Page 71 of Unfulfilled Promises
Rose, Violet’s twin sister, interjected. “Can I ask you something?” I nodded, so she continued. “Once that man was dealt with, and you saw him . . . go away, did that make things easier for you?”
“I don’t understand,” I said, and she smiled at me.
“Let me be frank. When I killed Iris’s father and I knew the monster who had stalked and tortured me wasn’t ever going to hurt me again, it felt like a dam had burst and I was overflowing with happiness, relief, and passion. Has something like that happened to you?”
I proceeded to tell them without using too much detail about the night Giovanni died and I asked Seth to go down on me. They smiled as I explained how I was able to push past the mental block and allow him access.
“That’s what I mean. Sometimes, when monsters chase us for so long, we have to see they are truly destroyed before we can lower our guard. I think once things are settled with those other two men, however it’s going to work out, you’ll find that final wall has collapsed and you’ll going to be raring to go,” Rose reasoned.
“I hope so,” I replied, wishing it was over and I could take that next step. I wasn’t a virgin, far from it, but loving Seth and not being able to connect on an intimate level was causing me to second guess myself.
The twelve of us sat around, visiting, gossiping, and enjoying the desserts Sadie brought, when Rylee leaned over and pulled out a wooden box from a drawer in the coffee table. She placed it on the surface and opened it to reveal dozens of rolled joints.
“Let’s go out back. The kids are safe, the men are shooting, so let’s kick back and relax a little,” Rylee encouraged.
“Hell, it’s been years since I’ve smoked,” Elise said as she stood from her seat. “It won’t take much for me.”
“Not me,” Grace joked, and I chuckled as she wiggled her eyebrows at us.
We all stood and the group of us stepped onto the back deck and took seats around the oversized table in the middle. There were multiple umbrellas covering the table, giving us shade, and with a nice breeze coming off the lake, it was pleasant outside for the beginning of summer in Tennessee.
Rylee began passing out joints until there was one for every two ladies, and even though I didn’t smoke much, I needed to relax and let the what-if’s stop playing in my head.
Plans for a Labor Day cookout were in the works on one side of the table, while Elsie and Amaya were discussing Amaya’s grandmother’s ninetieth birthday celebration next month. Grace leaned closer, handed me the joint, and softly asked, “Why didn’t you call me when you were having issues?”
“I didn’t want to dump my drama on you,” I replied, and she placed a hand on my shoulder, causing me to turn to look at her.
“When I didn’t know which end was up and I was terrified of everyone and everything, you were a friend. You helped me understand I was safe and could stop running. I wish you’d given me the chance to do the same for you.”
“I . . . I didn’t know how to tell anyone without you hating me,” I explained, and it seemed the conversations around us were stopping as Grace and I spoke. I handed the joint back to her, and she took a toke, nodding her understanding.
Stella was the one to speak up first. “Sergey was a mastermind at manipulation and exploitation, and he had Regan so isolated, there wasn’t any way she could’ve seen that the threats and promises were lies.” I nodded and cast my eyes down, feeling the familiar shame push up inside me. “But she was stronger than him. Hell, I think she was stronger than any of us.” I gave her a curious look as our gazes locked. She had Sergey’s blue eyes, and at times, it was disconcerting. “Someof us survived a single instance, or perhaps a prolonged attack. Regan, you endured intense psychological trauma followed by extreme physical trauma, and I think that solidified your need to remain quiet.” She asked, “Does that about sum it up?”
I nodded and explained, “I should’ve said something sooner, but he had me believing I was identifying potential inductees and that I was responsible for their pain.” Offering a small smile, I admitted.
“You have to know it wasn’t your fault,” Sadie said. “You can’t blame yourself, Regan. You just can’t.”
“I understand now that it wasn’t my fault, and each day, the guilt gets a little less. I just wish I knew if everything he said was a lie or if there was any truth to it. Then, maybe I’d stop questioning myself all the time.”
Grace handed me the joint, and I took a big inhale, forcing a cough that didn’t want to stop. I downed the last of my drink and stood to get something else. Rylee and Hannah went to stand, but I held my hand out to stop them as I lifted my glass and turned to walk into the house. The sliding glass door was open as I covered my mouth and coughed again.
After getting some water from the fridge and taking a big swallow, I felt the burning in my throat and chest become less. Laughter echoed into the kitchen as I stood, sipping on the water, and I smiled, knowing my support network was getting bigger. And more people in my corner meant less time hiding in the dark.
Just as I went to step around the island to return outside, I heard a knock on the front door. Glancing at the monitor, I saw a man with a package standing on the front porch. Not wanting to disturb Rylee, I placed my glass on the island and walked to the door. Opening the door, I stumbled backward but couldn’t form any words as I looked at the man standing in front of me.
Ricardo Pickens was standing on the front porch, and in his pudgy hand was a small caliber handgun pointed directly at me, an empty box kicked open to the side. He sneered and said, “Come with me now or I’ll take one of your friends in your place.”
I glanced over my shoulder and couldn’t imagine one of my friends, my family, being dragged into this nightmare, so I gave a nod and stepped out the front door. Ricardo moved the gun, indicating I was to follow him, and with one final glance through the door, I walked down the steps and into the woods with the man who had the power to destroy what little good was left in me.
I just hoped the cameras outside caught who took me before he forced me back into the darkness. I feared I wouldn’t survive it again.
Chapter 33
Regan
The farther we walked away from the house, the madder I got. I left to keep him away from my family, but who the fuck did he think he was? He had no right to abduct me, and if it was the last thing I did, I was going to stop him. Ahead, he stumbled and almost tripped over his dress shoes, and I chuckled loud enough for him to hear.
Whipping his head around, he scowled at me before he asked, “What’s so fucking funny?”
