“Can you call Dr. Bayram?” I ask her, wanting to make sure my mother’s not hurt badly.
“Evet.”
When she steps out of the room to make the call, I pull Mom to her feet. “Do you have the strength to change into the clothes?”
She nods but doesn’t let go of me.
“I’ll be right outside the door. Okay?”
I pull back, checking her face.
“Right outside the door?” she asks.
“Yes. Call for me when you're done.”
She nods again and glances around the room as I step into the hallway, pulling the door shut. “I’m right here,” I say to set her at ease. Thinking it will help, I continue to talk. “I still have the Cinderella book you gave me. And the photo.” My mind races for things to say.
“Tell her we’re good people,” Nisa whispers.
“The people here are really good. They’ve become like family to me.”
Nisa gestures for me to continue.
“Ah… are you okay in there?”
“Yes.” Her voice sounds so vulnerable it’s a blow to my heart.
“There won’t be any more beatings,” My voice breaks, and I take a calming breath. “No more pain.”
“I’m done,” she sobs.
I quickly go back inside, and we hug again.
I’ll hold her until she feels safe.
“We’ll get to know each other again,” I assure her. “You can ask me anything.”
“When did you escape?”
“It’s been two months since Gabriel brought me here.”
She closes her eyes, then asks, “He saved you?”
“Yes.” A smile tugs at my mouth. “Emre is his brother.”
Not wanting her to live in fear any longer, I say, “They’re good men. I love Gabriel, and he loves me. We’re safe here.”
Her eyes search over my face again. “You look healthy.”
My lips curve up. “I am. Nisa’s cooking is delicious. You’ll pick up weight in no time.”
“Are you hungry?” Nisa asks, a hopeful expression on her face.
Mom hesitates before she nods, slightly cowering behind me.
“I’ll prepare food.” With relief, Nisa hurries away.
I pull Mom to me, keeping an arm around her. I have many questions, but I want her to settle in before asking them.
When our eyes meet, I give her a smile which she tentatively returns.
I have my mother back. I can’t believe it.
Chapter 46
Gabriel
I kick Mazur’s leg. “Wake up, fucker.”
I have him tied to a chair and men guarding the freezers, while others clean up the mess outside.
Emre comes in. “Grabowski is in the other freezer. What do you want to do with him?”
“Is he conscious?” I ask.
“Evet.”
“Watch Mazur while I question the other fucker.”
On my way to Grabowski, Luca stops me. “You need us for anything else?”
“Like helping with torture,” Viktor offers, giving me a hopeful look.
“Sure, why not. Just don’t kill the fucker until I have all my answers,” I warn him.
As we walk to the freezer, I glance at Viktor. “Thanks for tonight.”
“I always pay my debt.”
“You didn’t owe me shit,” I mutter as we stop outside the door. “The fight against the Sicilians was for Nikolas.”
Viktor shrugs. “I guess you owe me.”
“Just give me six months before you collect,” I joke.
He nods toward the door. “Let’s do this.”
We step inside, and I look at Grabowski with disgust. “I’m sure you know how this works. I ask a question. You answer. Don’t, and my friend’s going to make you suffer.”
I pull a chair closer and take a seat, my body protesting against the movement.
Viktor goes to stand behind the man. “Please be stubborn and refuse to answer the questions. I have a lot of pent-up frustration to take out on you.”
I chuckle, assuming he’s referring to Rosalie, the granddaughter of the Sicilian we helped Nikolas kill a couple of months back.
Leveling Grabowski with a bored look, I ask, “What business ties do you have with Mazur?”
He lets out a heavy breath, the cold air making it visible. “Sex trafficking.”
I raise an eyebrow, giving Viktor an apologetic look. “Seems he’s a talker.”
“A fucking pity,” Viktor mutters as he crosses his arms.
I lean forward, resting my forearms on my thighs. “I’m guessing you had Agnieska?”
“The whore was a gift from Mazur,” he spits out.
“Why separate mother and daughter?”
“Mazur used the daughter as a tool to keep the whore from trying to escape.” He lets out a sigh. “I know you’re going to kill me.”
“Why answer my questions?”
“Promise me a quick death of my choosing.”
“How would you like me to kill you?”
“A shot to the head.”
I nod. “Tell me everything about the role you played in keeping Agnieska and Lara apart.” I want every single fucking answer so I can give them to Lara.
“Like I said, the whore was a gift.” He tries to shrug, but with his hands tied behind his back, he can’t. “She served a purpose, and as long as I showed her photos of her daughter, she did anything I wanted.” He lets out a humorless chuckle. “It’s surprising what a woman will do for her child.”