Freedom, Books, Flowers, and the Moon

Chapter 16

Cielo was by Aurie's side as she climbed out of the SUV in the garage.

"How are you feeling?" Cielo asked, his eyes slightly squinted as he surveyed the emotions on the girl's face.

"I'm ok," she said quietly, not meeting his eyes.

Ciel's lips tightened into a line before he said, "Let's get you inside."

He guided her inside and to the kitchen, his hand on the small of her back. Aurie sat on the stool that Beau usually did and rested her chin on her arms, watching Cielo. He grabbed a water bottle out of the fridge and slid it to her.

"Do you want anything to eat?" He planted his hands on the counter and leaned forward, closer to her.

Aurie just shook her head, staring at the bottle in her hands.

"It would probably make you feel better, bambola."

"I'm fine." She tried to lie to the man, but he immediately saw through her.

"Aurelia-" He started.

"Cielo, are you here? I thought you weren't supposed to be home until later." King called, walking into the room, stopping when he saw the girl sitting there, "Doll, what are you doing here?"

Beau walked in closely behind him, "Hey honey."

Aurie darted off of her stool, crashing into the country man and sobbing into his chest.

"Oh, sweet girl," Beau said, wrapping his arms around her, rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry," Aurie managed to get out through her sobs.

"What happened?" King mouthed to Cielo.

"Long story." The other man responded in the same fashion.

"Do you want to sit down, honey?" Beau asked the girl in his arms.

She just shook her head and sobbed louder.

"Ok, baby, it's ok, I have you." Beau nodded to the other men for them to go into the hallway.

They took the suggestion and made their way out of the room, far enough away to where their conversation would not be overheard.

"What the fuck happened?" King asked, rolling up his sleeves.

"She went into the city with a couple friends; they got mugged and chased; they sounded like some sex traffickers to me."

"Shit," King said, dragging his hand down his face.

"Shit is right. She was absolutely terrified, still is, and hasn't said much since it happened."

The men went silent for a moment, both unsure of what to say.

"What do we do now?" Cielo asked no one in particular.

"You find the bastards, obviously." King deadpanned.

"But what do we do for her?"

"That's a good question, isn't it?"

About an hour later, the group had migrated to the living room, curled up watching The Last of Us, the only thing that had piqued Aurie's interest. "Pedro Pascal" was all she had said, which the men took gratefully as it was the only thing she had said since running into Beau's arms. She still hadn't moved from her spot there, forcing him to abandon the armchair that he typically sat in. The man had switched places with King on the couch so she would have more room to be comfortable on his lap. Beau ran his hand soothingly through Aurie's hair. She sighed and nuzzled her face further into his neck, absorbing any and all comfort he was giving her in this moment. She thought to herself that maybe he was the only one who could make her feel as reassured as she did in that moment.