Sweet Pain (Amatucci Family #3) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,131

of them. And they didn’t even know it.

“Welcome to the annual gala of the Chase Foundation,” the MC said. “Before we get to the Celebration of Victory, we have a special announcement from our hosts. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Winslow and Beverly Chase.” The MC stepped back and started clapping.

The entire group of sheep around us clapped as well. Most of them probably had no idea what the Chase Foundation did—even outside of its more sinister activities. They were just rich and bored and wanted a chance to dress up for the evening.

Beverly and Winslow walked to the microphone. Their hands were entwined. Winslow was dressed in a classic black tuxedo complete with bowtie, Beverly was a gaudy vision in all gold. She looked like an Oscar statue.

“Thank you. And thank you all for being here tonight.” Beverly laid her hand on her chest. “It is with greatest pride that we welcome our daughter, Willow, up to the stage tonight. She’s been absent from the gala for the last two years and we are more than delighted that she joined us again.” Beverly looked at us, waved us up.

“As many of you know, Willow was previously married to Dr. Ethan Errington,” Winslow said. “Sadly, their union didn’t last.”

Willow’s steps faltered.

I caught her against me, helped her up the last two stairs. For that blow alone, I would be taking out Winslow.

“But Willow is here tonight with a new man. They have some news they’d like to share with you, their closest friends and family.” Winslow stepped back from the mic.

We stepped into the literal spotlight. It was fucking showtime.

Chapter 40 – Willow

I swallowed as I blinked against the glaring lights. “Hi. I’m Willow.” She gave a little wave.

The crowd chuckled. Called out, “Hi Willow” like we were on some kind of ridiculous Saturday morning kids’ show.

She chuckled. “Winslow and Beverly are correct. I’ve a new man, and, boy, do we have some news to share. Buckle your seatbelts.”

The lights dimmed dramatically.

“As Winslow stated, I was married to Ethan Errington. Winslow and Beverly actually set us up.”

The crowd gave a joint ‘ah.’ Fuckers.

My smile was brittle. “What I recently found out was that they paid him ten million dollars to do it.”

The crowd didn’t laugh or give any cutesy little audience participation lines.

“Willow, what in heaven’s name are you talking about?” Beverly said, motherly shame sharp in her voice.

I smiled out at the crowd. That was Nik’s cue. The screen behind me went live. I blocked out the sound of Ethan’s voice as he himself declared that my creation donors had paid him.

Turo, Rafe, Mas, and Nico joined us on stage. They grabbed both Beverly and Winslow before they could flee from the stage.

“Oh, Beverly, Winslow. The show’s just starting. You’re definitely going to want to stick around for this,” I called. Another spotlight shone on them. “You see, all those years ago when I came running to my parents that Ethan was killing women and children in some kind of twisted medical experiment, you all laughed it off.” I looked out into the crowd.

They started shifting in awkward, damned silence.

“You said I was imagining things. Going a little crazy pants with the stress.” I looked out into the crowd. Nodded.

Ethan spoke on the video. Admitted to his experiments.

The screen went pure white.

“Could we get the house lights up, please?” I called.

Jerrod stood in the back with Nik as the lights flared brighter.

I exhaled a sigh of relief.

Ryker came up behind me. “You’re all monsters. Most of you either had some idea of what was happening and chose to stick your head in the sand or you actively participated. For those of you who have no idea what we’re talking about, we’re about to enlighten you.”

I swallowed. “For the last three years, Beverly and Winslow Chase have been involved in human trafficking. We have evidence.” The laugh blurted out of me. “Provided by their previous son-in-law, that super catchy Dr. Errington, no less.”

“In the course of getting free of Errington, I was witness to no less than fifty-nine murders. Women and girls who had done nothing wrong. Errington killed no fewer than seventy-three females. Of those seventy-three, Winslow and Beverly were personally responsible for twenty-two.”

“You little bitch!” Winslow yelled.

Mas kneecapped him. Slapped some duct tape over his mouth as the crowd gasped collectively.

I turned back to the crowd. “Yes, so shocking. Would you like me to name the other names of the people involved? Through the upright and charitable