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“He said you see a Dr. Ingrid Fields?”

“Yes, but only for a couple sessions after I was raped.”

How would he possibly know that? I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised since he’s been stalking me but it’s still hard to hear that he knows every move I make.

“Right. He also said that he never even saw you the night you claimed he raped you. He read the report and he’s very concerned about who did this to you. We all are. We just need you to tell us the truth. Do you know who did this to you?”

“You’re joking, right?” I ask, my emotions somewhere between disbelief and some kind of sick humor.

“No, ma’am.”

Nix growls from beside me and I put my hand on his knee.

“Are you going to file this report?”

“We can’t until you tell us who really did this to you,” Detective Nelson says and the gleam in his eye tells me all I need to know. Besides, I know that what he just said is a total lie. He could file the report, he just chooses not to.

“I would like to speak to your boss,” I snap, fed up with Detective Nelson and his smug attitude.

“I’m sorry. He’s not available right now.”

“Fine.” I stand to leave and Nix follows suit.

“Ma’am, you can’t leave.”

“Actually, I can. I haven’t done anything wrong and you aren’t arresting me so I’m free to leave at any time.” I grab my things and the folder off the table and shove everything into my bag before walking out of the room with the guys on my heels. I stop short when I see Ryan standing there watching me through the window.

“The level of unprofessionalism here is astounding.”

Ryan smiles and takes a step toward me. My brothers rush in front of me, making an impenetrable wall while Nix stays with me. “I knew you were still in there, baby. I love your feisty spirit.”

“Fuck off,” I snap and Nix chuckles softly behind me.

“I love you,” Ryan says. “I won’t give up.”

“Careful, Ryan. You wouldn’t want these people to know what a monster you truly are.”

His eyes widen and his face turns red as he stares me down. I realize I just poked the bear. He is going to snap and I’m worried about what he will do when it happens.

* * * *

“I’d like to talk to a reporter,” I say to the receptionist in the newspaper’s office.

“About?” After the day I’ve had, her bored tone annoys the hell out of me.

“I have a story I think they’ll be interested in.”

“Why don’t you tell me what it is and I’ll pass it along?”

I shake my head. “No, I need to talk to a reporter.”

“I’m a reporter. What can I help you with?” a tall woman with golden blonde hair and gray eyes says, smiling back at me.

“I have a story I think you’d like to hear.”

She studies me curiously. “Sure, come with me.”

She leads Nix and me behind the closed doors of an office. Little cubicles form rows all through the large room with larger private offices along the walls. We follow her to the back corner where she has an office tucked away. She sits behind the desk and motions for us to sit in the chairs across from her.