The Shattered Girl

by Leigh Christopher

  “Hey man?”

  I turn to see my partner and friend stalking toward me. “Grant, how did it go? Any news?” Maybe he can take my mind off the shit running through it, the fear and worry.

  “We found blood and semen samples in the room, which we tested.” His words send ice racing through my veins. “The blood was Tia’s. A lot of it. The other tests matched with Ryker’s DNA. He’s involved in this. The woman we saw him with was Tia’s sister Isabelle. We’re not sure how or why she’s involved, but I’m guessing it had to do with their childhood and her being sold into the sex ring. We’ve tracked down all the information. Corp wants to see you when you’re done here,” he informs me, speaking in a steady tone.

  His words sink in, thick and slow, like molasses pulling me under. Ryker? Why is he doing this? My best friend. He was like a brother to me. And here he’s on the wrong side, doing shit like this to a woman that I’m in love with.

  My chest aches trying to make sense of everything. “So, Ryker’s involved? What the fuck? He’s on a downward spiral and decides to go fucking insane?” I bite out and the man before me stills, watching me fall apart, but he doesn’t touch me. Which is a good thing because I’d lose it. I’d fucking punch anything in my way right now. All I get is a nod. Swallowing the thick lump in my throat which threatens to suffocate me, I shake my head and ask, “what about Tia’s sister?”

  “There are reports that Miguel had auctioned his eldest daughter to his business associates. She was sixteen.” The information has my stomach roiling in shock. What. The. Fuck. “Tia was never sold, however…” He stalls and I want to grip him by the shoulders and shake the fucking information from him. “There are medical reports that were filed away, after her father paid for them to be. Tia suffered multiple injuries from the age of sixteen. It seems that this is when it started for both sisters. She’s been seeing psychotherapists, and psychologists since her twelfth birthday.”

  “But, I don’t—”

  “She believes she killed her mother. Only, it wasn’t her. She blacked out from the shock of seeing her mother murdered in cold blood. By her father. I have all the reports written up. The man who came forward with the information used to work for Miguel.”

  My mind is reeling and nothing seems to make sense. At least, to me.

  “Why did he come forward now?”

  “Miguel has his daughter, she’s turning sixteen in four days’ time,” he offers quieter this time.

  Raking my hand through my hair, I inhale a deep breath, attempting to calm down, but it’s futile because I’m livid. Anger slowly erupts from my core and travels its way through me as if I’ve been shot up with pure adrenalin.

  “Jesus Christ, this man knows no bounds. No fucking limits,” I growl out, rearing my fist, but before I can make contact with the wall, Grant’s hand stops me. My anger is palpable, a living force swirling around me, ready to consume me like it’s done so many times before.

  Only this time it’s personal.

  His gruff tone rumbles through the empty area where we’re waiting. “You need to calm the fuck down, man. I know it’s easier said than done, but you need to keep a level head here. This shit is going to eat you alive.”

  Concern is etched on his face, and the emotion swirling in his deep green eyes make them come alive as if a flame is dancing in them.

  “She’s in there because of that monster. His own daughter is fighting for her life because he’s an animal. And you know what?” I turn to face him fully. “He should get slaughtered like the filth he is.” With that, I stalk by the bulk of a man to grab my coffee from the table. Gulping the scorching liquid, I savor the burn. It’s the only thing that allows me to feel. I’m numb. Aching for her.

  I’ve never been in love. Never wanted more than a one-night stand. I’ve never wanted to feel anything other than the agony from losing my parents, but somehow, when Tia walked, no, stalked into my life in those fuck off heels of hers, I’ve been hooked. Like a junkie needing his next fix, I want her.

  The satisfaction I got every time she pinned me with a furious stare, or curled her plump lips in frustration, or even when she finally submitted and allowed me to fuck her into oblivion, those were the times I was sated. Happy. And the blood that haunted my dreams and followed me seemed to ease, seemed to leave me and I was finally in a place where I wanted more from life.

  The chair screeches on the floor and I turn to find my partner sitting back with his eyes shut tight. I take in the room and find the waiting area empty apart from me and Grant, and I’m thankful for that because I’m in no condition to have anyone else near me. The only thing I need right now is Tia.

  To have her in my arms.

  To see her glaring at me in frustration.

  To see her come apart with my cock inside her.

  To hear her whimper my name.

  To mold my lips to hers.

  To tell her I love her.

  Tia

  “Do you remember the first time, Tia?”

  Ignoring her question, I stare out the window. Does she really think something so horrid is easy to forget? She’s silent and I know she’s waiting for me to tell her. To confide in her. But this, it’s not something I can easily come out and confess. It’s painful. It’s horrific. It was the end of my innocence. It was the day my mind finally shattered. I’d always been broken, that much I knew. But it was this that finally broke the last shred of sanity I had.

  And it was all my father’s fault.

  “Tia,” she coos in a tone only a mother would use. It’s melodic, calming, but it’s not working on me. The darkness consumes me and in my mind, I go back… back… back…

  “It was so long ago. I remember Belle had just gone and I was left to fend for myself against him. There wasn’t a day that passed by that he didn’t hurt me. Both emotionally and physically.”

  “Did he ever…?” She tapers off, but I know what she wants. Shaking my head, I can’t find the words, so it will have to do. “And do you know where your sister went?”

  “Yes, I do now. Then, I didn’t know. He told me she’d been sent away to a special school. I was only thirteen, so I didn’t think anything of it.” My focus is on the material of my jeans, the patterns and lines of the fabric is the only thing keeping me together. Focus. Calm. Breathe.

  “And when did you realize it was a lie?” Good question. One I don’t want to answer, but I know she’ll prod and poke until I come clean. Until I tell her the ugly truth.

  “It was the night I had my first experience of who my father really was. Yes, I’d always known he did things that weren’t above board, but it was one night that changed it all. It was really late and I was woken up by a screech, so loud I’m sure the neighbors would have heard. I jolted upright straining to hear where it was coming from, but then everything fell silent.” My mind flits back to that night. I remember it like it was yesterday. As if no years have passed between me seeing what I did and experiencing the worst pain I’ve ever known.

  “Tia?” she prompts.

  “I pushed off the bed, padded to the hallway, and slowly making my way to the basement. I knew my dad used to work down there, but he’d never allowed me in. The door was always locked and I didn’t dare go there because I was scared he’d catch me. As I neared the stairs I heard sounds coming from behind the door.”

  I rise from the chair to turn toward the window. It’s raining outside and I savor the coolness of the glass, placing my hand on it.

  “When I finally made my way down the staircase, I noticed the door was slightly ajar. The noises and voices were louder. But above all that, I heard crying, whimpering. Fear ricocheted through me as I felt my body tense. When I peeked around the door that’s when my world fell apart.” Inhaling a deep breath, I shut my eyes so tight I see stars dancing behind them.

  “And this was when you learned your father lied? Or…?”

  Or…

  “My father.” A wry chuckle falls from my lips. “Yeah, Sa
tan himself. The fucking devil,” I confess. Pain, so fucking acute, hits me in the chest. “I couldn’t save her.” More truths stumble from me like a dam bursting when I turn to face the woman who’s been there all this time. Through everything, she’s the only one who understands.

  “Tell me, Tia.” Once again she pushes. Coaxing me to tell her the ugliness I witnessed. To let the truth of what broke me in the first place.

  “My father, along with three of his henchmen…” I can’t look at her when I tell her so I turn toward the dreary sky. “He was whipping a girl. She must have been sixteen. His friends had her hands on their cocks. Fisting hard steel while they watched with demonic eyes as my father hurt her.” It’s only when I reach up to my face do I realize I’m crying. “I watched them mutilate her. I watched. I didn’t do a fucking thing because I was too fucking scared.” I hiss out the words. Anger. Guilt. Shame. All those emotions barrel through me and I fall to my knees. “They killed her and I didn’t do a fucking thing.” The words are muffled because I can’t form them anymore.

  “Tia.” Her voice is close, right at my ear. Her arms encircle me, holding me against her chest. Warmth seeps through me, but I’m left cold and stranded in my mind. “You were a little girl,” she once again murmurs softly. She’s trying to make me feel better but it’s not going to work.

  I am responsible.

  I should have stopped them.

  I could have screamed.

  Called the police.

  But I stood in shock, my legs didn’t want to carry me away.

  Blood.

  There’s always blood.

  “Please, help me,” I beg, plead, lifting my face to meet her eyes. Those sweet, caring eyes that have guided me my whole life.

  “I’ll always be here for you, Tia,” she promises, but I know she’s lying. She can never be here for me again.

  “I love you, Mom.”

  Chapter 20

  Tia

  Everything hurts.

  Open your eyes.

  I can’t.

  You can, you’re safe.

  No. No. He’s here.

  Open your eyes.

  Stop. Just stop.

  Do you feel it? Feel him?

  The question stills our conversation and I try to concentrate. Feel him? What does she mean? Calming my mind, I inhale deeply. I shiver, I’m cold. My body aches, my bones feel as if they’ve been frozen, as if I’ve been sitting in a refrigerator. A consistent beep comes from my right and silence sits on my left. It’s bright, even though my eyes are closed, I can see a white light.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Another sound catches my attention. Hissing, whooshing, something…

  Open your eyes, Tia.

  She coaxes again.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  Come on, baby girl. You’ve spent too long in the dark.

  Find your light.

  Find him.

  He’s waiting…

  Her voice fades and my eyes finally crack open. It’s too bright and I wince in pain. A groan, low and gravelly, rumbles in my throat. I try to swallow it down.

  “Tia,” a concerned, yet familiar voice, calls to me. “Baby, please open your eyes, I’m here.”

  His murmur is filled with love. Love? Shit.

  “Where…” The word scrapes against my throat which has my eyes pricking with tears. How am I in so much pain? What happened?

  “Tia, I’m here. It’s Brax,” he whispers over my cracked, dry lips. I must look like shit. “Can you hear me, Vixen?” This time his mouth is near my ear, which sends goosebumps skittering across my skin. Opening my eyes, I glance around the stark room. When my gaze meets his concerned one, I find emotion that sends me into turmoil.

  It’s right there, leaving me breathless.

  Love.

  “Brax?” My voice is raspy and my throat burns when I attempt to talk. Everything aches. The only thing I feel is pain, everywhere. “What… Where am I?”

  “You’re safe now. We found you in a warehouse, you were unconscious,” he murmurs so quietly I can barely hear him. As if he’s down a tunnel and I’m on the other end. “Tia.” My name on his lips is filled with need. Concern is etched on his handsome face, furrowing his brows and darkening his gaze. He reaches for my face, stroking it tenderly as if I’m made of glass. “We ran tests. You’re going to be okay.”

  I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding. The pain that is present over my body is mind-numbing. “Brax.” My voice is unrecognizable. “It’s R-Ryker…” He nods. Of course they’ve figured it out already.

  “We’ve found out a lot more than we bargained for, but what’s important. Tia… you need to tell me about your father.” I knew this would be something he’d need to know.

  I ignore his question, countering with one of my own. “How long have I been in here?” For a long moment, he stares at me, and then he drops his gaze to my hands where the tubes are attached to needles. I can practically see the wheels in his head turning. The only thing I want to do is feel his warmth, to be cocooned in his arms.

  “Three days.” Dragging those caramel orbs back to my blue ones, he watches my reaction as if I’m the most interesting thing in the room.

  “You knew he was my father?” I murmur, gesturing with my hand to my chest. The needle in my arm pinches and I can’t help wincing. I’ve been through far worse, I don’t know why this is getting to me. But after what he did to me in that warehouse while I was chained, I’m surprised I’m alive.

  A shudder wracks through me involuntarily and I meet his concerned eyes. “Yes, the night you found me in your living room I knew.” I stare at him for such a long time. The heaviness in the room is stifling. He knew who I was and he still wanted me? I don’t understand.

  “Why did you stay?” I ask.

  His gaze meets mine and heats me in the coolness of the room. “You know why, Tia. Or did you want me to tell you word for word?”

  Do I? Would it heal my mind if someone said it? Those three words. Shrugging, I lean back and watch him. His hair is mussed, as if he’d just woken up, there are also dark circles under his eyes and his clothes are crumpled. “Did you sleep here?” I question, needing to fill the silence, but not wanting to tell him I so desperately need to hear the words.

  He nods. Nearing the bed, he leans in and reaches for my hand. His eyes pierce my soul.

  “Tia, I’m in love with you.” Six words that steal my breath. Gold eyes glisten with unshed tears, the sincerity in them shining through as if I’m looking through a window. His soul is there, calling to mine. We need each other to survive. It’s clear now, I’ll never be without him, for some reason, he loves me, wants me. And as much as I’d like to push him away and save him from me, my mind, and everything else, I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to walk with him into the dark. I just hope he’s strong enough to pull me out.

  “I’m in love with you too, Brax.” My confession has my heart leaping into my throat and my stomach fluttering with anxiety. I’ve never loved anyone before.

  “I know, you told me before.” One side of his mouth lifts infinitesimally, it’s the smallest smirk, but on him it lights up his whole face.

  “What?” I squeak.

  He nods slowly, chuckling at the memory that I don’t have. “When I carried you from the warehouse, you murmured it while you were in my arms.”

  “Oh, god,” I groan in embarrassment. I was so drugged; I didn’t know what was happening or where I was. I must have been dreaming.

  “Look, we’ll talk about that soon, but what’s more important is what your father wanted from you and what your sister has to do with all this?”

  Questions.

  Questions.

  Tell him, Tia.

  No. I can’t.

  You can’t hide forever. He’ll find out. One way, or another.

  “My sister hates me. She believes it’s my fault she was sold and taken away. My father told her I chose for her to go instead of me. She
thinks I killed our mother, but to be honest, I don’t know if I did or didn’t. It’s all a memory that’s locked so deep in my subconscious that I’ve never been able to recall it. I came to Chicago to find him. Innuendo was registered in his name and it was my only link to finding him and making him pay for what he did. All the secrets are unravelling before me and I don’t know what to do, Brax.” I sneak a glance at him, hoping he doesn’t run the other way, but he shocks me by nodding.

  “Your mental condition is what’s shielding you from it. You need to let go of the place you run to in your mind and you’ll be able to focus on the real memories.”

  The serious tone of his voice stills me for a moment. “What? How do you—”

  “I went through the same thing you did, Tia.” His gaze bears down on mine, watching for something. Recognition. He’s like me. We’re the same person.

  “But—”

  “I saw your medical files, Vixen. I know about you, your mind. It’s going to be okay. This will all be over soon and we’ll go away. Okay?” Confidence in his words, surety in his eyes, love in his smile, it all slams into me, leaving me breathless. Nodding, I turn away, but his fingers reach for my chin, making me look at him again.

  “Don’t run from me. I’m not leaving, and I don’t want you going anywhere. We’re in this together. Tia, since the first day I saw you I felt you,” he places my hand on his chest, “in here.” My vision blurs and when I blink, all the emotion from the past hits me as if a dam wall has burst and I can’t hold back any more.

  Somehow, he manages to shifts his way onto the hospital bed beside me and he cradles me. My body wracks with shivers and sobs. He doesn’t tell me it’s going to be okay, all he does is hold me and allow me to purge all the pain and anger.

  I don’t know how long we sit there, but when the tears finally stop, Braxton moves and regards me. “We’re going to get revenge, Vixen. I’ll make sure of it,” he promises. His vow grips my heart and springs tears to my eyes.