26. Chapter Twenty-Six

26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Phoenix

I t took me two hours to get Clara to leave. That sounds harsh and I swear I don’t mean it like that. However, Lee has been blowing up my phone the entire time. She’s tracking down the man who had us before we escaped. When I went to the police with all the information I had it was only enough to identify my father and David without reasonable doubt. The man with the unlocked door was never found. He was the one who let the boy on his property that saved me, but he was also the one who tortured and assaulted me just hours before. One would assume that I’d grant him a small mercy for his mistake, but they’d be wrong. He’ll pay just like the rest of them.

Answering the phone as the elevators shut with Clara inside I give her a smile and a wave while answering, “I know. I know, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” Lee screeches through the phone, “You’re sorry? I just watched you on Richie Rich’s cameras having gossip and caviar time with his sister-in-law while I have real updates here.” She’s always dramatic and that’s saying something coming from me. She’s usually more subtle about it but when she wants attention she demands it.

“Okay drama. I wasn’t having ‘gossip and caviar’ I was having greasy burgers with my best friend who happens to be married to my boyfriend’s brother. She just left though, so I’m all yours. What do you have?”

“Everything. Have you even met me? His name’s Jerry Harris, forty eight, two kids, both boys. Wife of twenty-eight years, Jessica. From what I can tell his kids and wife know nothing. Both sons are completely off grid as of six years ago. I think it’s safe to assume they changed names and now lay low.”

“Where’s Harris now?”

“In his luxurious home just outside of the city limits in Corey Heights. He’s off work today but when he isn’t he works at some accounting firm in the city.”

“Okay. Any news about the others?” I’ve made my way into the office and have started pacing.

“Yeah. I’ve got a list. I’m slowly starting to mess with them on a technological level, but Nix, make sure you make it hurt when you get them. Also while I have you. This guy I’m working with, Quill? He’s good.”

Remembering that’s Mac’s name he uses when working I agree with her, “He’s really good. I wouldn’t hook you up with a dud.”

I can practically hear her eyes rolling as she responds in a monotone voice, “Didn’t hook us up. I’ve known who he is for years. We just are on opposite sides of assignments sometimes.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It’s better if you don’t know. I’m emailing you now. Love ya, Nix.”

“Love you, Lee.”

The line goes dead and I’m left pacing while visions of revenge consume my thoughts. They deserve it, they deserve to hurt like Lee and I did, like countless other girls did at their hands. Kids, teenagers, women. If you were a female you weren’t safe with them. I’m not completely ignorant to the fact that this ring was just one of many.

Kieran’s completely open with me about his job so I know he’s hunting down the leader of a separate ring now. As long as scum walks this earth there will be a new ring looking to take the spot of the one that was taken down. I’m realistic to the fact that we can’t take them all down. At the same time, Kie can make sure they aren’t in his territory while I make sure that every woman or child affected by Robert and his men can sleep a little easier at night.

Moving to the desktop I sit in the exact spot Kieran sat last night when he ate my pussy with such precision I couldn’t even remember what year it was by the end of it. The way he punished me and forced every last ounce of pleasure from me. It makes my lower belly tingle with flashbacks. I can’t think about anything but his gorgeous eyes locked on mine, his mischievous grin, and his skilled hands and cock from later in the night. The ding of the elevator pulls me from my thoughts. Confusion clouds my mind as none other than Flynn Byrne strolls out of the open doors and straight towards me. A look I can’t decipher on his face. Ryan’s following close behind which makes my hackles rise.

“Hey Flynn, what’s going on?” I can hear the indecision in my own voice but he’s making me nervous for some reason.

“Hey, so I need you to come with us.” His hand instinctively goes to the back of his neck.

“I’m going to need more information than that before I get out of this seat.” I glare at him. He’s being twitchy. “Actually, where’s Kieran?”

“At our house. I’m serious. We don’t have time for this shit, Brittany. Come on.”

My eyes widen as I look over at Ryan for clarification.

“Nix, I promise you that I personally talked to Kie. Our instructions were clear.”

Grabbing my phone I pull up Kieran’s number and press it. He picks up on the second ring.

“Hey, Brave Girl. Are you on the way?” He’s trying to sound calm but I can hear the undertone of panic.

“Kie, what’s going on?”

“Nix, I promise I’ll tell you everything. Just please go with Flynn and Ryan. They’ll bring you straight to me and we’ll stay here, okay? Bring your laptop and notebooks.”

“Swear?” I just need to hear him say it. It’s become our little comfort thing since the first time we said it.

“Straight to me. Then you stay. Swear. Come to me, Nix.”

* * *

Walking into the house Kieran grew up in, I try to look at it from a little boy’s perspective. What was his favorite game to play in the living room? Where was his favorite hide and seek spot? Where was his Ma when he came to her for a good snuggle? Where did the boys tell each other their secrets? The times I’ve been here in the past it never crossed my mind but today that’s all I can think about. Will Rhett have similar experiences? Siblings, cousins, or maybe both? Will their dads raise them as tight knit as they all are?

I’m jolted out of my thoughts as a little curly haired tornado makes a dive at my legs.

“Auntie!”

Scooping my favorite boy up I kiss all over his face, “Rhett!”

I catch my favorite green eyes watching us from a few steps back. The sweetest smile is playing on his delicious lips. He mouths a silent, ‘I love you, Nix.’ and my heart metaphorically melts into a puddle on the floor in front of me. I didn’t expect to like the way he says my real name as much as I do. It rolls off his tongue with so much love and passion. Like Phoenix is the sun, moon and stars in his world instead of a broken, abused girl who rose from the ashes.

Rhett wiggles to be put down and I instantly comply. He hasn’t taken three steps before I’m swept up in all six and a half feet of Kieran Byrne. He buries his face in my hair and takes a deep breath, inhaling my scent, before groaning on the exhale.

“Mmm, I’ve missed you today, Phoenix.” He’s half whispering. No one else could have heard him if they were around but I did, and that’s the important part.

“I missed you too, Kie.” I reply, squeezing him a little tighter than needed just to show him how much.

He steps back too soon, in my opinion, and takes my hand and my bag before leading me to the office. Once inside, I note that it’s empty. This is Rowan’s space. I know that much. Aside from us, a couch, four chairs, a desk, and pictures of his siblings, son, and wife we’re alone.

“Where’s Rowan? Actually, where’s everyone? I don’t even know where Rhett went after I put him down.”

Kieran silently shuts the door behind us before answering, “They’re all out back, they decided to give us a minute of true privacy.”

“Privacy?” I cant help but laugh, “Kie we aren’t fucking in your brothers office.”

Kieran doesn’t laugh though, he moves to sit on the couch before pulling me into his lap and playing with the ends of my hair.

“Baby, I have to tell you something. We found a small piece of card stock on the island at your apartment this morning. Your name was on the front of it and on the back it said—” His voice cuts off which irritates me. It’s irrational but I’m too scared to care.

“It said what, Kieran?”

“ Come out, come out, wherever you are. ” My entire body locks up instantly and I’m thrown back into that place.

Phoenix

Age Nine

Huddled in a corner of the back closet, I can hear him yelling for me. “Twenty-Seven get out here now!” I’m pretty small for my age, at least I think so. Other nine year olds come through here and I’m smaller than all of them. A seven year old came in the other day, we’re about the same size. She’s been crying a lot. She’ll realize soon that crying does nothing but get you hurt more.

She seems nice, though, she says she has a Daddy who’s very important, so maybe she’ll be our ticket out of here. At night she’s been crying out for some boy. Matt, I think. She says he’s her best friend and he and his brothers will come find her. Their Daddy is very important too. I don’t think so and even if they do find her, they’ll leave me. I don’t have anyone looking for me. My Daddy is one of the men hurting us all. I’m going to get out of here one day, but it won’t be because some boy and his brothers came to save me. I’ll save myself because my Mama taught me that all I need is me.

I managed to get out of my crate long enough ago that I found this hiding spot. David is getting more and more mad as he keeps yelling for me. I used to have a name. Before I came here I had a name, but now I’m just Twenty-Seven. My name hasn’t been used in so long I don’t even remember it. I do know my Mama gave it to me. She made sure I knew it was a strong name for a strong girl who would do great things. Great things are coming, I can tell, I’ve just gotta get out of here first.

Before choosing this place I made sure there was a window in this room, I just have to wait David out. “Come on, Twenty-Seven. You know this is going to be so much worse if you stay hidden.” My whole body trembles at the sound of his voice coming closer. I’m under a pile of clothes, there’s no way he sees me. It’s the best spot in the whole house.

“Come out, come out, wherever you are.” As soon as the words are out of David’s mouth he rips the clothes from on top of me and smiles with his yellow teeth and bad breath. “Twenty-Seven, what are we going to do with you?” He grabs my hair at the root and drags me back to the room with all the cages, throwing me down so everyone can see. “I’m going to show you all what happens when you try to run.” Tears fall from my eyes as they lock on to Thirty-Three’s. As the pain overtakes my body, right before passing out it hits me. Not Matt, Mac. Her best friend coming to save her is Mac, and her name used to be…