Saying Godbye

Paige

I walked into the Haven the afternoon after the auction at the Mansion with Lyle at my side. I’d really meant to be in early, but after falling asleep at sunrise, I hadn’t been able to get myself out of bed until after noon.

“Okay, I’m going to set you up in my office,” I said. “We need to be able to check the information with you, but there are still a lot of women here who aren’t recently kidnapped mob daughters, so I’d like to keep you out of sight.”

He nodded, and I thought he looked a little relieved. Lyle was awkward at the best of times, and no matter how good his intentions were, I didn’t really want to know what he’d have to say to a bunch of very recent sex-trafficking victims. It seemed he didn’t either.

Sera and Lauren stood in the common room with most of the women we’d rescued last night, clearly collecting information. Lauren looked a little puffy-eyed, like she’d stayed up the rest of the night and come in at her normal time, but otherwise, she seemed okay. I nod