“Oh, honey. No.”
“Lucien walked out of the room, telling Marcus that he should get acquainted with his bride and that was the first time a man touched me. Lucien walked back in to find Marcus’s hand down my pants and instead of pulling him up on it, he watched. Over the next few years, it became Lucien’s favorite little game. Every time Marcus was in town, they’d claim that they needed to check on my development, make sure I was still fit to become the perfect poster wife.”
“Did you tell Maria about this?”
I scoff. “I did after the first time. She told me that women were put on this earth to serve men. I was told that Marcus was now my man and it was my duty to please him. In fact, I was forced to thank Lucien for finding me such a suitable husband who would take care of me.”
Shay wipes at her tears with the back of her arm, taking short, shallow breaths in order not to break. “You understand that’s not true?” she begs of me. “You’re put on this earth solely to live a happy, joyous life. Your being is not to please a man. Never, surely you must know that?”
“I do,” I tell her with a slight nod, wiping my tears. I take a deep breath and slowly blow it out. “Every time Marcus came around, it got a little bit worse, but as I got older, I thought I could handle it.
“I wanted to leave, but leaving meant leaving Blake behind. He was treated so well and despite how much I hate them, they really gave him a great life. He was showered with love, promises of a bright future, and anything he could ever dream. I couldn’t take him away from that, but I also couldn’t leave him. He’s all I had left, so I endured it.”
“What happened?” Shay pushes.
I glance up at her, pressing my lips into a tight line and letting her see the turmoil within. “Lucien got tired of waiting.”
Her forehead drops to mine. “I’m so sorry, Sky,” she whispers. “How many times did he hurt you?”
“Just once,” I tell her, shaking my head. “I couldn’t stay a second longer. I packed a bag, got Blake and ran. I didn’t even tell him why we were running but he knew something had happened. I was so scared he wasn’t going to come with me, but he did. He’s always, always stood by my side.”
“You did the right thing leaving,” she tells me. “You did what you had to do and you made a tough decision asking him to leave his life behind and it shows in the way that he came with you that you two share an incredible bond. It’s all going to be alright now. You’ve got me and Ben, Blake, and even Slade. You never have to be scared again.”
I let out a sigh before meeting her eyes. “There’s something you should know…” Her brows furrow and I continue. “You know Daniella, Slade’s mom?”
“Yes,” she says slowly.
“Long story short, Lucien Valentine used to go by the name of Lucas Valery,” her eyes widen, recognizing the name. “He raped her, just as he did to me and when she went to the police, he came back and did it again. I want him to go down for this and Daniella said she’ll help me, but I’m scared. What if he comes back for me?”
“He wouldn’t,” she declares with a snarl, sitting up straighter and holding me just a bit tighter. “That man took you from me for thirteen years. He hurt you and put you through all sorts of hell. If he even thinks about coming into my town, he’ll have me to deal with. Don’t worry, Skylah. We’re going to handle this. You never have to be scared again.”
I don’t respond, just bury my face into her shirt. I appreciate her declaration, but truth be told, if Shay was to stand in Lucien’s way, he’d just bowl her straight down. He’s too dangerous and far too powerful to be a match for her. Money talks no matter where it’s coming from and unfortunately for us, we’re on the losing side.
I wipe my eyes and hastily pull back. “I spoke to Daniella at the game last night. We’re going to go to the police station after school and make a formal statement. I don’t know how this is going to work or what kind of protection they can offer us, but we’re done running.”
“I’m proud of you,” she tells me. “Both of you. That man deserves to be in prison.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Shay pulls back and meets my eyes. “If it’s okay with both you and Daniella, I’d like to be there this afternoon. I know I can’t offer you much in the way of my own experiences, but I can be a shoulder to lean on for the both of you.”