Page 25 of Iona's Christmas

“I never did get her statement,” Myers pushed.

“Do all rape victims report straight away? Or do some take time to recover from the trauma? Because once they report, they get violated all over again. And not just by their attacker. The cops violate them by prying for every detail, the DA does, the defence lawyer, the jury, the media… are you surprised Katie hasn’t spoken to you?” I demanded.

“No. And as much as I’d like to say, that wouldn’t happen. It does. And I am sorry for it. I’m glad they got Katie back,” Myers said, and Noble snorted.

“Katie returned herself. She escaped and found help. And we won’t let anyone hurt her again,” he warned.

“Back off, Noble. I am getting tired of your attitude,” Myers snapped.

“And I’m sick of you,” Noble retorted.

I rolled my eyes. They had no intention of pulling the dicks in, so I concentrated on rocking Katie and keeping her sage in an ‘Iona’ cocoon.

By the time Slasher and Romeo had arrived, Katie was almost catatonic. Romeo immediately knocked her out while Slasher blocked her pain. Then, with his badge clearly on his hip, Myers walked Slasher and Romeo, carrying Katie out to the car they’d come in.

“Are you nearly done?” Blue asked me.

“Yes. I just had a few things left to buy,” I replied.

“Let’s get them bought and take you home,” Spice said, and I nodded.

Today had been a trying day.

???

I lay curled on my bed as I absorbed today’s events. Katie’s pain had sliced through me, and I don’t think I’d realised how deep her trauma was. Of course, I knew Katie had suffered, but I had a far deeper understanding now. Blue had stopped by my room and informed me that Katie was unconscious, and Romeo and Slasher remained with her, and Wisecrack had joined them.

They were the best three to help Katie. I’d not been able to soothe her, and that had upset me. I had taken myself off as soon I could due to how emotional I had felt. Now, I was calmer and in a better place, but I couldn’t see how we could have done anything different.

Katie hadn’t even given off a warning sign that she’d been about to melt down. It had just happened. None of us had done anything wrong. Nor had we missed any body language that might have given us clues. The tears I’d held in at witnessing Katie’s meltdown had flowed freely in the privacy of my room. Now I was calmer, and I lay quietly snuggling one of Warden’s hoodies. This was my weak moment, when I left here, I’d be the strong old lady everyone expected.

That was my role, and I embraced it.

Chapter Six.

Cécile

It had been five days since we’d arrived here in the middle of the night. Warden had kept his word and sent Cipher to us. He’d moved my money so many times it made even him dizzy. Etienne was relieved to have a bank account once more. And truthfully, so was I. We had discussed Warden’s offer, and, in the end, I was happy to join, but not without Etienne.

His only hold out was he didn’t want to prospect. And I couldn’t blame him. Some of the duties they did, caused me immense dislike of the role. I planned to talk to Warden today and make some of agreement avoiding the less attractive parts of prospect.

Both Etienne and I were comfortable here, and we knew we’d found a second home. And the other night, I’d had a vision that Etienne would find his soulmate here. A fact I rejoiced in, although I didn’t tell him that. Etienne had a real aversion to relationships ever since a bitch broke his heart years ago.

That had sealed our fate. Etienne might be my anchor, but he deserved his person, and if staying here meant he got her, then so be it. I’d sacrifice anything for him, just like he would me. Itwas a shame we’d never been attracted to each other. But I guess it was too much to hope for.

I was heading for Warden’s office when a vision hit me hard. I rocked back on my heels and gasped.

A woman looked over her shoulder as she slunk out of the club’s gate. She hurried down the street and got into a vehicle. I watched as an envelope exchanged hands. I could hear everything she was saying and started repeating it. The woman was someone I recognised, I’d seen her here once before.

As I looked, a Harley headed down the road towards the car, and the rider looked over and frowned. He recognised the lady and circled back. A man climbed out of the motor and raised a gun. It spat once, and the biker toppled backwards, and a shriek ripped from my throat. The driver got back in as the lady got out and started screaming. I caught a glimpse of a cut, and then my world turned red.

“Cécile!” Oracle shouted, shaking me from the vision and my scream.

“Etienne! He’s going to be shot!” I rushed past Oracle and headed out. The vision was playing out right now, I could feel it deep in my bones.

Footsteps pounded behind me but headed for the gate. Priest looked up, startled to see me racing towards him.

“Unlock it!” I screamed at him.