“Are you telling me there’s an organized group out there kidnapping children? I’ve heard on the news about somedisgusting pedophiles kidnapping kids, but I never imagined something like a whole organization.”
“Yes, it exists. They even take orders. Just like you’d buy a pair of black or yellow shoes, they pick out their target.”
“Oh my God! But wait, you told me some kids were taken from parks, meaning they had parents!”
“Yes. Some only had parents on paper—neglected in reality. But not all of them came from dysfunctional homes.” I try not to show how hard it is for me to tell her this, how the memories are tearing me apart inside.
How can I let Lilly know everything? How can I reveal that I’m a killer who murders without remorse those I judge and condemn?
I don’t think someone like her could understand that killing monsters like Maria and Jonathan spares many kids from suffering. Taking them out saves countless lives from the same hell I endured. I’m not naïve enough to think I’ll end all evil, but at least I’ll wipe out one part of it.
“You found them on that trip you took?”
“Yes. We rescued over a dozen. I can’t give you details, Lilly. First, because the operations are classified. And second, because I need to protect you. We’re not dealing with common criminals here. They’re a highly organized entity involving powerful people.”
“I understand. Thank you for trusting me. I’ll never speak about this to anyone. Just tell me—are the kids you saved okay?”
“Not all of them,” I say, remembering the little girl who died from poisoning. “But most of them will be.”
I hear my phone ringing on the counter and I know it’s Blood, so I get up to answer.
I listen carefully as he explains that the FBI agreed to move Bruno to another clinic and has increased security for himand the other rescued kids. But the doctors said there’s no way Bruno can be released to another foster home right now, not with his current physical and psychological state.
I order him to have our men guard the boy, because until we figure out what happened with the poisoning, as far as I’m concerned, everyone is a suspect.
After hanging up, I grip the phone tightly in my hand, making a decision I hope I won’t regret.
“You said you wanted to know more about my life? About who I am? Get dressed. I’m taking you to meet someone.”
Half an hour later, I’m nervous as hell while driving toward the clinic.
When he called, Blood said that Bruno refuses to eat unless I go see him.
The boy might not fully understand what happened at the previous clinic, or even notice that the other kids got sick, but he’s smart enough to sense something’s wrong, which must’ve left him feeling unsafe again.
I feel torn about showing Lilly this ugly side of life, but I chose to honor her request. If I want this thing between us to work, it’s not fair to keep her locked out entirely.
Besides, to protect her better, she needs to know what she’s getting into.
Yeah, because I have no doubt that the people I hunt already know who’s coming after them.
Maybe Maria and Jonathan haven’t connected the dots yet—that the person exposing and taking down their associates is the boy who was once their victim—but they probably know,given the recent arrests and rescued children, that they’re being hunted by professionals.
So if I’m not already on their radar, I soon will be. And since I’m keeping Lilly as my girlfriend, I’ll have to be twice as careful with her.
I think about what Blood said—that Bruno hasn’t eaten since I left and woke up screaming from nightmares all night.
A selfish part of me wishes I could close my eyes, pretend I’m a normal guy, and just spend the day in bed with her. But I can’t shake the image of that boy’s eyes—or the promise I made to him.
“Aren’t you going to ask where we’re going?”
She’s been quiet since we left the penthouse, but her hand lightly strokes my thigh as I drive.
I glance at her, and in the daylight, the contrast between us is even starker.
The sexy goddess I possessed all night is gone, and my beautiful girl—the only one who can calm my darkness—is back.
“I don’t need to know. I trust you. You said it’s connected to what you do?”
