Shattered

6

Savana is shaking terribly on the inside, but only a little on the outside as they make their way to the dining room. Her borrowed clothes are a little tighter than she likes, but it is still better than wearing Brice's shirt. Although she does like wearing his shirt. He has a nice scent. It was what calmed her the night before and made it possible for her to sleep.

Just the memory of the scent helps her to calm down. "It's alright, Little one, I won't let them hurt you." Brice's whispered words help her calm down even more.

She wonders what will happen to her after he talks to the killer sheriff. He shouldn't put himself and his men in danger to protect her. She's nothing to him. She's alone now. 

As soon as she thinks this tears come into her eyes. She's unable to stop them from falling. "Hey, it's alright, we don't have to have breakfast with my men. We can have food sent up instead." She hears Brice say. Stricken to have him change his plans just because she's sad she shakes her head.

"Then what is it, Savana?" Brice had, had her bring the paper and pen with her. He waits patiently as she writes out.

"I am sorry. Of course that would make you sad. But you are wrong, you aren't alone. Not as long as you wish to remain here." Brice turns her to face him. "You are under my protection until you realize just how bad of a man I am and no longer want anything to do with me. That means that I'll make sure that you are cared for and safe. I'm not very good at giving love, but I'll do the best I can. I just wish someone had helped my little sister like this. I lost my family, the only family I cared about when she died. My father had killed my mother when Ivy was still in preschool. As far as I know I have no aunts or uncles. So I understand you being lost now. Unlike you, I was better off without my father. I wish I had had a father like yours, then my little sister would still be alive. The world was a better place when yours  was alive. The world is a better place with mine dead.

"If you are too sad to eat, I can understand that, but you really need to eat at least a little. The doctor was worried that you will be sick and need to be hospitalized if you don't eat."

With his words and caring gestures Savana reluctantly nods and continues on towards the dining room. The loud and boisterous room goes silent as the occupants realize that not only their boss, but a female entered the room.

Brice leads her to a seat near where he sits and helps her sit down. "Men, this is my special guest, Miss Savana Carter. She was severely traumatized not too long ago when her family and boyfriend were shot in front of her. She was then taken and sold to flesh traders. The culprit was the sheriff of her home town and brother to her boyfriend. Due to her trauma she doesn't speak. Somehow the sheriff found out that I was at the auction last night and suspects that Savana was brought back here." Brice's words make the men mutter angrily. They were all friends of Ivy and hadn't liked what had happened to her. They see the shattered look on Savana's face and like it just as much. When they hear that the sheriff not only was the one to do this to her but also killed his brother to do so, well that just makes them all furious. You don't treat family like that.

"You will all treat Savana with respect and dignity. She will be staying for as long as she wishes and if I find out that any of you make it so that she wishes to leave you will find me very angry." Brice says then leans down to ask Savana what she would like to eat.

Savana writes on her paper and Brice nods and heads over to the food buffet gathering plates for himself and Savana.

Savana doesn't like being the center of attention and so looks down blushing as she waits for Brice to return with their food. She relaxes more than a little when KK sits down next to her.

"It's alright, they won't hurt you. I'm sure that Brice has already talked to them about not bothering you."

It wasn't a question, but Savana nods anyway. "Good, I've already talked to the FBI contact that Brice has. He's the one that we worked with yesterday in taking down the flesh traders. We let him know about the sheriff and what he did to your family and that he's contacted Brice. He was less than pleased by that information."

Savana is confused and so writes her question to KK. "Why?"

"Because last night, we wore masks and hoods when we entered the auction site. No one should have known that Brice was there. No one should have known that Brice was the one bidding on you and they certainly shouldn't have known that he won the bid. Only someone from the bureau could have known. There is a leak there for him to know half way across the country." KK explains as Brice comes back and sets the food in front of her.

"I know you won't eat all of that, but I want you to eat sufficient so that you don't get sick." Brice tells her.

"What did Agent Anderson say?" Brice asks after taking a bite of food and swallowing it.

He watches Savana nibble a bit on the waffle she had him get her. Satisfied that she will eat he turns his attention to KK and his food.

"He was less than pleased. There were five agents that were aware of Savana going home with you. That's including himself, his partner and his boss."

"Fuck, if it's his boss his life could be in danger as well." Brice says more than a little sick.

"Not a chance, his boss had a granddaughter that was sold. He has made it his focus to take out the flesh traders in her name. They were never able to recover her. There is no way that he's the leak."

"See what you can find out about his partner and the other two."

"Already have people on it. We should have some idea later today." KK tells Brice trying to calm him. "We aren't having to go through the proper channels to get the information. Anderson was told to be cautious with any information when it comes to the three suspected agents."

"Check out his boss, just to be sure. It's always the one you least suspect that happens to be the leak. Damn, in that case you better check out Anderson just to be sure as well." Brice is more than a little angry.

"Seamons, when you finish meet with me in my office." Brice does his best to control his anger but he's afraid that he didn't do a very good job when Seamons turns white at the order.

"Yes, of course Boss."

"When you are finished, Savana, I'll introduce you to your guard. You'll have another one when he finishes his current project. I think you'll like him, he has girls about your age and is very protective of them. I have no doubt that he'll take to you like a father. He won't be a replacement, but he'll do what he can."

Savana nods and gives him a sad smile as she lays down her fork and stands up.