After Trish had spoken to Melina, she found out they had never raped her. Ric had tortured her, hoping to get some information out of her. Trish knew nothing, because like AJ, Karl never really told her much. Then when they rescued them, Ric had attacked Karl.
He was able to take her back and go into hiding. Used Trish to strip, but never letting her leave his side for fear that she would run off and find her way back to Karl.
He had gotten her addicted to drugs to make sure that she was too high to want to leave. He also told her that her family and friends had forgotten all about her.
"Not true. They came for me once, they'll come again. I know my husband", she had mumbled before passing out.
She just wasn't sure Ric understood her when she said it.
"I'm sure he did, he wouldn't have moved you around if he didn't. He was scared of not only him, but my dad.", Melina said.
Trish nodded.
"I know, he would talk about not being able to go home because it would endanger his family", Trish said.
"And how are you with Karl? Is it easier to talk to him?", Melina asked.
"Yes. He's so sweet, makes me laugh", Trish replied.
Melina smiled.
"Has he filled you in since Ric took you?", she asked.
"Yes. They thought I was dead, which I understand. The warehouse was blown up, rumors were going around that I was dead on my end too. Others said I chose to go with Ric.", Trish said.
Melina nodded.
"Are you ready to go home?", Melina asked.
"For my sobriety, I think I should stay here a bit longer. I'm not ready", Trish said.
Melina nodded. Trish had also confirmed a few things from Casey's end. The screams she heard were real.
"Ric had women coming in and out of cells. Young and older. I would say the oldest I saw was about twenty five or twenty six", Trish said.
"And the youngest?", Melina asked.
Trish swallowed, eyes welling up with tears.
"Two. I remember because they were in the cell next to ours. Cried every night for their mommy's. Ric's men would put some older women with them to keep them from crying at night", Trish said.
"Do you ever recall names? The women's faces?", Melina asked.
Trish nodded.
"Every single one. I repeated them like a song", Trish replied.
Melina grabbed another notebook and a pencil, sliding it over to Trish.
"Write as many as you can down. If you can also remember the places he took you, streets, towns, countries", Melina said.
Trish nodded and took the notebook.
"I know a few of the men who bought the women and kids", Trish said.
"Write them down too", Melina said.
Trish nodded and started writing. Melina squeezed her shoulder.
"Don't pressure yourself to remember. If you need a second, go ahead and take it", Melina said.
Trish nodded without taking her eyes off the book. Melina walked out of the office, hearing laughter from the front living room, she made her way to it.
Brie and Finn were kissing and giggling. She rolled her eyes. Clearing her throat. Brie gasped and moved away from Finn.
"Mr. Balor, I didn't realize AJ sent you to grope my sister", Melina said.
Finn cleared his throat and stood.
"He didn't. Just came for the list of things Mrs. Styles and Mrs. Anderson need.", Finn said.
Melina reached over to the table and lifted the paper. Finn chuckled and took it, excusing himself. Melina looked at Brie.
"What have we talked about?", Melina asked.
"I know, but I like him. He's nice", Brie said, smiling.
"I know, but if dad would have seen you. He would have shot Finn without warning. You would be covered in his blood.", Melina said.
Brie nodded.
"If he wants a chance, he needs to talk to dad first. You know that, only if he is serious", Melina added.
Brie nodded again.
"Go on, go say bye to him", Melina said, with a tilt of her head.
Brie walked pasted her sister. Melina sighed and sat. Andrade walked in and smiled.
"You can't stop them from growing up", he said to her in Spanish.
"I know I can't, but I can protect them. If he is serious about her, he will talk to dad. This sneaking around has been going on for two months.", Melina said.
He nodded.
"I know, I'm the one you put to follow them, remember", he smirked.
"Then Ronnie is going back on her word, she doesn't call as often as she said she would.", she said.
"Don't you think that was too excessive? She has to call in the morning when she wakes, when she gets to school, when she is done with school, and if she goes anywhere after she has to let you guys know. Then call when she is home, its too much", Andrade said.
"No its not. Not when Ric is still out there and he found Ronnie attractive", Melina shivered.
Andrade nodded.
"We know AJ has his men keeping an eye on her, loosen the leash just a little, my love", Andrade said softly.
Melina sighed and nodded.
"Okay", she replied.
He kissed the side of her head.
"Don't worry so much", he whispered.
"I wish it was that easy", she replied.
Another two months passed and Ronnie wasn't keeping up with her end of the deal. She only called once a day, not three like she was suppose too.
Casey could hear Garcia yelling at the top of his lungs that he wanted Veronica home for not keeping her end of the deal.
"Doesn't she know that it makes me think something bad happened to her. I need to know when she wakes up, when she gets to school, and then when she his home.", he yelled.
"She does call dad, at the end of the day", Melina said calmly.
"But what if something happens to her on her way to school", he shouted.
"She knows how to handle herself", Brie replied.
"That's not the point", he yelled, before a glass was heard shattering against the wall.
Casey jumped.
"Three times a day, dad, its too much. She has enough to deal with, school, work, and making sure no one is trying to kill her", Brie said.
It was like the three oldest didn't pay any mind to his small outburst of throwing the glass.
"I don't care. Either one of you convince her to call three times a day, or I will go and get her myself", he said, before opening the door, letting it slam against the wall.
Andrade and Baron followed him. Melina walked out with the twins and sighed.
"I swear that kid doesn't understand how much of a threat Ric is.", Melina said.
"Want me to call her?", Nikki asked.
"No, I will", Melina replied.
The twins nodded. They left and Melina looked towards the stairs.
"Eavesdropping is bad", she said.
Casey came out of where she was hiding.
"She is well protected with AJ", Casey said.
"I know that, but wherever she is and whoever is guarding her, my dad feels its not enough. Trust me, even when she was here, he worried.", Melina replied.
Casey nodded.
"Are you about ready to go home? A few more weeks", Melina said.
"More than ready", she replied.
"Good answer, if it was anything different, I probably wouldn't let you go", Melina said.
Casey smiled.
A few days later, AJ arrived with Karl. Garcia met them and shook their hands.
"Any word on Ric?", Karl asked.
"No, but we are keeping a good eye on his places. We also have eyes everywhere, he breathes the wrong way, we'll know", Garcia said.
Karl nodded.
"Any news on the men who tried to kill my wife?", AJ asked.
Garcia smiled.
"Handled. They were guns for hire, no loyalty to anyone", Garcia said.
"Handled how?", AJ asked.
"It was handled, that's all you need to know", Garcia said.
AJ left it at that.
"Babe", AJ turned to see Casey coming down the stairs.
He noticed a big change in her. It didn't look like she had a dark cloud hanging over her anymore. She looked healthier and fit. She wrapped her arms around him.
"Man, I missed you", he whispered.
Trish followed a minute later. Karl didn't approach her, letting her come to him. She hugged him. She also looked healthy and happy.
"You look great", he whispered to her.
"I feel great, I haven't felt this way in a long time. Now I just want to go home and be with you, get back to a routine and see my family", she said.
"They are so ready to see you too. I told them what happened", he said.
She cupped his face.
"I'm sure my dad wasn't happy about it", she said.
"He wasn't, but he's happy we found you, alive", he replied.
She rested her forehead against his.
"Maybe soon we can get back to what we were planning before I was taken", she whispered.
"Don't worry about that, just worry about staying healthy and happy. Catch up with your friends and family, okay", he replied.
She nodded. AJ looked at Melina.
"Thank you for helping them", he said.
"Of course, but warning, don't mess with your wives. They learned a few good moves while being here these last few months", she said, winking.
AJ squeezed his wife to him.
"Good. I always knew she was strong, glad others see it", AJ said.