I stop breathing the second I glance at the photo. His mocking green eyes stare at me from behind a large, mahogany desk. His tailored suit and the expensive watch on his wrist, along with the opulence of his surroundings, convey power and confidence, and he looks like the classical definition of a successful businessman.
Except he’s not.
He’s a monster who preys on vulnerable children and exploits them for monetary gain.
My hand visibly shakes as I hold the photo, and I know everyone can see. My breath lodges in my throat and nausea churns in my gut as memories of encounters with that pervert flood my mind. Every muscle in my body is stretched tight, and a physical pain sits on my chest, compressing my air supply, making breathing difficult.
Keanu raises my wrist to my nose. “Breathe, baby. In and out. Nice and slow.” I stare into his eyes as I focus on my breathing. Keanu’s chest rises and falls in sync with mine, and his steady, supportive expression, as well as the scent of lavender on my skin, helps to quell the storm rising inside me.
“Are you okay to continue?” Sinead asks, and I’m grateful for the lack of pity in her matter-of-fact gaze.
I give a curt nod of my head, handing the photo back to her. “That’s him,” I quietly admit. “That’s the man who owns the island.”
“You’ve met him?” Sinead asks.
I nod again, looking down at my hand curled around Keanu’s. “He came on the weekends when most of the parties took place,” I explain. “Although, Freddie was the one who ran the island, ensuring everything went smoothly.”
“So, you have been on the island?” Keven inquires.
“Yeah. When I was first taken there, I didn’t know where I was. I could’ve been in outer space. We weren’t allowed outside beyond the main facility, so I couldn’t see for myself, but clients referred to it as an island, and when Lawrence took me with him, we went on a ship.”
“Are you okay to look at some other profiles?” Sinead asks.
“Okay.” I glance at Keanu, and he presses a kiss to my temple.
Sinead lays several photos on the coffee table. “Point to anyone you recognize. Anyone you remember seeing on the island.”
I point out nine of the fourteen men in the photos.
The SSA and Keven trade a look.
“These men were on the island?” Sinead asks.
“Yes.”
“You’re sure?” she probes.
“I haven’t forgotten any of their faces.” Not when I’ve spent years regularly seeing them in my nightmares. “I’m sure.”
“And what about these men?” Keven asks, laying another six photos down.
A violent shiver works its way through me as I stare into the face of pure evil. My stomach wrenches, and a strangled sound rips from my mouth. Keanu rubs my back, and I lean into him, needing his support. “That’s Freddie,” I croak, pointing at the man who made my life a misery for years. “And that’s Hudson, his second in command,” I add, pointing at the photo next to his. Another shudder whips through me, and I bite down on my lower lip so hard it’s no surprise I draw blood.
“You’re doing fantastic, Selena,” the SSA says, nodding. “And this is already helping a lot. You’ve just identified a number of high-profile figures we suspected were involved, and you’ve pinpointed a number of men within the organization we’ve been watching and building profiles on.”
Sinead gathers up the photos, putting them back in the file, and I slump against Keanu.
“If you feel up to it, we’d like to ask you some questions about the island,” Keven says in a gentle tone.
Reliving my existence on that island is the last thing I want to do, but I knew coming here they would want to know. I’ve already warned Keanu this won’t be easy to listen to, but I need to remind him again. I twist around, peering deep into his eyes. “Are you sure you want to stay for this?”
His eyes probe mine. “I’m going nowhere, Sel. Unless it’d make you more comfortable to talk about it with me not here.”
I vigorously shake my head because nothing could be further from the truth. But I’m scared what he hears today might color his view of me.
As if he’s read my mind, he says, “Nothing you say here will change how I think or feel about you, Selena. I know you were forced to do things against your will. I also know you survived because you are smart and strong and you did what you had to do.” He brushes a stray hair off my face. “Say what you need to say, and if it gets too much, we can leave.”
“I love you,” I mouth even though the others can see.
