the message she will share is one of hope, hope for a future that can only occur if more people like Madeline come forward, tearing back the veil of secrecy and exposing a world the Sparrow Institute hopes to one day bring into the light. Because only by revealing it, can it one day be eradicated.” He turned our way again, this time lifting his hand.
With a kiss from Patrick, I stepped onto the stage.
Applause.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my sister, Madeline Kelly.”
More applause, led by Sterling.
My fingers blanched on the podium as I looked out over the crowd and the applause stilled. I lowered the microphone to my lips. “Good evening. Let me start with the name of this auditorium within the Sparrow Institute. While my journey began alone, I soon found myself surrounded by others. Forced sexual slavery is a scary place that can only be made better when you find a friend. My friend’s name was Cynthia. I don’t know or remember her last name or if we’d even shared last names. I wish I did. Therefore, we needed a last name. We here at the institute decided on Doe for the hundreds of thousands of Jane Does lost forever in a world they never dreamt existed, a world where nightmares never end…”
Epilogue
Patrick
Spring of the following year
“You know this isn’t necessary,” I said to my friends as we all stood within the confines of the home office in Madeline’s oceanside resort.
It wasn’t truly a resort. It was Andros’s retreat on Padre Island.
During the negotiations with Sasha Bykov, Sparrow agreed to help him retain the bratva and regain control of Detroit. Sometime during those discussions, the retreat became a subject. I wasn’t privy to the conversation, but the end result was that the retreat was officially signed over to Madeline with provisions that it would not be sold but would eventually be transferred to Ruby.
A $5.8 million-dollar gated and reinforced retreat was quite a gift to a now-seventeen-year-old, but luckily, she had parents who would maintain it for her until she was older—much older.
The first order of business was a complete remodel. Madeline didn’t want the retreat to conjure memories of Oleg’s death but to be a place to relax and rejuvenate. The project gave Madeline an outlet as she worked with counselors and our friends to regain what had been lost or stolen.
“Just shut the fuck up,” Sparrow said, “and do this for Ruby.
“I’m not saying I won’t do it.” Looking down, I adjusted the flower pinned to my linen shirt. “But why can’t I wear a suit? It’s a vow renewal, not a barbeque.”
All four of us were wearing what Ruby called formal beachwear—loafers, shorts, and linen shirts. They were quite possibly the only pair of non-nylon shorts I owned. And judging by the whiteness of Sparrow’s and my legs, he could say the same. For obvious reasons, Mason and Reid’s appearances fared better.
“Ruby is calling it a wedding, not a vow renewal,” Reid said. “She said your first one counts, but it wasn’t a wedding, just a signature at the justice of the peace.”
Walking to the highboy, I poured myself two fingers of bourbon. As I lifted the amber liquid to my lips, I stilled and looked at Mason. “Fuck, tell me you didn’t forget the ring.”
“I didn’t forget it.”
The liquid burned as it slid down my throat.
A few minutes later, the four of us were standing on the secluded beach with an officiant as music began to play. The cement stairs that wound down to the sand from the infinity pool above were dotted with rose petals leading to where we stood.
There were no guests, only our family, both those by blood and those by devotion.
Laurel was the first to appear—with a smile on her face—wearing a white sundress and carrying a bouquet of bright flowers. Next was Lorna, dressed the same, with her bright red hair blowing in the breeze. Following Lorna was Araneae, also wearing the white sundress with flowers in her hair.
We all smiled as Ruby stepped upon the sand, her white sundress blowing in the breeze, carrying flowers. She truly was her mother, petite and beautiful with flowing dark hair. It was as she came closer and looked up at me with a grin and a wink that I saw my eyes. Our daughter was both of us.
The music became louder, competing with my heartbeat as the thump grew in my ears.
With a longer dress than the others wore, one that included