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“By now, he more than likely is. None of you were to be left alive.” I confess.
“I know, I let you all down when I agreed to make the switch with him. Sorry doesn’t cut it, but whatever you ask of me, I will do. No questions asked.”
“Tell me about Tobias.”
“He was a great father. Even from what she said, he never acted as if he hated me or wanted to kill me. My mom, Evelina, was the best. She showed me so much love that it was overwhelming, but I took all she gave and more. I’m sure you know they were both killed not long after I graduated. I knew he did unspeakable things, but he was my daddy, and I didn’t care. I never asked questions, because it was none of my business. Mom just instilled in me to be the best version of them in every way, and that’s what I intended to do. I took their deaths really hard. When I met Court, things were great, but slowly, he started having me do things that I didn’t want to do. The rest is history because here we are.”
“Dash find out more about Tobias’s death, I have a feeling it was murder to get close to you.”
“Yeah, I never had time to find out on my own, and it’s been one big mystery to me.”
“Trust me, we will find out. You’re pretty young to be all those things you mentioned earlier.”
“Not to toot my own horn, but beep beep, I’m a genius when it comes to books. Street smart is not one of my best qualities.” She chuckles.
“We can teach you, but it won’t come easy. You have to earn our trust and there are five of us as you know.” I remind her.
“Yeah, but Wells will be the hardest, he wants to kill me. Looking at him right now, should the opportunity present itself, he won’t hesitate to do it.”
“You’ve got that right. Now, I’ll have Maeve get a room together for you, where you will stay locked in until we need you. If you have classes, we will get it set up where you can take them online. As for food and women's needs, Maeve will assist there, too.”
“Okay.” She says, looking at her dead sister hanging there. “What’s going to happen when her father finds out she’s dead?”“Imagine how it will make him feel to know that the daughter he sent to her death was the one to do it.” I wag my eyebrows at her.
“Oh that is just plain evil.” She laughs. “But give me some time, and it will give me great joy to know that I’ll be the reason he’s gonna be out for blood.” She smiles.
“You’re a little Devil in training yet. Stick with us and you will be one sooner than you think.” I take out a pair of cuffs and let them dangle in front of her. “These go on when you’re being escorted from room to room, you don’t go anywhere without supervision, and the third level is off limits to you. Should you go there on your own accord, the punishment will be severe and delivered by Wells. The only way you are allowed into any of the rooms up there is if one of us five invite you. Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal.” She mumbles, putting her arms behind her back. “Is it okay if we go now? I'm not feeling so good.” She whispers.
Maeve opens the door just in time.
“Come now, child, I have your dungeon ready with something that will help you feel better and sleep.” She says, walking in and taking her by the arm.
“My dungeon? You guys have a dungeon?” She wails, her expression filled with horror. We all burst out laughing.
“I’m only kiddin’, girl, dungeons are where the monsters live.” Maeve taunts her, escorting her out of the basement.
“Call in the cleanup crew to take care of this. I want her on ice until Fred is ready to take on her father and his repercussions for killing his loving daughter.”
I exit the basement and leave Dash and Wells to take care of the clean up.
Today has already been a day, and the only thing I should be thinking about is what Valentina said about something big coming, but my head keeps going back to the girl that has haunted my every waking thought for the last three years. I have to find her. I know Karter knows where she is, but he won’t give it up that easy.
On top of all that, I have to worry about this stupid fucking dinner my worthless father has planned. I’ll entertain his bullshit only because I want to know what he means that this woman will save our family.
First the fuck of all, what family? He and I haven’t been a family since before mom died. So what the fuck could possibly need saving? Once I find out who this woman is, I’ll be able to find some dirt on her… No matter what her intentions may be.
“I’m coming for you, step-mother.”
Chapter Twelve
Athens
Iwakeupwithsweat drenching my entire body. I can’t stop having dirty dreams filled with all three of the men from last week. Of course, those hot and heavy dreams came after I had that one about the little girl and her daddy. I’ll have to remember to ask Auntie about that later.
I roll out of bed, desperately needing to wash away all this sweat. First things first, I head to the bathroom. Turning on the shower, with the heat turned up to the max, I think about my day. It’s only Saturday so still have another day before Bash returns. He had to go on another business trip. But I was able to prep all my lesson plans and stuff for the first week of classes. If I have enough free time before the semester starts in a little over a week maybe I can even prep lessons all the way up to midterms. A girl can dream, right?
I’m excited but way more scared than anything. Teaching has always been one of the things I’ve wanted to do in life. It gives me great joy to know that I’m able to help shape and develop others into something great. I’ve been teaching since I was twenty-two, but this is my first year teaching college students. It’s definitely a change from elementary kids, and high schoolers, but it was time for something new. I was ready for a change in more ways than one.