Authors Note:

Holy cow! This is the most reaction I've had from a chapter ever! Thank you all so so much for the compliments and requests. I absolutely love hearing from you all and love even moreyour requests for who you want to see more of. I do take those things in mind and even though I have kind of a rough idea already of what the future holds for some of the characters, I plan to take your requests and try to develop the story with those as well. So with that before I dive into the next chapter, I pose a question.

Who is your favorite mean girl?

Gisselle, Vera, Clara Sue, Fanny?

Franco

Troy-

I stood, pacing the office of the Psychiatrist where Tony and Jillian had sent Heaven. Tony sat in the chair in front of her desk while the doctor apologized profusely. She had just arrived after we did. Tony stayed here with her while I ran out and found Heaven. How could anyone be so stupid as to leave these teenagers unnattended?

"Mr. Tatterton again I am so has never happened before." She said, Tony tossed away her apology with a flicker of his hand.

"I am no longer in the mood for apologies Doctor. We entrusted our granddaughter in your hands to help her. She has been here barely Two months and she is kidnapped and abused! Now I want to know is why should I keep her and her sister here under your roof and not sue you. I could have this house and everything else you have in a second. I am a man of means Dr. Ash and you will pay for this."

I paused in pacing to look at my older brother. I rarely saw him raise his voice, let alone get- angry. Good. This couldn't be just swept under the rug. The Doctor pulled at her hair in nervousness and nodded. Gulping she spoke.

"I am one of the best in my field Mr. Tatterton. I understand you wanting to remove her from my home, but now, more than ever I believe I can be of some help. I beg of you. Let her stay. I am more than happy to give you back tuition for both girls, but Heaven needs to be here more than you understand. I can help her heal from this. I have dealt with many rape victims and am confident when she leaves next spring she will be a strong, healthy young woman."

I flinched at the word "Rape". If I had gotten there earlier. Just a hair sooner, I could have possibly saved poor, beautiful Heaven from what he did. I began to pace again, trying to think. I know Tony was now considering leaving her here. I understood his dilemna. But what if-

"If she stays I will stay as well." I declare, making both parties jump a little. They turn to me in confusion. Tony shook his head.

"Here? Troy what are you talking about?" He asked. I shook my head. Oh no, not here.

"No. I'll get an apartment here in town. I can visit and check on Heaven regularly and you and Jillian can have peace knowing that someone is close." I knew I was making a rash decision and would probably regret it soon but recalling Heaven in that hotel room made me say what I did.

Tony finally nodded. Turning back to her.

"That sounds fair. She will stay. I also wanted added security. No more letting everyone and their mothers in to do as they please. This is what started this whole mess. If Troy intends on staying close by I expect you to report to him once a week on Heaven's progress. As of now, all decisions will be made by my brother. If at any time he decides your therapy is not working he will take both girls out and you wil refund us every penny we paid to you. Understand?" She nodded and Tony stood up. He exited before I did.

"I will inform you as soon as I have an address." I told her and left with Tony.

"Troy, I want to say goodbye to Heaven before I leave. I assume you'll be staying in a hotel tonight?" I nodded and he climbed the stairs to see her one last time. I debated going up too, but I decided against it. Logan, her boyfriend from her childhood was no doubt still with her. He wasn't my biggest fan. In fact he was downright jealous when he found me at the hotel trying to find her.

I was too old for that nonsense. He was just a kid. Barely an adult and his temper showed. If I intended on making sure Heaven would be okay, I would have to do it from a distance. I was stupid to believe she had ever been interested in me in the first place. I was a grown man for christ sake. She had always been down that road. It was probably the safer option to be with someone who wasn't doomed anyways.

I left quickly and hurried to the hotel closest to the boarding house. I would begin looking for an apartment in the morning. It would need to be somewhere quiet and secluded. Nothing would be like my cottage in the maze, but it would do for the time being. I took my clothes off without thought and jumped into the shower.

I imagined taking Heaven into my cottage and making passionate love to her. Oh, how I wished I could. No, I shook my head of those thoughts. She needed a friend, not a lover, from me. I guess I didn't realize when I said I'd stay close how hard this really was going to be. I stepped out of the bathroom quickly and moved to get in bed. I would have to control myself if I intended on following through with this. I told myself. How long could I hold my feelings in though?