Page 44 of Concealed Deception

“Vince, I need to know.Who else did you get out of the house?Were there any more girls?”My monitors beep frantically with my elevated heart rate as I wait for his reply.

“Ava, you really do need to rest.We can discuss this later, once you’re up to it,” Vince says.

“No, I want to talk about it now.I need to know, Vince, please.”

He appeases me, though I can tell he’s not happy about it.“Miles’ team found four women.Three were in the basement, the other was hiding in the kitchen.Only two were alive.”I cringe at his mention of the basement.

“The one from the kitchen will be Quinn.Where is she now?I need to thank her.She hid the scissors for me to find.”

“She’s still with Miles and his team.Their medic is checking her over.They think she’s been smuggled into the country by William.He wants to ensure she gets the right medical treatment without reporting her to the authorities.”

It takes a moment to process everything everyone is telling me.

“The other girl that was found alive, where is she?”My voice is low and timid.The thought of that place gives me horrible flashbacks.

“She’s here, in intensive care.I don’t know any more,” Vince says with a remorseful expression.

Guilt slides in from thinking of all the ways she helped me while she was beaten, abused, or likely worse.She seemed like a strong young woman, but I could tell she was broken.

“Vince, I need you to make sure she’s looked after properly.I want you to keep tabs on her for me.Please can you do that?”

“Of course, boss lady.”We share a secret conversation.I know he’ll do his best to uphold his word.

“Thank you.Does anyone know when my aunt will be here?I have more questions, but she’s the only one who can answer them.”

“I’m right here.Ava, I’m so, so sorry.”She’s crying as she closes the door behind her.“I tried so hard to keep this from happening.”She continues to walk over, focused only on me.

Everyone else gets up and leaves the room, giving us privacy.

“I’ll be on the other side of the door, boss lady,” Vince tells me.

I don’t know that I agree with the wholeboss ladysentiment, but I have more important things right now to worry about.

“Aunt Lina, if that’s your real name… I need to know.Why didn’t you ever tell me I might be in danger by moving to New York?”

“My name is Carolina, so yes, Lina is my name.However, I’m not related by blood.I was your mother’s best friend.That doesn’t mean you aren’t my niece.I’ve always loved you like you were my own.I always will.Nothing will change that for me.

“As for New York, I asked and asked again if you thought it was the right move for you.Who was I to hold you back?I couldn’t do that to you, Ava.I didn’t want you resenting me or to ruin our relationship.I figured with the amount of hard work I put in keeping your identity hidden, and the fact none of them had ever physically seen you, it would be all right to let you move on.No matter what I chose, you’re a grown woman.You have the right to make your own choices, so I wanted you to make them.

“I’m sorry about what happened.I’m sorry for all of it.I was told on the phone that you know everything about your parents.I will never agree with what your mother did to try and save you, but you have to know, she loved you very much.You were her world.”

She’s sitting on the edge of my bed, clasping my hand in hers, crying.I’m struggling to take it all in.The thought of a mom that cared for me and loved me; I wish I still had that.

I’ll always hold a dark cloud over Dad’s name.He’ll always be a coward in my eyes.In a way, I’m glad my mom and aunt changed my identity.It takes the shame away from holding his name.

“Aunty, I have something to tell you, too.I don’t think I’ll ever be out of Xander’s grasp.I don’t want to be.He may be a dangerous man to everyone else, but he’s not to me.The whole time he had me, I never felt scared; not like I did with William.I don’t want to know what life’s like without him.”The waterworks begin as the events of the last however many days—or weeks—sink in.

I’ve yet to admit that to anyone.Saying it out loud feels right.I just need to make Xander believe that’s what I want, because I know he’ll try to push me away if it means I’m safe.

“Ava, you’re twenty-three.You’re young.You can’t fall in love with a man this quickly.Especially a man like Alexander Lamont.I think you hit your head pretty hard.”

“With all due respect, this is my decision.You don’t have to like it,” I snap.My stubbornness is coming out.

She tries to reason with me, but I’m not letting her change my mind.

It’s simple.

I’ve fallen for the devil.

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