by HELEN HARDT
I walked into the kitchen with Ryan. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“Yeah. This concerns you as much as any of us.”
“I’m not sure it does. This is family stuff, Ryan. I’m not family.”
“You will be.”
I hadn’t yet given him an answer to his proposal. We’d been interrupted.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to be there if Jade and Melanie aren’t. This is between you, your siblings, and your father.”
“I want you there, Ruby. I need you there.”
“I want to be there,” I said. “But it’s not fair to the others.”
He sighed. “All right.” He pressed a kiss to my lips. “We’ll be in my dad’s office. It’s not going to be pretty. I hope Tal and I can handle Joe. He hasn’t even come into the house yet, and already I can feel his anger permeating these walls.”
“You’re imagining things.”
“I hope so.” He kissed me again and walked out of the kitchen.
I would join the others back on the deck, but first I was going to change clothes. I had worn another pair of silk pajamas to bed, but Marabel had ordered clothes for Juliet, the boys, and me, so I wanted to put on something other than nightclothes.
I walked toward my room, when voices—one that was very familiar—came from Brad Steel’s office again.
“This is my business too,” my father said.
“I’m not denying that, but you can’t be here right now. Leave. Use the garage entrance. Make sure no one sees you.”
“You owe me.”
“I owe you nothing. So I welshed on a bequest. So what? You didn’t need it. You, Wade, and Simpson were pulling in millions at the time of my supposed death.”
“Well, Wade and Simpson are dead now, and I’m rapidly going broke.”
“Not my problem. Now leave.”
“It is partially your problem, Brad. Do I need to remind you?”
Silence for a few seconds. Then, “All bets were off when you brutalized my son. I could’ve had you arrested, tried, and convicted, and you’d be living out your days as a prison bitch. Or maybe you’d enjoy that?”
“You wouldn’t have found me. Not even my daughter could find me, and she’s a first-rate cop.”
“She didn’t have my resources. Most importantly, one resource that could have done you in with a phone call. Just leave now. Let me deal with my children. I’ll take care of you later.”
Footsteps advanced toward the door, and I scurried into the bedroom I shared with Juliet.
Chapter Thirty-One
Ryan
Talon and I met Jonah and Marj at the front door. They had arrived in a black SUV—was that the only car on this island?—and their driver pulled away as I watched.
I looked at my brother.
Joe was angry. A vein pulsed in his neck. They’d been flying all night, so he was also no doubt sleep-deprived. An invisible shield surrounded him. Talon and I knew better than to mess with it.
Marjorie, though, fell into my arms and held on for dear life. A few seconds later, though, she pulled away and punched my arm. “How could you not tell me any of this? What kind of brothers are you?”
“The kind who put your safety before everything else,” I said.
“That’s no excuse.” She punched me again and then headed to Talon. She fell into his arms as well and then repeated the punches.
“I’m so angry with both of you, but so happy—” Her eyes turned into circles, and she ripped herself away from Talon. “Daddy!”
I turned. Our father had indeed entered the foyer. He hadn’t elaborated earlier on his statement that he was dying, as we’d gotten word right then that Joe and Marj were arriving soon. Talon and I hadn’t pushed. He looked the same as he always had, and I couldn’t help wondering if the statement had been some kind of ploy to gain our sympathy.
Marjorie launched herself onto him, hugging him hard.
“Hey, there, baby girl,” he said softly. He kissed the top of Marj’s head. “I’ve missed you.”
I expected her to pull back and punch him as she had Talon and me, but she didn’t. Instead, she burst into tears and cried into his chest. He rubbed her back and let her sob, saying nothing.
Finally, when she pulled away and sniffled, I saw the pain in my baby sister’s eyes.
“I want to see my mother.”
The truth of that statement struck me. Marjorie had only been two when Daphne had presumably died. She had no memories. She would truly be seeing her mother for the first time.
“Later,” our father said. “She’s not…well.”
“Talon explained everything. I understand. But damn it, I want to see my mother!”
“Not now,” he said.
I walked toward him and stood in his face. “You take our sister to see her mother right now. She’s never laid eyes on her, at least not that she can remember, and she wants to see her.”
“It’s not the right—”
In a flash, Joe was on our father and had him in a headlock. “I’d like to see her as well. She’s my mother too. Take us to her. Now, you bastard.”
So much for Talon and me being able to keep Joe in line. But his demand was not unreasonable. After a pained look from Marj, Joe released him.
Our father rubbed at his neck. “She won’t know you. She thinks you and Talon are still little boys.” He turned to Marj. “And she thinks you’re a baby. She carries a doll around, believing it’s you.”
A knife hit my heart. Again, no mention of me.
Because I was not hers.
I attempted to swallow the lump in my throat that formed whenever I thought about Daphne Steel.
“Don’t care. You’ve kept her from us for twenty-three years, and we will see her now.” Joe hardened his lips into a thin line.
“All right,” my father relented. “I’ll take you to her.”
Joe gripped his shoulder. “I’ll hold myself in check for now. I want to see my mother, and I don’t want to upset her. But after that, you will answer to us.”
Brad Steel nodded with resignation. “Follow me.”
I nudged Talon. “You should go with them.”
“I’ve already seen her. Besides, she doesn’t know who I am.”
“Still, you should share this moment with them. With your brother and sister.”
“Thanks,” he said, “but I’ll stay here. With my brother.”
My eyes moistened, but I held myself together. No time to get weepy over Talon’s and my brotherhood. How had I ever thought for a second that my having a different mother would matter? It did matter, but it had not affected my relationship with my siblings. I was especially glad that Talon still felt bound to me by blood. He was still my hero, even though he most likely wasn’t the reason I’d escaped his horrible fate. My biological mother was.
Ruby walked out from the hallway, clad in a pair of gray yoga pants and a tank top. Even with everything else going on, the sight of her still made my groin tighten.
“Hey. I just wanted to change my clothes. I’m going back out.” She turned to Talon. “The older boy gave me a little nod when I talked to him outside. It’s not much, but it’s more than he’s responded to anyone since he got here. Slowly, they’re coming around.”
Talon smiled. “Good. I hate what they’ve been through. I hate it. I want to kill the people responsible, even though two of them are my father and yours.”
“I feel you,” she said. “Believe me.”
“How’s Juliet?” I asked.
“She’s better. As with the boys, it’s slow, but it’s steady. She’s eating more now, and those pups are like magic to her and the boys.”
“You know,” I said to Talon. “This place is huge. I bet we could bring all the women and kids here and get them healthy while we search for their parents.”
“I’ll mention it to Dad,” Talon said.
“Dad? Are you kidding? Dad’s been here this whole time. No, we�
�re going to take care of this ourselves. You’ll help, won’t you, babe?”
“Of course. But Ryan, this isn’t our house. It may look just like your house, but it isn’t. We can’t control what goes on here.”
“The hell we can’t.”
“She’s right, Ry,” Talon said.
I balled my hands into fists. “I have to get Anna out of there!”
“We will,” Ruby said. “Somehow. Believe me. I’m just as determined as you are.” She sighed, her eyes misting. “We won’t be able to save them all. My father told me that my cousin Gina had been sold. Sold like a fucking animal!”
I went to her and embraced her. “We’ll find her. We won’t stop until we do.”
She sniffled into my shoulder for a few seconds and then pulled away. “I can’t lose it. Too many people need me right now.”
“I know. I feel the same way. We’ll do everything we can, baby. I promise.”
She nodded, wiping at her eyes. “This isn’t like me. I’m not a crybaby.”
“Ruby, you’re about as far from a crybaby as anyone I know,” I said. “But this is getting to all of us. Why do you think Tal insisted we bring those two boys with us? They slowed us down, but he would not be deterred, and he was right to bring them. I wish I could have released Anna and the others. I wish…” Now I was choking up. We all needed to get hold of ourselves.
Footsteps alerted us to Joe and Marj’s return. Marj’s eyes were red and swollen. Joe’s face looked like it had been carved in white granite. Neither were good signs.
“Ruby, I’m glad you’re here and that you’re all right.” Marj gave her a quick hug.
“We’re all hanging in there,” Ruby said. “How are you?”
“Seeing my mother was a shock, but I’ll be okay. At least Talon prepared us when he called. We came for the truth, and you’ve promised to give it to us, right, Daddy?”
My father nodded, clearing his throat. “Let’s go to my office.”
I kissed Ruby quickly. “I love you.”
“I love you too. I’ll be on the deck with the others if you need me.”
I needed her. But this had to be done with my siblings alone.
I followed behind them to the office.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Ruby
“Miss Ruby!” Marabel greeted me. “I have wonderful news. The little boy finally revealed his name. It’s Donny, and his brother’s name is Dale.”
The older boy sat where I had left him, still playing with Bo. I walked toward him and sat down. His too-long sandy-blond hair blew into his eyes with the subtle breeze, and gray circles marred his sad emerald-green eyes. Bruises and scratches soiled his arms, making anger boil within me. But even so, he was an extraordinarily beautiful child. His beauty—and his brother’s—was probably what had made him a target. “Dale. That’s a nice name. Can you tell me how old you are?”
“He’s ten,” Donny said. “And I’m seven.”
The same ages as Talon and Ryan were when Talon was taken. Coincidence, obviously, but I was understanding more and more why Talon had refused to leave without them. Dale clearly wasn’t ready to talk yet, and while I knew I could pump Donny for information, I felt strongly that my place for now was next to Dale.
We didn’t talk. He just stroked Bo.
Juliet walked over to join us. She had also changed clothes and wore a black T-shirt and gray yoga pants. “I know they hurt you, Dale. They hurt me too. But we’re going to be okay now. It will just take time.”
Dale nodded slightly, just as he had for me before. Juliet was reaching him. I smiled. This would be good therapy for both of them and would give me a chance to speak with Donny.
“Would you stay with him for a little while?” I asked.
She nodded, stroking Bo’s soft head. “We should take the puppy down into the yard so he can play. Would you like that?”
No slight nod this time, but Dale stood, releasing the pup. He followed Juliet out onto the green grass.
Now was my chance to talk to Donny.
He sat next to Marabel. The other two puppies squirmed away from him and joined their brother and the others on the grass.
“Are you hungry, Donny?” I asked.
“Yeah. A little.”
“Do you think we could give him something to eat?” I asked Marabel.
“Just a little. I’ll get him something.” She walked into the house.
“Do you remember your last name?” I asked him. “Or your mommy’s or daddy’s names?”
“We don’t have a daddy. Just Mommy. Our daddy died when I was a baby.”
“I grew up without a daddy too.” Until I was fourteen, anyway. “Do you remember your mommy’s name?”
“Her name is Cheri. She has blond hair too. Our last name is Robertson. We live in Colorado.”
“Really? That’s where I live too.”
“I like the mountains. We could see them outside our back window. They look purple.”
Far enough away to look purple most likely meant Denver or Colorado Springs. Now we were getting somewhere. I could ask him how long he’d been held captive, but he probably wouldn’t be able to answer me. Days had no doubt blended together.
Then he squirmed in his chair. “My bum hurts.”
A spear entered my heart. God only knew how this sweet young boy had been used. I took only a smidgen of solace that my father hadn’t inflicted it the way he had on Talon. And that was only if he’d been telling me the truth.
“I know you took a shower, but have you had a bath? That might help a little.”
“No, not yet. The bad men did things to us.”
“I know. But you’re safe now. And you will heal. I promise.” I could easily make the promise that his body would heal. His mind? He could heal, but he would need help. A lot of help. Help Talon hadn’t been given until much later in his life. Help that Gina had been getting, but they’d taken her anyway.
“Dale protected me a lot. They hurt him worse. He stopped crying after a while.”
My heart splintered in two. “He’s a good big brother, isn’t he?”
“He’s the best. He’s my hero.”
* * *
After Donny had eaten the snack of apple slices and peanut butter that Marabel brought him, I took him inside to my bathroom and ran a warm bath. I found some lavender bubble bath in the cabinet.
“Mommy used to give me bubble baths,” he said.
“Your mommy is going to be so happy to know you’re okay. You and Dale both.” I turned off the bath water. “You’re a big boy. You probably don’t need my help to take a bath.”
“Right. I can do it myself.”
“I’ll just stay in here, in case you need me.”
“No. You don’t have to.”
“Donny, have you ever taken a bath by yourself before?”
“Yeah. Dale doesn’t get in with me anymore. He says he’s too old for that. So I have to do it alone.”
“You mean your mommy doesn’t stay in the bathroom with you?”
“Sometimes. But sometimes not. I’m getting too big for that too. I mean, I’m a boy and all.”
“You sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yup. I’ll be fine.”
Still, something poked at me. “I’m not leaving you.”
“Please,” he said, his voice taking on a whine. “I’m…embarrassed.”
“You don’t have to be embarrassed. I’m a police officer, and I’d never hurt you. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”
“But…they did things… Please.”
I shuddered. I knew exactly what had happened to this sweet boy. He wanted some privacy, which made complete sense. Maybe I could give him a minute or two.
“Okay. Just sit in the water for a while. It will help. There’s a washcloth and towel on the rack. Some shampoo on the shelf if you want to wash your hair. I’ll be right in the next room. Just holler if you need anything.”
“Okay.”
&nb
sp; I closed the door behind me, leaving it cracked so he’d know I was here…and also so I could keep watching him without him knowing. The water sloshed as he got into the tub and sat down. I quietly moved a chair so I could sit and still see Donny in the tub. Across the hall, the Steels were having their conference. I could sneak out and probably hear what they were saying, like I’d heard Brad with my father before. But I couldn’t. First, I couldn’t leave Donny alone, and of course, it was none of my business. This was between Brad and his children—four children who were mad as hell.
I didn’t envy Brad Steel his task, but he deserved it nonetheless.
Donny wasn’t using the washcloth. He was just sitting there, silent. Poor ba—
Crash!
And then a high-pitched scream.
I jerked toward the bedroom door. The sound had come from the office. Ryan had warned me that Joe might get physical. Marjorie had probably been responsible for the scream.
I walked to the door but then hurried back.
I couldn’t leave Donny.
I peered back through the cracked door. He was no longer in the tub. He must be drying off behind the door. “Donny? Do you need help?”
No answer. I jerked the door open. No Donny.
I ran toward the tub.
His little body was floating. Facedown.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ryan
Joe took charge, as the rest of us knew he would.
“Talon has filled us in on the bullshit you’ve spewed so far,” he said to our father, “so start with something new. Like why the fuck you faked your own death. I can’t believe I let that lunatic Wendy Madigan—” He looked to me. “Shit. I’m sorry, Ry.”
“She is a lunatic. I can’t help that I’m her progeny. No need to tiptoe around it. I’m not the idiot who slept with her.” I couldn’t resist the dig at our father. It was a hell of a lot less than he deserved.
He remained silent, his lips pursed.
Joe cleared his throat. “As I was saying, I can’t believe I let that lunatic Wendy Madigan identify your body. It was my job as the oldest.”
