Page 50 of Savage Desires

"Who would like to talk first?" Kisten asks.

No one wants to volunteer at first. Tabitha must decide to set the example because she stands up with a stubborn set to her shoulders. She's so strong. I have faith that she will come out the other side of all of this just fine. I can tell she's determined to make the most of everything they are offering. She's dealing with things so much better than the others. Even though Lexis seems okay, she's quiet and reserved. It's hard to get a read on her.

Kisten leads us to an office. Instead of sitting at the desk, he picks a wingback chair across from an oversized couch. I wish he would've sat on the couch so that we could be closer. I don't like the distance, even though it's only a few feet, and I'm looking right at him. From the look on his face, I can tell he doesn't like the distance either. I want to crawl onto his lap, but I resist.

He dives right into questioning Tabitha. He asks her many probing questions about how Mecca is run and whether she knows anything about the people in charge. With every answer, he looks at me as if he's asking me to confirm the information. I give discreet nods or shakes of my head in response.

It's funny how we were both at Mecca at the same time—living the same life—and her information is wildly different. I know I have insider information because of Georgie's access. Still, some of the stuff Tabitha is saying is entirely inaccurate.

Kisten thanks her for answering his questions and asks if she needs anything else before she relocates to Hope House. She declines and thanks him for everything he's done. Her gratefulness is refreshing after dealing with Lucy's attitude. I'm glad she realizes the gift she's been given. I can only hope the best for her future.

Stacia is next, and as I expected, she knows nothing of value. Kisten doesn't ask her if she needs anything else; he just thanks her for answering his questions and asks her to send Lucy in next.

Lucy is even less helpful. In fact, she makes up crazy stories about the man who runs Mecca and how she was his favorite slave to torture. She goes on and on about guard schedules and who her clients were. Some of the men she mentions are famous actors from L.A. who wanted to punish her father for refusing to represent them. She's convinced they orchestrated her kidnapping.

I didn't like Lucy to begin with, but I hate her with a burning passion now. There are plenty of shitty men in the world. There's no need to ruin the reputations of good ones. Many famous people frequent Mecca, but it's doubtful any of the ones she mentioned did what she claims. Kisten dismisses her with a terse reminder to be ready at nine to get to the airport on time for her flight.

"You should've sent her to L.A. on the fucking bus with dozens of stops and long layovers," I say with malice.

Kisten chuckles. "Just because she's flying doesn't mean she will be traveling in comfort. I booked her a coach ticket with a middle seat. She has three stopovers. Two long layovers and one so short she will have to run across the airport to make it to her connecting flight."

I giggle because that will be absolutely miserable for her. I shouldn't get pleasure from that, but I totally do.

Reghan comes in next, looking terrified. Kisten asks her how she's doing and if she has any questions about Hope House. She answers quietly; not once does she look up from her clenched hands. My heart flutters at how calm and gentle he's being with her. It's completely different from how he was with the others and shows how in tune he is with their needs. He said he's not a good man but keeps showing me otherwise.

"Is there anything you'd like to tell me about Mecca and how you got there?"

She squeezes her hands tighter, wringing them. "My dad sold me to the Russians to pay his gambling debt. I don't know much except that Mecca is run by the Russian Bratva here in New York City.

"Before they brought me to Mecca, I was held in some kind of warehouse. I'm not sure where it is because they kept me blindfolded whenever they moved me, but I could hear horns from big ships and train whistles sometimes."

"Thank you. That's extremely helpful," Kisten says kindly.

"I don't want any more people to suffer because of them…"

"I won't stop until they are annihilated," Kisten promises.

"I'm scared they will find me… or my dad," she says, shaking from fear.

"You'll be completely safe at Hope House. We can arrange for you to get a new identity. Your father won't ever hurt you again."

Reghan nods, but I can tell some part of her still isn't convinced. I hate how scared she is of the person who should've protected her above all others. I know not everyone has a father as great as mine. I know better than anyone what it's like to have a parent abandon you. I realized pretty young that I was lucky that my mom realized she didn't want to be a mom and made sure I was somewhere safe and with someone who would love me. Reghan didn't have that, and it's heartbreaking.

"What's his name?" I ask.

"Eddie Musgrave. He lives in Hunts Point in the Bronx," she says, looking up at me for the first time since she entered the room.

I flash her a feral smile. I'm not sure how Kisten will feel about it, but Eddie has just been added to the long list of people I'm going to hurt. I want to make him bleed for every horrible thing Reghan went through. I want him to suffer for ruining her life and for being a shitty father.

"He'll get his," I promise. "I'll make him suffer for what he did to you."

I look at Kisten without remorse for what I just promised. I expected him to reprimand me, but instead he nods. I fall a little more in love with him for wanting to punish Reghan's father for what he did to her.

Reghan jumps up from her seat and hugs me, showing more life than I've ever seen from her.

"Thank you," she whispers through grateful tears.

"You don't have to thank me. It'll be my pleasure to make him bleed for his sins."