"
"I don't think so, but Blake, his brother, does."
"Will he say anything to Erik?"
"No, they aren't getting along at the moment." She looks away, and I become suspicious.
"Is there anything else I need to know about, Liv? You know I would never judge you. I'm hardly in the position to judge anyone," I tell her.
"There isn't anything to tell. It's just that Blake stands up for me. He knows what his brother does, and they've fought over it. Erik thinks something is going on between Blake and me, but we've never done anything. I've never been unfaithful to my husband…"
"Unlike him. That's what you want to say, isn't it? I saw his social media page." I rub her back.
"I'm so naïve. So many people told me not to do it, that he wasn't a very good person, but they were all women. I thought they were just jealous exes, especially when he did nothing but treat me with the utmost respect while we were dating." Liv covers her face in embarrassment.
"Hey, that's how all abusers are. You're not the first to fall for their act, and you won't be the last. But now, we will get you out of that situation, starting right now."
"You mean, now…now?"
"Yes, Liv. Beginning today, you will never step foot in the same house as Erik again." I hug my old friend tightly, reassuring her that she's safe.
Four
Bain
I thought it was a huge mistake starting up with Ryan, but it's become one of the best decisions I've ever made. It took a couple of weeks to work myself up to actually fucking her, but once we did, there was no going back. Ryan istheperfect submissive for any Dom who isn't looking to get attached.
However, there are times when something comes up to which a date is in order. For instance, Bellini Formal has an annual ball coming up in Italy, and as CEO, I require a date. Luck is on my side, though. This year's ball is a masquerade. I want to take Ryan, but I wonder if she will agree. Will she find it too personal? Maybe, but I can at least try. After all, I did have my event planner add a fundraiser to it, where all the proceeds will go to The Lacey Hendricks Foundation. How can she say no to that?
Hearing voices in the foyer, I leave my office to search out one specific person. "Ah, Helen. I thought I heard your voice. I need a favor."
"Anything, Mr. Huntley."
