Chapter 38

Lug Nut

Watching Ailee bring those two morons down was one of the best things I have ever seen. I wasn’t lying it was hot as fuck. I wanted to strip her down right here and show everyone she is mine. The way that fat ass looked at her pissed me off. I want to punch him but I let Ailee take the lead. Not without showing the asshat who she belonged to. Yes, I got possessive. I don’t care and Ailee didn’t seem to mind it. The way that Candy girl looked at me made me want to take a shower. I’m used to women eyeing me and before Ailee I didn’t mind one bit. Now though the only person I want eyes on me is Ailee. The way Candy talked to Ailee as if she were trash. Fuck no. Candy was just cheap arm candy. Ailee is the crown jewel of this place. It was like Candy didn’t have a functioning brain cell thinking she could make Ailee look bad. Candy even said I was a hired boyfriend. I wanted to double over laughing. Ailee doesn't need to pay for a man. They would pay her for the privilege to have her on their arm.

Ailee took them both down to size with a few taps of her finger. I looked at Finn out of the corner of my eye while all this was going on. He looked like he was having trouble breathing from holding in his laughter. When security came over and Candy got happy thinking she had won I had to bite my lip to keep from saying anything. As soon as I spotted them I knew they were Ailee’s men from the green band on their arm. When security finally escorted the arguing couple out we began our night. Ailee talked to everyone that greeted her. I noticed Finn had a few admirers as well, not that he noticed. Ailee introduced me to so many people there was no way I could keep track. I did notice Ailee would tell me how important some people were compared to others. It was mostly behind the scenes people. The caterer, the event organizer, the security guards. People like that. And she made sure to thank anyone that helped or brought her a drink.

They just got done with the silent auction winners when the mc said “ Now for the reason we are here tonight. Please help me welcome this lovely lady to the stage. Miss O’Sullivan could you spare a few words for us?” Ailee kisses me on the cheek and says “ I’ll be right back.” I see one of the security from earlier come over and escort her up to the stage. Finn comes to stand beside me beaming with pride at Ailee as he watches her. There are times I wonder if there is more to their relationship than just a guard protecting his charge. Nothing sexual but more like a step father or a close uncle. Just the way he looks at her sometimes. Or the way he hugs her. And I see it in Ailee as well. I’m not worried about it. The more people that care for Ailee the better in my book.

“ I want to personally thank everyone here tonight for all that you have done. Whether you helped set up or are serving drinks or donated to this wonderful cause. None of this would be possible if not for you. My family’s foundation started this charty ten years ago and over the years I have been blessed to see the wonderful work it has done. If you ever want to see your money at work I invite you to volunteer some of your time to experience it for yourself. We take in the victims of trafficking no matter their age or story. We follow them from the time they come to us to the time they are ready to be on their own. We make sure that they know we are always there if they ever need us no matter the situation. I have enjoyed watching these frightened men, women, and children go through their journey to become stronger and fight back against what was done to them. To become the best version of themselves they can be and go on to live happy healthy lives. I am so proud of each and everyone of them, be it they have just started their journey or it has come to an end. So I thank you again for contributing to them.” Ailee says. She gets a hearty round of applause. I look up at my girl in awe. I know she helps out from time to time but now she has me wanting to see for myself. I look around and see she has gotten to others here as well. Ailee steps back to leave but she is stopped by the mc.

“ Miss O’ Sullivan before you go we have a little surprise for you.” he says. Ailee looks confused but when I look at Finn he doesn’t. “ Do you know what is going on?” I asked him. “ Aye, a little surprise Cormac, Callen and I set up. Just watch.” I turn back to the stage when the MC says “ As Miss O’ Sullivan stated she has been working with this charity for several years. Not just donating money or setting up events like these she has put in her time and has worked with many victims. Tonight several of those people wanted to honor her.” A group of ten people walk up on the stage. Men, women and children. All smiling at Ailee. Ailee turns and sees them and her eyes pop open and glisten. But she is smiling.

A boy that doesn’t look more than fifteen and a woman that looks maybe twenty steps to the mic “ We were backstage and heard Ailee’s speech. And she is right. Without your help we would be here.” the young girl says. “ None of this would be possible without Ailee.” the young boy said. “ You see we are all a result of the work Ailee does. I met Ailee when I was a scared ten year old boy. I was just rescued from the woman who bought me to use as a slave. I had been with her for three years before I was found. I was so used to abuse I was terrified of anyone that came near me. One day Ailee came to the center and found me hiding in a corner. She sat with me for what had to be hours but never said anything the first day. Just shared her snacks. The next day was the same but she talked to me as well. But never expected me to answer back.I didn’t know it at the time but she was just getting me comfortable with her so I would talk. She came every day for weeks. She would bring me snacks, or toys or coloring books and pencils. Things I never had before. She never once complained about sitting on the hard floor or that I wouldn’t talk back. She was there when I was ready. And she has been there for me and many others ever since.” the boy said.

“ I met Ailee when I was thirteen. I was lucky. I hadn't been sold yet. The group that had me just kept us in cages, hardly feeding us until it was time for us to be sold. Her team found me in time and helped me reunite with my family. Even helped provide therapy for me at no cost to my parents. She even came to my high school graduation.” the girl said. They stepped and two more came up. All telling similar stories of how Ailee and her group helped them. Some of the stories made me want to puke at how these people where treated as sex toys.The last group of two came up, a little boy and girl that couldn’t be more than eight years old. With the help of two of the older people they were held up the mic. “ Ailee helped us find a nice new home. We go to school every day now. We have a big backyard to play in. And our own beds. She promised we would be safe now. And guess what we are. Our new mommy and daddy love us and want to keep us.” the girl said. “ My sister and I don't have to be scared about being separated. Ailee said we could stay together and we are. We are going to be adopted. All thanks to Ailee.” the boy said. It was then that I noticed that they were twins.

The kids were set down on their feet and they all turned to Ailee. “ We wanted to do something to honor everything you do for us. So we came up with this.” one of the teens said. The twins walked to Ailee with a trophy. “ It’s not much but like you told us it is the thought that matters.” The girl said as she handed it to Ailee. I could see from here it wasn't the most extravagant thing but the way Ailee was holding it, it was the most precious. Ailee crouches down and hugs them. After giving them both a kiss on the cheek she stands and does the same with the other victims that came to honor her. Ailee walks back to the podium. “ I’m standing in a room full of expensive gowns, suits and jewelry. But this.” She holds up the trophy that I can now see better. It is a woman standing tall with a cape flowing behind her and a shield in her hand. “ This is priceless and something I will always treasure. Thank you.”

Ailee says as she wipes her eyes. I see many women doing the same. Even Finn. I’ll admit it, so am I. Ailee steps back to more applause. She steps off the stage and brings the group with her. The twins see Finn and charge him. It reminds me of Jace, Jax, Kadance, and Kassidy. It is adorable. He lets the twins go and hugs all the rest. This is a side of the O’Sullivan mafia I’m sure few ever see. It is awesome. Before we call it a night Ailee introduces me to all of the kids. And even though two of them are just over eighteen they are still kids. I even got a few threats that if I hurt Ailee they would hunt me down. Funny part is I have no doubt they would. And I would welcome it. I wasn’t sure about coming here tonight but I was willing to suffer through it for Ailee. But now I’m so glad I came. And I need to tell Lilly about this. She is going to love it.