“Does he know? About what happened to you?”
“I don’t think so. The others do. They got me out again.”
Shaking, Dr. Jefferson grabbed a blanket off the back of the couch and wrapped it around me as I continued my story. “They knew who took me. I don’t know how, but somehow, they figured it out and then one day Sinclair, Rowen, and Silas were there demanding my release. The bitch laughed at them but still played her sick game. She said they could take me home on one condition. If Silas spent twenty-four hours with her. That was all she wanted. Yet, Sinclair knew what she meant and flat out refused. For years, the three of them lived the hell I had only endured for days. I couldn’t let her get her hands on Silas again. I begged him to leave me, but he didn’t. Not even Sinclair could stop him. The second Silas agreed, I knew whatever I endured was going to be nothing compared to what that bitch had in store for Silas, and I was right. Because when she told him what she wanted, I saw the life drain from my brother’s face.”
“What did she want?”
Looking at Dr. Jefferson, I whispered. “She wanted him to fuck me, and to save me, he did.”
“Dante, I have a friend who is a therapist. She works with adult sexual assault survivors. I think you would greatly benefit from speaking with her.”
“You’re a doctor,” I reminded her.
“I am, but my training specializes in working with children. I will do what I can to help you work through your experience, but I am limited in my training. Just think about it. She does online therapy so you could meet with her while still living here.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Today has been a lot. I want you to know that nothing you have shared with me will ever be shared anywhere or with anyone. I take my oath seriously.”
“Thank you. Danny didn’t want me to share. He was worried about prosecution, because Dani’s mom was so young.”
“I am only mandated to report a crime you are thinking about committing or an ongoing crime that puts someone in danger. What happened to you was a crime. And I wish with everything in me that I could report that woman on your behalf. But what you did… Despite the pain that girl went through, you went through pain as well. Tomorrow, I would like to talk about how you found Dani. I want you to be prepared because it will be another emotional day.”
“Thank you, Dr. Jefferson.”
December 13, 2024
Zach
Silver Shadows’ clubhouse, Diamond Creek, Nebraska.
Sitting at my desk, the glow of the computer screen illuminated my tired face. I ignored the wary feeling as my fingers danced over the keyboard, searching for any lead that might bring me closer to finding out where the missing women were. My body ached from fatigue, and I paused to stretch, my muscles protesting with every movement. Rubbing my eyes, I fought off the drowsiness that threatened to overtake me. King wanted answers fast to who the woman was that Declan found. Bad enough he had me looking for the man who drugged Sam, but couple that with the three women who disappeared shortly after getting engaged to Jeremy St. Matthews and keeping watch on what was happening in the biker world, I was stretched thin.
My phone rang, the sharp sound cutting through the quiet of my room. As I reached for it, my heart pounded when I glanced at the caller ID.
My body went rigid.
The name displayed on the screen was one I had hoped to avoid.
Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself for what was to come. With a steady hand, I answered the call, preparing for the worst as I brought the phone to my ear.
“Danny?” I said, my voice unwavering despite the turmoil that threatened to overtake me.
“Zach, I need you to do something for me.”
“Okay?” I tentatively whispered, my stomach coiled tight.
“I need you to pretend to be me.”
And just like that, everything I thought evaporated as I laughed.
“Good one, Danny.”
“I’m serious. I need you to pretend to be me for the foreseeable future.”
Chuckling, I leaned back in my chair and scoffed. “Think you need your eyes checked, man. We look nothing alike.”
“Not physically, asshole.”
