Chapter 34

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

JJ

Penny picked up the phone and dialed. "Please prepare the girls for company." And hung up. She narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.

"These girls have been through a lot, and sudden changes to their schedules is disruptive. I'll ask you both to limit your conversations with them."

"Lewis and I have no intention of upsetting anyone." I softened my voice. "But would you want to put money into an operation if you couldn't see and talk to the workers?"

"These girls do not work. They learn and thrive."

"Of course." Mason held his hands out in a placating gesture. "We will not take up much of their time."

Ten minutes later, we were in a large room. It reminded me of a ballroom, just slightly smaller. There were a few lines of chairs, and in each one sat a girl. Their ages ranged from I'd assume four to about seventeen, maybe. They were in either pink, yellow, or white dresses, hands folded on their laps, and their eyes trained on the floor. It was fucking eerie.

"Girls," Penny announced and their heads rose in unison… Yup, totally freaky. "This is Mr. and Mr. Columbus. They are hoping to speak with you today. Please show respect and remember your rules."

Rules? I met Mason's eyes; he was obviously wondering the same thing.

Mason moved over to the right so I went to the left. There was a girl, maybe ten with bright-red pigtails and freckles. Her dress was yellow, and when she looked up at me her eyes shone like emeralds.

"Well, hello there. I'm Clark, what's your name?"

"Esmerelda."

Why the hell would someone do that to a child?

"Oh wow, that's some name."

She blinked but didn't say anything after that. I glanced at Mason, and he was talking to an older girl and seemed to be having better luck. I kneeled so I was at her height.

"Do you like it here?"

"Yes," she answered so quickly as if the thought weren't her own but rehearsed.

"What are your favorite things about Alicia House?"

Her nose scrunched up adorably while she thought. "I like spaghetti night and art."

"Those are two amazing things."

Penny walked past us, and Esmerelda visibly twitched. I waited for Penny to get farther away before whispering to the girl.

"What do you hate about it here?"

The girl beside her shook her head, and I knew she was warning Esmerelda not to speak. But the girl was wavering.

"Know what I didn't like as a kid?"

She waited for me to continue.

"Whenever I got in trouble. I'd get punished. Do you get punished here?"

She opened her mouth to say something, but the girl beside her squeezed her hand. I focused on her.

"What's your name?"

"Jennifer." Oh, a normal name. She must have been a favorite.

"Hi, Jennifer. Can I ask why it is Esmerelda can't answer me?"

"Rules," was all she said.

My eyes met Mason's from across the room and thanks to best friend power, he understood. This was not a haven for children; it was a nightmare.

Welp, in for a penny in for a pound. I stood and marched over to Penny.

"Just what kind of place are you running here where little girls are afraid to answer questions about what they dislike about a place? These children—and that's what they are—shudder when you walk by. They flinched when I asked what they hated. Explain to me these rules."

"I think you've outstayed your welcome." Penny glared at me.

"This place is in no way safe for children." I pulled out my phone.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" she snapped.

"Calling children's services, of course. These girls are obvious victims of emotional and probably verbal abuse."

"I beg your pardon!" She went to grab my phone, but I was faster.

"An investigation must be performed."

"You'd be wise to not make that call." Her voice lowered, and the real witch started to appear.

"Or what? You'll whip me? Burn me? What's punishment look like in your eyes, Cruella de Vil?"

She chuckled darkly. "I think we're done here." She grinned.

"I think you're right." I turned around to walk away and came face-to-face with a big, scary dude. "Excuse me."

"You need to come with me, Mr. Columbus."

"No, thank you. I'll be leaving now."

I faced Mason, who had his own large man by him. I knew Noel and Nick could hear and hoped they were getting a message to Gabe.

"It's not a choice." He gripped my arm painfully.

"Fine, I'll go." I turned to Mason. "Sweetheart, please tell Conner I'll be a while."

Mason's eyes widened at the realization that I was asking him to leave. He'd fight me but the truth was, Mason couldn't handle being locked up again, and I had no idea what these people had in store for me. Fear threatened to choke me but more so for Mason than myself.

"No, he'll be coming too," the guy said.

I snorted. "Do you think Conner is going to sit and wait? No, he'll rampage. He's more than a driver; he's our protection."

The large man waited for Penny's instruction, and she curtly nodded. "Very well, Lewis can go tell his driver they will be detained. Ask him to come back later."

That was all I needed. Once Mason was near Gabe, he'd be safe.

My best friend's face fell, and tears welled in his eyes. He was conflicted, but the only way out of this was for one of us to leave, and it had to be Mason. I couldn't lose him to the darkness like before.

"See you in a bit, dear." I winked, faking confidence but Mason knew me. I was anything but confident right now.

His smile was weak, but he followed the big man out. As soon as he was in Gabe's reach, I was sure he'd get Mason out of there and raise holy hell. I could hold on for that long.

"Bring Mr. Columbus, would you please, Jim?" With a painful squeeze, he tugged me and practically dragged me out of the room.

Right before the doors closed I lifted my eyes, and every single girl in the room was regarding me with a blank stare.

What the fuck did I get myself into?