“Yeah, Kayden, come on in. Make yourself at home,” he replies, just as annoyed as I am. “By the way, my security system alerted me to you about ten minutes ago, I just wanted to keep you waiting.”
“Where is she?” I seethe, ignoring his jabs.
“She’ll be down in a minute, but you’re going to listen to me real close, Brother. You so much as raise your voice at her, I’ll lay you out on your ass.”
I pace, running a hand through my hair. “You don’t understand the seriousness of the situation, Jaxon.”
“Of course I don’t. You haven’t told either of us shit! I know you’re hiding things from us, so if you want answers, we’re going to have to get some in return. Melody and Dani’s friendship goes back further than how long you’ve known her, Kayden. Whatever the fuck you have going on with her better be worth all this.”
I let loose a cold laugh. “Don’t be so sure that Melody has known Dani longer than me.”
“See! That’s what I fucking mean. Cryptic bullshit, Kayden.”
He pauses to take a good look at me before continuing. “Why are you bloody?”
“A tale for another time.”
“Hey, guys,” Melody says in a light tone as she enters the foyer, her hair just as wet as Jaxon’s. “Jesus, Kayden. What the hell happened?” she asks as she takes in the dried blood all over me.
“Again,” I say with a roll of my eyes, “not something I want to get into right now.”
“OOOK then,” she replies with her eyebrows raised. “Think we should take a seat and have a talk about what the hell is going on then?”
Jaxon narrows his eyes at me but motions for me to lead the way into the living room as he tucks Melody under his arm protectively.
They both take a seat on the loveseat, but I’m too tense to sit still. I pace, my jaw clenching in frustration at not knowing where Dani is and if she’s safe.
“First off, where is she?” I ask.
“Somewhere safe. She just text me a few minutes ago that she arrived safely and was going to take a nap,” Melody replies, her brows furrowing at my tone.
My blood chills. If that phone is used outside of Eden, it’s trackable.
“She has her cell phone?”
“No, she has a burner phone I gave her before she left. She didn’t want you tracking her.”
I let loose a breath in relief. “You need to tell me where she is, Melody.”
Jaxon puts a hand on Melody’s knee, making her pause as he speaks up. “We need answers first.”
“I don’t have the time right now. Dani is in danger and every minute counts.”
“What do you mean, she’s in danger? From who? Derek?” Melody asks tentatively as she looks between me and Jaxon.
“Derek is no longer a problem. I’m going to give you key points. The rest can be explained in depth later,” I say, finally taking a seat on the black couch across from them.
“Where do I even start… You know I’m ex-military. What you don’t know is that I run a team of retired military vets in missions to save women from human sex trafficking. Dani wasa victim over three years ago. Dani hasn’t always been the name she goes by, though.”
Melody’s gasp is quickly smothered by her hand.
“I rescued Dani, or should I say Jess, from that trafficking ring. Someone purchased her when she was trafficked, but they never got their hands on her because we saved her before the exchange happened. She then met you, Melody, at one of her therapy sessions after that rescue.” I take a breath before continuing. “All the women get fresh identities. Jess was no exception. She chose the name Dani, she was given everything she would need to start over—to start fresh somewhere safe. Dani, being as stubborn as she is, agreed to a fresh identity, but declined relocation. Well, fast forward to present day and—no thanks to Derek—she’s been found again, and this guy, Andrei, wants her.He’ll do anything to get her.”
“What the fuck, Kayden?” Jaxon exclaims. “Why the hell would you keep this from us? Had Melody known, she never would have sent her off!”
“I know, I fucked up! I didn’t want to involve the two of you in my bullshit, especially with how hard you’ve been trying to get pregnant. It was the only way I knew to keep you guys safe. But I need to know where she is—now—before Andrei gets his hands on her. Please, I’m begging.”
Melody and Jaxon exchange a look stronger than any words. A resolve steels Melody’s gaze as she looks at me again. “She’s at our vacation home we recently purchased in northern Wisconsin, just outside of Land O’ Lakes. It’s incredibly secluded and densely forested. It’s nearly a forty-hour drive from here, your private jet will be the quickest way. Dani took ours and it’s not back yet.”
