“I heard on the call you mentioned unmarked graves. Just having that information gives us grounds to search the compound. We’ve never been able to do that before. You’re a brave woman, and I know it won’t be easy.”
“I’ll be all right. I’ll have my husband by my side.” Yivi smiles up at me.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I tell her, slightly relieved that the officer doesn’t think he’ll be arresting me anytime soon.
“If you could all follow us to the station so we can get statements, that would be good,” the officer adds, and our security team instantly steps into place ready to escort us. “We’ll obviously try to keep this out of the press as much as possible.”
“No,” Yivi interrupts. “I don’t want it kept out of the press. I want people to know where I come from. Will that impact on the investigation if I tell them?”
“You’ll have to be careful with the details, keep them as brief as possible—no names, dates, time, and places.” The policeman looks concerned at the risk to the investigation.
“If we release a statement saying that this afternoon the rock band Saving Tate, along with their publicist, Zoey Danson, and her assistant, Yivi Romero, spent time helping the police in both Nevada and Alabama with their investigation into a cult based in the former state. Mrs. Romero grew up in the commune and intends to assist the authorities with their inquiries to prevent any further harm coming to the people who currently live there. As this is an ongoing case, more details will be released as and when we’re able. Saving Tate would like to say how proud they are of Mrs. Romero and will continue to support her as she adjusts to her new life.” Zoey gives the statement off the top of her head, and I look at her amazed she can just come up with stuff like that.
“That will be perfect,” the officer confirms before being called away to look at something in the Leader’s car.
I don’t want to know what’s been discovered, so instead I pull Yivi into my arms and hold her tightly. Next thing I know, Zoey is behind Yivi and cuddling her as well. Cameron, Tate, and Austin join us, and for a few minutes, we stand as an inseparable group of friends and family—a band of misfits all with tales to tell who’ll do anything for each other.
“Thank you.” I break the silence and allow the others to step back.
“Yes, thank you,” Yivi reiterates.
Cameron puts his arm around her shoulder. “Now that we’re all safe and dandy, we can talk about our payment for being superheroes? I’m quite liking the sound of you taking my toilet cleaning duty.
“Cameron, fuck off,” I tell him as he guides Yivi back to the car so we can go and make our statements.
I grab Tate and Zoey’s attention for a minute. “Zoey, you’re really good at organizing things. Do you think you could organize a wedding for when we get to Miami? I want to marry Yivi again, but this time, I want to remember it.”
Chapter 26
Yivi
#ThisIsTheWeddingWeShouldHaveHad
“Do you, Yivi Romero, take Liam Romero for your husband… again?” the officiate asks as Zoey, my bridesmaid, stands sobbing behind me.
Tate, Cameron, and Austin are at Liam’s side as his best men. Liam’s parents and Gabe, his brother, complete our intimate circle at the wedding my husband surprised with this morning when we arrived in Miami.
It’s hot on the beach, and the men are dressed in white linen suits. Zoey and Liam’s mother, my new mother-in-law, wear similar summer dresses with little purple flowers on them to match the purple lavender spikes in my bouquet, giving a pop of color to the white roses that make up the rest of it. I’m wearing a lightweight silk gown with lace over the sleeves and bodice. The gown trails behind me and together with the small tiara in my pulled up, chestnut hair, I’ve the appearance of a princess.
I don’t know how they arranged this without me knowing, but I’m so happy they did. It’s been a difficult week with lots of trips to different police stations to give more and more information on the case against the Leader and the cult. I know for certain now it will be disbanded, and the innocent people from there will be assisted to build new lives.
The Leader has been charged with a long list of offenses, and I’ve been informed that it’s unlikely he’ll ever be freed from prison. I’m glad—he’s a bad man and has done so many terrible things. His money has been seized—he had millions in savings, and it will be given to the people he’s harmed to help them start anew. Tate and Zoey have also been put in touch with a couple of the younger members to assist them in finding a future. I know they’ll all be in the safest of hands.
What I saw and witnessed will stay with me forever. I was blinded to the crimes taking place around me, and it took coming into the real world for me to realize it. I was asked if I wanted to see my parents, but I refused. I know they were probably brainwashed too, but I’m not ready to forgive them for allowing me to grow up in such a place. I don’t know if I ever will be.
There’s a part of me, rooted in the past, that will never heal. I’ll never forget my time in the cult, but being away from it has help me grow and become the person I want to be. I’ve already decided that when I finish my General Education Diploma, I want to continue my studies so I can become a counselor. I want to help people who’ve experienced what I‘ve been through, and Liam is ready to support me all the way.
“Yivi.” Liam nudges me, and I realize I’ve fallen into a daydream.
“Sorry,” I apologize to everyone. “Of course, I’ll take you as my husband again, Liam. I’ll take you every time you ask me. I love you with all my very being.”
“Liam Romero, do you take Yivi Romero to be your wife… again” The officiate asks the same question to Liam. It seems strange to hear my preferred name Yivi being used officially now. That’s one other thing we did this week. Changed my name so I never have to be Harmony again—she was the obedient girl from the cult. I’m anything but that now. This new wedding license will be our official one with my name Yivi on it.
I can’t wait to sign it.
“Hell yes, I’ll take her because she’s the only one who’ll put up with me,” Liam announces to rapturous applause.
“It gives me great pleasure to pronounce you man and wife,” the officiate announces, and we all launch ourselves into a massive celebration.
Liam scoops me into his arms and presses a kiss more scorching than the Florida sun onto my lips. I welcome it because I know it’s the symbol of his love for me—an endless love that can survive so much and will burn forever.
“Get a room!” Austin shouts, his Irish accent coming through thickly.
“I’m not sure Mom needs to see you humping your new wife in the sand, Liam,” Gabe adds, and everyone bursts into laughter.
Liam reluctantly puts me down but keeps his arms around me.
“Spoilsports,” Liam groans. “We’re on a tight schedule, so you have five minutes to give congratulations, and then I’m taking my wife to bed and consummating our marriage for the next few hours before the concert.”