Sophie laughed, rubbing the saltiness from her cheeks. "Sorry." Letting go, she added, "Sorry for jumping on you. I just-when I saw you-I had to-"
I captured her hand. "I'm so glad you did. I'll never be able to thank you."
I would never be able to articulate the freedom inside-the freedom I didn't even know I needed.
The prime minster cleared his throat. His eyes bounced from me to the woman hemmed in between Q and Franco. "Um, miss. Are you saying you had direct contact with Mrs. Mercer when she was taken in the reported second incident?"
Oh, no. My heart picked up. I couldn't have my crimes told. I wouldn't be able to advocate Feathers of Hope if people knew what I'd done in that awful place. "No-she-"
Q growled low and threatening. "Leave her out of this. She came to see my wife. Nothing more."
Sophie flashed me a smile, before facing the prime minster. "I respect Mr. Mercer, but yes. I knew this woman before I was rescued by him. I know what she went through, and I know how intrinsically good she is."
My heart fell out of my chest. I was full of deceit. I hadn't been good then. I'd been drugged out of my mind-their little puppet.
"Shoot her, puta. Or we'll cut off her fingers."
Why didn't I shoot Leather Jacket? Why did I have to obey?
Prime minster nodded, his eyes glinting. "Would you be so kind to say a few words to the crowd, on behalf of the charities Mr. and Mrs. Mercer run?"
"Quoi!" What? "No. Definitely not," Q snapped. "Leave her-"
"I'd love to," Sophie said, almost giving Q a heart attack.
Sophie gave me another smile and I knew I had to trust her. Whatever she said would be the truth-I couldn't control how people perceived it. There was no arguing with what I'd done.
Laying a hand on Q's trembling forearm, I swallowed my fear. "Let her, Q. Let her speak."
Q's jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring with anger.
"Very good." The prime minster handed Sophie a wireless microphone, guiding her to stand in front of us. "You may begin when you're ready."
The crowd hushed from bedlam to whispers. Their energy was infectious. My legs itched to run. I didn't want to be here-not when people learned the truth.
Sophie looked behind, holding out her hand.
What? No. I can't!
I squirmed backward, pressing against Q, seeking his protection like a wimp.
Q cursed under his breath. "I wish I could carry you away from this, Tess. But you can't run-not now." Pushing me forward, he murmured, "Stand beside her. Be strong."
My heart confounded with terror, horror, and everything in-between. I inched close to Sophie, avoiding the eyes of the crowd.
All women. Women saved by Q.
The only woman I'd had contact with, I'd beaten until she screamed for mercy. I'm an imposter-a fraud!
I couldn't breathe. The sun was too bright.
Please, fly me away from here.
Sophie linked her fingers with mine. Holding the mic to her lips, she said softly, "My name is Sophie White, and I owe my life to Mr. Mercer."
The crowd went deathly silent. The quiet click of cameras and whir of video recorders were the only noise. I stood terrified and judged beside the woman I'd done such atrocious things to.
I couldn't move.
"My story began with the death of my grandmother. We used to go to the regular flower show. I collect berry seeds-I make my own tea, you see … " Her voice trailed off before growing louder. "I was sitting on a bench, nursing my sadness, when a nice man sat beside me. He asked why I was crying. I told him about my grandmother-about how much I missed her. It felt so good to talk to someone, so when he asked me out for dinner, I didn't hesitate."
Her voice turned inward, filling with memories. "People think you'll get taken from dark alleys or seedy nightclubs. The truth is … nowhere is safe."
She swallowed. "They stole me three days before my grandmother's funeral. I never got to say goodbye. I woke up cold and bruised in the dark. I was there for ages-or maybe it wasn't that long at all-time plays tricks on you when you're no longer a girl but property."
Her hands tightened around the microphone.
My barcode tattoo with the sparrow inked into the cage, itched. I'd been property. I'd been merchandise for sale. I knew how it felt to be traded. And I also knew how it felt to be saved.
My heart lost its terrified rhythm. I stood taller. These women were my allies. These women were the reason why Q found me.
"I won't go into my captivity-but I will say that when Mr. Mercer arrived, I didn't want to live anymore. I was ready for death. I craved death. But he wouldn't let me."