"No. And I don't want her to." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I stared at the floor. "She's just starting to seem like herself again. I can't... I can't be the one to take that away from her."
Cole was silent for a long moment, and when I looked up, his expression was unreadable.
"Her hair was my idea," he said finally, the apparent non sequitur throwing me. "I overheard her telling Luce how much it bothered her, seeing herself without the purple. How it felt like one more thing he had taken from her." The words hit me like a physical blow. Of course her hair would matter to her. It had been her statement, her way of standing out and standing up to the world that wanted to control her. Including us, in the beginning. I should have noticed. Should have thought of it myself.
"It was a good idea," I said, the words feeling inadequate. "She looks... more like herself."
"She is more like herself," Cole confirmed, taking the seat across from me. "Not all the time, not completely. But there are moments. Glimpses of the old Cade. I think the hair helps her see that person in the mirror again." I nodded, unable to find the words to express the complicated tangle of emotions his revelation sparked in me. Relief that Cadence was improving. Pride in Cole for seeing what she needed. Grateful that she had him and Ryder to support her. And underneath it all, the gnawing, shameful knowledge that I should have been there too.
"We need to increase security," I said instead, steering the conversation back to the immediate threat. "If Damien is still in the area, we can't take any chances. I want a guard on Cadence at all times, though we'll need to be subtle about it. I don't want her to feel like a prisoner again."
Cole nodded, his expression grave. "I'll coordinate with the housemen. We can set up a rotation that doesn't make it obvious we're watching her. And I'll talk to Ryder about limiting her movements for now."
"She can't know why," I insisted. "Not yet. Not until we have something concrete to tell her. Some assurance that we're close to catching him."
"I agree," Cole said, surprising me slightly. I had expected more resistance from him, given his recent closeness with Cadence. "She's just starting to feel safe again. Knowing Damien is still out there, potentially watching her, is a chilling prospect. It would set her back weeks."
My phone rang before I could respond, the screen lighting up with my father's name. I grimaced, holding up a finger to Cole as I answered.
"What is it?"
"Is that any way to greet your father?" Nicholas Bale's voice came through the speaker, his Cockney accent more pronounced than usual, a sign he was under stress. "Especially when I'm calling with information you'll want to hear." I straightened in my chair, instantly alert.
"About Damien?"
"In a manner of speaking." There was a pause, and I could hear the clink of ice against glass as he took a drink.
"The videos have started appearing online. Dark web at first, but now they're spreading to more mainstream sites." My blood ran cold, a wave of nausea rising in my throat.
"Videos?"
"Of your girl," Nicholas confirmed, his voice grim. "During her captivity. The sick fuck recorded what he did to her." The room seemed to tilt around me, the implications crashing down with the force of an avalanche. Videos of Cadence being tortured, being raped in that cold, dark cell, are now circulating online for anyone to see. The ultimate violation of her privacy, her dignity, her very humanity. We knew they were out there. I had dealt with more than one instance in the last couple of weeks. But to know that they were now in a public forum made me feel sick.
"Take them down," I demanded, my voice a harsh rasp. "Every last fucking one of them. I don't care what it costs, what laws you have to break, what favours you have to call in. I want them gone."
"Already working on it," Nicholas assured me, his tone unusually gentle. "But it's not that simple. Once something's online, it's nearly impossible to erase completely. We're doing everything we can to contain the spread, but..."
"But what?" I pressed, dread coiling in my stomach.
"But we can't trace the IP of the uploader," Nicholas admitted. "Whoever is posting these knows what they're doing. Multiple VPNs, bounced signals, the works. We're working with some of the best hackers in the business, but so far, we're coming up empty." I closed my eyes, fighting against the wave of helpless rage threatening to overwhelm me.
"Keep trying," I said finally. "And send me everything you have. Maybe Ryder can spot something your people missed."
"Will do," Nicholas agreed. "And Logan? Don't let her see them. Whatever you do, don't let her know they exist if you can help it. No one should have to see themselves like that."
The rare note of compassion in my father's voice was almost more unsettling than the news itself. Nicholas Bale was not a man known for his empathy.
"I won't," I promised, ending the call.
Cole was watching me, his face pale, clearly having pieced together enough of the conversation to understand the gist.
"Videos?" he asked, the single word laden with dread. I nodded, unable to trust my voice for a moment. "Of Cadence. During her captivity. They're being uploaded online."
"Fuck," Cole breathed, the word barely audible.
"Yeah. She can't find out." I stood abruptly, unable to remain still with this new horror churning inside me. "This would destroy her, Cole. The idea of strangers watching what was done to her, getting off on her pain..."
"I know," Cole agreed, his voice hollow. "We need to contain this. And we need Ryder's help. His hacking skills are better than anyone else we know."
