I press a fierce kiss to the top of her head. “No one is taking you from me, and I would die before I’ll let anyone hurt you like that again.”
5
Selena
“Can you tell me what happened?” he asks, failing to disguise the terror in his eyes. But there is determination there too, and although it feels weak to run straight back into his arms, I can’t deny how much calmer I feel around him. I’d like to say I believe him. That hecankeep me safe, but that’s a stretch too far.
A shiver works its way through me, and I shake all over. He wraps his arms around me, holding me more closely but never too tight. Tears stab the back of my eyes, but these ones aren’t unhappy tears.
I don’t know any other guy our age who would’ve gone to so much trouble to learn how best to support his sick girlfriend. Keanu did everything he possibly could to learn about my condition so he could help me.
And I repaid him by cutting him loose and breaking his heart.
I shove that thought aside the instant it lands in my mind. Unable to deal with that guilt right now. My mind is too unstable and I need to get these words out. To tell him what went down today before I lose the courage.
I ease out of his arms, still sitting on his lap but putting a little bit of space between us. I draw a brave breath and summon the last vestiges of my strength. “My friend Kelly convinced me to attend a casting call for extras for that new show everyone is talking about,” I start explaining in a wobbly voice, reaching under my sweater and clasping my fingers around the sapphire claddagh necklace I never take off.
Keanu bought it for me one Christmas. It was after I’d told him how it was the last gift I’d received from my birth parents.
Mom was of Irish descent, and she wore a similar necklace except hers had an emerald birthstone. She bought me one for my tenth birthday, and I never took it off. I don’t know what happened to it after I was taken. All I knew was when I woke up in a strange room, and I’d reached up to my neck for it, it was no longer there.
A deep pain slices across my chest, like it does anytime I think of my family. Of my little sister. I gulp painfully, clasping the necklace tighter, fighting a fresh wave of tears. Keanu nods, his eyes dropping briefly to my necklace, before he gives me his full attention, his gaze locked on mine, encouraging me to continue.
I push back tears and clear my throat. “It was in a hotel in town. The director came onto the stage to address the crowd and … it washim.”
I had no clue it was him because all the clients used false names on the island. To me, he has always been Cassius because that’s the name he chose to go by. It was only much later that I learned the significance of that name and how apt it was.
“You’re one hundred percent sure?” A muscle ticks in his jaw.
I nod my head vigorously, as my fingers rub back and forth along my jewelry. “There’s no doubt.”
“We need to call the cops.”
“And say what?” I softly ask. “That a well-respected film director, a man who has just established a new production studio and brought tons of new jobs to Boston, is a sick pedophile who buys little girls to torture and abuse?”
“Yes,” he grits out. “We tell them exactly that.”
I haven’t been lucid long enough to think this all through, but I already know that kind of approach will not work in my favor. “I have no proof, K. It would be my word against his. And all it would accomplish is letting him know where I am. Giving him the means to take back what he believes he owns.” I rub the necklace more vigorously, counting to ten in my head, working hard to keep myself calm.
His Adam’s apple bobs in his throat, and his brow creases as he considers my words. “Fuck it. There has got to be something we can do. There are others who can confirm the condition you were found in. Maybe the timelines will stack up and they can place him in Texas at the same time as you. There are medical reports, and Denise can testify to your trauma as can your mom. Both are highly respected in their field. And you gave a statement back then. All of that has got to count for something.”
“Maybe,” I admit, because that will help corroborate my claims, but I know that’s not going to be enough. He used condoms when he violated me, and he was careful not to leave any semen or DNA that could tie to him. “But without proof, the authorities can do nothing.”
He peers deep into my eyes. “But if we put him on their radar, maybe they can uncover enough to make an arrest. Your case can’t be an isolated one.”
I wince as guilt blankets me. It’s not like I haven’t thought about the other victims over the years. About what happened to my best friend Juanita, kidnapped with me that day, and whether she is still alive or buried in an unmarked grave on the island. Or worse, whether that bastard sold her to the highest bidder too.
“I’m betting it’s not,” I admit in a whisper. “But if we go to the authorities, he will know where I live, Keanu. Where I go to school. Which modeling agency I’m assigned to and what shoots I’m booked for.”
It’s a miracle he hasn’t discovered me before now. I remember Kelly telling me he’s only recently moved into the area. I think the fact he was out of state must have helped keep me protected. That and most of my campaigns for KA were low-key, per my agreement with Alex.
“These men know how to abduct girls and make them disappear,” I continue. “They did it to me once. What makes you think they can’t do it to me again?” A sob bursts from my throat, and violent shivering racks my entire body. “I would rather die than fall into their clutches again,” I admit on a sob, my hands dropping to my sides.
He hugs me to his warm body. “No one is taking you, Selena. I promise you.”
“You can’t make that promise!” I cry. “And we’re not together. Why would you even want to?!”
“Don’t do that.” He leans back, latching pained eyes on mine. “Whether we are together or not makes no difference to how I feel about you. I will always care, Selena.” His eyes burn hot, radiating the truth. “I will always want to protect you, and you are not shutting me out of this.”
