I met his gaze head-on and let him see his death in mine. “Maya’s not stupid. She’s trapped and has been abused. We’re here because we were the same and nowthriveafter someone helped us.” I focused back on the mother. “And that’s why you will fry in the hell you believe in.
“You rant that you did theChristianthing to not let her have an abortion. You go to your church to say it was her fault for putting herself in the position to be raped. That you’re doinggod’s worktaking care of your grandchild and it’s all fuckinglies.”
“It’s not—”
“Itis,” the four female demons in the room said together, Kyria continuing. “None of them know you did it basically to use the government aid for yourselves. You and your fucking waste of a husband. You make her go out and earn money under the table you don’t claim—thatshe’llbe on the hook for when the government finds out about it!
“Youlieto everyone that you’re still working part-time to help her and the baby and everything else, but you sit here in this filth and let her stepdad abuse her! Why? Because you know the truth and he would rather her be in his bed than you? That youhateyour own daughter because she’s prettier than you ever were?”
“What?” Maya gasped as she moved closer to Kyria. “How do you know that?”
“We do our homework before deciding to get involved,” I lied knowing it was what Kyria sensed. “And the truth of it all is they know who raped you. That’s why they wouldn’t allow the abortion and you to be helped. That’s why they keep you basically hostage and control you. They’re waiting until the statute of limitations ends.”
“You’re hermother, you disgusting filth,” another demon spat at the woman. “And you’re not—”
“One call to the police and they’ll take that baby from her and she’ll be behind bars,” the man cut in. “I know people and—”
And that was the threat he’d been using to keep control over the poor woman. Maya started shaking and cowered into herself. They usedprisonand what could happen to her there after she’d been raped as the threat to control her. What she suffered now didn’t seem as bad as that.
Except it was all lies.
The fourth demon moved across the room and shoved him away from the girl. “You’re so full of shit it’s made your fucking eyes brown, asshole. You know people at that church, but they wouldn’t cross the road to help you. Theyknowyou lie because they go see her at the strip club! They just can’t admit it because it would expose them!”
“They would never risk their own asses to help you,” I drawled. I turned to Maya. “Pack what you want to take with you and for the child.” My heart broke as her desires to not be around thethingthat destroyed her so much hit me. “Arrangements have been made. Trust us. This once, find the strength to trust for this help.”
“You’re not taking my grandbaby,” the woman snapped and stormed at me.
“It’s cute you think you have a fucking vote,” I snorted and shoved her away from me. Maya hesitated and I decided to give her the motivation she needed. “Your rapist is in custody. Someone did take a rape kit even against your stepfather’s objections while he was trying to pull you out of the hospital that day. If the child’s DNA matches—we’ll handle it.”
“Don’t you dare, and we’re going to talk about you trying to find other work and everything else you’ve been up to,” the man growled at Maya.
That was more motivating than anything. Knowing she was dead meat after they learned all of this was… She couldn’t move fast enough while we held off the “parents.”
It was extra hard to not kill the stepdad because his desires were full of not getting a chance to fuck her before we were taking her away. Seriously, some men were beyond filth.
Which was why when Maya was ready to go, the few things she wanted to take with her packed—and everything needed for the toddler—I punched him in the face. I had to pull the hit in a way that impressed me with my control given everything else going on and how much this triggered me.
“Report it,” I chuckled darkly when he opened his mouth… From the floor.
I squatted down and smirked at him, letting him see in my eyes what others had.
That I was the predator and they were the fucking prey.
“Oh, you do have a few working brain cells,” I purred when he swallowed down what he was going to say. “You get it now, don’t you?”
“I get it,” he bit out. “She’s gone and don’t make a fuss.”
Kyria snorted. “No, please, make a fuss. We plan to. You just won’t win and can’t touch us.” She sighed when the mother got riled up. “I have no problem hitting a woman. I would honestly fucking love to.”
“We need to get you diplomatic immunity first, love,” I chuckled. I stood and bitch-slapped the mother. “But I have it.” I smiled at Maya’s shock. “You deserve much more, but I bet that healed something deep inside of you, didn’t it?”
“Yes,” she whispered, letting out a shuddering breath.
“Good. Then let’s get you to your new life where you can heal and give this to others,” I said gently. “You’re going to heal and be okay, love.”
“I don’t think I can,” she admitted. “I think I gave up.”
“Naw, you got out of bed today, Sister,” one of the others praised her. “You still got the fight. We got you from here. Promise.”
