Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30245 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 151(@200wpm)___ 121(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
We pull up to a large property. The walls are high, with security cameras pointing at us. There are two young lads at the gates who offer a nod to Tye. They allow him entry, and we ride up a long drive that takes us to a house so big, it reminds me of those I was taken to over the past few years.
All the men who owned us were rich, and they made sure we knew how far beneath them we were. As captives, we had nothing but the clothes on our backs. It was only my most recent captor who bought me clothes. He wanted to ensure we portrayed a certain image to his friends.
I don’t expect the welcome as we step inside the entrance. There are Christmas decorations that sparkle as Tye leads me through to a lounge. There are other women all settled on the couches, and one of them leaps to her feet when Callia walks in. They hug, and I can tell they’re good friends.
“That’s Miren,” Tye whispers in my ear. “She’s Monster’s ol’ lady.” The woman is almost pixie-like in her beauty. Breathtaking.
“She’s really beautiful.” I don’t realise I say it out loud, but Tye squeezes my hand, causing me to look up at him.
“You’re beautiful,” he says with a smile before leading me to the woman. “Miren, this is Einin.” He releases my hand, allowing me to greet Miren.
“It’s so good to have you here. I’m so happy they found you,” she tells me and then suddenly pulls me into a hug.
The warmth of her should calm my erratic pulse, but I’m not used to people touching me. Not even Missy could hug me most times. It takes a lot for me not to flinch at someone’s hands or fingers on me. It’s only Tye who doesn’t bring about that need to run, to hide.
“It’s been a long while since I was home,” I tell her. The tears of relief I’ve been holding onto burn my eyes, and I have to fight to keep them at bay. I don’t want to cry in front of someone I don’t know.
“Well, you’re here now, and you’ll be safe,” she tells me with a smile. “Tye will show you to a room. You can get some rest.”
I know it’s Christmas tomorrow. It will be a day of happiness for me because I’m no longer a prisoner. I’m free.
Tye takes my hand and smiles. “I’ll introduce ye to everyone tomorrow. We’re going to have lunch with everyone. All the ol’ ladies cook, and then we settle around the table.”
As he speaks, I can’t help but take in the home. My new home. It’s an enormous place with little hallways off in every direction. We take the staircase up to the first floor; it has long corridors with doors down either side leading off into the distance. I haven’t seen a house like this in Ireland, besides the castles that sit on acres of land.
This comes fairly close to one of those.
“So, is Monster the President?” I ask, recalling the patch I saw on his cut.
“Aye, he’s in charge,” Tye says. “Then there’s Rebel, who’s VP. He’s second-in-command. We each have our roles here, but we’re all a family. Part of a team, rather than being beneath anyone.”
“And what are you?”
“I do tech,” he tells me. “Anything ye want online, I can find it. Some things are easy to find.” This time, he stops and looks at me. “And other things are harder.”
He steps aside and opens a door that leads into a bedroom. It’s cosy, with a large double bed and a window that overlooks the garden. The sun is low on the horizon. We have been travelling for hours, and as the early evening takes a hold of the day, the sky has turned darker.
“But you found me,” I whisper, responding to Tye’s explanation of his job.
I turn from the window to find him watching me. His arms folded across his chest. Arms that are much bigger than those of the boy I remember. I notice ink peeking out from under his T-shirt, and I wonder what it is, and if he has more.
“I did.” His voice is lower, a gentle rumble. I haven’t thought about what would happen if I ever saw him again. To be honest, I’d given up thinking about a life of freedom. “I’ll leave ye to rest. There’s a bathroom across the way,” he says with a gesture towards the door behind him. Towels are in the cupboard, and if ye need anythin’, give me a shout.”
With a small smile, he shuts the door. I’m alone. Instead of wanting to sleep, I’m curious about my new space. A bedroom that’s warm and so very different to the ones I’m used to.