Page 56 of Shadow Redemption
Stunned, Ben eased her back to look into her eyes. “Good?”
“He was a sick man who hurt children. I’m glad you escaped from his tyranny and abuse. There’s no telling how many boys you saved from him by your selfless act of courage.”
He had to make sure she understood. “Baby, I’m no hero. I killed a man when I was twelve to save my own life.”
“To escape an abuser,” she corrected.
“I’ve killed several men over the years.”
“In defense of others and to protect our country. I know, Ben.”
“The fact that I’m a killer doesn’t bother you?”
“You’re a protector and I’m honored to be yours.”
His heart skipped a beat. She was incredible and he desperately wanted to keep her, but she had to know everything. “There’s more to my story.”
“Tell me the rest.”
“There’s a contract out on me.”
“Who wants you dead?”
“Jeremiah Davidson. He wants revenge for the death of his son and for me dropping anonymous tips to the cops whenever I discover the location of the Eden commune.”
“How does he know you’re the one sending the police after them?”
“I’m a loose end. I know what’s going on inside that snake pit and I share insider details to entice the police to go after them.”
“Why is Davidson still free? He should be in prison.”
“He’s wily and has a high-priced attorney on call who always knows the right thing to say to convince the police that Davidson is as pure as snow. While the gate thugs hold off the police, the Eden community’s children are hustled into well-hidden underground bunkers. No kids for the cops to question about abuse. All the adults in the compound swear that Eden is an adults-only community and it’s clear they’re happy and healthy. When law enforcement leaves, the community packs up and moves to another location and the process of soliciting new sex-trafficking clients starts all over again.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t gone after Davidson yourself.”
He gave a rough laugh. “I’d love to, but I’d be outnumbered. I don’t want to risk my teammates’ lives on a personal vendetta.”
“You haven’t told them the details of your past.”
“No.” Heat bloomed in his cheeks, making him doubly glad their balcony was wreathed in darkness. “If Shadow knew, they’d go after Davidson and his cronies, no matter the odds of us surviving the encounter.”
“You wrenched the decision out of their hands. They won’t be happy when they learn the truth. Why didn’t you go to the police and tell them what was happening in the commune when you first escaped?”
His lips curved. “I was twelve years old and afraid of being arrested for murder. I hitched a ride to the nearest city, then across the country, out of Davidson’s reach. When I felt I was safe from discovery, I turned myself in to child services in Phoenix and told my assigned social worker that my parents were dead from a fire and I didn’t have any relatives. I also told her my mother gave birth to me at home and didn’t report a live birth or apply for a social security number. All I wanted was a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and a chance to go to school. Saving myself meant having the ability to get a job when I was old enough. That required schooling.”
“And she believed you?”
“I gave her a fake name. She couldn’t check my story and connect me to the Eden commune. From that moment on, I became Ben Martin.”
“What was your birth name?” She held up a hand. “If you’d rather not tell me, I’ll understand. No pressure.”
Ben bent his head and brushed a soft kiss over her sweet pink lips. He would never get enough of her. Ruth had already become as necessary to him as air. “My birth name is Cameron Barrett.”
Ruth smiled. “Nice to meet you, Cameron.”
“You can’t use the name in public.”
“I won’t use the name at all. To me, you’ll always be Ben Martin.”