Page 46 of Knight's Journey

“But he came back. A few years ago, around the time Syd met Cole. Emmett was involved in some shady shit, and he wanted to use Sydney’s hacking skills to hide his crimes from the FBI. Cole and Zane and the rest protected us, but Emmett found a way to get to her. He kidnapped her…and me.”

Chloe paused. Several seconds passed, but Bridget didn’t want to interrupt the moment. Whatever Chloe wrestled with, Bridget believed it was important for her to say it out loud in her own time. Caught up in the woman’s story, Bridget was able to slip away from her memories and focus on the present.

“Emmett grew up in the foster system. He was placed in a group home where he met Danny Dawson. They formed an attachment to each other, like brothers. Danny involved Emmett in setting up a drug business then a human trafficking business. They were…evil. I’ve never met anyone who was so dark, with a soul so black, but that was Danny Dawson. It’s taken me a long time to even be able to say his name out loud.”

“How long were you held captive?”

Chloe exhaled loudly, her hands grasping the fitted sheet in her fists. “Long enough to be raped by Danny Dawson. I thought Cole and the others would rescue us before it went too far. I fought him off with everything I had, but he…he only…well, he liked that. He, um, he had just finished when the guys busted in to save me. Danny was shot and killed by Cole and the others, so there’s that. Emmett’s in prison.

“I wanted to tell you this to say we all have monsters. Danny is mine. Emmett is Sydney’s. The doctor guy is yours. I won’t pretend I know what you’re dealing with. I didn’t personally know my monster. Yours is someone you trusted. Someone you thought could be a friend. You let him in your life, and he betrayed you. Everything you’re feeling is what you should be feeling. It doesn’t mean the monster wins.”

“I feel broken.” Bridget had no idea where the words came from, but once she gave them voice, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

“You’re not. Cracked, maybe. But definitely not broken. You are like me and Sydney. We’re powerful women. We take the shit life gives us and let it shape us into badass women. That’s what you are, Bridget. You’re a badass. You’ll have moments where you’ll feel afraid and sad and frustrated and broken. But those are only moments. They’ll pass and leave behind a strength you didn’t even know you possessed.”

Bridget reached out to touch Chloe’s hand. “Thank you. You didn’t have to share this with me, but I appreciate it. I appreciate you being here.”

“You’re welcome. You’re part of a badass club of women, and I have to say, I think you’re going to fit in with us just fine.”

Bridget’s eyes felt weighted, her lids fluttering as she struggled to hold on to the comforting friendship Chloe offered. But as they sat in companionable silence, Bridget eventually slipped into blissful darkness.

∞∞∞

Zane stared into the bottom of his fifth cup of coffee of the day. If he poured any more caffeine into his system, he’d jump out of his skin. Cole and Sydney were keeping Mathias and Marlowe occupied doing God knows what, and Chloe had left shortly after Bridget fell asleep. He sat alone in the kitchen, fighting his dueling emotions of wanting to be here to make sure Bridget was safe and of wanting to go down to the jail and beat the shit out of the doctor some more.

His cell phone vibrated against the kitchen table. He’d turned off the ringer because he hadn’t wanted to wake Bridget. She needed sleep, and he hoped since she’d been shut away in her bedroom all day, that’s exactly what she was getting.

Before he could check his phone, a noise caught his attention. He stood and listened more intently. There was the scream, the one that was achingly familiar and chilled him to the bone. He bolted down the hall and crashed through the door to Bridget’s bedroom door. She thrashed on the bed, fighting an invisible foe. One quick scan reassured him no one had broken into her room. He hesitated, wondering if she’d welcome his presence, but then reacted. He slid behind her, gripped her shoulders and gave her a gentle but firm shake.

“Bridget, you’re safe. Wake up. It’s Zane. You’re safe. Wake up, Bridget. Come on. Wake up for me.”

She gradually stopped struggling, and when he saw her blink her eyes as she returned to reality, he dropped his hands and settled in front of her on the bed. He pushed her hair back from her face before he thought twice about touching her with such familiarity. She finally raised troubled eyes, and he saw the storm brewing behind the deep brown irises.

“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands. “I was dreaming. I couldn’t get away, and he…”

“I know. Chloe warned me you’d probably have nightmares. I’m glad you were able to get some rest before you had one.”

“Is Chloe still here?” She reached for the covers to pull them up over her bare legs, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink.

“No, she had to go to work, but she said to give you her number. You can call or text her whenever you want to talk. About anything.”

She nodded. “You have nice friends.”

He wasn’t sure what to say, so he opted for a subject change. “The kids will be home soon. They’re still with Cole and Sydney. They said something about getting some ice cream before they come home.”

Her head flew up, her eyes wide. “What? What time is it?” She whipped her head around searching for something. “Where’s my phone?”

“I think your phone is in the living room. It’s three o’clock or a little after.”

“Shit! I have to be at work soon.” Bridget moved to rise, but Zane pushed her gently back down on the bed.

“No, you’re not working tonight. Payton took care of it. She has a social worker friend at the hospital. She called to explain a little of what happened. Don’t worry. She didn’t divulge too many details, but she asked her friend to explain your absence without broadcasting what happened to protect your privacy.”

“You shouldn’t have done that. I need to work. I’ve just started this job.”

“Chloe suggested it. She said you may not admit it, but you could use a night with the kids. Unfortunately, you can’t stay here.”

“What? Why? This is my home. I’m not letting what happened run me out of my home. No way.”

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