Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
13
MOLLY
“Are we in a lot of trouble?” Molly couldn’t keep the fear out of her voice as she looked at the lawyer sitting across from her.
Councilor Paige sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
“No—I understand why Commander Torus did what he did. Though… actually, no I don’t.” She looked at Molly, frowning. “Are you sure the two of you aren’t at least dating? It’s okay to tell me—the Kindred don’t have any kind of rules against dating in the workplace. A lot of warriors find their Mates that way.”
“No, honestly—he’s just my boss,” Molly told her.
“I just don’t understand.” The lawyer shook her head. “I’ve never heard of a Kindred going into Rage for a woman he didn’t care deeply about.”
Molly bit her lip.
“Well…I mean, Commander Torus has been really nice about this whole thing. My ex sent that awful video of me to every boss I ever had and every single one of them fired me because of it. Torus is the first one who ever saw my side and didn’t want to let me go immediately.”
Lizabeth Paige gave her a sympathetic look.
“So—revenge porn?”
Molly nodded and looked down at her hands.
“I didn’t know he was recording me. It’s…humiliating.”
The lawyer reached across the desk and patted her arm sympathetically.
“I can understand. We can counter-sue for the revenge porn if you want. But it’s probably going to mean a lot of publicity and a bunch of random assholes looking for your pictures on-line.”
Molly felt sick.
“Can I think about it?” she asked in a small voice. “This has already made my family disown me. If it comes out all over the news again, they’re going to hate me even more.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry!” Lizabeth’s expression of sympathy deepened. “Human men are such assholes!” she said fiercely.
“They really are.” Molly sighed. “But I’ve been dealing with this—with Zach—in some way or another for almost ten years now. I guess I’m almost used to it.” She shook her head. “I’m just sorry the Kindred got dragged into my drama.”
“Don’t worry about it—we’ll work it out somehow,” the lawyer promised.
“I know you said you need something to bring to court,” Molly said tentatively. “Something to prove I was in some kind of danger…”
“Yes?” Lizabeth looked at her eagerly. “Did your ex threaten you in any way?”
“Well, no—nothing like that.” Molly shook her head. “But I did say…I told Commander Torus that I wanted…wanted to kill myself. Or rather, I said I wished I was dead.” She closed her eyes, remembering the way she had sobbed in his lap.
“Did you really feel suicidal?” Lizabeth asked in a low voice, giving Molly a worried look.
Molly nodded.
“I just felt so hopeless—you know? I was sure Commander Torus was going to fire me after seeing that video because literally every other boss I’ve had has fired me once they saw it. I thought I was safe from Zach aboard the Mother Ship and when he somehow found me here and sent it again, I felt like there was no hope of ever escaping him and having a normal life. So I thought maybe…maybe I was better off dead.”
“Oh, honey—that’s not the answer!” Lizabeth exclaimed.
“I know.” Molly nodded again. “It’s just how I felt. And when I blurted that out to Commander Torus, he got really upset. It wasn’t long after that, his eyes turned red and he left me—but only after he made sure I wasn’t going to hurt myself,” she added.
Lizabeth nodded thoughtfully.
“Are you okay now? Because the Mother Ship has some great counselors I can refer you to.”
“No, it’s all right.” Molly shook her head. “I don’t feel like that anymore, like I want to, you know, end things—mostly thanks to Commander Torus,” she added shyly. “No one else in my life has been willing to go up against Zach for me—to make him pay for the living hell he’s made my life the last ten tears. No one but him.”
Lizabeth gave her a long look.
“And you really think he has nothing but friendly feelings for you?”
“Well…he’s my boss.” Molly’s cheeks suddenly felt hot again. “I mean, he’s amazing—he’s kind and understanding and patient but he’s never…I mean, we’ve never…uh…” She trailed off, feeling like her face must be flaming.
“Mmm-hmm.” The lawyer nodded thoughtfully again. “Well, you have given me something I can work with. If you’re willing to testify that the video your ex sent made you suicidal—that’s a case of imminent harm.”
Molly nodded.
“Yes, I’ll testify to that.”
“All right then, let me think.” Lizabeth had an intent look on her face. “And don’t worry—we’re going to make it through this.”
Molly hoped she was right…and she also wondered what in the world Commander Torus and Commander Sylvan were talking about out in the hall…
14
TORUS
“All right, what do you need to tell me that can’t be spoken in front of the humans?” Commander Sylvan asked, crossing his arms over his chest and frowning.