“Is he… How are things?” she asks.
“I love him. He’s really good to me. He’s nothing like Edward,” I admit. “He shot my friend a few days ago. He wanted me to do something, and I said no, so he shot her.”
“I’m so sorry, baby,” Mom says tearfully. “What did he want you to do?”
I look at Brent because I don’t know how to word this without sounding crass. “He was trying to get her to suck him off, Ma. The parking lot had video and audio recording.”
“He wouldn’t do that. He loves you two,” Mom says, shaking her head. “Alania. Maybe you aren’t remembering…”
“Do you want to see it?” Brent asks her. I look over at the doctor with wide eyes.
“Vanessa, the video is very graphic,” Dr. Shaffer says. “Be sure before you watch because you can’t undo that.”
“I want to see. If someone hurt my baby… I promised I’d take care of her,” Mom says to Brent. “Your father made you believe that she was your sister, but… It was easier not to argue.”
“I know, Ma,” Brent says, pressing okay on his phone and handing it to her. The sound is on and loud. There is a lot of background noise, but you can hear us talking.”
Mom gasps and covers her mouth when the sound of him slapping me echoes through the room.“Suck my cock like the good little whore I taught you to be, or you’ll regret it,”Edward demands. I close my eyes and wait for it. The sound of a shot and my screams coming through the speakers takes me right back to that parking lot.
The room starts spinning, and I can’t slow it down. My breaths are coming in short bursts, and I can’t focus. “Hey. You’re okay,” Adrian says as he takes my face between his hands. “You’re safe. Okay?”
“I know. I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“Don’t apologize,” Adrian says.
With tear-filled eyes, I look up at the woman who raised me. “Momma… He’s hurt us. He’s hurt you so badly… he does the same nasty things to you, doesn’t he? Pushes too far down your throat and mocks you when you throw up? Whips you until your body is numb and cold? He’s a bad man, Momma. I know you love him. I know you want to protect him because that’s what hetaught you to do, but I need help now, Momma. Can you help me?”
“I’m so sorry,” Mom cries.
“We need to find him so he can’t hurt either of you ever again,” Brent says, squeezing her hand. “You know me, Ma. I’d never lie to you. Right?”
“You’re a good boy, Brently,” she sniffs and cups his cheek.
“You’ve got to choose, Ma. Protect him or protect Alania,” Brent says gently.
“He’ll kill me,” Mom whispers.
“No, Ma, he will never ever touch you again. Ever. No matter what you decide, he will never be able to hurt you again. You can live in peace,” Brent says. “I promise.”
“I don’t know where he is, though.”
“The cabin,” I say. “Your dad owned it. He’d be there. Do you know the address?”
“1456 Cherry Hill Drive. It’s off Highway 85,” she says with a defeated sigh before looking at Adrian. “You keep my girl safe, ya hear? Don’t be like the man in that video. Be who she deserves.”
“We treat her like a queen, ma’am,” Adrian says warmly. “She will be safe.”
“Cian…”
“I’ll take care of him, Vanessa. You stay here and get better. Okay?” Cian says. She nods before jumping up and coming over to hug me.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I’m so sorry,” she sobs. All I can do is hold her fragile body and try to soothe her the way she’d soothe me when I had nightmares. She quickly starts to dissociate from reality, so Brent picks Mom up and takes her to lie on her bed.
When we step back into the hall, the doctor sighs. “Well… that either completely broke her… Or she might find her way out of the dark. I didn’t expect her to be so receptive, but I’m always pleasantly surprised by protective mother instincts.”
“She is still listed with no name?” Brent asks.
“Yes. There is no record of her in the system,” Dr. Shaffer confirms. “I will update you on how she does over the next few days.”
