“So, you have Grim, Rage, and Prince Daniil?”
“Daniil is the boss and doesn’t use his title. He told me to call him Dan or Daniil. There’s also Chris, whom they call Chaos, but I don’t know that story. Grim and Rage get their names from their real surnames—Grimshaw and Rageis.”
“Sounds like they should be in the MC.”
I grimace. “Please, don’t say that. It’s hard enough dealing with my dad. I don’t need more of that in my life.”
“No shit.”
We’re quiet again, the only sound in the room from Cleo’s purring.
“Are you okay, though?” Lacy asks again. “Like, mentally?”
“I don’t know what I am,” I admit. “Generally speaking, I’m okay. The physical bruises are healing. I’ve been resting and focusing on putting pieces of my life back together, like getting replacements for my license and credit cards, but I’ve definitely been avoiding the hard stuff.”
“Like calling your therapist.” It’s more statement than question.
“Yeah. Because then I’m going to have to talk about it. In detail. And I don’t know that I’m ready for that.”
“I don’t think it’s a rule for you to talk about it. You should only do that when and if you’re ready.”
“You want the truth?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Not in any detail. Not because I’m ashamed or anything like that, but because it won’t change anything. What will be different if I sit here and give you every detail of what they did to me?”
“Absolutely nothing,” she agrees. “Which is why I don’t think talking about it is mandatory. I think you do need to deal with whatever emotions it evokes. Like, will it impact your ability to have sex in the future? Dating? Walking out to your car by yourself after a night out?”
“Yeah, I know. Right now, I’m in this little protective cocoon here at Landon’s. It’s just Landon, Cleo, and me, and he was kind enough to give up his bedroom and bed so I have privacy.”
“And while that’s lovely and kind, hiding yourself away isn’t healthy.”
“I know. I think I’m still going to Denver next week. For the Alexa Humboldt event.”
“You want me to meet you there?”
I hesitate.
Not because I don’t want to see her but because she’s a fairly well-known actress who’ll be recognized. And if the paparazzi sees us together, they’ll take pictures, and that would give away my location.
“I want to try to stay anonymous,” I admit quietly. “I hope that doesn’t hurt your feelings.”
“Honey, this isn’t aboutme. I’ll do whatever you need, even if it’s killing me not to be there for you.”
“But you are. Being able to talk to you, without any pressure, is the best thing you can do for me right now.”
“I’m always here.”
“I know.”
“Hey, did you hear about the Dusky Peaks reboot?”
“I read about it. Are you going to be in it?”
“Yes! And remember my friend Serena from the show?”
“She played Marissa, right?”
