Page 26 of Free to Breathe
“Charlie keeps a running tab on all of the siblings to see if their past identities have been flagged. This way, we can take steps to neutralize any threats,” Caleb explains while Keene dials. “Do you need to know their history, or do you already know it?”
“I know it,” I reply. Corinna told me. Not long before she stopped talking to me altogether.
The Freeman siblings lived through hell before they joined forces and became a family. Phil and Cassidy were both victims of child abuse. Em’s family was killed in front of her, and she was raised by an elderly aunt. The three met in a park, where Phil and Cassidy were sleeping after they’d escaped their nightmare. Living together with Em’s aunt for years, it wasn’t until she passed on that the three moved to Charleston, South Carolina. There they met Ali, Corinna, and Holly, who had just been rescued from a sex trafficking ring so egregious, it rocked the national news. It was all the more devastating for the then fifteen-year-old girls because their families had either been involved in the ring or had sold them into it to pay back lingering drug debts.
When the newly formed family of six left the South, they left behind their identities and started fresh. For Phil, it was no loss since he had no idea who his parents were. Cassidy had been kidnapped as a child. In renewing my friendship with the Freemans, I knew through Cassidy falling in love with Caleb that she’d discovered she was actually Keene’s biological sister. I found out Ali went back to South Carolina not too long ago and tied up her loose ends. She reconnected with some people who truly meant something to her birth mother, Katherine.
Corinna, or Elena before her name change, woke up to her bedroom door being busted in and men in masks gagging her right before they bound her in tape. They didn’t physically penetrate her, but in the dark, their hands covered her body. Soon, she was tossed blindfolded and bound into a truck bed. Within hours, she was in a shipping container, desperately reaching out in the dark for someone. Anyone. It was pure blind luck she found welcoming hands that were those of Ali and Holly.
I barely managed to hold it together when Corinna told me the full story of what had happened when I asked her the meaning behind the siblings’ amaryllis tattoos. Thinking of it now, I want nothing more than to break each and every bone in the bodies of the men who had touched her. Even knowing her parents are dead from an overdose, and most of the monsters are safely locked behind bars, still doesn’t curb the animalistic urge within me.
It’s Corinna. And in my mind, no one ever paid enough for what they did. No one ever could.
My thoughts are interrupted by Keene announcing, “Nothing on the flags.”
“Maybe she’ll talk during the family dinner with the siblings on Thursday, then,” Caleb mutters.
That gets my attention. “Dinner was canceled?”
Keene nods. “Phil sent out an email earlier. Sibling-only dinner. No spouses. No significant others. No friends. No kids. Corinna’s request.”
The churning in my gut reminds me of the day I got shot. It’s too coincidental. There’s no way this isn’t connected. I need to talk to Corinna about what I know. Tonight.
Jumping up from my seat, I ask, “Are we done?”
Keene rolls his eyes. “If we weren’t, I’m assuming you are.”
Caleb shakes his head. How he hasn’t murdered Keene since childhood obviously means he’s on the path toward sainthood. “You going to go see if you can make sense of a few things?” His voice is laced with concern.
“Yes.” There’s no need in beating around the bush. There are practically no secrets in this family, other than the one I’m sitting on right now.
Caleb stands. “Good luck. Knowing these women, I can honestly say you’re going to need it.”
Keene nods in agreement. “And change your shirt if you happen to like it. Cori’s got great aim.”
“Right,” I mutter. Heading out into the executive lobby, I toss a wave at Keene’s admin, Tony. Punching the Down button, I’m relieved when the elevator arrives quickly. The commute back to Connecticut is going to be tough enough. Even a few extra minutes might get me to Amaryllis Events so I can talk to Corinna on somewhat neutral ground instead of at her home.
14
Colby
Ipull into the parking lot and see both Corinna’s and Holly’s cars. I release a small sigh, grateful I caught her here. I jump out of my car and head inside through the front door. Flinging it open, I startle Holly.
“Oh, Colby!” She holds her hand up to her chest. “I was just about to lock up.”
“Sorry, Hols.” My eyes wander down the hall where I hear Sam Hunt blaring from the kitchen. I shake my head. Corinna and her country music. “I don’t need three guesses to find her.”
“Um, Colby? You might want to be careful walking in there,” Holly warns me. Turning her camera, she flicks the button into display mode, and my jaw unhinges at what the small display screen shows me.
She’s dressed in all white with her hair pulled back. Her arm is cocked back, and she’s flinging an orange mixture at— “Are those rocks?” I ask Holly, pulling the camera closer. Using the camera’s natural zoom, I lock in on Corinna’s face. Her expression has me arrested.
It’s anger. It’s fury. It’s devastation. It’s Corinna’s passion unleashed. I shudder, quickly going back into full screen. She’s letting all her emotions pour out. Why does no one seem to notice but me?
“Sure looks like it, doesn’t it?” Holly’s voice is filled with pride. “By the time Cori’s done, they’re going to be something really fucking special for the kid with cancer who’s getting this cake tomorrow. Then again, I’m not surprised. Cori just gives so much of herself.” She’s thoughtful for a minute, before giving me a head-to-toe perusal. “Hey, Colby. Are you busy tonight?”
I choke. I am in no way interested in Holly. I have never been. Ever since I saw Corinna years ago, her face is the only one I’ve compared every other woman to. And now her sister’s making a play? “What?” I manage to croak out.
“Listen, I’ve got a date, but I hate for Cori to have to clean all this shit up on her own. She’s exhausted.” Jesus Christ. I let out the breath I was holding. Holly bursts out in laughter. “You didn’t think I was asking you out, did you? Lord, Colby, you’ve always been Corinna’s. I think the only two people who haven’t realized it are the two of you.” Still laughing, she reaches up and pats my slack jaw. “You always thought you were so cute hiding your feelings in college. But Colby? Hurt her again, they’ll never find your dead body.” Holly’s eyes, a different shade of gold from Corinna’s, holds my gaze for a heated moment. “Lock up behind me, will you? Enjoy your evening.” Quietly, Holly slips out the front door.
