“Sorry I couldn’t get here earlier. We got a lead on the missing girl.” He sighed.
“Promising?” This missing girl, Hailey, was just another thing Liv was feeling major guilt over, thinking it was all her fault for getting away and blaming herself for whatever was happening to the kid while she was at the mercy of that animal. We needed to find her, and fast.
“Maybe. Someone saw the facial composite on the public appeal and called in. Said the guy came through town every Friday, buying groceries and hardware, for the last month, out near Creal Springs.”
“That’s less than ten miles from where Livy was held. You think he’s staying near what he knows?” I asked, surprised. I had thought for sure he’d have gone further afield this time, maybe even left the state.
“If he is, he’s either really ballsy, or fucking crazy.” Kade sighed. He stepped further into the room and shrugged out of his leather jacket, dropping it into the chair at the dressing table. “Local PD are looking into it, and two members of my team will head out in the morning.”
“You’re not going?”
“Nah. They got it. I want to be close for Livy. I want to be here if she needs me.” He shrugged, but it shocked the shit out of me. I had never known Kade to let someone else handle a big break in one of his cases in his whole career. He was dedicated to his job, and very little distracted him. The fact he had stepped back for Liv, was huge. It was proof of how she was changing us all for the better, making us all start to live, instead of just getting through.
“Glad to hear it.”
“How bad was she?” He asked as he perched on the bed at her opposite side, looking down over her.
“Pretty good actually. Yeah- she was shaking a lot and her anxiety was trying to take over, but she fought it, and stayed strong. She didn’t lose it once, and let Mom talk her down. She’s getting stronger, slowly but surely.” I explained proudly. It was true. I had been terrified when I saw Matt carrying her from that cab earlier in the evening. When I saw how pale and shaken she was I thought for sure she was going to slip away from us and into that dark place she had been pulled into before. But she didn’t go there. She got upset, but then she listened to Keira and us, and calmed herself down. She got through the anxiety and had been laughing and joking with the three of us when she emerged from the bathroom, despite her exhaustion.
“She is. She’s doing great, but I’m worried about this memory coming back. I haven’t said anything, because I didn’t want to trigger her, but the autopsy on Chris was bad. He had broken ribs, a broken ankle and his right ulna was fractured. There were signs of nicks, from stab wounds too. However he died, it was brutal. If she saw that…..”
“Who the fuck is this monster, Kade?” I growled, hating the thought of what that poor kid went through to get Liv out, and hating even more the idea she had to witness any of it.
“I don’t fucking know Ky, but I’m doing everything I can to find out.”
“I know you are.” I sighed. “I just want to put as much of an end to all of this as we can for her. I’m so fucking proud of how strong she is, but I just wish she didn’t have to be.”
“We’ll get him. I’m getting close now, I feel it. And until I do, Livy is doing so well. She’s strong, and we all have her. She will be alright, bud. I know she will.” I looked up from Liv, to the determined look on my brother’s face. I knew he was right, I knew Liv was tough enough to hold on, and get through whatever came next. I just didn't want her to have to. I didn't want her to have to face any further hurt or pain. She had been through enough. She deserved nothing but peace and happiness in her future and I was determined to do whatever it took to shelter her from any further hurt in her life. It had become my life’s mission to always protect and love her in the way she deserved.
OLIVIA
“This is so cool Livia!” Evie squealed from the back seat of Keira’s car. “I can’t wait for you to see my ballet!”
It had been a quiet, peaceful morning at home, having woken up surrounded by my guys. We had decided to just all have a lazy morning, making breakfast together, then crashing in the media room with a movie in our PJ’s. Even Kade had stayed home with us and I had loved my time snuggled into his side.
The memories hadn’t resurfaced at all. In fact, I had actually slept pretty well for me that night, curled up in Kyle’s arms, knowing the others were all close. I knew the memories would come, they had to after the bits I had already recalled, but I tried hard not to dwell on it. It would happen when it happened and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
So I had enjoyed my morning with my guys, and was now on my way with Keira, to Evie’s dance class, as I had promised her I would. She was so excited to show me what she had been learning in preparation for a recital in a few weeks, and her enthusiasm was contagious.
“Me too, Munchkin. I can't wait to see your moves.” I agreed from the front passenger seat.
“I told you already that I’m the lead sunflower, right?” She asked excitedly.
“You did.” I agreed. “You must be a fabulous dancer to get such an important part.”
“I am! I’m the best, totally better than Gracie. She thinks she’s the best, but
