Southern steel- Mack

15. Eden

3 years later

Pulling up to the women's shelter I grab my duffle out of my Tahoe. I started teaching self defense classes at the gym in town and about a year ago I met a couple women who run the women's shelter. The shelter was struggling. I approached Cora and made it our new passion project.

The shelter is ran by a woman named Beth. She was at the gym to learn some self defense, and we started talking. I told them I would come to the shelter twice a month and teach self defense at the shelter for the women there. Cora and I also became co-owners with Beth and started expanding the shelter.

The club has helped raise money and donated time and help to build the addition. The shelter now has 10 rooms available for women. Five of those rooms are set up like larger suites for women with children. Every room has its own small bathroom. The basement has a safe room, an entertainment/kid room, and a gym area. The kitchen/dining area is set up like a huge eat in commercial kitchen.

There is a separate building that holds a couple offices, a small kitchenette, a room with a two way mirror for when the authorities such as cops and social workers need to be involved. The room on the other side of the mirror is set up to be a comfortable sitting room with a toy area for the kids. The police, child services, and social workers have all been very accommodating in handling situations here where the women and children feel more comfortable and safe.

Above the office is a 2 bedroom apartment for Beth. The entire shelter has top notch security systems and cameras. We had a small infirmary just in case. There is also a security guard provided by the club 24/7. This had become one of my favorite places to be. All the club's businesses that I helped manage the finances of were thriving but this was the one I was most proud of.

Today's guard was I said hey and headed inside to get the classes started. We helped women with whatever they needed to start a new life. We got them in school or found them jobs. We relocated them if needed.

In the middle of the class. One of the women staying there came and got me and said Beth needed me because there was an emergency. I ran over to the offices and saw Trigger standing outside the infirmary door. He opened the door and I slid inside. I saw Beth soothing a small but curvy little blonde. She looked like she'd been through hell.

"I've already called the doctor." Beth stated.

"He can't tell anyone. They'll know where I am, and I won't be safe. I had heard about this place and knew I had to make it here. This is the third time I've tried to leave." The blonde said on a sob. Beth stroked her hair gently.

I walked up and knelt in front of her. Up close I saw she had a black eye, the leftover blood from a bloody nose, blood in her hair, scratches and bruises riddled her body that was visible around the ripped t-shirt she wore. "I'm Eden. I help run this place. You're safe here. We will do everything in our power to help you. Who did this to you honey?"

"My fiancé." She said on a whisper. "His family has money, and his dad is a prominent attorney the next town over. Every time I have tried to leave or get help his family gets him out of it. They know people on the police force and judges. He won't ever let me go. He'll kill me first. I just know it! I don't have any family or anyone. He always said no one will miss me. He's going to kill me!" She was starting to panic.

"We need to get her out of town." Beth said.

"What is your name?" I asked calmly.

"McKenna."

"Ok McKenna. If we find you somewhere safe to go, are you ok with that?" I had an idea.

She nodded her head yes as her sobs quieted down slightly.