Page 132 of Corrupt Game
Hell with them. I’d been in the system. I knew all about demeaning,
I wasn’t about to ask how using the bathroom was taken care of for fear of the answer.
When the room was empty once again, I ventured a glance at the cage next to me.
“I guess you’re used to this type of treatment.”
“Um, not really. I try to keep my mind on other things so that I don’t let it get to me. These guys aren’t great, but the guys on the night shift are a little nicer and bring me extras on occasion.” She crossed her legs. “Tell me about you. What did you do to get here?”
Jealousy filled me as I watched her shorter body allow her more movement in the small cage.
“It’s a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it all?” I couldn’t imagine what she’d gain from hearing all the details.
“Look, I’m not going anywhere, and it will help to keep our minds off of the pain.” She seemed almost eager to hear it.
For once, I wanted to talk, if only to escape from the moment for a little while.
“My brother was killed. He’d found someone he loved, and she got pregnant. Her asshole father, Edmond Kelly, managed to grab her and her unborn baby to bring them back to Ireland.” I tried to move without wincing and failed. “My…friend and I came here to find her and the baby and get them to safety in the States.” I wasn’t going to mention finding and punishing the killer part to her. “Edmond wants to show Ian who the boss is, I think, and scare him off, and he's using me to do it.”
She stared at me, eyes wide with shock.
I coughed and paused for a moment, trying not to scream from the jolt it gave my back. “The girlfriend hasn’t been heard from, and we have no idea if she and the baby are alive.”
“Oh, Heather is alive. The baby was hidden with a couple that wanted kids. Edmond wouldn’t want any child that tainted the family line in any way. But he’d have killed the baby, not sold it or given it away.”
My head jerked up.
“How do you know that?” I leaned toward her cage in shock.
The woman sat quiet for a while. I wanted to scream at her to answer, but I’d learned patience in a hard school too..
Finally she spoke. “Because I’m her sister.” A large breath left her, and she started to choke up a bit. “I threw a fit when he brought them back to Ireland. I was working with the outfit and managed to get the baby to a couple that had no ties to the mafia or other criminal activities. They know a little about what happened, but not enough to put them in danger. I had to save the baby. When our father came in and found the baby gone, he was livid.” She waved to the cage. “So I’m here for defying him. I didn’t want the baby to grow up like we did. He should have choices and lead as normal of a life as possible. I already loved him too much to make him suffer in this life. He went to a good home. I made sure of that.”
Silence took over the room. I wasn’t sure how to respond, but I knew that if I was rescued, she was coming with us. “I’m sorry all of this caused you to be here for so long.”
“It’s not the first time. He’s known for throwing people who disagree with him into a cage. Letting Sergi torture people that are here, that’s new. He’s only been here five or six months. Most people are only here a day or two before they’re dead. I hope that you make it, since they’ve only done lightweight stuff to you.”
I flinched at the memory of Kathy.
“Heather is your sister. I couldn’t have seen that coming. How did he find her in America?” I knew that Andrew wouldn’t have been careless in hooking up with someone that had mafia ties, but it had happened.At least he must have been happy for a while.
“She was having fun in America and as the youngest of our family, she could do whatever she wanted. That is until she got pregnant. Then hewasn’t happy and ordered her home. She said no to him and look where it got her. He’s not someone you can say no to, but then again, in his position, he’s used to being obeyed.”
“I’m glad you got the baby out.” My head was foggy.
“Get some rest. I’ll make sure to wake you before they come in again.”
“Thank you.” I started to close my eyes. “Wait, what’s your name?”
“Erin. Erin Kelly, and it’s nice to meet you.” She slid her much smaller hand through the wires.
“Collette. It’s been great to get to know you under the current circumstances.” I gave her a dry smile, and she answered it.
“Eh, there’s not much of a chance for me to escape somewhere that my father can’t find me again. He’s got money and power behind him. They don’t leave many options open for fresh starts.” She shrugged. “Sleep. Leave all those worries for tomorrow.”
“Thanks for the advice.”
Who was I to argue with someone that had lived in a cage this long?