Текст книги "Fable of Happiness book three"

Автор книги: Pepper winters

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He jerked for a few seconds afterward.

Flopping over me, he kissed my shoulder, breathing hard. “If the whole purpose of seducing me was to ensure I didn’t flip out and kill anyone tonight, I’m grateful that you care so much, but...you don’t have to worry.” He kissed me again, his cock still throbbing inside me.

I turned my head on the couch cushion, staring at him over my shoulder. “I’m not worried.”

He chuckled and kissed my cheek. “Liar.” Withdrawing with a wince, he helped me stand, watching the bead of his release trickle down my thigh. “I took a pill. I’ve avoided taking this particular one as my therapist said they’re rather strong, and instead of helping PTSD triggers, it just masks everything—in his words, it hinders instead of helps.” He shrugged, grabbing a tissue from the box on the coffee table and carefully wiping up the mess he’d painted me with. “But I know I’ll need some extra help tonight and don’t want to embarrass you.”

His touch was infinitely gentle after how hard he’d taken me.

“You’d never embarrass me, Kas.”

He gave me a lopsided smile. “Okay then, I don’t want to embarrass myself. Just in case Jareth has been able to rescue any of our family and they’re watching. I don’t want them to know how bad I became after they left. I’m still the older brother, after all.”

“They’ll still love you, regardless of how tonight goes.”

Wadding the wet tissue into his palm, he kissed my lips. “I’ll be okay, Gem. The pill is in my system, you’ve given me a pleasure high that’s made me ready for a nap instead of a night out, and the best of all, I know that if I’m not coping, we’re free to leave whenever we want and come back here...alone.”

I nodded and slung my arms around his neck, shivering at the silkiness of his tux against my bare breasts. “You say the word, and we leave.”

He smirked. “What’s the word?”

I shrugged, searching for one that would work. “Bathtub?”

“I forgot the last bath we shared. Who’s to say I won’t forget that.”

“Okay then...freedom?” I kissed him. “Whisper freedom and we slink out immediately.”

He kissed me back just as someone knocked on the front door, bringing reality firmly back into our sex-hazy lives. “Limo for Ms. Ashford?”

“Shit.” Kas let me go. Shadows returned to his eyes, but he pulled up his boxers, zipped up his pants, and ran his hands through his hair. “I guess it’s time.”

“Tell the driver to wait. I’ll just shoot to the bathroom.”

Kas headed to my dress strewn on the floor, bringing it to me. “Better put this back on. As much as I like you naked, I can’t say I’d behave if other people saw you this way.”

“Now who’s being possessive?” I winked, trying to ignore my winging heartbeat and rapidly building worry about tonight.

Kas walked into me, palming my breast before dropping his hand to cup my pussy. With a raspy, heady whisper, he murmured, “I’ve never had anything of my own before. Never had a favorite toy or a loyal pet, so you can’t blame me if I’m a tad controlling, now that I have you.” His fingers feathered over my entrance, making me suck in a breath. “Now that you’re mine, Gem? Now that I know what it’s like to have something to cherish, protect, and love...then yes, I’m going to be a controlling, dominating asshole because it’s the only way I know how to keep you safe.”

I kissed him as his hand fell from my pussy and clenched into a fist. “I guess we’ll be possessive together then.”

He kissed me back, his forehead furrowed and already thinking about what would happen when we stepped outside my home. “We’ll just be two jealous people who should never be apart—for other people’s safety.”

“I love you, Kas. No matter what happens tonight.”

He stepped back, nodding once. “And I love you. For accepting me.”

We shared a look.

We broke apart.

For better or for worse, we were doing this.

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

I HAD TO BE honest.

This was hard. Really fucking hard.

Even after an intense release with Gemma on her knees and ass up over the couch—even with a sedative pill that my therapist claimed could knock out an elephant, I was borderline snapping. He’d actually given me the pills to help my nightmares, not to use when I had to stay awake. He’d claimed they were so strong, I’d be out like a light and have a dreamless, restorative sleep.

Ha.

I had news for him—it didn’t.

It barely took the edge off.

Then again, perhaps that was just me.

Storymaker had always said my adrenaline was a nasty thing, chewing up the wakey medicine he’d give us, refusing to allow Viagra to work very long, ensuring whatever means he used to keep me performing never truly worked.

The only thing that made me perform for a guest was knowing that if I didn’t, then he’d just get one of my family members to take my place.

Gemma squeezed my hand, her gaze catching mine with hesitation and encouragement. “How’re you doing?”

I nodded without a word.

I couldn’t speak at the moment. I was too busy grinding my teeth to dust as we stepped into the massive ballroom at some fancy hotel downtown and came face-to-face with more humans than I’d ever seen in my entire life.

Men dressed in similar tuxes to me, women dripping in jewels and couture. I recognized this crowd. I knew the difference between diamonds and sapphires because I’d felt the bite of precious stones as sadistic women slapped me. I could pick each perfume as they wafted around us, instantly knowing who wore Chanel, Dior, or Lancôme. The bottles of such scents had been hurled at my head if I didn’t crawl for them or bend over quick enough.

Men’s laughter cut through the hum of voices—deep chuckles that sent chills down my back, and loud guffaws that made my stomach threaten to vomit. I knew every laugh a man was capable of. I knew how they sounded when they came. I knew how they looked when they got off on violence toward a boy who couldn’t say no.

Fuck, what am I doing here?

Gemma tensed at my side as we came to a stop by the bar.

My gaze traveled to the countless bottles all lined up beneath the pretty lights, twinkling in welcome. My mouth went dry for a drink. I wanted to grab a bottle and upend it down my throat. Memories of Jareth came and went, leaving me with the taste of stale bourbon after our last drink together before he set my home on fire.

Christ, what would I give to be alone in my silent valley right now?

No, not alone.

With Gemma.

I wanted to be naked by the river with Gemma dozing beside me in the sun, bumblebees buzzing, leaves rustling. I wanted to go back to a simpler time when it was just us in nature instead of us in a writhing crowd full of egos, sins, and secrets.

“What can I get you?” a guy behind the bar asked, throwing a smile at Gemma.

My hackles rose. How dare he look at her. What was he thinking? Did he strip her naked in his mind without permission? Did he imagine doing things to her that I’d murder him for?

My rib cage threatened to puncture my lungs as pressure built. My head pounded with a cruel headache. This wasn’t a good idea. Being around this many people was not wise in my current condition.

But then...how was I ever supposed to heal? How was I supposed to move on? I already felt as if I was letting Gemma down by not going with her to the supermarket and other errands. How much longer would she let me hole up in her house and garden before she got frustrated with my lack of progress?

I need to do this.

Not just for other kids still trapped but for my own mental health.

I balled my free hand, squeezing Gemma’s a tad too tightly.

She threw me a look before she smiled at the barkeep. “We’re good for now, thanks.”

I sighed raggedly. I didn’t know if I was grateful she hadn’t gotten us a drink or disappointed.

“You say the word, Kas. I’m with you with whatever you need to do.” She stood on her toes and pressed a kiss to my cheek. Her touch, her smell, her unconditional love helped quiet the rapidly building chaos inside me. She worked better than any pill or trick.

I reminded myself that I’d made a choice to get better ever since Jareth shoved me through a few roadblocks. I’d made a choice to step out of who I’d been and become someone I could actually like.

This would be good for me.

I’ll be fine. Completely, totally fi—

“Gemma! Oh, my God!”

My body locked down. My heart raced. I looked everywhere for a threat.

A petite woman with short, dark hair came bounding from the crowd, her gray dress floating around her knees and tied with a massive bow over her small breasts. “Gem!” Her squeal set my ears ringing and head pounding.

Every part of me wanted to run as the stranger stopped in front of us and practically threw herself at my girl. Her arms went around Gemma, and she bounced up and down, her hair swaying around her ears. “I’ve been trying to catch you at the climbing gym, but you go so late now I keep missing you.”

Gemma pulled away, holding me with one hand and grasping her friend’s with the other. “Yeah, sorry. I’ve been going when it’s super quiet.”

“Are you okay? I heard about what happened. We’re so overdue a catch-up. Please don’t think I haven’t been around because I’m a bad friend. I just...I wanted to give you space to reacclimatize, you know? I mean...I don’t know. Was that stupid? I should’ve come over, right? Brought a casserole or something? I mean, what does one do for a friend who was lost in the forest for so long?”

Gem laughed under her breath. “It’s fine, Katie. It was good that you stayed away for a bit.”

Katie’s eyes landed on me. “Ah, yes...your new housemate.” She winked and nudged Gemma with her shoulder. “Only you could go into Mammoth Cave and come out with a man who’s been lost since he was a kid.”

She beamed a pearly-white smile in my direction. “Hi! I’m Katie. Katie Lona. I’m Gem’s friend. I want to say best friend, but we don’t really hang out unless we’re climbing, so I don’t know if we are. I would like to be, though! Hey, Gem.” She glanced at Gemma again with a wince. “If you’re ever successful in hooking me up with your brother, then maybe we could even be sisters! Squee!” She laughed at her own enthusiasm. “Anywho, you must be Kassen Sands. I heard about you on the news, and when YouTube contacted me to support Gem at this here shindig—seeing as I’ve been on her channel a few times—they told me that you’ll be making a speech tonight. That’s so cool!”

My ears rang.

Speech?

What the fuck?

“What’s your speech about? Did they give you something scripted or will you wing it? Can’t wait to hear it!”

Was this girl always so manic?

She stepped toward me, holding out her arms as if to hug me hello. “Anyway, hi! I’m sure we’re gonna see a lot of each other, especially if you start climbing with us!”

I immediately backed the fuck up, crashing into the bar behind me. I didn’t do it consciously. For all my pep talks, sedatives, orgasms, and faulty belief that I wouldn’t act like a Fable slave tonight, it turned out, I still hadn’t gotten out of the habit.

Katie’s eyebrows shot up as she looked back and forth between Gem and me.

Awkwardness shot between us but was batted away a heartbeat later all thanks to Gemma. Placing herself in front of me like a shield, she grabbed Katie in a bear hug.

Katie immediately hugged her back again, swaying on the spot, infectious happiness in her eyes, my random collision into the bar forgotten.

“No touching my man, you succubus.” Gemma laughed as she let Katie go. “It’s all so new between us that I’m at that very possessive, jealous stage, and he’s off-limits to everyone, I’m afraid. Gotta ask permission ’cause I don’t share nicely.”

“Ha, you’re so funny!” Katie laughed. “I love it! I’m totally the same. Say no more.” Katie threw me a huge grin. “Hope you like having a girl who is so into you she’s made a no touching rule.”

Fuck, you have no idea.

I swallowed and forced a smile. “It’s a tough life, but someone has to do it.”

She laughed.

Gemma caught my gaze, her eyes shouting Sorry!

I shook my head, forcing myself to make small talk even though I had no idea how. “So...you climb too?” I asked Katie while keeping Gem’s stare.

Gemma’s face fell a little, her worry for me evident. But I didn’t want to be a burden on her, so I winked and felt warmth spread in my chest. Warmth that came from so much fucking love inside me.

Who would’ve thought a day would come when I’d actually be happy at having a controlling master. So fucking odd that I relished being “owned” by her, and not once did I find it scary, painful, or wrong.

If anything, I found it liberating, freeing—the best goddamn feeling in the world. Some of my tension faded. I didn’t know if it was from the pill I’d swallowed or my trust in Gemma magnified. Just knowing she was here allowed me to relax, having seen firsthand what she was willing to do to stop people getting near me.

“Yep, I climb,” Katie said, grabbing a champagne flute from the bar. “Not nearly as good as Gem, but she’s helped me progress to the higher grades, so that’s cool.”

“She’s very good,” Gemma said, slotting herself into my side. “It’s not easy when you get to slabs and crack climbing.”

“Ah, there you are!” A man appeared from the crowd, old enough to have salt sprinkled in his dark hair and wrinkles by his blue eyes, but young enough to ring my warning bells. He seemed nice, but I’d stopped buying into appearances long ago. He could be a total sadist behind that suave smile.

“Ms. Ashford, pleasure to see you again.” The guy leaned into Gem, kissing both of her cheeks.

Sweat broke out down my spine.

Gemma flashed me a look before the man stole her attention.

“Guess we need to host another party for you soon,” he said proudly. “I noticed you’re closing in on three million subscribers on your channel.”

Anger curdled in my belly with how he kept a hand on Gem’s elbow.

She disengaged from the guy as quickly as she could, allowing me to suck in a much-needed breath. “Yes, it seems to have exploded a little, ever since Kas appeared on my live Q&A.”

The guy glanced my way. “Kas. The man of the hour.” He held out his hand, straight toward me like a sword. “Pleasure to meet you. It’s an honor that you could make it tonight. We have big dreams for a collaboration if you’re open to discussing.” His hand jerked a little, waiting for me to clasp it.

“Touch it, Kas. Touch it real good, and I might just touch you back.”

I choked as Wilby’s voice slipped through my head.

My skin crawled.

Gem once again saved me from embarrassing myself. Tripping into me, she squeaked dramatically. “Oh!”

My arms automatically came up to catch her when she crashed into my chest. My hands locked around her waist. “Whoa, are you okay?”

She caught my worried gaze with a conspiratorial glance. “Yes, fine. Sorry. I’m not used to being in such high heels. Very clumsy of me.” Smoothing down my tux where she’d deliberately fallen into me, she flicked her hair, turned her back, and plonked herself directly in front of me, preventing any hope of Tony getting a handshake without physically removing her.

Fuck, I love this woman.

“Sorry about that.” Gemma laughed. “Kas is such a gentleman. Never lets me fall. Which is ironic, seeing as I was the reason he fell off a cliff.”

“Ah, yes!” Tony dropped his arm. “I read about that. The unfortunate incident that led to a long recovery, you playing nursemaid, and the romantic conclusion of falling in love.”

Gem laughed. It was strained and slightly forced, but I doubted anyone would notice who wasn’t intimately involved with her like I was.

Like.

I.

Am.

Holy shit.

I’m the only one who gets to see her naked.

Just like she’s the only one who gets to see me naked.

And not just naked physically but emotionally, mentally, spiritually.

Fuck.

It was like a bomb went off inside my head.

A simple, significant bomb that showed just how precious that truth was.

No one else.

Ever again.

Just us.

My shoulders fell away from my ears, my back straightened, and a peace fell over my racing heart. A peace I’d tried so fucking hard to grasp, but it’d kept eluding me until now.

A peace that came from surrendering to everything.

Surrendering to what had happened. Surrendering to what was happening. And knowing, without any fucking doubt, that nothing bad would happen again.

Ever.

Because Gem wouldn’t allow it.

I wouldn’t allow it.

We made our own rules because we were together and had each other’s backs for the rest of our lives.

Wow.

It was like a massive boulder rolled off my back.

Air had never tasted so sweet, even laced with perfume and cologne, slipping into my lungs and stealing some of the darkness still inside me.

I studied the crowd in a new light. Sure, there might be some monsters in there, mingling with innocents, taking advantage, and plotting ruin, but that didn’t mean I would be theirs.

They couldn’t come and touch me without my permission.

I wouldn’t be forced to stand there while they took liberties that made me want to die.

Only Gemma could touch me because I’d given her that right, all while taking my own rights over her.

“Kas?” Gemma asked quietly, looking over her shoulder at me. “Everything okay?”

A broad smile broke out over my face.

Fuck yes, things were okay.

I’d finally accepted what I’d been trying to tell myself all along.

I wasn’t a scrawny kid anymore.

I wasn’t some amnesiac animal from the valley.

I was a man who fully deserved to be beside the woman he loved and had a power that no one could steal again.

Wrapping my arms around her from behind, I pulled her close, held out my hand, and waited for Tony to shake.

Gemma froze.

I shivered just a little.

Tony frowned and glanced at my palm before he slowly grinned and placed his into mine.

Dry and papery, cool and strong.

Our fingers wrapped around each other.

Parts of my psyche crashed and scurried in my head, screaming for mercy, begging not to be hurt. While the new side of me, the part that recognized I didn’t have to put up with pain anymore breathed a huge sigh of relief.

I can do this.

See, I’m fucking doing it.

Gemma sucked in a breath as Tony and I let go, our hands falling to our sides, our gazes catching. I waited for some residue of fear. Some ghost to whisper in my head. Some phantom pain to torment me.

But nothing.

He was just a man.

Nothing more.

Silence fell for a second, filled with noise from the crowd, then Katie’s voice piped up. I’d completely forgotten she was still here. “I’ll leave you guys to chat.” She leaned past Gem to swap her now empty champagne for a fresh glass. “I think I saw Tiff over there. I want to ask her how she’s finding her new climbing shoes before I drop three hundred dollars on Zopaz.”

“Zopaz?” I asked Gem as Katie ducked through the crowd.

“It’s a climbing brand.” Gem pulled away, her eyes searching mine, trying to figure out how I’d shaken Tony’s hand without punching someone. Clearing her throat, aware we couldn’t have a private conversation just yet, she added, “They’re not cheap, but so worth it.”

“You have a sponsorship with Zopaz, if I’m not mistaken?” Tony asked, refusing a beer that the barkeep passed his way.

Gem nodded. “Yes. I was lucky enough to be offered a partnership with them a few years ago, which means I have way too many climbing shoes and obviously earn royalties every time I mention them in my videos.”

“And how is ad revenue going for you?” Tony cocked his head, looking more business-focused. “We keep an eye on your click rates, and shorter ads definitely convert better than longer ones—especially if that product has anything to do with outdoors, physical fitness, or healthy lifestyles.”

“I can’t complain at the income YouTube pays me.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Tony beamed as if he was the one who personally paid Gemma. And who the hell knew, perhaps he was. Was this her boss technically? All this online stuff made my head pound as much as a fresh concussion.

Tony turned to me, sending a whisper of anxiety down my spine even now. Even after my breakthrough. “So, Kas, I’m not sure if my PA has tracked you guys down yet, but the idea of the evening is we’ll introduce you to a bunch of people who we believe can be instrumental in launching a highly successful channel for anyone who has been trafficked—actual victims, families of victims, and anyone who’s got their own story—then, if you’re open to it—forgive me for not mentioning it via email—but we’d really like you to take five minutes out of your night and make a speech to all who are gathered here. Some hefty donators are in the crowd and they’re always looking to invest in goodwill projects.”

A roar sounded in my head.

Pain pressed on my temples.

Any peace I might’ve felt vanished.

All I heard was I had to whore myself out to men and women with fat wallets, giving up pieces of myself yet again so they would give me something in return. I had to dance, smile, and do whatever it took to make them like me.

Fucking hell.

White spots appeared on my vision. The room vanished for a few breaths. I let the whiteness smother me, then blinked it away, focusing on Gem.

She noticed I was borderline losing it.

She worried so much because of me.

But I didn’t want her to worry.

I wanted to be the man who made her happy not worry all the goddamn time.

I wanted to be the man I was just two seconds ago.

The man who could shake another man’s hand and not have a fucking panic attack.

Christ, what’d happened between now and then? Why did these mood swings keep happening? Couldn’t I just pick an emotion and stick with it, for fuck’s sake?

My nostrils flared as my temper grew hot.

I needed a drink.

I needed something to take the edge off before I completely destroyed any hope of being human in front of hundreds of people.

Spinning on the spot, I punched the bar. “Vodka. Neat.”

The barkeep nodded. “Coming right up.”

Gem rubbed my back, making me flinch. “Hey...Kas? Do you think it’s wise—”

“It’s very wise.” I grabbed the glass as the guy dropped a few fingers of liquor into it. “Don’t worry. I’ll be okay. I promise.” Tossing back the burn, I swallowed hard and bottled everything up. I shoved down my hopes, ignored my disappointments, and glared at Tony, who was watching me like I was a gorilla escaped from his cage.

“Kas, let’s go for a walk.” Gemma tugged my hand, her skin clammy with anxiety. “I need some air.”

Translation: you need some air.

But I was done being weak.

I’d come here to help others like me.

I’d come so kids crying in the dark, marked in bruises, and craving death wouldn’t have to wait as long as I did before they were free.

I could find them.

Free them.

I could save them this fucking heartache of doubting their own minds, fearing their own nightmares, and wondering if they’d ever be completely sane.

But I wouldn’t do it their way. I wouldn’t be their puppet.

Pointing a finger in Tony’s face, I snapped, “I’ll make a speech if it will help the kids who are lost, but I’m not being paraded around like a piece of meat, do you hear me? I’m not shaking hands. I’m not going to pretend I’m cured and that any of this is fucking easy. It’s not. Nothing about this is easy. Trying to live again after waiting to die? Believing you should be able to slot back into society, only to come face-to-face with the heartbreaking truth that you’re different now. You’ve changed and might never change back. You realize, against your wishes, that you’re not like the others who have never been touched by darkness. You’re still fucking lost even though you’ve been found.”

Tony froze on the spot, his eyes wide.

Gemma choked on tears.

I should stop.

A small crowd had formed around us.

But I wasn’t done.

This wasn’t about me.

I knew I would be okay, eventually.

I knew I would continue fighting because I had something to fight for.

But what about all those victims who didn’t have a Gemma in their lives? What about the kids who went back to families only to be total strangers to their moms and dads? What about the ones who’d been eaten up so deeply by that horrendous fucking darkness that they’d never be happy, never be sane, always be on the fringes, broken beyond repair.

That was Jareth’s future.

And that was what made me rage.

He’d been broken decades ago, and after his bloodlust was sated—after he’d tracked down every person from Fables and murdered more men than I could count—then what?

What would he become?

Did he honestly think he could get a job, live in a suburb, and talk to strangers at the supermarket?

Fuck that.

His life was over, and he didn’t even know it.

Just like so many other kids who hadn’t been found in time.

Tears stung my eyes as I lowered my voice, wavering with hate and passion. “What you people don’t get is...the hardest thing to overcome isn’t what happened to us but the fact that we have no fucking idea who we are anymore. We listen to so-called specialists who think they know how to heal trauma. We take the pills that promise to straighten out our nightmares. But none of that works. Know why?”

Tony shook his head quickly, licking his lips. “Why?”

“Because unless you’ve lived it. Unless you’ve felt it. Unless you carry the scars and screams of every day that you fought to survive, then you’re not qualified to tell us how to heal. I’m sick of thinking I should be better. I’m sick of doubting that I’ll ever heal. I’m sick of being afraid of myself. I’m sick...” I sighed and pinched my nose.

Ah, fuck, what the hell am I doing?

I was having a meltdown in front of a total stranger who didn’t give a rat’s ass about me.

Gemma pressed against me, trembling harder than I was.

It broke my mania, and I groaned. Lifting my head to the ceiling, I was blinded by a big glittery ball with rainbows refracting off its mirrored surface. Inhaling heavily, I dropped my head and shrugged at Tony. “I’m just sick of...being sick, okay? I’m sorry for my outburst. I should probably go. I understand that you’d rather not enter into any collab—”

“Can I say something?” Tony interrupted.

I held my breath while Gemma wiped away her tears and nodded on my behalf. “What is it, Tony?”

He never looked away from me, his hands curled into fists by his sides before one rose and pointed a finger in my face, just like I’d done to him. It was an aggressive stance. It sent whispers of anger and self-preservation through me, but I locked my knees and waited for him to say his bit.

After all, I’d shouted at him. So I supposed it was only fair that he shouted back.

The crowd around us didn’t disperse, not being polite or feigning that they had no interest in our little debate. One even had her cell phone out, recording the entire thing.

Tony sucked in a breath, his finger shaking. “That. That right there is why I want you to do this. Why I need you to do this.”

I frowned at the raw agony in his tone.

The mask of successful businessman fell, revealing a truth I’d never expected.

Tears didn’t just glitter in his eyes; they fell unbidden down his cheeks.

What the fuck?

My heart raced.

He looked like a man who knew firsthand what I’d said. He looked as distraught as I felt.

With a tattered inhale, he shook his head and spread his arms, uncaring that the crowd around us had grown. That the music somewhere in the ballroom had been turned off, making it deafeningly quiet as every man and woman in their fancy getups watched two men break apart.

“I have the greatest of respect for you, Kassen.” His voice caught, but he cleared his throat and continued. “In fact, I owe you everything, and you don’t even know it. I owe you my greatest thanks and my undying support for what you’ve done.”

“What the hell have I done?” I scowled.

He ignored me. “I’m not going to say I understand how hard it must be to suddenly be back in normality. I’m not going to say I understand how hard it must be not to lash out at those who have no idea what you went through. You don’t know who to trust. You don’t know how to ignore your instincts that have been trained to fight and run. You have filth inside your head that can never be washed clean. I know what it must be like to act as if you’re not a threat. But that’s the thing...it is an act. All of it. I know it’s an act because...”

He dug his fingers into his eye sockets before dropping his arms and bracing his shoulders. “I know because my daughter just came home. After she’d been missing for almost eighteen years.”

I froze.

Something prickled the back of my neck.

Something hissed in my guts that I wouldn’t like where this was going.

A sixth sense sent my pulse skyrocketing as Tony sniffed with a mixture of joy and grief. “She was taken on her ninth birthday.” His voice wobbled as he glanced at the fascinated crowd around us. “I’ve...I’ve never spoken about this publicly. After those first few years of her disappearance, the countless police searches, the endless dead ends, my wife and I shut down. The horror of not knowing what was happening to our baby girl destroyed us. Every day she was gone was a nightmare of our own kind.” His lips twisted. “But it wasn’t until three weeks ago that we knew firsthand just how easy we’d had it.” His tears fell faster now, unchecked and real. “We got the call we didn’t think we’d ever receive. She was delivered to a hospital by a man who wouldn’t leave his name. A man our daughter says she grew up with. Who—” Tony choked and wedged a fist into his mouth.

No one spoke or moved while he gathered his composure and continued. “She has scars on her body that she can’t talk about. She has nightmares that make me sob into my pillow. She has a haunting in her gaze that I doubt we’ll ever be able to cure—no matter how much love we give her.”

Gemma openly cried beside me, her hand latching around mine. “I’m so sorry, Tony. So unbelievably sorry.” Her voice hitched. “So that’s why you were so keen to have Kas do this? To open a line of communication and a safe space for those who have been found. Because...your daughter is one of them.”

He nodded. “That is one reason. Yes.”

My hackles rose. “The only reason?”

Tony slowly shook his head. Standing taller, he swiped at his tears and spoke with a much braver voice. “There is another reason. A reason I wasn’t going to mention. I’m not a man who believes in coincidences. I’m not overly religious. I don’t know how the universe works...but—” He smiled at Gemma for a second as awe filled his teary gaze. “But I can’t deny that something bigger than us is at work.”