Protecting Her(19)

The next day at work, Jack stops by my office. He and Martha have been vacationing in Europe so I haven’t seen him for a couple weeks. I’ve missed him. He’s become somewhat of a father to me and I missed having him around.

He drops a box of cigars on my desk. “Welcome to fatherhood!” I stand up and go around my desk and he gives me a shoulder hug. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you. We had a boy. His name is Garret.”

“Yes, I heard. Martha called Rachel as soon as we got home last night.”

“Oh, I didn’t know. She was asleep when I got home.”

“She said you came into the office last night. Why the hell were you in the office? You need to be home with your kid. These years go by fast, Pearce. You don’t want to miss them.”

“I wasn’t here. I was with Royce.”

“Royce? Why were you with Royce?”

I promised Royce I wouldn’t tell anyone about that woman, and I have to keep my word or he might do something to her. But I can at least tell Jack about Shelby.

“Do you have a minute?” I go past him and close the door, then come back around to face him.

He checks his watch. “I have a meeting in five, but go ahead.”

“Royce is abusing the associates again. One in particular.”

“Your wife’s friend?”

“Yes. You know her as Sophia but her name is Shelby.”

“And you’re sure it was Royce?”

“Yes. I asked Shelby if it was him and she wouldn’t answer but she didn’t deny it.”

He shakes his head. “Leave it alone. Don’t get involved in this, Pearce.”

“And just let him continue to abuse these women?”

“Is he doing it to all of them? Or just this one?”

“I don’t know. At the last Dunamis party, I looked at the other girls and I didn’t see any bruisings or scars on them so maybe it’s just Shelby. I saw her last week. She had marks along her wrists where he tied her up against her will. What can I do to stop him?”

“Nothing. Just let it go.”

“I’m not letting it go. Jack, you said you have things you could use to blackmail Royce. So do it. Make him stop.”

Jack sighs. “I can’t. And neither can you. He’s protected, Pearce. He’s their presidential pick, and even though he’s still a ways off from that, he shows more potential than any of the candidates we’ve had in the past. They need him, and Royce knows that. He can basically do whatever the hell he wants and they’re not going to punish him. And as for abusing an associate? The organization wouldn’t punish any of the members for that. They might be scolded and told not to do it, but nothing serious would happen. Those girls are on their own.”

“That’s just wrong,” I say, shaking my head.

“I’m sorry, but that’s just how it is. You can’t help this girl.”

“What if I made some kind of deal with the organization? A deal to get her out?”

“No. Stay the hell out of it. You’re already in trouble for marrying Rachel. Don’t go stirring up even more trouble by trying to save this girl. You’re a husband and a father, Pearce. Think about your family. You can’t put yourself at risk.”

He’s right, but I still want to do something to help Shelby. She’s a nice girl who was just trying to help pay her father’s medical bills, and now she’s trapped in this life forever.

“So when do I get to see this baby of yours?” Jack’s tone lightens and he smiles. “Martha’s already buying out the stores. Baby clothes. Toys. Stuffed animals. She’s considering your kid her grandkid, by the way, until we get our own.”

I laugh. “She doesn’t need to buy him anything. He’s only a week old. He’s too young for toys.”

“Doesn’t matter. She can’t help herself. So when can we come over?”

“I don’t know. Just have Martha call Rachel. The two of them can figure it out.”

“Will do. I need to get to that meeting.” He turns to leave, but then stops and turns back. “I’m happy for you, Pearce. You look good. Tired, but good. And happy.”

“I am.” I smile as I think of Garret. “You were right, Jack. He brings light to my darkness. Just like Rachel does. And now I’m more determined than ever to get him out of his obligation.”