“Can I make a recommendation?” asked Zane.
“Of course.We’re relying on your expertise to help us,” said Ham.
“Wait a few days.Let them get settled and think that they’re safe.They’ll be less edgy, more likely to think they’ve escaped.We’ve seen it before.When you get there, get to our mo-, get to Mrs. Miller first,” said Zane.“If you take her down, the others will feel panicked and most likely will either surrender or harm themselves to avoid jail.”
“That’s a good plan,” said Remington staring at the two young men.“You seem okay with the idea of us possibly killing Mrs. Miller.”
“If you knew the hell she’s put all of us through, you would understand.It’s a miracle that we’re even remotely normal considering what she did to us,” said Jeremiah.
“You’re more than normal,” said Rush.“The way you’ve handled all of this is admirable.”
“Even though we didn’t fight back?” frowned Jeremiah.
“Son, sometimes fighting back is not an option.The only alternative is to survive.You’ve done that and should be proud of yourselves,” said Ham.“Believe me, survival is where freedom begins.”
“Yes, sir,” he nodded.
“Is there anyone else on the property that we should be particularly worried about?" asked Rush.He felt certain they’d be able to handle anyone or anything thrown at them but they preferred a no surprises attack if at all possible.
“Just Mrs. Miller,” they said in unison.The brothers smiled for the first time and the others in the room smiled with them.
“Get these boys some food,” said Claudette wiggling between the big bodies.“Hello boys.My name is Claudette and you can call me Aunt Claudette, Claudette, or Mama Claudette.Whatever you like.”
“Claudette, we just got them home,” smirked Ham.“We’ll get them some food.”
“Y’all will get them some food now or I’ll do it myself.They’re too skinny and they need some love.Move them to the cottage near the big house.We’ll all be checkin’ on ‘em throughout the day.”Jake walked in with a wheelchair and a big smile.
“Jake, we need to wait,” started Ham.
“They can go,” smiled Layla.“We’ll check on them in the cottage but Claudette is right.They both need a good meal or twenty.”The others laughed and Zane smiled at them.When a familiar face appeared in the door, both of the young men looked as if they’d cry again.
“Hi, Zane.Hi, Jeremiah,” said Saylor.
“Saylor,” whispered Zane.“You’re okay.You’re alright.”
“I’m better than okay,” she said grabbing Remington’s hand.“This is my husband, Remington.We just had twin boys.”
“Wow, congratulations!” said Jeremiah.“You’re safe here, right?”She smiled at the two men, once friends.
“Yes.We’re all safe here.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
“Are you alright?” asked Remington seeing the sad expression on Saylor’s face.
“I’m mad at myself,” she said as they walked toward the big house.“I’m mad that I didn’t have the courage to reach out to Aunt Nell and Uncle Sor sooner.I’m mad that I didn’t report what they were doing to the police.I’m mad that I didn’t try to help those boys.I’m just mad.At me.”
“Oh, baby,” said Remington turning her in his arms.“You didn’t know.You didn’t know what to do or who to turn to.You didn’t know about the animals and what they were doing to the women.I can only imagine how afraid you were.”
“But I’m mad at myself for being afraid.Aunt Nell told me that Sor and the rest of the men were special, that they protected people.I don’t know what I thought you all did but it wasn’t this.”She waved her arms like a windmill and Remington gave a sexy smirk to her.
“We know everything now.We’re going to help Zane and Jeremiah, and the other boys if we can get to them.”
“What about Florence?” she said with intentional disdain.
“Florence will meet her just end, believe me.”
“Is it weird that a woman is so evil?That she’s the one that thought of all of this?” she asked.
