Chapter 21

“Come", he takes me into his arms and I smell his unique aroma.

“Don't betray me and I assure you I would even take a bullet for you", he strokes my back.

“Mmmh”, I close my eyes.

Why do I get some type of comfort in his arms? I should be running away, shouldn't I?

“Don't injure me”, I quietly say “I won't", he answers.

Some things have a way of turning out. I never expected that I would find my family in this way, a complex way. I never pictured myself getting married one day. I always believed that a man would see me filthy since I had slept with plenty of men. Not by choice but that I may be injured yet with Thorne it seemed different I think. I wanted to do it, I felt like doing it even. He didn't see me the way I always hoped he would view me. He is my spouse too, something I never dreamed I would have. I didn't even think of it but my family protecting me from Henry's kicks. The first time a guy was inside of me and from the beatings, I suffered while under Henry. I always assumed that I was having a horrific dream and that one day I would wake up but what I discovered is that I can't alter anything about my past and weeping about it won't help but those females. The fact that my spouse is responsible for them vanishing hits me. Does he assist in shipping them to other areas or what? I wonder what he truly does. What he has told me is quite alarming, it is. He warned me he was not working alone but if he went down many other men were going to react and would be the death of me, him, and also my family. He is a Mafia for heaven's sake! How did I wind up here? Oh yes, he took me. Practically rescued me but I didn't know if I was heading into another Den.

I was on my way to his workplace. I know he doesn't want me there but I needed to chat to Thorne for a moment. This has been troubling me for a week. I need answers and some he doesn't have that I have to seek from my family. Did they even miss me if that is the case? Were they seeking for me or didn't at all?

“Can I see my husband?", I cautiously say to the guard and he nods and walks out of the way.

I breathe out lay my hand on the door doorknob and open it. He lifts his head from the mound of work in front of him. I move near his desk and I stand in front of it and gaze at him while he does the same. I pull the chair that is in the room and sit down on it.

“I wouldn't be here if it wasn't something important”, I remark and he remains quiet.

“I know we are married and there are a lot of complicated things that are happening between me and you. One that can provide answers for me and reconnect me with my family after 10 years and you being a...Mafia.”, I close my eyes and breathe out while saying that. I play with my fingers merely to relax.

“This is a tough one because I have grown on you. I won't lie but the knowledge that my spouse is trafficking females doesn't sit well with me. I wouldn't want to have a child with you for that reason. What if you feel that you aren't making enough and traffick our child? Greediness does exist”

“Can I talk?”, I nod. I play with my ring as of that.

He swings the chair softly as he glances at me.

“I included you in this life because I wanted to. I didn't mean to tell you anyhow and it's going against what I believe but I wanted to be truthful with you so you know what you are connected to with me concerning the females. I have decided. I won't be operating anything. I shall leave my hands clean”, he raises his hands and I look at him.

“Really?", He nods softly.

“Uhm I don't know what to say. Why is it easier for you to just let things go?”

“I guess I have injured enough females"

“Why injure them in the first place?", He remained silent for some time.

“You need to tell me things and talk to me. I have to be faithful to you. I am your wife”, I say and he sighs. He rises from his chair.

“Fuck Kaitlin I don't like that I am pouring stuff on you like a bitch!”, I keep quiet.

He opens the curtains and looks out of the glass wall while burying his hands in his pockets.

“I was 13/14. Around there. I used to have sisters as well. They went through the same experience as you the difference is that they were put through it by a community thug. My father at that time owed him some money. I was taken away too but my sisters went through everything. Rape, beating,s and the last straw death. I remember their tears and it helps me feel better when I hear other females crying”

He turns to me.

“But yours is different. I don't enjoy hearing you cry”, he continues.

“I am sorry. So you are genuinely alone?", I question him.

“No, my parents are somewhere in. Osogbo sits down.

“I haven't seen them in over 10 years”

“Why if I may ask?”, I would be home all the darn time.

”I still partially blame my father for my sibling's death”, he adds clinching his teeth.

I rose from the chair and walked to him.

“Maybe it's time we let some things we can't change go. Forgive the one who didn't apologize and strive to reconcile with our family. My matter is challenging I know but we will find a method. One way or another Jason will figure things out and you can't conceal me forever”, he wraps his arms around me.

“You can just stay every no. I need fresh air from time to time. Plus you can't go anywhere without me now”, I smile.

“Are you attempting to trick me into going someplace with you?", I nod

He chuckles. This dude is gorgeous though.

“Mmmh”

“You have enemies right?”, He sighs and nods.

“Mmh”, he raises my chin and perks my lips.

NATHANIEL

Kaitlin left the workplace after some time and I pulled my burner phone from the draw and I phoned Ryan. He answered his phone.

“Ryan it's me”, I reply as I bury one hand in my pocket.

“Boss, what is wrong?”

“She knows. I told her" “Why?”

“I had to do some damage control before anything else”

“And if she snitches”

“She wouldn't. She is more preoccupied with the trafficking ring than anything else”

“So you are going to dump it?"

“No, you take over everything but run some things through me. We are in partnership with China and if we abandon them then it's war for us. We merely export the females overseas and don't keep them local.”, I move around as I am speaking.

“Okay and Jason issue?”

“Leave it to me”

“Yes boss” I hang up and groan. A woman may flip a man's life upside down. I never wanted to disclose my life to Kaitlin. Especially about my family but I had to. I had to make her trust me.

KAITLIN

I got a call from Jason and he gave me the address of his police station and I told him I would pass by when I am free. For now, I am just apprehensive about going there. What if they catch me or they know that I have reappeared and want to sell me with my so-called dad again and I am gone? Will Thorne be able to help me then? Would he? I have to go with my instincts for a minute. I am in the lounge and I am watching some TV. It is often a bit monotonous to merely watch TV especially now that the news channel. I wonder if is it because we live on the outskirts of the city hence that is the reason why. I don't know at all. I lay sideways on the couch and watch what is broadcast on the TV. I fiddle with my ring, recently I do it merely to calm myself down. I don't know but it happens automatically. I accidently move the diamond and guards surround me quickly with their rifles pointing at me. I sit up swiftly.

“I made a mistake", I promptly said.

“Stand down!”, I hear his voice before he emerges as the guards lower their rifles and walk away.

He comes near me and puts my hand into his.